this man says it better than me
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Changing Seasons and Charging Stampedes
its getting darker earlier... you know what that means!
right, i forgot to white balance!
anyhow, just figured i would fill folks in,
my movie, that i put on youtube is experiencing some difficulty, especially with the onset of that SOPA bill, since, as it was a student film, i was not required to compose my own score. but yes, i am working on re-loading it at some point.
this might be an interesting time to express an opinion on the matter of SOPA, which i learned about only last night, by a friend who was fairly volatile about the shortsightedness of this maneuver by its supporters; ie big industry hollywood and other media mongrels. since i am an artist of media, this bill limiting the content of the internet could protect many for-profit items from sly techie fingers. however, i do not believe that this is a motion that should exist, or at least not in this form for two reasons.
a) the way the pushers are going about this bill means that search engines will become outlawed or extinct, which while edgy sounding and therefore cool, does not bode well for anyone looking for information. not only will we be persecuted for linking people to other information, but the entire student population will lose their greatest resource (since too few people make use of the libraries these days, myself included)
and b) because it hammers another nail in the rickshaw coffin of downloading, which the government has been working to bury for years. downloading movies, books and music is the price of digitization, as the media industry has overextended itself to compensate for their increasingly sheltered consumers, making it easier and easier to hide behind a computer screen than interact with real people in order to get what we want. this is the compromise that the companies make, with itunes and netflix and those damn kindle pads. i mentioned that the library was seeing less use these days, and this is why; the internet has become a digital library that anyone can access from the comfort of their toilet. crying sour grapes because people innovated someone else's innovations is a poor sport's move, and yes i approve of taking an action, but burning libraries is an archaic expression of frustration.
a solution to this might be...
- leaving search engines alone, because they are a valuable resource that provides large corporations with free or inexpensive advertising.
- finding a way to instead of ban downloading, accept that its become the new library, and treat them like any other library system, by having them pay before they distribute.
- remember that the hard copy is still a valuable product. people still support things that they enjoy, so that they can see more of it produced.
- eat a shoe, just because i am a fan of shoe eating.
thank you
- ben
Thursday, November 17, 2011
massart holiday sale 2011
http://inside.massart.edu/campus_life/student_activities/holiday_and_spring_sales.html
officially my second sale like thing!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
October is gone :( so things happen
sad fact,
but no worries! hopefully there will be more where that came from! assuming the earth doesnt crash and burn before it! but apocalyptic naysayers aside
,
its going to be an interesting november.
presently, i have an eviction notice waggling in my face, which means
a) phonesex for everyone!
b) camels can communicate telepathically!
or c) i need a new place to live
the answer is C
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
positive attitudes everyone
maybe i will hold a commissions drive, like the people who actually have followers.
with that, i will facilitate my moving and hopefully make a few people happy.
so, thats new. um, what else
oh! potential slot in the massart holiday sale! that'd be neat!
anything else ben?
na... well maybe. if i can finish coloring it, y'all will be getting some goodies, pro bono ;)
but on the bright side...
well thats my homework for this week.
tune in next time space cadets ;P
Friday, October 28, 2011
Deepsuit #1 review
My first review on my first issue of my first (official) ongoing series.
So long as i don't turn into one of those internet trolls that threatens
"PS im nut updating til u giv me 10 god revoiws!"
- Tara Gillesbie
Much thanks to Rick Silva, author of said review blog.
Wimsey can be a mouthful and a half.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
covering my bases.
its depressing when my brother has a bigger fan base than me, and so i am going to organize myself into a poly-blogal tycoon!
here it is, almost up, i will be doing the tumblr along with all my trendy hip college friends
because i'm secretly a spineless tadpole in a stagnant pool of seepage!
yes, im kidding. do you really think a tadpole has diction like this???
