Tony Mora

2011-08-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

What? Its only been almost two years since I posted. Big deal. But I'm posting now!

Here's my piece for this year's Super I Am 8 Bit Show. Its Link from the Zelda series and he's dead...or is he??? You be the judge!

Its called "The Ultimate Price."

The show runs through September and I think there's going to be a book signing and one of my old paintings is in that book as well! Yay! Go to the show, the space is awesome!

http://iam8bit.com/the-art-show/

2009-10-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

Tony Overload

So, I can finally talk about what I was up to for several months earlier this year.
My best friend, Grant Hollis, who works for Insomniac Games, asked me if I was interested in doing some freelance work for his company. Being a huge gamer, I couldn't refuse.
I was asked to do weapon "how-to" videos of the various weapons in the Ratchet game.
It was pretty daunting at first, not just because its a HUGE profile gig, but also because of the limited amount of time I had to finish the project. I had little over a month to complete 16-18 small form animations.
Sketching, boarding, drawing, coloring and animation.
EVERYTHING!
But, I was totally into it and actually finished with time to spare.
Insomniac really liked the art style I had come up with that they asked to me do more drawings which they would use in the game manual! Suffice to say, I was floored! I always loved old game manuals that used artwork that had nothing to do with the game or a different style.
Its like an extra treat.
THEN, as if that wasn't enough, another friend working on the project, Erich Meyr, was working on a mini game called My Blaster Runs Hot.
He figured since I could draw that maybe I could help him out on that as well.
Again, my nerdgasm reflex kicked in and I pitched in to help him out finish that project as well.
Its been pretty overwhelming to see the work that I did to be pointed out on some game sites and reviews, but it would of never happened if my pal, Grant, would have never mentioned me to begin with.
Erich and I actually got to cut a promo for his game and it turned out pretty funny.
Ok, its alright, but if you love videogames you'll totally be laughing.
Here's the links!
The cartoony stuff at the beginning of this video shows my work.

Erich and me talking about the game.
http://www.viddler.com/explore/sceablog/videos/642/

And this last one, they actually gave me a shout out at around the 11 minute mark!
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/playstation-eye-chat-insomniacs-brian-allgeier/

THANKS INSOMNIAC!!!

2009-09-06T13:48:00.001-07:00

3M Board Games

So Mandy and I went garage sale hopping yesterday and we came across some interesting board games with AMAZING artwork on the cover. They were made by 3M Board Games and were made in the 60's and 70's. I snagged these images from http://www.boardgamegeek.com/, sorry I don't know the netiquette of taking images, but there's the plug for their site.
Enjoy!

2009-06-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

Just as I was finishing my Caballeros painting, I came across this Polleria I had taken a picture of a while back. The resemblance is uncanny. I can't believe it.
So, so crazy.

2009-06-09T17:34:00.000-07:00

Starting a new painting.

2009-05-30T01:05:00.001-07:00

Crazy!
I'm off the internet for one day and I missed this.
My old pal, Aaron Simpson of ColdHardFlash.com fame, posted this cartoon I did for a couple that got married recently.
An old Art Center buddy contacted me and asked if I could talk to a couple that were gonna get married and they wanted something special. Like an animated cartoon on how he proposed to his honey. Anyhoo, two months later I turned in the cartoon just in time for their wedding.
It was a lot of work, but it was fun.
I have to thank Gabe, who helped me flesh out my storyboard.
Thanks Gabe!

2009-05-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

By Popular Demand

I love Punch Out!
I mean, LOVE IT.
I used to go down to El Redondo Pier arcade with my family and just gawk at the original Punch Out! arcade unit. You know, the one with two screens. Even for Grad Nite I think I spent more time at the Disneyland arcade playing it more than going on rides. I know, nerd. Then Super Punch Out! came out and I geeked out even more.
So where is this story going...oh yeah. So I've been updating my portfolio stuff and several friends started inquiring about these Punch Out! paintings I did for this group show, I Am 8-Bit, several years ago. They never sold but I have them hanging on my wall.
So here they are in their full glory.
You can download them and print them out as they are high resolution images.
Enjoy!

