Nightbird Gallery Computer Den

Computer Den

Sometimes it takes a while for a good thing to get started. I stood back and scoffed at artwork made by a computer stating that it was the cheater's way out, the thing does it all for you. OK I WAS WRONG!! :) Once I got started on figuring out what this puppy could do and how much was involved in doing it I just can't seem to pull back from using this tool. No, the machine doesn't do everything, there is a lot of work involved in each picture. Any artist who dabbles in computer work will know this. For the most part, the a lot of time was spent working on the computer to polish my skills. Most images now are hand-drawn then rerendered in the program via my mouse.

Recently a VERY nice person donated a tablet to my attempts at artwork. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! That tablet lasted me for a goodly amount of time until I purchased my own Wacom complet with the pen tool! One of these years I will get the BIG model that comes with the computer screen tablet... but right now that's out of my price range.

Newest towards the top... the works at the bottom are older works while I was mastering my mousing skills. :) ... and now add tableting skills. :)

"Lyra"

A cute little scamp I'm going to have to use somewhere. She seems to have that little sparkle of mischief in her eye. Yes, her clothing is mismatched for a reason. More or less for fun. Lyra also doesn't seem to be the kind of beast who would be too concerned over who she dresses.

"Heros: Draco"

Life has it's own plan that sometimes sweeps us away without a thought. Draco is by no means an exception to the rule. Overcoming the ill-sided odds are what deems one a hero... especially overwhelming odds!

"Young Draco"

The 'verse was not a happy place for young Draco growing up. Life lessons came at a price beyound what most pay. But still, some how he managed to persist to adulthood and beyound, becoming a beacon of hope for many for ages to come...

"Artist Page Background"

Sometimes you just feel a need to to rehash old things. The About the Artist page used a cast portrait that I had done when I was first learning how to draw on the computer. It was done to the best of my skills... then... I decided it was time for something new! And here's the new background. Enjoy!

"Strongler Family Portrait"

And the whole point of doing those 8 pics was for this piece here! A picture of one of the more convoluted plotlines I have ever toyed with! Thus far this family is the key central plot of a collecton of 7 plotlines bound by the common name 'Beneath the Billowing Sail'. One of these years I will start writing them!

"Character Portrait: Richard"

Vile does not even begin to describe this canine viper. Richard is the about as underpawed as they come. The lazy eldest Strongler boy, he was always content to let Roger do all the work. Once he inherited the distellery, Richard discovered what hard work it really was... the business didn't last long past his father's dying breath and life was ruined... save for one thing: the insane drive for vengance against his successful younger brother... Roger cannot run far enough to escape his brother's lust to destroy him.

"Character Portrait: Kat"

This simple farm maiden had no idea what life had in store for her when she first laid eyes on her soulmate. Katherine Eidolon grew up in Talgany in the farm next to the Strongler's distillery. She fell deeply in love with Roger the younger brother who was born on the same night by the same mid-wife as she was. When he told her how he'd sail off with the Navy and earn his way up to captain when he would return and take her away with him on grand voyages the romantic streak in her only saw the beautiful distant horizon... she never saw the deadly hazards that would bring her untimely death.

"Character Portrait: Justin"

Justin, the long lost son, believed to have been drowned as an infant. Imagine his surprise when he learns of his sailing family's background! Despite being the son of a sea captain, this quiet fellow has a severe phobia of deep water that he never quite understood... until the night a Naval Admiral and a free-sail Captain showed up at the tavern to inadvertantly reveal his tragic past. Woven into the big picture is this quiet, unadventerous soul who admires and fears his older siblings.

"Character Portrait: Erik"

Some families have black sheep, this one has a white one. Erik the mysterious albino sone who doesn't even know his parentage. So, when he finds himself in the company of Blood Rose neither have a clue that all four half-siblings have been reunited. His story onfolds in two tales revealing the odd wanderings of this Moon Child adopted by the Kinoauyn. An inspired story of conquering the shortcomings in the onset of life, Erik survives the unimaginable and has a unique outlook on the world that shuns him.

"Character Portrait: Buck"

In the distant future sails the great great grandson of Blood Rose, Jacob, more frequently referred to as Buck because of his heritage, claims nationality to no land but to the sea. For he was born cradled by the ocean's waves in his parent's tall ship. Swearing allegiance to no country, he is a well seasoned immegration caption.

"Character Portrait: Christopher"

Here is the blood son of Roger, who goes through the majority of his life believing himself to be the son of Richard... it is only after both brothers are laid to rest that the truth is revealed to Christopher. A truth that he cannot come to grips with in his shattered and buried past. Somehow, this tight collared cast off can't understand why his half sister Rose desire so much to be the legitimate off spring of, Seahawk the Rogue.

"Character Portrait: Blood Rose"

Rose Strongler is a rather complicated character as she technically Roger's niece by blood, but by spirit she is his daughter. It's a rather complicated issue that always remains rather blurred quite on purpose as Rose claims to be his daughter and Roger claims she is his devout niece. But this adventerous maiden takes to the high seas and continues Seahawk's legacy after his body is laid to rest... Blood Rose carries his spirit onwards to distant horizons.

