Alpha's Diary

'Greetings from XNA'

2008-07-22T23:09:12Z

Greetings from Seattle :D

I'm currently at the XNA Gamefest hanging around the Game Lounge and I just finished attending the Valve conference with Moby Francke and Randy Lundeen as speakers. Overall the experience is a blast so far and I'm learning a lot on the development and visual processes of different games.

Had to shake Moby and Randy's hands for a great talk on TF2 and Left 4 Dead's development and the effects they used to achieve visual perfection to both titles.

Regrettably I left my camera today but I'll be taking pics of tomorrow's talk with Bungie and the con itself. Cheers!

'Scott Pilgrim Flats'

2008-07-18T05:22:53Z

Preview of my latest piece featuring the cast of Brian O'Malley's "SCOTT PILGRIM".

Color flats are mostly done, a lot of stuff still needs to be added.

Canvas size is at 8128 x 4327 @ 400 dpi, and I'll never do something like this ever again. Opening the psd and saving alone takes a long time to load.

In other news I'll be attending PAX this August along with SkullGirlS creator o_8 and his friends Mark and kawaiiaya (which I haven't seen for 4 years!), and fellow comrade rakugaking.

P.S.

The texture for Wallace's shirt was scanned from one of my (favorite) hawaiian shirts I bought back in the Philippines.

'SG doodles'

2008-07-16T20:09:03Z

I haven't drawn SG characters in a while.

'Bonen No Xamdou'

2008-07-16T06:21:09Z

Mmmm~

'Back From Camping'

2008-07-13T23:46:17Z

Just got back from camping yesterday ( and drew nothing :< ).

Bought a Norman Rockwell book recently, aside from that its time to get back to work.

'Rolling Ahead'

2008-07-03T01:50:21Z

SkullgirlS programmer zinac sent me the AX Demo today. I can't really disclose anything except my initial impression:

"Dayyyummm~~."

That is all :D

Enjoy this picture of cheeseburger-flavored Pringles! (and the new equipment I bought recently illuminating the item :D)

'ATTN AX PPL'

2008-07-02T01:38:57Z

To those who're going to AX don't forget to take pictures mmmkay~~?

If anyone can take pics of David Hayter, Egoraptor and co. booth and the SkullgirlS booth that'd be good too lol

'This Day In Photos'

2008-06-29T08:42:10Z

'SkullgirlS Boneyard Stage Preview'

2008-06-26T08:20:51Z

Alex Ahad / o_8 recently announced the new SkullgirlS demo appearing at Anime Expo. I re-did an old background concept originally planned for the version 1 demo. Its currently a work-in-progress, much like the majority of the game content for the AX demo.

A lot of things have changed since the initial alpha demo. We're pushing the development to a new atmospheric high, even though we're currently short-handed at the moment. A lot of talented people have devoted a part of their time to this game and I consider it as a huge privilege on my part collaborating with all these gifted individuals. The game is progressing slowly but surely and we'll keep on developing and adding more content as we tweak along.

We can certainly use help and you can view the job list via the SkullgirlS website or contact Alex Ahad at skullgirls.jobsATgmail.com.

'Street Fighter Tribute - Korean Artist Lineup'

2008-06-22T11:27:41Z

Browsing my bookmarks and came across the Korean version of the Street Fighter Tribute book via Korea's Apple Comic Shop:

Check out the Korean artists who contributed

I can't wait to see what the rest of the world has to offer when the book comes out. Seeing samples from different artists from different countries is a pretty inspiring experience. I'm a little regretful for not illustrating something for the book due to time constraints and current projects.

Hopefully one day UDON will announce a Darkstalkers or Rival Schools tribute book. I'm a huge fan of both games and I'll probably put all my projects on hold once I hear news of this coming into fruition.

P.S.

I've been working on this one piece since February '08. I'm dying to show it to everyone but its still far from completion :D

'Hmm...'

2008-06-20T05:07:40Z

Someone's really desperate to hack into my old Gaia account.

Vote!

2008-06-04T04:01:11Z

Vote for Joy Ang's entry on DESIGN BY HUMANS!

On a related note buy Corey Lewis' MECHA NAGA BUDDHA shirt too:

(DesingByHumans Model shown)

'Convention Update'

2008-06-04T01:33:53Z

I won't make it to AX due to schedule conflicts (and peak season ticket rates).

I will however, be attending XNA GAMEFEST SEATTLE to learn more about gaming and what microsoft and its partners have in store in the near future.

'Go Speed Racer Go!'