Oh, and Nintendo just released a new version of Punch Out! on the Wii.
Its sorta like the new Star Trek movie.
A total reboot of the series.
Its great!

2009-05-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

Blast From the Past

I was going over some old files and came upon this oldie....

When I was still learning my art chops at Cerritos College with my pal Grant, we both started this obsessiveness with Spumco. Even though up until that point I had never seen Ren and Stimpy I really dug their artwork.
Anyhoo, I think we were assigned to do a VHS box cover and I decided to do this fake movie starring Jimmy the Idiot.
Ok, so your all saying, "Whats the big deal!?"
Ok, ok, let me get to that.
So, I actually made this in 1995 before the Bjork video "I Miss You" which had a Jimmy model in CG.
I even had John K. sign a copy that I have hanging on my wall.
He even told me that I beat him to the punch!
So here it is in all its untouched glory.
Please, don't make too much fun of this or I won't share anymore old stuff...bah I don't care!
Have at it!

2009-04-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

Last year I had the pleasure of working with my old friend Matt Danner.
He got a directing gig on The Drinky Crow Show and thought I could paint some backgrounds.
The best part was that I would actually be working first hand with the creator of the comic strip, Tony Millionaire.
It was a lot of hard work and brought me to the brink of insanity but I think my work looked pretty cool.
Anyhoo, Mr. Millionaire just let us know that the show isn't being picked up.
So here, for your viewing pleasure, are some of my favorite bg's that I worked on.

This was actually the test bg that I did to get the work. I took an existing drawing and did a final ink over on top. I actually inked it, not digital, old school styles. I worked on vellum and let some of the paper texture show up on it. Mr. Millionaire liked it so much, he gave me the job!

I loved this version of the space wheel. Its an alternate version from the one they approved.

Inside Drinky's liver I believe.

This Candy Land bg was HUGE! Almost a gig working file. Tons of layers.

I like how the colors came out on this one. I used tons, TONS of color layers which I would mask and then poke holes through it with a brush.
Another huge working file. Probably my favorite. I just let the colors bleed into one another. Just fun.
Another alternate color bg. I just liked the blue instead of the choice they picked. I know I know, snooty artist me.
The last coloring job I did on the show. Its the end credits.
The End.

2009-02-27T21:22:00.000-08:00

Here's my reel, for reals!

2009-01-20T23:05:00.000-08:00

Oh boy.
New year already started and I'll be in a show this February.
Its the LA Myth 2009 Show.
If you can make it out I'll see you there.
I'm way behind on trades and other personal paintings.
I swear on the giant Mickey Monster that I shall finish the unfinished.
Laaaaaaaaaaate.

2008-12-13T00:06:00.000-08:00

Recently watched the majorly underrated 1994 film, The Shadow. Alec Baldwin puts up an acting tour de force portraying the dark hero. I've always loved The Shadow, he's so badass. Having Baldwin stepping into the cap and cloak only heightened the realism. If you haven't seen it go....GO NOW, watch it and love it.
Anyhoo, I messed around tonight doodling and decided to spiffify it.
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaate.

2008-11-30T02:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Mandy.

2008-11-21T15:20:00.000-08:00

Me again. Yeah yeah, haven't updated. I've actually been taking it easy.
But some news to post. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to freelance painting backgrounds on the Drinky Crow Show which happens to premiere this weekend on Adult Swim.
I won't sugar coat it. Its not for kids. FOR REALS. So hide the kids if you decide to click this link.
Drinky Crow Show.
It was a lot of fun to actually take Tony Millionaire drawings and be able to ink some and color them. It was also a ton of work that took me to the brink of insanity.
Mr. Millionaire is probably one the most interesting characters I've ever met in the animation biz, and I've met quite a few over the years.
He's super talented and can hold his liquor, I think.
I'll see if I can post some backgrounds so you all can take a gander.
Laaaaaaaaaaate.

