Kyu Shim Illustrations

2010-07-09T09:53:00.004-04:00

A quick caricature of a co-worker (photo-based) done with a Wacom tablet in Adobe Illustrator using a brush setting.

Taxi Driver

2009-10-02T14:02:00.003-04:00

Watching Taxi Driver as a young teen late one night on TV, I was struck by how the underbelly of New York was portrayed in Martin Scorsese's film. Even more powerful was Robert Deniro's sympathetic portrayal of a deranged Travis Bickle.

Here's the obligatory Bickle sketch done in marker and coloured in Photoshop, which was based on a photo off the 'net.

Another Quickie

2009-09-25T14:01:00.002-04:00

Quick marker sketch coloured in Photoshop.

Pitt Brush Marker

Photoshop

Quickie

2009-09-18T12:09:00.004-04:00

A quick warm-up sketch of Dennis Hopper based on a photo off the 'net.

Wolverine

2009-01-18T21:46:00.000-05:00

A quick sketch of Wolverine.

Doom

2009-01-12T20:53:00.003-05:00

Here's a quick sketch of Doctor Doom stealing the Power Cosmic from the Silver Surfer.

Iron Man sketch

2009-01-11T18:39:00.002-05:00

A quickie of ol' Shellhead.

Work in Progress (update 2)

2009-01-10T11:29:00.006-05:00

I've added some highlights since last time, but keep in mind that with the glazing process ( as far as I see it and probably not the most efficient way of doing things) all or some of the underlying glazes will be obliterated or modified with any ensuing glazes. That said, there will always be evidence of the layers in some form. At this stage, I am still blocking colours and shapes.

Work in Progress (update)

2009-01-02T10:07:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year, everybody! This year, I resolve to spend more time doing and posting more artwork. We'll see how it goes. That said, this painting is slow in coming, but I thought I'd show it in a progressive stage with a few more layers of paint. The midtones and darks are coming along. I'm not following any general rule of thumb. This is my own interpretation of the glazing process and oil paint is so forgiving.

Work in Progress

2008-12-08T21:42:00.003-05:00

Haven't posted anything in awhile. Here's a detail of the underlying drawing and initial layers of undercoating for a painting of a friend. It's based on a photo I took of her. I'll post the finished painting once I'm done.

Profile Portrait 02

2008-08-04T15:15:00.004-04:00

Here's the other profile study of a friend of mine that I mentioned earlier. Oil on canvas.

Captain America

2008-07-15T11:17:00.003-04:00

A little Kirby inspired Cap action.

Profile Portrait 01

2008-07-06T15:45:00.003-04:00

This is a painting of a friend of mine done in oil paints on gessoed canvas. It's one of the paintings I'll be showing at an upcoming group art show. I'll post the other one once it's done.
One thing traditional oils have over digital paints is it's unpredictability, rawness and happy accidents.

The Joker

2008-06-26T22:11:00.003-04:00

A quick sketch inspired by Heath Ledger's interpretation.

Vampirella

2008-06-24T19:29:00.004-04:00

A quickie.

Hellboy 02

2008-06-24T16:47:00.003-04:00

A quick sketch.

Wonder Woman

2008-06-16T20:01:00.003-04:00

Here's a quickie of Wonder Woman. Colours done in Photoshop.

Bizarro

2008-06-09T20:15:00.004-04:00

Supes

2008-06-08T18:42:00.002-04:00

Spent a couple of hours on this today.

Happy 70th, Big Guy!

2008-06-01T18:12:00.004-04:00

A quickie...

Hellga

2008-05-29T18:58:00.004-04:00

Another American Gladiators quickie...

Darkseid and Desaad

2008-05-28T16:32:00.001-04:00

From the archives...

Batman and Robin

2008-05-28T16:30:00.000-04:00

A sketch from the archives...

Crush

2008-05-27T19:23:00.003-04:00

A quickie of my favourite American Gladiator.

Tarzan

2008-05-22T10:58:00.003-04:00

A quick sketch from the archives...

Digital Portrait 03

2008-05-11T18:40:00.007-04:00

Hello,
A photo-based digital painting of a friend of mine done in Adobe Photoshop. I like the immediacy of painting digitally. It, of course, is not without it's share of problem-solving, but the medium is a lot more forgiving than, say, acrylics or oils.

Digital Portrait 02

2008-05-10T18:38:00.006-04:00

Hey All,
Here's a digital portrait (based on a photo I took of a friend) I did in Photoshop using the airbrush tool. I started it this morning, took a break to run some errands during the afternoon and spent another couple of hours on it after I got back.

