Arnold Böcklin's Isle of the Dead 3D

I've done a number of homages to Böcklin's Isle of the Dead over the years. Here is the latest, done in Blender, which I'm experimenting with right now. Due to some kind of rendering problem, the sky & sea came out much lighter & less blue than intended. I've decided I like that result, though in future versions that might change again. This is my first attempt to do this piece in 3D, & I assume it won't be the last.

Böcklin's Isle of the Dead, 3D digital image

variation

Winged Heads (Hypnos, Morpheus)

Another sculpture in Blender, this time of winged heads -- the Greek gods Hypnos (sleep) & Morpheus (dreams) come to mind. I've displayed them here from multiple angles, as the wonderful thing about scupture is that it should function (& continually surprise) when seen from various viewpoints. I'm hoping to 3D print or otherwise cast these sculptures at some future point when a semblance of normality returns.

Winged Heads (Blender sculptures)

Old Man 3D

This is a test head that I sculpted in Blender (3D program)...I wanted to improve my 3D sculpting skills, so the best way to do that is to actually make something. It's not too bad, I think.

Old Man 3D, digital image

Old Man 3D, different view

Beware the Man in the Mask...

This started as an ink drawing, but after a false start or two became a monochrome acrylic painting with parts of the original drawing showing (at the sides). From the Coronavirus series.

Beware the Man in the Mask, 2020, ink & acrylic on paper, 14" x 11"

Future Human (Resiliency Rising A.R.)

This is a component of the Resiliency Rising A.R. (augmented reality) installation I've been working on in Blender this morning. It's an upgrade to the previous iteration (which I'm not going to highlight here, as it was a rough placeholder), & while it is still not a very polished & sophisticated semi-abstract sculpture, it is much closer to what I want. It's supposed to be gender neutral, ethnically ambiguous etc., and also I highlighted the heart area of the chest, as the future of humanity should have a heart...

Future Human, digital 3D image

Below you can see the updated prototype installation in animated GIF format:

Resiliency Rising AR, animated GIF

Storm Bringer

This little guy arrived today...I think he's part of the Coronavirus series...and I think he's a keeper...

Storm Bringer, 2020, brush & ink on paper, 14" x 11"

Resilience Rising animated GIF

This endlessly looping animated GIF probably gives a better idea of the piece (this is still in prototype form) than the small video previously posted. The overall effect is promising, the actual figures, if studied closely, are not where they need to be. The "new world" sphere (growing out of the old world) is textured with the painting from the front cover of my wife's book, A New Global Agenda, incidentally).

Resilience Rising, animated GIF (converted from movie file)

Resilience Rising in Bronze

I was wondering what Resilience Rising would look like cast in bronze, so here is a rough simulation. This is actually a screen grab from Blender's "sculpting" workspace, so it's not technically accurate, but gives a reasonable idea what it would look like, should that ever happen. Also, since this is a prototype, you can see how rough the figures actually are. I expect they will get better as things progress...also, the figures should be more ambiguous & varied (I've replicated the one figure many times here).

Resilience Rising in Bronze (digital simulation)

Resilience Rising

Here are the studies & a short screen capture video of the proposed large-scale augmented reality (A.R.) public art installation, Resilience Rising. This piece is in its early stages & will most likely go through several iterations before it is finished. I'll post updates here as they happen. The small figures in the video (actually, one figure repeated & repositioned for expediency) were sculpted in the 3D software package Blender.

Resilience Rising, 2020, acrylic on panel, 10" x 8"

Resilience Rising, 2020, brush & ink on paper, 14" x 11"

The Ship of Fools is Becalmed

Another new drawing in the Coronavirus series, as I'm probably calling it. Another version of the Ship of Fools.

The Ship of Fools is Becalmed, 2020, ink on paper, 14" x 11"

They Are All Lost in the Forest

A new small acrylic painting on panel. This one came out darker (literally & figuratively) than I expected, perhaps.

They Are All Lost in the Forest, 2020, acrylic on panel, 10" x 8"

Virus World

Whilst the Coronavirus is occupying a lot of our time, here is another drawing inspired (if that's the right word) by it. This & the previous drawing might be part of a series, not sure at this point. In the meantime, stay safe & healthy.

Virus World, 2020, brush & ink on paper, 14" x 11"

Mask (the Silent Scream)

Here is another new drawing, inspired by the current situation we're all living through...

Mask (the Silent Scream), 2010, brush & ink on paper, 14" x 11"

The Ancient

I haven't been drawing much recently, having devoted myself primarily to computer-related activities; augmented reality & so on. But, here is a new ink drawing on an old theme, from today:

The Ancient, 2020, brush & ink on paper, 14" x 11"