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Year-end illustration tearsheet is up for download: ♦ Choose a format: ⇒ Medium Size - 581kb ⇒ Large Size - 1.60mb - Cedric Nocon

A portrait photoshoot that took place yesterday afternoon. I was mostly shooting with a ringflash, softbox, and shoot-through umbrella setup. ISO was set to 200. - Cedric Nocon

My recent artwork based on the X-Men character named Wolverine. Photoshop was used to produce both the layout sketch and digital inks. Youtube link to the Wolverine artwork: http://www.youtube.com/watch...   Wolverine © Marvel Entertainment. [If you're reading this post in Facebook or Myspace, visit the original blog post of this article at http://cedricnocon.com for a larger version of the artwork.] - Cedric Nocon

I've been adding more of the type of linework style from my experience as a comic book artist into my current commercial illustration work. Close up on the illustration... Linework dynamics—Detail, volume, shading, and positive-negative space contrast.... I've gone back to being influenced by the works of legendary comic book artists Neal Adams and Stan Drake. I miss the old days of ten or fifteen years ago when I used to study linework rendering and dynamics. I used to have an art book that was all about rendering an artwork using just Rapidograph pens. We're talking like maybe back in 1991! Sadly, I no longer have that book and you won't find it at bookshops anymore. But that was my bible for lineart illustration—it taught me a lot about hatching and stippling. [Facebook users: If you're reading this blog post on Facebook, visit cedricnocon.com to see the original blog item. Thanks!] - Cedric Nocon

Okay, so I'm lagging on my blog posts. But here is a color work from a few days ago. I started it during my lunch break—while eating at a local restaurant called Panera—and eventually finished it little-by-little throughout the day... The layout for it... Close up details... Snapshots during lunch... - Cedric Nocon

Creatives of today are often too reliant on the promise and delivery of digital technology. Perhaps it’s easier in digital format than traditional analog media. Or maybe it’s just plain cool to create via Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator, or what ever else emergent digital graphic software are available in the market today. Most will agree that the de facto program is still Adobe Photoshop. Love it or hate, it is still the titan in computer art and design. And most will jump on a chance to complement it with an interactive stylus pen and a pressure sensitive tablet. Wacom, the world’s leading manufacturer of pen tablets and digital interface solutions, offers a range of user input devices that can effectively mimic pen and brush strokes reflective of an artist’s gestures. So it’s no surprising that I, and many other creatives, employ such device when drawing or painting in Photoshop or any other graphics software. Well, yesterday I found myself at a creative loss. I had not planned on... - Cedric Nocon

One of those rare times when I do get to finish an artwork while at Starbucks! Rarer even the fact that I did more than half of this piece using the touchpad of my laptop! (Yea, I didn't think I'd be working on anything at Starbucks. Sooo, I left my Wacom tablet at home! Just one of those daft moments.) Enjoy the new art! - Cedric Nocon

Photoshop 5.0 using dissolve brush, airbrush, and hard brush. Links to this artwork: 1. View actual size image 2. Closeup detail of the artwork - Cedric Nocon

Photoshop 5.0 using dissolve brush, airbrush, and hard brush. Links to this artwork: 1. View actual size image 2. Closeup detail of the artwork - Cedric Nocon

Portrait speedpainting using Photoshop 5.0. Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4 Step 5: Detail Shot: Click to see the actual size artwork. - Cedric Nocon

Publisher: Beta 3 Comics Pencils & Inks: Cedric Nocon Digital Colors: Frank M. Cuonzo Frank did a great job with the color work. Love the whole grit texture and realistic skin tone rendering! Special thanks to John Metych for letting Frank and I create our own version of his "Rook" character. Visit the link below to see the pencils and inks version of the pinup on my blog: Rook Pinup Art Rook © John Metych, III. All Rights Reserved. - Cedric Nocon

Publisher: Beta 3 Comics Pencils & Inks: Cedric Nocon Digital Colors: Frank M. Cuonzo Frank did a great job with the color work. Love the whole grit texture and realistic skin tone rendering! Special thanks to John Metych for letting Frank and I create our own version of his "Rook" character. Visit the link below to see the pencils and inks version of the pinup on my blog: Rook Pinup Art Rook © John Metych, III. All Rights Reserved. - Cedric Nocon

Alternate Image Link Tools: - Pentel 0.3mm Mechanical Pencil - HB Lead - Kneaded Eraser - Pentel Clic Eraser I'm not a fan of using many tools on an artwork. So I used just one pencil throughout the whole tonal/grad process on this particular piece of work. There was a LOT of layering involved to get the deep tones. I'll upload the finished version in the next post. - Cedric Nocon

Alternate Image Link Tools: - Pentel 0.3mm Mechanical Pencil - HB Lead - Kneaded Eraser - Pentel Clic Eraser I'm not a fan of using many tools on an artwork. So I used just one pencil throughout the whole tonal/grad process on this particular piece of work. There was a LOT of layering involved to get the deep tones. I'll upload the finished version in the next post. - Cedric Nocon