My Iron Man...Swiped!

2008-05-03T13:00:00.002-04:00

Hey All,

It has recently come to my attention from my good friend, Mike Cho, proprietor of donheck.blogspot.com that my little Iron Man ink sketch, which can be viewed here was deliberately swiped by some one calling himself "Dimitri.Q". He submitted it to http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/fanart/ as his own.
Now I don't know what this person hopes to gain or get away with, but I just find it quite pathetic and lazy that someone would download a low res jpeg of my sketch from my website or from the various other sites I have submitted it to in the past and claim it as his own so he could submit it to a fan art site.
On the topic of Iron Man, I just saw it the other night and I gotta say it was a killer flick. Can't wait for the sequel.

Gunslinger 03

2008-04-13T22:32:00.003-04:00

Another quickie...

Gunslinger 02

2008-04-08T21:30:00.007-04:00

Another gunslinger in a clear line style.

Gunslinger

2008-04-06T14:09:00.003-04:00

This quick sketch was inspired by the film, The Magnificent Seven (1960), which I caught on TV the other night. It was kind of cool seeing such icons as Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Eli Wallach share the screen.

Sleeper Sketch

2008-03-02T20:57:00.003-05:00

A quick ink study...

From the archives...

2008-03-02T10:25:00.007-05:00

Here's a couple from the archives that dates from way way back. The first is an etching of a screaming baboon. The next one is a stylized profile done in ball point pen, if I'm not mistaken.

Portrait of Samuel Beckett 03

2008-03-01T13:57:00.005-05:00

Here's a quick portrait of Samuel Beckett. Pencils included. The first two can be viewed here and here.

Digital Portrait 01

2008-02-18T21:49:00.004-05:00

Here's a quick digital portrait experiment that I did earlier today which was loosely based on a black and white photograph of a friend. I started with a rough sketch which I then scanned. Then I inked only what I wanted to remain 100 percent black with a pitt pen. After scanning that, I overlayed it on top of the pencils in Photoshop. The pencils were used as a guide for shading and highlights. Pencil sketch included.

CD Art

2008-02-09T11:25:00.000-05:00

Hey All,

Thought I'd share a recent freelance illustration and design gig. The client was a local band called Aceface who was putting out an independent EP. Their music is MOD influenced and I decided to convey that with stark images of the still thriving culture, namely the fashion and vintage scooter.
The scooter was outlined in Adobe Illustrator and painted in Adobe Photoshop. The figure was hand-drawn and inked and then coloured in Adobe Photoshop. Layout in QuarkXpress.

Digital Sleeper Painting 02

2007-10-28T12:13:00.000-04:00

Here we have another digital painting done in Photoshop (The first one can be viewed here.). I start with a drawing, scan it, and use it as an underlay guide.
I'm still trying to get a feel for this method, which I enjoy for the time saving aspect of not having to wait for layers of oil paint to dry even though nothing beats the tactility of oil paint on canvas. There is also more room for error and general experimentation with digital painting. Although the same can be said of oil painting. I guess the madness is in the method.
Anyway, the digital painting above was based on the under-drawing viewed here which was the basis for this oil painting. In comparison, both have their subjective merits.

Red Sonja

2007-10-14T13:21:00.000-04:00

Here's a little cheese cake inspired by Frank Thorne. I've included the initial sketch and inked-only versions as well.

Digital Sleeper Painting 01

2007-09-26T07:28:00.000-04:00

Hey All,

Here's another sleeper study. I've tried something a little different this time and digitally painted this one in Photoshop. Still have to work out a few kinks, but overall I'm pleased with the result. I've included the initial drawing as well.

More Random Sketches

2007-09-01T11:38:00.000-04:00

Hey all,
Haven't posted in awhile. Here are a few Fantastic Four themed sketches.

The Thing vs. the Hulk

Sue and Reed Richards

And Dr. Doom having his way

Random Sketches

2007-08-12T23:15:00.000-04:00

Here are some recent sketch exercises.
Vincent and Jules from Pulp Fiction.
Inks

Pencils

Ming the Merciless

John Carter of Mars

Iron Man

2007-07-28T18:43:00.000-04:00

Here's a quick marker sketch of my favourite incarnation of Iron Man.

2007-07-15T19:51:00.000-04:00

Here's a couple of recently completed sleeper studies of friends of mine. Oil on canvas.