2008-10-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

I finished my MYP painting waaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of schedule. I'm pretty happy with it. I just have to frame it now and make it look all purty.
Now I can finish up the Steve Lambe Trade.

2008-09-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

Started a new painting for a group show we're having at my work at Mike Young Productions. There was no theme, but I decided on doing something Halloweeny since the show is close to Halloween.

I've used this pumpkin character before in less evil ways. Some trick or treaters are making their way to see Mr. Pumpkin Man and his pot of candy. Little do they know that its really a snake that resides within the pumpkin. You know what happens next.

I took the drawing, ran some lead behind the drawing on my light table and transferred it onto 100lb watercolor paper.

I'm using acrylic paints. I have friends that use cel vinyl that I've never used. I might wanna try that out one of these days.

Just plugging along.

This'll be a quick painting. Thank goodness.

2008-09-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

Finally.
My good friend, Pringle, was pushing me to wrap up how the painting came out.
Here ya go.

Beginning behind the castle, I start laying in some more flames before I start laying in some bricks.

And VOILA! I failed to take pics of the progress of the castle. I had a torturous time trying to figure out the color scheme. I finally settled on making it more dramatic. The original color of the spires were more blueish. I just didn't look right.

Time to start rending the hill.

I first rendered up the small hills behind the larger hill.

BAM! Several passes of lightening up my greens and the hill looks pretty good.

The castle hill was looking a little too "hilly." So, I decided to break it up with some clouds. You know to make it look like its floating in the sky. I also dropped in a small pipe since in all the Mario games theres a pipe leading to a castle.

Ok, so these following pics came out sorta crappy. I started feeling rushed to get this to the gallery and the pics are a little blurry. I think you'll get the idea. I wanted to put a little extra love into the final piece of the painting which would be Mario crying.

Uno.

Dos.

Tres.

Donezo!

Awwwwe. Finally! I put my name on the bottom right and thats all she wrote. Once I put my name on the painting that's my way of saying, "Thats it!" I sometimes don't know when to stop, so its become my thing to let my brain to quit.

Yeah yeah, its me again. I finally got to the gallery and decided to take a pic with it to show the size relation. And it also hides my gut. Its the biggest painting I've worked on and the last! I had no room to maneuver while I painted. So, I'll stick to things smaller. Maybe nothing larger than 18"x24".

And here it is in all its glory.
And here's me and my pal, Gabe Swarr at the opening of the show.
It was super packed, as always. Gabe did the large Mario and Luigi wood cut outs.
Pretty impressive I must say. So, we basically took over that wall with Mario goodness.
I just got started on another piece for a show at my work. Then I'm also trading artwork with the amazing Steve Lambe and I've yet to finish another painting.
Ok, wish me luck, I'll need it.

2008-09-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

After the sky was laid in, I started blocking in the shapes of the castle and the dark cloud coming from the castle. Also the ship as you can tell. I REALLY try and work on my paintings in layers so I can overlap things on top of each other. So its imperative that I know where I'm going to end up.

Yes, thats me. Putting some detail into the cloud.

Here you can tell I already started putting some reflection of the flames on to the clouds. Have to put that in before the flames. Sigh.....working digital is soooooooo much easier. But this is pretty relaxing, just sitting at my desk and painting.

Here I blocked in the shapes of the characters . They will be simple , but I just want to block them in early in case I try overlapping stuff on them. I highly doubt it, but just in case.

Yup, me again. Action shot of me painting. Thats how I look. Stop laughing.
By this time I already started painting in the hills and some clouds.

I'll be layering the clouds in varying values and shades of porangey. Thats pink and orange. Its a Mora trade secret. The above photo is still in its rough stage. Just one flat color.

Ahhhh! I'll buy that at a high price! I'm really liking it. Again, its not really looking like the original color comp, but its close enough and really, I'm not that anal about getting it spot on.
As long as I'm happy.
As you can see in the above photo, I actually rendered the closest hill in the foreground. I wanted everything else to be sorta flat while the nearest objects are little more worked on.