A page from my old sketchbook — a head sketch of someone. I drew it while having a dessert and a strawberry-banana smoothie at the local shopping mall. - Cedric Nocon

LENSBABY COMPOSER I was fortunate enough to find a Lensbaby Composer at Calumet Photographic in Santa Ana, California. I spent two days hunting for a Composer at various photography supply stores throughout Southern California. There's not enough supply for the demand! And I was too lazy − or too anxious − to order it directly from Lensbaby, Inc. WIDE ANGLE MACRO CONVERSION LENS I was also able to receive a free Lensbaby Wide Angle Macro Conversion Lens via a Special Offer!!! The package arrived within days of sending my free offer request! Thanks, Lensbaby Inc.! And big thanks to Kirsten Hunter! - Cedric Nocon

LENSBABY COMPOSER I was fortunate enough to find a Lensbaby Composer at Calumet Photographic in Santa Ana, California. I spent two days hunting for a Composer at various photography supply stores throughout Southern California. There's not enough supply for the demand! And I was too lazy − or too anxious − to order it directly from Lensbaby, Inc. WIDE ANGLE MACRO CONVERSION LENS I was... more... - Cedric Nocon

Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch... I bought my Lensbaby Composer a few days ago. I was able to acquire a 0.6x Wide Angle Macro Conversion lens from Lensbaby at no extra cost through a Special Promotional Offer − A $59.95 value! A representative from Lensbaby contacted me the day after I had emailed my Lensbaby Composer sales receipt to them. I was told that my wide angle macro lens would be shipped immediately. Sure enough, the package arrive via postal mail 4 days after my initial inquiry. Thanks, Lensbaby!!! Love the new lens! This was the message I received from Lensbaby: >From: Kirsten Hunter > Subject: Re: Lensbaby Composer and Wide Angle/Macro Conversion Lens Special Offer > To: "Cedric Nocon" > Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 2:47 PM > > Hello > Cedric, > > Thank you for your purchase. Your free Lensbaby > Wide/Macro will be shipped tomorrow. > >Thanks again and have fun with your > Lensbaby. > > > Sincerely, > > Kirsten Hunter > Director of Customer... - Cedric Nocon

Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch... I bought my Lensbaby Composer a few days ago. I was able to acquire a 0.6x Wide Angle Macro Conversion lens from Lensbaby at no extra cost through a Special Promotional Offer − A $59.95 value! A representative from Lensbaby contacted me the day after I had emailed my Lensbaby Composer sales receipt to them. I was told that my wide... more... - Cedric Nocon

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch... - Cedric Nocon

Last batch of images taken by my Canon EOS Rebel XTi (400D). The camera was just recently replaced with a newer gear. The XTi has taken a lot of wonderful images − breathtaking photos that make the world seem brilliant and magical to the eye and soul. When I look back on the images, I still can't believe what the camera has beautifully captured. I mean, was I really there taking the shots? Take for example the first photo of the fishermen in Long Beach. It was just a dreary, overcast afternoon and the world was just way too busy to care about the alluring sunset going on. When in fact, the sun was trying so darn hard to burn its rays through the thick cloud in the sky. There was one momentary juncture in time when the sun finally peered through the dark clouds and radiated what seemed like the light and glory of heaven! I was out there trying to capture the famous Queen Mary ship of Long Beach... and I just had to turn the Rebel XTi's lens toward the sky. I slightly lowered the... - Cedric Nocon

Last batch of images taken by my Canon EOS Rebel XTi (400D). The camera was just recently replaced with a newer gear. The XTi has taken a lot of wonderful images − breathtaking photos that make the world seem brilliant and magical to the eye and soul. When I look back on the images, I still can't believe what the camera has beautifully captured. I mean, was I really there taking the... more... - Cedric Nocon

The retro-looking photographs below were taken using a Holga-Canon EOS Lens mounted on a 10 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D (Kiss X) digital camera. To create your own modified Holga-Canon EOS Lens, head over to my previous web site article blog here. - Cedric Nocon

The retro-looking photographs below were taken using a Holga-Canon EOS Lens mounted on a 10 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D (Kiss X) digital camera. To create your own modified Holga-Canon EOS Lens, head over to my previous web site article blog here. - Cedric Nocon

How to Create a Holga-Canon EOS Lens By Cedric Nocon [If you are reading a repost or RSS feed of this article on my Facebook or Myspace page, please click here to read it directly on my web site blog!] The project: Take an existing lens from a Holga film camera and adapt it to fit and function on any Canon EOS digital camera with an EF and EF-S lens mount. Effort Level: Easy to Medium, depending on your tools and patience. Duration: 1 - 2 hours of your life, depending on how slow or fast you can unscrew, cut, drill, sand, and glue small, plastic items. Tools Needed: A Holga camera, a Canon EOS camera body cap, a rear lens cap, an empty translucent (or clear) 35mm plastic film container, any kind of sticky tape, scissor, small screwdriver, Super Glue, sanding tube attached to a Dremel (or Craftsman) rotary tool, 1-inch drill spade blade, drill bit, a high-torque drill, a pair of heavy duty clamps, eye shield or eye protection, and protective gloves thick enough to prevent major cuts or... - Cedric Nocon

