Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Thrilling news folks, Gwango’s Lonesome Trail is now available on Amazon.com!!! So if you’re a fan of lonely dinosaurs and bizarre roadside tales, you can order a copy on their marvelous sight for the low price of 17.95! And if you like what you see, feel free to write a customer review—I’d really appreciate it!

To celebrate the occasion I wanted to post something on the evolution of one of the books illustrations

It started with a desire to pay homage to one of my favorite photographs by Ansel Adams. His snapshot of the church house in Taos is really spectacular, and it seemed to perfectly fit a particular scene in the story where Gwango encounters an artificial dinosaur attraction in the middle of the desert.

Here’s a little sketch from my composition book.

And here’s the finished illustration.

55 comments:

  1. That's really great! The sketch makes me envy, the final thing makes me miserable.

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  3. Why miserable?
    -Justin Parpan

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  4. Awesome illustration dude!!!!!!
    Love the colors!!!!Yeah!!!!!

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  5. Great job! Are you studing in CalArts?then you are a very very luky man, I wish to be there...
    amazing blog congrats

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  6. COOOL!! Congrat!!

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  8. Toni, I spent three years at Cal Arts, and I just graduated. It was a damn fine school, and I miss it a lot.

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  9. great art here, is this painting 100% digital? looks nice!

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  10. hey, i really enjoyed your illustration. the gwango one is really nice style. i admire 'adult' who can tell story to kids. that's great talent to be able to think 'both sides'.

    salute justin!

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  11. love that painting

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  12. your illustrations is awesome! and such a wonderful site.

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  13. Justin,
    Man you're killin me with these great pieces. Love the process and the final painting.

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  14. Hey thaks for the comment on my Blog. You have some awesome artwork man, and congrats on Graduating Cal Arts.

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  15. Awesome colors! love the the drawing.
    Thanks for the kind words.
    Cheers,
    Meesimo

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  16. sweet, i'm buying me a copy now!!!! your dinoart is fantastic!!

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  17. your blog and your work are amazing- looks like you have a great career ahead of you in concept design or illustration -keep it up!

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  18. It's exciting to see something of your process. I like how a comparison of the original planning sketch and the final, shows the way you balanced the composition, somewhat like the way Adam's photo is balanced.

    Congratulations!

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  19. Great colors. Really like the composition too.

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  20. Congrats that is really exciting man! I'll have to check out a copy of your book. I'm not sure if you have posted about how the heck you got a book published but if not, that would be great to hear!!!

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  21. Anonymous12:12 PM

    YES!

    snagged my copy.
    been waiting to read this one!
    Congratulations

    -brian

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  22. Andrew, my work is kind of mixed. Some of its digital, while other works are done the old fashioned way.

    Senior Chips, I’m thrilled you like what you see. I’ve been completely digging your skeleton works for the past year now!

    Thanks Boris!

    Doodlers, I definitely strive for balance in my compositions, so thanks for noticing.

    Jeremy, I’ll make sure to post something like that in the weeks to come.

    Wow Brian, coming from you that’s a great compliment. I created the book for illustrators like you and me, so I hope you like it!

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  23. Justin, are you sure you didn't grow up in the southwest?

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  24. Greg, don’t let my pasty pale complexion and red hair fool you. I was actually born in a small peasant village in Mexico. My real name is Poncho Parpan!

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  25. man, my girlfriend and I were looking at your work last night, and we both agreed it's amazing. You have something truly unique!

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  26. That's awesome Justin! Really well framed, with the little snake and all. Not because I want to pick things apart, but everytime I see an image I really like, I always take an extra look to see if there's any flaws, like bad tangents or weak silhouettes etc, but you seem to be aware of it, cause I can't find any!!!! Great job! I'll definitely check out the book:)

    Hans

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  27. hey Justin, saw the cover for your book at Marthas benefit. Fucking amazing. It looked so good up close but I was shoert on cash. I wanted it bad!

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  28. WOOHOO! Finally the day has come! Congrats Justin!

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  29. ¡Hey, poncho! ¡Gran materia! ¡Nunca sabía que naciste en México! ¡Bravo!

    -estaban

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  30. Thanks a lot Jarrett. I really appreciate it!

    I agree, Hans, and I usually find myself doing the same thing. But thanks for the kind words. I give special permission to you to completely trash my work whenever you want—but only you, I’m kind of sensitive.

    Hey Jesus! Thanks man—that means a lot coming from you. Yeah, I think Jeremy Bernstein swiped my Gwango cover. So if you really want it. . .

    WOOHOO right back to you Jared, and thanks for all the support youve given me over this past year. The books not actually out yet. It will be released on the 29th of this month. And on that day expect an email from myself. Your going to get what’s coming to you sir!

    Thanks Alex

    And Stephen, I’m sorry pal but I got a B- in my high school Spanish class which pretty much means I never retained a damn thing!
    -Poncho Parpan :)

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  31. Congrats! I love the illustration, it just looks like a world of its own.

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  32. Anonymous3:19 PM

    Great stuff man! Your work is so awesome! That's right, I said awesome.

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  33. You have a beautiful blog. The tasteful colors have finally given my soul some respite.

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  34. Oh Yes - Just great!

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  35. hey justin, thanks for dropping by;
    very tmospheric blog you got here. I like the style a lot.
    best,
    M

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  36. Wow! Great work!
    I'm not well schooled in BG's, but I do know what I like. And I love what you're doing here. Thanks for your comments and keep that creativity a flighin'!

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  37. I worked in LA for 9 years and would drive back east and hang with my family and friends on down time between projects. I must have stopped at every town that had a dinosaur attraction. You have captured that and I cant wait to buy your book. Congrats and best of luck

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  38. Beautiful colors and good works !

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  39. cool work....i'm gonna save up my milk money and buy your book....thanks for commenting on my blog

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  40. Hello Justin

    Congratulations, great work!!

    Cool stuff, take care.

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  41. awesome blog! great stuff

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  42. Thanks Chicken gal! One day I hope to move into a modestly priced apartment in that world. That would be sweet!

    Thanks for the visit Ryan.

    Chris, glad I could bring some comfort to your soul. My soul could use a vacation as well!

    Thanks Mattias, I really appreciate that.

    Dave, Mamu, Enzo-thanks for stopping in.

    Jimmy, I grew up near the Cabazon Dinosaurs. It was a really cool experience, so I’m glad I could create that same bizzaro kind of feeling. Thanks for the comment.

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  43. Hi. Congratulations on your publication, it looks absolutely wonderful - I love the style. And it's the first of many, I'm sure. Love your brother's stuff, too.
    Cheers,
    Gerry

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  44. JP, beautiful work as ever, mate. Nice to see the evolution of the picture. Real treat and rather fine homage to boot!

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  45. I.N.J., thanks for stopping by the old blog sir.

    Hey Gerry, nice to see a new face.

    Ah yes, it isnt a party untill Mr. Bling drops by. Your the life of the party sir, thanks for the visit!

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  46. Congratz with the book, You a great blog a really dig your drawing style :-)

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  47. I mean you have a great blog and I dig your style :-)

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  48. Great I'll pick up a copy. I hope you sell a ton!

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  49. congrats! beautifully inspired work! it's lovely to see your process. definitely gonna check out the book!

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  50. i like that bottom illustration with the dino through the door..very nice. your stuff has an instantly recognizable look to it. very unique!

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  51. Miserable because I can't do anything that good.

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  52. I refuse to believe that.

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