Thursday, October 20, 2011
first batman commission ever
well, here we go folks! another new piece or two from your old pal ben. what a flake. i should really make an art book or something non-linear narrative like. that should be next. that really should. maybe. i dont know yet. look, its pretty!
commissioned by my pal, Dave Mahan, who has his own art blog here
http://davemahanart.blogspot.com/
also, recent study of flesh color stuff. my model was kind enough to walk me through it,
even though i made an utter mess. its gross, don't look at it. yuck.
in my defense, it was 1 am. mer mer mer.
goodbye
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
some recent art things
recently, i've done some fancy new painting and drawing from life, which isn't top notch yet, but its getting better. this is technically a student's blog after all, and since lack of growth is unlife, i can admit to my skillset still being on the way up.
fist is one of ten portraits (the only one in color) which i did for my media techniques class of my friend Stephanie Leap.
she is pretty awesome, so here is hoping i do her justice.
next we have some observational drawings i did at Occupy Boston last friday as part of my human figure in illustration class. it was rainy and miserable, and lots of people were angry. at their stepfathers, or at the suited men walking by. the doggy was nice though
there were some really nice people there though, who shared umbrellas and made conversation.
also, bearded lady and patches, who were some of the more interesting characters there.
and lastly, a gift for my friend James Rossi, a gentlefellow in the Brokensea audio productions,
that was playing the soundbit of the moon landing. i didnt quite get all of it in there so it would translate as "-tep for man, one giant leap for ma-"
i think
that's all folks, have a nice weekend!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
homework and ephiphany
Some recent classwork of mine. I'm getting more confident with acrylics, and soon I will post what might be my finest painting to date, should I be capable of prying it out of my commissioner's hands long enough to photograph it
model
apple
stippled weedoh, and a smashing idea i had for the next convention,
to protect the kiddies
Thursday, October 13, 2011
someone interviewed me once
Ben Doane - Untitled Portrait
i can say this now thanks to Caitlin Malcuit of the Backstage Beat,
who I only just now remember talking to, because i am distracted often by loud noises, or droning sounds. Anyhoo, in this great display of journalistic talent, i get a paragraph to be me! no i didnt write it, but i was quoted! and super duper flattered!
FURTHERMORE i recently saw the "National Figures" exhibit in the William Scott Gallery at 450 Harrison Ave over near Chinatown, which was a wonderful and informational exhibition studying the human form.
Bill Carman - Yes, I am a Vampire
Some of my favorites include the works of Isaac White, Rick Berry and lastly Scott Bakal, who instructs my media technigues* class.
why q's look like g's at this hour i will never know
But speaking of Scott, i recently found a photograph i took of his M.I.C.E. handout, took it off my shelf and reread it about five times (its short, i'm not obsessive. i promise)
Scott Bakal - Dim Stars
its really a beautiful piece of workmanship, with intimate colors and a very familiar sense of humor, overall winning its audience over on the meekness factor.
his website is as follows
adiue
*techniques
Thursday, October 6, 2011
photos from the con!!!
this is me
i look very excited, or terrifying, or crazy.
because i'm with my friends
and when i am with them, i do crazy things.
in this case
dance and wear a dress, and make other people dance against their will
or make them feel awkward and uncomfortable
with love
Sunday, September 25, 2011
yesterday was long
so i went to the mice convention.
and it was awesome.
had me a table...
and some awesome friends around me.
sold stuff, had fun, broke even at four pm
the profit went to dinner.
good day
however,
i was upset by something really big, and really frustrating
there was an emphasis on super hero characters from big company names
which ate up so much of the market, that i was like
"where did the independence go, if everyone is relying on dc and marvel to make cool characters?"
it broke my heart, and i wondered if i would have to sell out next time.
and then the coffee shop lady rhea accidentally stole copies of deep suit and near legend.