I stare aimlessly into the painting....asking it what it wants. Tell me painting.....tell me what you want! Almost done, twenty more hours to go!

2008-08-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

Alright! So I have everything I need. A sketch, a color study and nerves of steel.
Again, that white painting surface scares the bejesus out of me. So I slap down some burnt sienna with a number 10 flat head brush just to make it look like I've done something.
Seriously. I usually start on a completely black surface only because it looks less empty.
Staring into the abyss you know.
Anyhoo, its a start.

I start laying done some layers of an orangey yellow sky and work my way up. I'm gonna try get a gradual gradiation from the orange to a wierd blue in the sky. Like in the color comp. So I think.

OH NOES. What happened. What is that? Its like some weird green. I tried mixing some blues with the yellow. Yeah, I'm not a genius, but like the commercial says, yellow and blue make green. I keep thinking blending colors with acrylics is like oils. Not so and me no likey. I start to thinking. Maybe if I keep the background this orangey yellow, the whole painting will work out better. So I tells myself, "Self, keep lying to yourself and make this work!"

Oh yeah! This looks pretty cool.
Its funny, I always tell people that painting is like magic. To actually project an image on a piece of paper or canvas that was previously just an idea in your head... its pretty magical. I work in animation and I'm constantly amazed at the talent daily, people just churning out images and I think people forget how awesome it is to do this for a living.
Ok, this is a good start. Now only 50 more hours to go on this.
Blarg.
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate.

2008-08-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

After doing my initial sketch on paper, I decided to do a quick digital color comp. Its going to be a really big painting, so to save on the grief of not knowing what colors to mix, this will be a time saver.

After doing my doodle. I wanted to just flesh out the characters I would have floating around in the sky. So, with a notepad, I just Googled the characters and started drawing my own versions. They are pretty close to the originals, but not exact. I would only be using this as reference since I wouldn't be transferring them as usual.

The I Am 8 Bit show is already up in Hollywood at the World of Wonder Gallery.
This piece is done and up on the wall. So if your in town check it out.
I'll continue with my progress and post the finished painting once the show comes down.
Laaaaaate.

2008-08-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

Alright, so before you start a painting you usually have an idea.

So, I got an idea and I sketched it out.

I know Mario Bros. is done to death for the 8 Bit show, but I figured, what the hell.
My idea is to have a scenic shot of the of a nice pastel colored Mushroom Kingdom, but in flames.
I guess I had the California fires in my mind when I came up with this idea.
Anyhoo, I figured I'd make Mario into some tragic figure and have him be the person at fault for this tragedy. So, Mario will be in the foreground weeping with his hands in flames.
Oh, just in case you don't know, in the game, Mario eats a flower and turns into Fire Suit Mario.
Ok, now you understand. I'm sure this is enthralling for all you nongamer types.
Now, since the Mushroom Kingdom is in flames I thought it would be cool and sad to have the souls of Mario's enemies headed up to Heaven.
Now, I'm sure your asking yourself, "Hey if those are Mario's enemies, why ain't they going to Hell?"
Well......hey! Look over there!
Laaaaaaaaaaate.

2008-08-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, fine, I'm going to start showing my artwork online here on my very own art blog. I'll start by posting pics of my upcoming piece for the next I Am 8 Bit art show. Its a 2'x4' piece of wood. I gessoed it several times and wetsanded it to smooth it out. I hate staring at a blank piece of wood. Its the scariest feeling, especially when its white. I dunno, I'm weird that way.

I've challenged myself to go straight to paint on this piece to free myself up from tracing and keeping it too tight. Although, knowing myself it will end up being tightly rendered. I'll have a sketch to go by and some character doodles and thats it!

Pretty exciting huh?
Reading all this and all you get is a blank board with no painting on it?
I'll keep posting pics of the process.
Laaaaaaaaaate.