Asparagus
This was a quickie I drew at the end of our lesson one night. Just a few short spears of asparagus. Seems like we were supposed to be experimenting with shadow?
I tried a little harder with the three gourds you’ll see after the break.
Sloppy Old Sketches from Outer Space
8 July 2009 by mtvernonDwarf Invasion 1
6 July 2009 by mtvernon
This is not a friend
You are very small
You can barely stand up to me
You can’t play basketball
– Common Denominators, “Dwarf Invasion”
I kept hearing interesting things about Bay 12 Games’ Slaves to Armok: God of Blood, Chapter II: Dwarf Fortress, so I gave it a try this past weekend. The game is a combination of roguelike and city-building play styles that uses ASCII graphics. Shit is way over my head.
After about fifteen minutes of play, a quick personal narrative’s all I could come up with. It’s based on events that occured shortly after Dwarf Fortress generated a custom world for me. Nothing much happened because I’m clueless as to how the game is played.
Sometimes you have to make your own fun.
Sloppy Old Sketches Galore
1 July 2009 by mtvernon
Shoe
I actually still wear this pair of shoes! The little stitching details were fun to reproduce. Awfully satisfying.
Hopefully I’ll be putting pencil to paper again soon.
“I’m not even supposed to be here today!”
29 June 2009 by mtvernon
I’ve been playing Fallout 3 for a solid forty-eight hours now. That’s TWO FULL DAYS of my life. Neither of which I want back. In fact, I’d gladly give two more. I’m practically begging for the chance.
Over the past several days, I’ve caught my brain whining. It’s been a tough week or so…all stick and no carrot. Every time some minor thing’s come along to add strain, I’m hearing myself say Ugh! I just want to play Fallout 3.
The whole sequence reminds me of Dante’s refrain in Clerks. He’s forever trying to retreat from his day as it continues to escalate in general weirdness and absurdity. Which is exactly what I’m crying out for — a little escape from my stressors. But I want that break delivered in a very particular way. One that isn’t, in fact, all that relaxing.
So why would I rather be there than here? Because games are sometimes little more than work made rewarding.
When you’re playing, the carrot’s not always just out of reach.
MORE Sloppy Old Sketches
24 June 2009 by mtvernon
Boxes
About four years ago, I was working at this neat architecture firm with a spare office suite right next door. I used to go over there and just, like, sit on the floor. That was my lunch hour; I sat and sketched in silence.
Good times.
In case you’re wondering, I think that thing in the foreground is a ceiling tile.
PATCHA PATCHA PATCHA PON
22 June 2009 by mtvernon
Dear Japan Studio, dear Pyramid, dear Sony Computer Entertainment,
I sing your praises. Patapon is a groundbreaking, adorable, and enthralling little game. It’s colorful, musical and charming as all hell. The marriage of rhythm and tactics seems a match made in heaven. Which is why I want so badly to finish it! Heck, I’d love to buy, download, and play the sequel! So it’s with a humble, heavy heart that I beg you:
Patch Patapon. Please. Please, PLEASE patch Patapon.
There’s no shame in it. The same’s been done to PixelJunk Eden and Bionic Commando Rearmed. These beloved games’ fans just wanted something a bit simpler so they could experience a full play through without suffering such frustration.
Yes it’s a lot to ask. You built a brilliant game, and you built it just the right way. But this thing’s gone AWOL on you, and now there’s an audience that’s just crying out for difficulty adjustment.
“Less grind, more beats,” they say.
It’s not about breezing through the game without any challenge. It’s not about clarifying the somewhat arcane unit “birthing.” It’s not about removing the level replays. It’s about giving more casual gamers an opportunity to check out all of the content. I’ve played for quite nearly ten hours and haven’t seen a fraction of what’s offered. If only my units were a little bit stronger (or the resource drops to upgrade them just that much more frequent), perhaps then I’d have a hope of finding the time to complete this amazing title. As things stand, I’ve pretty much given up on finishing it.
And, if their own god’s lost faith in them, how will the Patapons ever make it to Earthend?
Sincerely,
mtvernon.
Sloppy Old Sketches
17 June 2009 by mtvernon
Outlet and Lamp
Believe it or not, a post on Jordan Mechner’s wonderfully inspiring blog (the lovely “Attracted to watercolor” one) prompted me to remember that I used to draw. Er, well…took a class in it, that is. Fun stuff! So I started digging through my old sketchbook and was pleased by what I saw. I plan on posting a few of these in the coming weeks — hope you’ll indulge me.
The above piece was a freehand exercise; I don’t think we were supposed to lift our pencils, but, as you can see, I cheated. Or maybe just misunderstood our instructions.
There’s a lettuce leaf after the break if you’re interested.