ho hum. at least i didnt show her the prints
in other news, i am announcing a collaboration between myself and joe tagliaferri http://afingerlessbutcher.tumblr.com/
furthermore, im going to submerge for a bit, to lick wounds and make more comics. i saw lotsa stuff at the con, and much of it was inspiring. ming doyle, dave mahan, patt kelley, and allan dorison, i especially thank you all, along with joe tag, bethany strohm and alex dufault, who sat in a corner helping me all day long.
goodnight everybody
i have great friends
Friday, September 9, 2011
Gretel Kickstarter Arrives
over the summer, my friend Connor Leahy asked that i do some sketches to flesh out his vision of the fantasy world of "Gretel," his latest proposed film. With great faith in the project, i now link all my (7) followers to his page hither, with a congratulatory "hey ya" sing and dance routine in elation at seeing his project kick off from the ground.
in addition to the content here, i am working on some top secret projects with Mr. Leahy, SO Y'ALL KEEP EYES PEELED, 'AIGHT?
OKAY NOW FELLAHS....
Thursday, August 25, 2011
look, im attempting humor!
so, i was sitting at the kitchen table with my stuff spread out all over...
feeling really good about the art i was doing
when i looked at the exhibitor list again
and realized that i was way out of my league
and then i thought to myself,
what would charlie chaplin do?
congratulate the competition. good work everybody!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
my name, in lights, can it be?
im not worthy, im really not worthy, but i am super stoked to have my name on this list.
maybe i will do a dance.
but really, i cant express how excited i feel.
maybe i should equate this to sex. or an adrenal rush.
or just a really great pie.
eric powell says that is best in life.
who am i to argue?
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
i owe you guys a lot of art
gushgushgushgushgushgushgushimafruitsnack
okay. top five are from a calendar from my senior year
then a self portrait for my mapping narratives class this spring
a raichu
an evil evil bunny from the cover of a dictionary i did (partial credit to bethany strohm and klye fleischer)
and then a print for the mice convention
gushgushgushgushgushgushgushimafruitsnack
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
near legend series begins soon-ish
alrighty folks, i make lots of promises
most of them i keep, some of them i break, but all of these are for the greater good, no matter where on the line they fall
the one shot of near legend (i showed off a month or two ago) is not the final version
instead, im being me, and making executive decisions based on what i think might be better.
trust me, i am not doing this without reason.
the actual first issue of the series is going to be a full 3o pages chock o block full of comic, with all the stops pulled out, and special surprises in store.
sorry for the inconvenience. im doing what i can so my fans can get what they deserve.
awesomesauce
on the bright side this is pretty
insert name here
okay, so i took a night and stayed up til three. my pal alex and i were working on a d&d campaign...
yes
so anyhow, im doing this because
a) i dont have his email
b) he needs to see it
c) i thought it was kinda cool
this still needs awesome sauce, names, and more filler by my estimations, but here it is, with brains on all systems being go.
and remember, technical jargan is not my strong suit
Dungeons and Dragons Campaign - Part One - insert name here
in the elf hall:
an assembled group of warriors, you among them, stands before the throne of the elf king Glendow.
on his face is a look of overwhelming despair and concern. he explains
"long ago, in the midst of much bloodshed, i forged a truce with the goblin cheiftan Saffar promised the end of animosity.
yesterday, this agreement was breached with the kidnapping of my son whilst hunting with his friends in the woods east of the palace.
any action this kingdom might make to respond would be initiation of an all out war, which is why i have summoned you to find and
return my son by the least violent means possible."
-should players resist, you can bribe them with money, inspire then with glory or threaten them with unpaid
tabs at local mead halls. unless they're connor leahey, they should be compliant enough with just the mission.
-basic facts for the dm, their journey should take at least two days of gametime/adventure before they reach the castle.
in the wilderness east of the palace:
the ground has been trodden by hooves and shoes alike in a manner indicative of struggle. wagon treads accompany in the muddy soil.
they break off as one pair of hooves retreats towards the palace, whilst the other marks go eastward.