"Character Portrait:Seahawk"

Character portraits solidify designs and help to uniformly define how one would like something to look. Here, Roger Strongler, A.K.A. Seahawk stands posed and ready to fly into the foray. This is really the central character that started all of 'Beneath the Billowing Sail', a collection of novels which one of these days I will get around to writing.

"Angels of Music"

Erik and Christine sing a glorious duet together in his subterranean lakeside house. This picture for my best friend's wedding gift. There is and always will be only 1 print of this pic. The background is full water color on illustrators board with a handinked outline on the foreground scanned into the computer, colored and digitally overlaid. It was quite a process, but I am thrilled with the result.

"Angel of Music"

Cunning, intelligent, crafty, and even a touch of cruelty make the fox the best creature for Erik's persona. Yes, I had to cheat the original discription and keep a nose on him... I tried to stay true to the story, but that part proved too tricky. He still looks creepy in the mask. But, it's not where his true beauty lies, everyone who knows his sorrowful story knows better! We love you Erik! Raoul sucks!

"Voice of an Angel"

Isn't she pretty? Christine looks rather shy with a spot light shimmering over her shoulder. I always pictured Daae as being a cat, perhaps because of the range of emotions she expresses throughout every variation of this very twisted tale.

"Phantom of the Opera"

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a PTO nutcase. I just love Erik, the Opera Ghost and can't help but feel the poor guy gets a bad rap. This portrait shows Erik and Christine rather posed. these character designs are reworked from earlier <cough bad cough> attempts. They look MUCH better.

"Happy Hauntings"

Have a safe and Festive Samhain! That's Halloween for those of you who aren't familiar with it's Celtic roots. ;)

"Gyrlaird Bowain"

Bowain ruled the Highlands for many a decade. A fair and just gyrlaird, he oversaw every tiny detail of his lands with indifference to his own fate. Sadly, his fate was a sad one by the sword of betrayal. But he was not the destined immortal leader... that chapter was yet to be written.

"Gyrlaird Eeanoie"

On a cold dark Scottish night this is a not a good sight to come upon... likely it'd be your last! I'm very proud of how this piece turned out. I lot of tedious work has added up to an effective looking Sgathogha. By the way, never call them gargoyles... sgathogha will introduce you to a whole new definition of humiliation. And it isn't pretty... unless you're the sgathogha, that is.

"Peaceful Waters"

Looks like I'm straying from the pirate theme... wrong again! Erik is distant thread in the story. More of a Gypsy than a pirate, he shares their free spirit. Eventually, this will all make sense!

"Brutus Harper"
"Just who's side is he on anyway?" Hard to tell. He's tried to make ammends with the navy that betrayed him. But betrayal is a hard thing for a loyal heart to forgive. Harper tends to serious about trying to sail straight in a crooked world. Times change every beast, the ocean taints them all, eventually.

"Grey Fisher"

Fish or Fisher for short. This Bosun's Mate is not known for being chipper, but he is known for being one heck of a catch! Catching fish, that is! Sailors like this sinewy guy aren't known for settling for landlocked luxery for very long. Better luck next ship, Ladies!

"Silvershadow"

What do you do with a drunken first mate earli' in the mornin'! I recommend being very quiet til his hangover clears. Shadow's kinda of a no nonsense feller with a short and vile temper. Never ask about the missing eye. Oh... and if a sailor can't even put on his baldric right... he's probably too drunk to tell friend from foe!

"Rabar Hask"

Well... isn't that a face only a mother wolverine could love! No, that was not meant to be a question! Rabar isn't exactly a guy you want as a pal, nor an enemy. Heck, better to not run into this bad boy on the high seas or you may find out what 'guts fer garters' actually means. Ickers!

"Benttooth"

Can't have critter sailors without pi'rat'es. Ok... I'll admit, that was a tad lame. But you don't know Benttooth the traitor if you think he doesn't deserve it. Benty is just a few oars short of a rowboat!

"Scraps"

Onwards to sea with the ocean theme! It's pirates in the galley, pirates on the decks, pirates on the ocean, oh what the heck! Pirates EVERYWHERE! Scraps is the otter galley cook. He likes his galley to look quite 'sharp'... thus the 'sword fishies'. What else would pirates eat? Cutlass 'catch'atore?

"Wave Blade"

Yes, I'm a huge Jack Sparrow fan... though a fan of Pirates for a FAR longer! Anyone remember 'The Pirate Movie'... Wave Blade is a female vixen of Irish origin and will soon be a member of a RP crew. A Pirates Life Fer Me! Hah har!

"Cliffs of Sligo"
Life's not fair, is it little survivors! This is part of the back story for my RP pirate, Wave Blade. Rather the reason she's been orphaned and easily agrees to join the crew of the Sea Gypsy... I love a good back story!

"Tarsuinn"
Exploring a new idea just for kicks! A critter adventuring party. Made up of two Faol, a golden half-dragon, and human mage trapped in a gnolls body... I am sooo evil sometimes!