How to Create a Holga-Canon EOS Lens By Cedric Nocon [If you are reading a repost or RSS feed of this article on my Facebook or Myspace page, please click here to read it directly on my web site blog!] The project: Take an existing lens from a Holga film camera and adapt it to fit and function on any Canon EOS digital camera with an EF and EF-S lens mount. Effort Level: Easy to Medium,... more... - Cedric Nocon

I recently sold my Canon EOS D60 to a local camera shop. It was my first digital SLR and the very camera that has made me fall in love with the Canon EOS digital line. Prior to this, I used an old Minolta SRT-101 film SLR that was given to me by my father. (The camera was manufactured and sold in the same year I was born!) The Minolta taught me aperture and shutter techniques — albeit in a very frustrating and highly expensive way. (Each roll of film wasted due to blurred photos or incorrect settings stacked up to a lot of money!) I have to admit, I lost interest in photography many years ago due to the slow learning curve in using film. Primarily, I didn't have access to a darkroom and the wait time incurred by commercial film processing at a local camera shop made the education seem stubbornly sloooow. Receiving the processed photos then discovering my mistakes, was purely frustrating to bear. (Ofcourse, I didn't have much patience back then. Haha.) With the Canon EOS D60's digital... - Cedric Nocon

My general walk-around camera gear and bag. Direct Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch... - Cedric Nocon

ShutterVoice is a voice control camera software for Canon EOS Utility and Microsoft Windows OS. Developed and distributed by Scott Forman, this unique speech recognition application gives Canon EOS digital SLR owners the ability to control the camera through various voice commands! Highlights of this amazing software include: Shutter release activation without the use of a Remote Shutter Release cable Live view auto-focus control via voice command Aperture & shutter settings adjustments ISO setting adjustment EV compensation adjustment Metering, white balance, and temperature control AF points, Grid, and Historgram view through voice command Image rotation and zoom functions ShutterVoice works by adapting to the Canon EOS Utility and utilizing Microsoft Speech SDK 5.1 and Windows API system technology on Microsoft Windows operating system. Live View mode on the camera must be enabled. The software is robust, fully customizable, and inexpensive at just $30! A download trial can be... - Cedric Nocon

A short love story movie advertising the new Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i (US) / Kiss X3 (Japan) Digital SLR camera. I love it! - Cedric Nocon

Model: Cara Kim, Pianist Photography: Cedric Nocon - Cedric Nocon

Model: Cara Kim Photography: Cedric Nocon - Cedric Nocon

Just add water... All clean and done. The Setup: Photographed outdoor using a shaded wall as a backdrop and shot as bokeh in order to blow out the concrete wall texture. Main light was the angled 4pm sunlight. A reflector was used to fill-in the shadow areas on one side of the lemons — and to bounce the light on the water splash/drops where it would have disappeared in the black backdrop. - Cedric Nocon

I couldn't resist passing up this particular scene at Cal Poly Pomona University farm area. The sunset over this murky pond yielded wonderful sparkles on the textured water surface. [Note to Self: I really should start geotagging my photos from now on.] - Cedric Nocon

Yesterday was one of the most breathtaking sunset I've seen in a while. The colors of the sky was absolutely vibrant! I was reminded of the Japanese anime movie Voices of a Distant Star (ほしのこえ Hoshi no Koe), by my favorite animation director, Makoto Shinkai. Looking at the dramatic sunset, it was as if I was living in one of his artistically-acclaimed movies. The low ceiling of the clouds confined the yellow-orange sunset to a low portion of the sky. It acted as a wall that separated the warm tones from the cerrulean blues of the higher atmosphere. This was truly a rare sight to behold. Sadly, this beauty lasted for less than 20 minutes. Night quickly embraced the sunset glow. I'm darn proud of the photos mainly because I didn't have a tripod with me at the time to compensate for the camera shake at slow shutter speeds. Haha. I agonizingly carefully hand-held all the shots! (Clap! clap!) This was one or more of those times when I had a camera with me, but had not intended to take... - Cedric Nocon

This is part two of my "Strange World" photo series... Reverse-lens style. - Cedric Nocon

The cameras I currently use for various imaging needs and requirements. (Not included in the photo: The cellphone camera I used to take this grainy, overexposed picture! Haha.) - Cedric Nocon

For the photograph below, I used a daylight white balance setting on the camera with the shutter set to 30 seconds at f/13... The next two photos below were taken with a tungsten white balance setting... I took this photo of the U.S. Coast Guard patrolling Long Beach harbor. I used a custom white balance that was sampled from the sky... 100-300mm and 35-70mm lenses were used for the photos. - Cedric Nocon