-if inspected closer the hooves treads are those of a horse, several goats and a bull. the shoes are all goblin sized
the trees grow close together, but there is path enough that a goblin wagon could navigate the forest.
it begins to rain, and the path becomes trecherously soft.
-rolls made to avoid slipping and falling. the lowest one slips. the character's weight and size should make a
difference (higher = more inclined to slip and stumble) damage is d2 (heads is 1, tails is 2)
branches seem to claw at the path in front of you, and roots rise up to trip your feet.
-rolls made to avoid the plantlife, but lowest two suffer. same test as above, but with the inclination towards smaller
characters to be more vulnerable to these dangers.
ahead you can make out a clearing in the brush. there is an wagon overturned on its side, and beside it, a dead goblin with a wolf
gnawing at its face.
-a) avoiding this scene using stealth "there might be a path around"
b) interveening to look for clues
-everyone makes a dexterity roll, for maintaining stealth. if failed, the rest of the pack appears (3 other wolves) at
your backs, thusly making it a two front conflict. otherwise, the wolves dont realize you're there. if someone
(ie; a paranoid or sensitive character) notices the wolves (if their test scores 17+), they can organize an ambush
before the wolves surround the group. however, attacking the eating wolf calls the pack out, and avoiding him makes for
an absence of wolves now, but they could follow the group for later.
# wolves are creatures the size of large dogs, and attack with their teeth. when successful, these attacks deal d6-1 (minimum 1) damage.
their sense of self preservation is very keenly aware, and they will flee if they are inflicted more than 5 points of damage, and will
die if they suffer over 11. if two of them die or flee (any combination of deaths and/or flights will count) they all will flee.
under the vest of the dead goblin is a folded-up wad of paper. upon closer inspection, it is a crude map with directions eastward,
leading through the forest, over a bridge and to a building.
-following the map and the path lead to the same results. here is the opportunity for the wolves to strike, if neccessary
after hours of hiking, the tracks continue up a hill where the trees appear to thin out, and the stormclouds, now having stopped their pouring,
become visible through the opening canopy. at the treeline, there is evidence of a pause in the procession from the circles of burnt rocks
and little holes in the ground. beyond that the path goes upwards again.
-intelligence checks all around. success notices that the treads of the animals, wagon, and goblins do not touch the holes
or the stone circles. if this is noticed, then a wisdom check is in order, and if successful, then it might be determined
that these stones were placed not by goblins, but by fairies, which is bad.
# fairy rings are circles of natural objects that if intruded upon, compel the intruder to dance for d4 hours, magically affixed to the
spot. he cannot converse with the party, and will be asked to remove himself for the timebeing from the players as they determine their
course of action.
-attempts to remove him by physical means will cause the character d6 pain damage and he will lose his footwear, which
will continue to dance without him and will not allow themselves to be removed from the ring for that duration. magical
attempts to rescue the character will successfully remove him, if the players can think of a loophole to separate the
victim from the ground.
in the plain beyond the forest:
over the last bit of hill, the land becomes a barren platau with the exception of a bridge 100 yards eastward, constructed from planks and
rope. coming nearer, the bridge takes on an odor of sour sweat and digested cranberries. it spans the length of a great spacious gorge with
a river running the length of the bottom. suddenly a meaty arm swings over the top of the ledge, and with little effort pulls up a troll
wearing filthy suspenders, with the tail of a fish hanging from a pocket stiched in the side.
-the troll makes no attempt at violence, but will respond with such if he is angered or attacked.
# bridge trolls are offensive humanoids standing roughly eight feet tall and weighing close to 300 pounds. their fighting style involves
much punching, grabbing and throwing due to their highly developed forearms. if the troll rolls really good though, he picks his opponent
up, and tries to throw him. on a regular wound they can dole out d8+2 damage, while a throw deals +4 damage automatically. they
can sustain a total of 40 points in damage. however, on each turn, these beings regenerate d3 points of health. weak spots include joints
(inner elbows and kneecap backs) and do +d6 damage and stop them dead in their tracks. this same modifier counts for fire damage as well.
though a mouthful of fish, the troll offers this;
"i have a mouth, but do not eat. i have a bed, yet never sleep. i bring life to trolls and death to travellers. what is i?"
he takes a moment to belch, and then continues,
"if you guess my joke, i'll let you pass. if not..."
he shrugs
"...im not sure. something... or other. have you guessed yet? you're only allowed three of those. two now i suppose."