2008-05-28T07:41:26Z

"Speed Racer : The Most Dangerous Race"

0.5mm Mechanical Pencil on 8.5" X 11" Bond

Took a break from work and started doodling Trixie and Speed, and ended up drawing a full illustration (haha).

Larger View

Speed Racer featuring Speed, Trixie, Sparky, Racer Family, Racer X, and the villainous Car Acrobatic Team led by Captain Terror and drivers Snake Oiler, Tiger, Knuckles, Brawn, Ugly, Poison and Ender.

Detailed View

I'm selling this for $150 if anyone's interested.

I know its fanart and all but I need some money lately :(

Email me at blackbookalpha(AT)gmail(DOT)com

'Bookworship'

2008-05-21T18:11:32Z

I only have 2 vices.

Fashionable slip-on shoes and these:

BOOKS!!

Recently received the latest Dwell issue, and I just bought Fables : Animal Farm and Flight 1 and 2. Why didn't I buy these before? Everything is just plain gorgeous!

I have wood fetish ;w;

Rose Seidler House, Australia

I always dreamed of building and living in a house like this when I retire. My first house purchase won't be as gallant as that but I'll have a roof over my head anyway.

'Kickass Vocaloid Fighting Animation'

2008-05-20T04:44:39Z

Watched Speed Racer last weekend. I love Inspector Detector!

There, I said it :D

'Emerald City Comic Con 2008'

2008-05-13T17:00:37Z

To be honest I was surprised on how small ECCC was, which I'm grateful since I didn't have to run around a lot. Met a lot of talented people, and talked to a lot of professionals who gave me some good advice. I achieved all of my quotas for the con and I'm very happy to have accomplished it on the first day.

Sunday was less cumbersome since I didn't lug around piles of autographed books and comics. Took some good shots but I could've done more if I brought my lens adapter with me. After the con I went with my friend Mala to buy stuff for Mother's Day and Seattle was pretty forgiving with the weather that day. We went to visit her mom at Vashon and dined on some delectable asian cuisine. Its been a while since I ate quail and chicken feet :D

Little stressful, lots of fun, knowledge was gained, and I overshot my budget limit again but it was truly a blessing to have experienced a con like that.

Ok less talking and more photos :D Enjoy the pics!

Had some Rooibus Tea before I proceeded to the con.

Brom

Derek Kirk Kim, very polite guy. Its inspiring to meet a guy who contributed to something as prestigious as Fables. I'm amazed he still used Photoshop 6, yet achieves a fantastic coloring style on his short in Fables.

Bryan Lee O'Malley and Hope Larson, another dream fulfilled by meeting them both in person. They were tired and stressed I bet from all the traveling they did in the past couple of weeks, but I'm very grateful that they showed up and took the time to sign the merchandise I bought from them. Reading Scott Pilgrim was a huge turning point in my life and made me a little bit more mature so I'm very thankful for Mal to have created this gem and brought it to the world. I read a couple of pages on Hope's Gray Horses and I'm more interested than ever to read her other works, especially her new book Chiggers that just came out (c'mon Amazon!).

Mal and Hope hard at work

A guy told Mal to draw something on his DS, best Scott drawing by far.

I count my blessings everyday :D

Wacom Cintiq 21-inch, the most beautiful thing ever crafted for digital-savvy artists/photographers/etc. Talked to a vet employee named Steve who worked for Wacom for about 16 years I think. I asked him a lot of questions on how the tablet and stylus works and it was more complex that what I initially would've thought. I do know that there's pressure sensors on the stylus as well as a circuit board but there's more magical items hidden in there that can't be seen unless you slice the whole thing in half. They've come a long way and I really appreciate him answering all my questions.

Met a guy named Milton, who works for Bungie *0*, testing out the Cintiq. Very talented guy and we felt like little kids again after we played around the Cintiq. Met his friends Enfu and Scott at their table later and they gave me a ton of good advice. I really appreciated their time and feedback for my portfolio.

Oni Press Booth, was waiting for Corey Lewis to show up haha!

Suicide Girls

Silver Surfer

Mr. Fett

Darthy

"Booga booga booga!"

Bill Willingham, writer of Fables and Jack Of Fables. We talked a bit about his works on Fables and how James Jean ended up with them as a cover artist and illustrator.

Went back to the Oni Press booth again and Corey poofed up all ninja-like behind me and started drawing Sharknife. Amazing guy, amazing artist, and pretty chillax'd all the way. Can't wait for Sharknife Double Z and I hope I can complete a cover illustration for the book once I'm done with my current projects.

Corey at work.

Almost done :D

Shazam!

Went to Westlake Center and Free Hugs were all over the place :D

Unfortunately Anons were there too haha!