Grey Hulk

2007-06-16T14:14:00.000-04:00

Here's a quick brush marker sketch of an early incarnation of the Hulk. Quick colour fill done in photoshop.

Piss and Vinegar 017

2007-06-06T20:45:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 016

2007-06-03T08:28:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 014-015

X-Men, circa 1979

2007-05-30T19:36:00.000-04:00

Yet another fairly quick X-Men brush marker sketch. This cast of characters are more in line with the Claremont/Byrne era. Colour fills done in Photoshop.

X-Men, circa 1969

2007-05-27T18:08:00.000-04:00

Here's another quick brush marker sketch with colour fills done in Photoshop. Originally I wanted to draw this "family" portrait of the original X-Men in their classic dark blue and yellow student garb, but opted for the later, diverse, more colourful costumes of that era.

Piss and Vinegar 014-015

2007-05-27T10:14:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 013
Piss and Vinegar 016

2007-05-27T09:23:00.001-04:00

A quick brush marker sketch of Supes in an iconic pose. Colours done in Photoshop.

2007-05-18T20:48:00.001-04:00

From the archives, a couple of small studies done in oil on canvas.

A straight portrait study of a friend.

Another sleeper study of a friend of mine.

Piss and Vinegar 013

2007-05-18T20:08:00.001-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 012
Piss and Vinegar 014-015

Piss and Vinegar 012

2007-05-14T22:48:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 011
Piss and Vinegar 013

Piss and Vinegar 011

2007-05-14T22:47:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 010
Piss and Vinegar 012

Piss and Vinegar 010

2007-05-13T12:24:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 009
Piss and Vinegar 011

Piss and Vinegar 009

2007-05-11T18:53:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 008
Piss and Vinegar 010

Piss and Vinegar 008

2007-05-04T18:21:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 007
Piss and Vinegar 009

Supergirl

2007-05-03T18:13:00.000-04:00

Still trying to get a handle on these brush markers.

Piss and Vinegar 007

2007-04-27T19:01:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 006
Piss and Vinegar 008

Piss and Vinegar 006

2007-04-23T23:37:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 005
Piss and Vinegar 007

Spacegirl

2007-04-23T23:34:00.000-04:00

More practice with the brush marker.

2007-04-21T19:04:00.000-04:00

Trying out a few marker brushes with a simplified style...

Piss and Vinegar 005

2007-04-19T19:53:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 004
Piss and Vinegar 006

Piss and Vinegar 004

2007-04-17T19:30:00.001-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 003
Piss and Vinegar 005

Piss and Vinegar 003

2007-04-14T10:32:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 002
Piss and Vinegar 004

Piss and Vinegar 002

2007-04-09T18:20:00.000-04:00

Piss and Vinegar 001
Piss and Vinegar 003

2007-04-06T14:33:00.000-04:00

A couple of pencil studies from the archives. The model, an art school friend from days of yore.

Piss and Vinegar 001

2007-04-06T13:22:00.000-04:00

I'm starting a little experimental digicomic called "Piss and Vinegar." Meandering slice of life episodes of fictitious people you'll come to either love or hate. I'll be posting the comic a panel or two at a time, but each post will be titled appropriately to mitigate any confusion. All I can tell you about the story is that it'll concentrate on a disparate group of people and the trials and tribulations that befall them. Unique? No, but we're all entitled to our interpretations or variations on a theme, n'est pas?

Piss and Vinegar 002

2007-04-04T19:14:00.000-04:00

A few drawings from the archives...
This one's a pencil drawing.

This one was done with markers.

Ditto.

I had a ball with this one. A ball point pen, that is.

2007-04-04T18:58:00.000-04:00

Here's an underdrawing for a painting that I posted earlier. I usually draw right on the canvas getting it to a somewhat polished state. Then I spray a fixative over it so as to prevent any smudging or complete erasure when applying oil paint over it. The actual painting can be viewed here.

2007-04-02T19:41:00.000-04:00

I'm on this nostalgic superhero kick of late. A quickie of the ever-loving, cigar chomping Thing.

2007-04-02T19:33:00.000-04:00

A few more oil paint sleeper studies from the archives.

2007-04-01T11:03:00.000-04:00

Here's another oil study of a friend of mine that's nearly completed. Just gotta tighten things up and add a few minor details.

2007-03-31T20:25:00.000-04:00

Here's a quick pencil sketch of Spidey, followed by loose brush work over the pencils using a very small sable hair brush and finally a quick colour fill in Photoshop. Sorta channeling Romita Sr. for the pose: a variation of the classic poses found at the end of this post.