-give them five minutes, and if they dont guess river, or brook, or some sort of synonym for that, then shoot them
-worst case scenario is that they screw it up and have to fight the troll. they'll live. fudge the dice if the troll tries
throwing them off a cliff though, so that an interveening action works and the character being thrown can be saved.
crossing the bridge is a simple enough task. overhead a vulture circles, making the party aware of his flickering shadow as he eclipses
the sun. over the bridge is another slope, that crosses the divide between the dry hill to a snowy mountainside. the hike passes quicker
this time and soon your party has passed through the evergreen crown and into a frostier climb. not much farther, the tracks lead towards
a castle built on the slant of the slope.
each player must roll a constitution test, (the highest score being the victim if the roll is a pass.) the victim falls into a ten foot deep
and five foot wide chasm beneath the snow. roll a d10 to determine damage. and then have the group determine the way of rescue.
on closer inspection the stone building is four stories tall, which includes a partially visible basement. the southern face from the third storie's
ceilling to the second storie's floor seems to have been burnt away opening the floors to the effects of the elements. on the west wall of the first
floor there is a set of tall double doors, into which the tracks lead.
in the abandoned castle:
the first floor is an enormous hall, with a long wooden table at it's center. at the end of the hall the north and south walls each have stairwells,
the former ascending, the latter descending. the east wall has a closed door beside each stairway. (these doors are blocked from the other side)
a pair of carts and goats rest to the left of the main door.
the basement is a damp wine cellar with a number of artefacts resembling long coffinlike boxes, made of iron and shut firmly with locks set in the
containers themselves. from one of them, frantic breathing and scratching can be heard from within.
the second floor stairwell opens into an L shaped corridor with two rooms off to each side, those on the north face open to the snowy waste.
the stair to the third floor overlays the staircase you just exited.
-northeast room = bathroom, where all the food supply of the convoy is being kept
-northwest room = door open, four goblins inside sleeping on yellowed bedspreads, their weapons close at hand. seemingly, they
have spoils tucked into their armor (about 10 gp worth) dexterity test to not wake them up
# goblin warriors are not particularly powerful creatures, but make up for this with their agility. armed with swords, sheilds and light armor, they
can dole out d6 damage a swing and can soak up a maximum of 12 damage apiece.
-southwest room = door is locked from the inside.
-southeast room = the gash in the building has taken the south, east and west walls, opening the southeast room into the southwest
room. both are covered in a thick layer of snow, with their beds and dressers charred. at the head of the bed in the southwest room
is a steamer trunk. (if opening is attempted, it is revealed to be a hungry chest.)
# hungry chests are magically animated trunks with a taste for flesh, as part of their design is a set of teeth that line the edges of the lid. the
opener of the trunk must pass a strength test or suffer d8-1 (min 1) damage.
the third floor is of the same layout as the second, except the entire south face of the hallway has been burnt away, leaving a sliver of a ledge to
access the rooms on the north side of the castle.
-northeast room = a bathroom
-northwest room = the master bedroom with a four poster bed with dusty drapes surrounding it. from the doorway you can see the goblin leader.
on his hip, he wears a ring of keys. (intelligence check, to notice the tripwire at the foot of the door. +1 for rolls by short people)
if the wire is tripped, the goblin leader will shoot first and ask questions later.