"Lessons in the Starlight"
Someone on the Lionking.org site saw my stuff there (I must confess I had forgotten about my page there, oopsie!) and they asked for a lionmane tutorial. After I finished the outline it was just too cool not to color. So here's the finished piece!

"Me and the Moon"
An awesome original Gaelic Storm song! Heard this puppy at Milwaukee Irish Fest 2005 and immediately after returning home began to draw this pic! It's getting up here late because of a program glitch.

"Aalid Feie"
The 'Wild Beauty' was created for a new fan who wished to do an arttrade with me. You can find Elvenbeaty's piece on the Flea Market page.

"Bosun's Watch"
A considerable change from below, he looks more lifelike now!

"El Dogrado Upgrade Test Illustrations" Utilizing Bryce 3D the world of El Dogrado has been brought back to a new standard of life! An amazing assortment of textures and details make this a whole new playground! Much more to come!

"Scheming" Mutiny is a great way to pass the time...so is weaving the rope that'll hang the Cap'n! This picture has been finished in two ways, the hand finished version can be seen by clicking her e.

"Fetch This!" Ash is back and ready to clear the way...gee, hope you're not the one standing in her way, otherwise this could get really messy!

"I Want My Credits Back!" I have discovered that college is survival of the most anal. The only way to get through it is to babysit those in the office who claim to be working 'for you'...well, they just neglect to tell you few things--like how many credits they're ripping you off for! Have a nice day. :)

"Too Little, Too Late" Even now in June it's hard to forget how far the September 11th tradgedy reached. This is my belated tribute to a victim of this horrid act of terrorism, in fact, she was a fellow high school graduate and a friend of mine. 2006's class reunion will be unattended by Jessica...somehow returning to my old school to take the photo of the flagpole out front was very hard for me. "We are only immortal for limited time..." my favorite rock band Rush once said--then our eyes are pried open to the truth.

"Sanddancers" Look, the female figure! Presented with curves and grace. The animals are drawn respectful to their species--the sandfox is shorter and stoater than the jackal. I decided to explore drawing the female figure with the animal twist--but with a definate difference. If you can't see what's missing, I'm not going to tell you. >:)

"Maximus's Desk Topper!" It's Maximus, the Chihuahua from my comic 'A Sense of Dormalcy'. The real life inspiration for Max asked a while ago for a desk topper of his char. I finally had the chance to polish off the initial drawing I'd done for him in the first place... Confused yet? :) I turned his concept sketch into a desk top.

"Cory's Request" Well, here he is in all his glory...Cory the...errr....ummm...well, his design is rather original. :) One day while eating lunch he commisioned me to do this little pic for him out of curiosity as to what it would look like. The line I tag with it is--"Aye! I think we should cu' it's 'ead clean off!" Kinda looks like a thing he'd say...heck I KNOW he'd say it--it IS Cory after all!

"Gyr-Laird" Can't be too careful around this one! Nightbird is not one to be triffled with. I have heard from people of late that all her pics are too sad...ok, here's a happ...well, she doesn't look to happy here, does she now. Well...she's not looking sad at least. Anyway, she lent her name to this gallery and is by far my favorite char, nearly my alter-ego. Hrmmm, that isn't entirely a good thing. >:)

"Too Little...too late" This is the basics for a picture (there is still more to it) I've been planning for a long while... I still feel it is far too late in coming, and fails miserably at equaling the truth. I lost a fellow high school graduate in the 9-11 tragedy. It's one of the most difficult pieces I've done yet--not becase of it's composition, but because of the feeling behind it. It really makes me wish I had continued talking to her after high school instead of letting a small issue divid us. In my yearbook she wrote that we had had our difficulties because we were so similar and that we would always be friends...I had been reluctant to even let her sign that year. Amazing what it takes to change our views of the past. Now, I would not trade anything for that day I stopped avoiding her and let her sign. Jessica, I suppose it's not enough to say sorry--I wish I had done it sooner. Rest In Peace.

"Bubble Trouble" Ifile-tu and Nehluka are up to it again! But only because Gesten sent Ifi a 'little' Christmas package that included the best thing in life--Poppy Paper! Who can resist the temptation to obliterate all those noisy air pockets? :) None-the-less, this pic was a request as a 'Thank you' to Gesten for brightening the day of these two rascals... oh, and the other stuff was cool too. :)

"A-neh-bis" I'm a sucker for a good joke. :) This one is rather an inside joke but I'll try to shed some light on the subject. Nehluka is a fennec fox I role played a while ago on a Lion King muck. Recently, I brought her onto Flipside muck on the Pridelands. Now... there is an Egyptian god known as Anubis. I was rather bored one evening and the idea of having this rambunctious little mouse-catcher hold the power over life and death became quite amusing, and FAR too tempting. so, here she is, A-neh-bis, the mousebane!

Older computer rendered files from when I first learning mouse and tablet.
Computer Den Archives.

All artwork contained on Nightbird Gallery sites is copyrighted to Foxy 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. Theft or redistribution of any works contained on these sites will not be tolerated, and is punishable by law. If you would like a copy of the artwork or wish to use a piece please contact Foxy and obtain written permission.