Mala's Cat

Pancakes

Sakuracon 2009 flyers

Mala and her Mascot for '09 (Damn woman stop winning the mascot contests LOL)

Mal <3 Hope

Bit blurred but I'll let this pass.

Groupshot

Lookin' sexy there Mal :D

:D

Pike Place

He had crab carapace necklaces :o

Flower girl at Westlake.

Mala with the flowers she bought for her mum.

Ferry to Vashon.

Poster at King Station.

As a bonus here's some pics of goodies that I got from the convention in a "how-to" format featuring one of Mal's original SP art.

How to pack an original Scott Pilgrim art:

STEP 1

Roll clothing and place it inside your luggage. Fold white t-shirt on the base part of the luggage to secure items later. (Oh my Fruit of the Loom!)

STEP 2

Insert eco-friendly drawing pad above clothing.

STEP 3

Insert Scott Pilgrim Volumes 1-4 above drawing pad.

STEP 4

Place Cintiq flyer onto Scott Pilgrim books.

STEP 5

Place original Scott Pilgrim Art above Cintiq flyer.

STEP 6

Apply Fables books to secure art.

STEP 7

Further secure art with Hope Larson's "Gray Horses" *Add some of Corey's "Peng" if applicable (not shown)*

STEP 8

Secure top part with Derek Kim's "Same Difference And Other Stories" and Corey Lewis' "Sharknife Vol. 1"

STEP 9

Place ECCC Program Guide on top. Fold white t-shirt over it and close luggage.

Enjoy :D

'Back from ECCC'

2008-05-13T10:02:04Z

Just got back from Seattle, I'm plum tired.

I have the convention pictures up at my flickr but I'll post a proper entry once I get the backups up on photobucket tomorrow (and get enough rest to type an entry properly).

'Onward To Raintown Again!'

2008-05-09T17:26:38Z

Heading up to Seattle in a couple of hours.

Expect some pictures when I get back :D

'This is a sketchdump!'

2008-05-08T07:05:28Z

I'll be attending Emerald City Comic Con this weekend :D Anybody going?

I got my hit list written on my wee post it notes *well its an autograph list* and I plan to accomplish my mission before the con ends :D

Zzzzzzzzz~

'Getting It Together'

2008-05-01T18:20:18Z

Just a sneak peek on the illustration I'm workin' on right now. Time-managing has made me more productive lately, free time to play video games is now a luxury.

'Draw Yourself As A Teen Meme'

2008-05-01T06:50:25Z

ALPHA, AGE 16 circa 2002

Meme's over at:

http://davario.livejournal.com/30861.html

Brings back a lot of memories. I forgot how I loved to listen to heavy metal and rock music but always ended up playing pop songs for our band. This is the most interesting outfit I wore back in highschool I guess since I mostly wear black and look like a staff guy aside from my school uniform (and military uniform *shrugs*)

And for the record I'm not a good guitar player, never have been.

EDIT:

ALPHA, AGE 22

I feel younger actually, must be the Heelys :D

'Scott Pilgrim'

2008-04-11T09:05:32Z

Just finished reading destroyerzooey's SCOTT PILGRIM volumes 1-3 tonight.

It has left me overjoyed yet empty, empty in a sense I want to absorb more Scott Pilgrim into my life.

For the longest time I've been passing this title by but ever since I read my friend's copy of volume 3 I wanted to know who's this ordinary guy Scott Pilgrim and why the hell is he fighting all these evil powerful ex-boyfriends, provoked by trying to date the girl of dreams Ramona.

After reading it I was just blown away on how awesome this piece was, truly a shining gem :D good stuff, and better late than never I say.

I made a few SP sketches tonight, I'm gonna hate these in the morning since I'm hella tired and my hand couldn't keep still. My eyes are hella dead at this point but I like drawing stuff like these.

I love Wallace Wells ;A; Is that wrong?!

I'll probably wake up tomorrow and check my comp and yell, "What the hell was I drawing last night?!".

Bleh anyway bedtime zzzzzzzz.

'Love This Cover!'

2008-04-09T21:02:00Z

Portal Song cover by missFlag

a hi-quality version mp3 is up on their site.

'Edgeworth X Gumshoe Yaoi Game?'

2008-04-09T09:36:40Z

http://community.livejournal.com/gyakuten_saiban/719986.html

j/k its from the new Capcom game "Perfect Prosecutor" starring Miles Edgeworth!

Ever since I first played the first PW game I always wondered if there will be prosecutor game starring Edgeworth. Guess it came true hahaha!

P.S.

Just spreading the word out plus I updated my default userpic :D