# the goblin leader is a bundle of bandages with a tricorner hat and long duster jacket. on his person is an axe (d6 dmg) and a flintlock pistol (2d6 dmg)
only one weapon can be used per turn, but the flintlock takes a turn to reload. on his left hand, he wears a ring that grants him one re-roll to any attack
during the course of a single battle. he has a total of 25 hp, and upon his waking up, he will surely summon the rest of his crew. they arrive in d4 turns.
upon reaching the first floor, the kitchen wall bursts apart with the snapping of lumbar and stone, and out steps an enraged minotaur, who marches towards
your crowded stairwell with violent intent.
# this minotaur is a large furry monster sized being, roughly twelve feet tall, with the head of a bull steer. he carries a large two handed war axe with
a chain attached to his right wrist, and ornate armor hanging from his massive chest. his axe would deal 2d4+2 damage, while his horn attack deals 2d6+2
and at 52 hit points, he provides a formidable target. (after sustaining 44 damage, he will retreat to the basement.)
following to the cellar, the minotaur has his hoof placed firmly on the head of the groaning coffin, with his lips triumphantly pulled back in a sneer.
"any closer and i'll crush his head!"
(give the group three minutes to come up with a plan. at the end of that, if they've not done anything, the minotaur picks up the box and smashes
out of the basement and barrels down the mountain. if they rush him, he crushes the elf's head. otherwise, use your best judgement. a projectile or
magic might knock him back. any projectile that deals a deadshot will automatically save the prince)
possible outcomes. it turns into a chase with a minotaur down a mountain 2a
it turns into everyone in a house of the dead + an elf prince 2b
it turns into everyone in a house of the dead - an elf prince 2c
2a
the minotaur barrels down the mountain at 50 yards a minute, whilst most humanoids only manage to pull off 30 or 40.
(a chase on foot might be a fruitless endevor, and in a short amount of time, ranged weapons may become ineffective. if the party can think to ride anything,
such as perhaps the goats or the wagons down the side of the slope, that might become enough to chase the minotaur down and slay him and thereby rescue the prince.)
(should the minotaur escape however, jump to the chase scenario)
(should you rescue the prince however, jump to 2b)
2b
with the fragile elf prince safely exhumed, your party breaths a sigh of relief as his ragged breathing pierces the silence.
"im so cold," he whispers. (go to seige scenario)
2c
a gloom is cast over the party as the lock clicks under the crushing weight of the minotaur. the head of the box is crushed so that what was once it's lid can
nearly scrapes the bottom. (go to the gritty scenario)
Monday, June 27, 2011
mermaids on the horizon
hey again, i thought i'd add some tiny pictures of the draft, and final painting that i've done for a set of three deep suit prints that i hope to sell at the expo. in this one our... encased hero finds himself in combat with a ferocious... mermaid??? this isn't a spoiler. go home! and get off my lawn!
end of june, beginning of awesome
okay folks, its an exciting month ahead of us.
i have some surprises for all of you cool cats who care
1. im turning Near Legend and Deep Suit into series, hoping to get the second issues of each out before the...
2. massachusetts independent comics exposition which me and some of my associates are planning to get a table at, although nothing is set in stone, i began making
3. paintings that i will print and sell at the convention, given that i have a table
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Deep Suit re-release
hey everybody, i just did a new cover for the second printing of the one shot, deep suit that i made last summer.
looks like my camera got in the way on this photo. as with the aforementioned Near Legend (see post previous) this book is 24 pages b&w with a hand colored
cover (limited color) and can be attained through me directly, or when i find a venue. whichever, whatever. im just happy that its done :D
Near Legend is now out!!!
okay folks, you finally get something new and sparkley. my latest one shot, Near Legend is out and in print! i still have no venues yet, so while im out looking for those, you can still hit me up for a copy. price negotiable because i dont know the value of my own work :D
this book is 24 pages b&w, including cover with limited hand colored bits.
intended for a semi-mature audience for language and violence.
nate oulette everybody!!!
special thanks to him, bethany strohm, kyle fleischer, cassandra anniti and lara booth.
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