2007-03-29T19:26:00.000-04:00

Just doodling these days while coping with my allergies. Damn you, Spring! Another quick marker sketch, this time, of the Hulk. I brought the black and white drawing into Photoshop to give it that old school half tone colouring look.

2007-03-26T20:49:00.000-04:00

A quick marker sketch of Silver Surfer. Kirby dots done in Photoshop.

The Apartment Building pt. 2

2007-03-23T18:53:00.000-04:00

The Apartment Building pt. 1

2007-03-23T18:49:00.000-04:00

Here's another example of pictorial narrative pacing and cross-cutting scenes all eventually leading to unpleasantries of all sorts. Viewer discretion is advised.

Giant Killer Robot Anthology 003

2007-03-21T19:19:00.000-04:00

An exercise in pacing and pictorial narratives without words.

2007-03-19T20:43:00.000-04:00

Here's an oil study on canvas I did recently of a friend of mine.

2007-03-17T12:29:00.000-04:00

Another sleeper study of a friend of mine. Oil on canvas.

Hero's Requiem part four

2007-03-12T21:20:00.000-04:00

2007-02-26T21:07:00.000-05:00

A sketch of Clint.

Giant Killer Robot Anthology 002

2007-02-24T16:11:00.000-05:00

Another drawing put through the wringer known as Photoshop. This one's about the harmful effects of cell phones and how they are actually homing devices for killer robots. Go figure.

2007-02-24T11:33:00.000-05:00

These are oil paint sketches on masonite. Just studies trying to solve the light and shadow interplays. Kinda eery, too.

Hero's Requiem part three

2007-02-19T20:56:00.000-05:00

Giant Killer Robot Anthology 001

2007-02-16T18:50:00.000-05:00

It must seem like I'm cranking out a shitload of work, but I'm going post crazy (postal?) and just wanna showcase some old stuff. A little photoshop experiment over my pencils and inks. God, lens flare much.

2007-02-16T18:38:00.000-05:00

Say it with me now...SHAZAM!!!

2007-02-16T18:27:00.000-05:00

A blog without a drawing of Wolverine is like a penis without an urethra. I think that was an answer to an SAT question.

2007-02-15T23:40:00.000-05:00

Here's a few more paintings. Sleeper studies, I call them. Friends who have been kind enough to pose for me. Note to self: I really have to work on lighting my subjects better.

2007-02-15T23:32:00.000-05:00

You might notice I'm all over the place experimenting with different styles and techniques and mediums. This is probably cuz I get bored real easy likes and I constantly want to challenge myself. So many muses, so little time. Here's an oil painting I did a while back. It was based on a fashion photo in a magazine. The play of light and shadow was what drew me to it.

Hero's Requiem part two

2007-02-13T18:18:00.000-05:00

2007-02-13T01:31:00.000-05:00

This was inspired by...Fucked if I know.

Hero's Requiem part one

2007-02-13T00:56:00.000-05:00

The following is an exercise in inanity. My only real concern at the time, besides trying to draw really cool pictures was to establish a sense of flow to the narrative with little or no regard for the...well, the narrative. The photoshoppy elements are the work of a novice at best, but, hey, I'm learning. I should mention that this story, if you can call it that, was executed a while back...like years ago. I'm starting an official web comic that I'll post here soon 'nuff. Like to thank Derek Kirk Kim for inspiring me on that end. I'll have some prelim character sketches up soon. I'm basing it on a story that a friend of mine wrote. Anyway, enough of that. Here's part one of Hero's Requiem. I've decided to upload these pages warts and all without any touch ups. Just click on the individual pages to get a better view. Enjoy.

2007-02-13T00:35:00.000-05:00

This is a very fast and loose ink wash of a friend I did a while back.

2007-02-13T00:11:00.000-05:00

Here's a couple of portraits of Samuel Beckett. Can't say I'm much of a fan of his writing, but THAT road map of a face... fascinating. These were based on some low resolution photos I grabbed off the web recently.

2007-02-12T23:46:00.000-05:00

Hey anyone and everyone. My recent reacquaintance with Mike Cho inspired me to start my own blog. Hats off to him and his cool doodles. I'm going to use this space to showcase my illustrations and whatever else seeps from my mind. Thought I'd kick off my first post with this drawing I did a while back. It was inspired (obviously) by my completely healthy fascination with Japanese school girls. And no, it's not going to be one of THOSE websites. Well, probably not. Enjoy.