Ian Nitta

Figure-drawing is very enjoyable. It’s a boiled down art form. I don’t have to worry about colors/concepts/creative imagery. It’s so simple and hard at the same time.

Morning study 12x16 Charcoal, pencil, crayon on paper

News: I’m doing Eastbay Open Studios! Look for me in June. More to come on that…

Also, I’ve updated my Paintings page! Here’s one that I actually like:

12x16 Oil on Canvas

Tidbits: Even though this blog-thing is easier to update than a website, I’m still retarded. My computer is almost as slow as my ability to use it. I’VE UPDATED MY PAINTINGS.

10/18/09: Some new stuff…

10/18/09: Yesterday I went to the Alternative Press Expo in S.F. It was a total visual overload. There is such a huge underground comic culture! For better or for worse, it was all there.

My cousin, Colin, has a comic book called “Afterlife” which he exhibited at the CCA table. It’s still in-progress, but it really came nice. I did the cover illustration.

Colin

After browsing the tables I stumbled across a table manned by fellow artists, Grim Wilkins and Micheal M. These guys are awesome, and had some of the best art in the building. I have a link at the bottom of the page to Grim’s blog. Check it out.

10/16/09: Snowy Egret. Tasteful. Put it above the toilet at grandmas’s house.

Snowy Egret 9"x12" Oil on panel

10/16/09: Al, my employer, is an avid bird-lover and photographer. He has tons of amazing photos, and really needs a website to show ‘em off…*hint, hint*
He hooked me up with a bunch of beautiful 13″x19″ pictures of birds in their environments.
Great reference, great inspiration!!
I’m all over the place right now. I’m gonna paint more birds, birds….and more birds. Maybe evil zombie birds.

10-11-09: I’m fascinated by the wordless books of the 20’s through the 40’s. I like the artists Lynd Ward, Frans Masereel, and Otto Nuckel. My friend Rae introduced me to their stuff. He gave me a book that compiled some of the work of these artists and others. Their work is dark, sparse, and beautifully horrifying. I ‘m playing with the idea of making a short wordless graphic novel.

I hate to say “graphic novel” because I’m not talking about a superhero-nerd-comic-book.

Graphic Novel Idea: I’ve been thinking about the theme of “routine.” “Routine” is something that is both nessisary and terrible. I have a routine in my day-to-day life, so I don’t have to think about every little detail. I just follow the the developed pattern and the day goes by smoothly.Wake up, make coffee, shower, eat, organize, do activities/work or whatever, eat, set alarm clock, sleep…. It can be frightening how unexceptional life can be. Grotesque, really.

I did some practice and playing with charcoal. I’m not sure about these results, hmmm…

Breakfast Over Bills 11"x14" Charcoal, colored pencil

“Routine” can seem inhuman or robotic, and totally depressing.

Another Day 11"x14" Charcoal, colored pencil

Sometimes, it would be nice to break up the routine by taking a few days off, and hunting dragons for sport in some awesome land.

Landscape 11"x14" Charcoal, colored pencil

10-04-09 – New work can be seen in “paintings.” I have to apologize for the quality of the photos. All I have is a Canon SD600, and without professional equipment or know how, I have to settle for a quick a dirty result.

My Studio

10/04/09 – After much deliberation I have tossed my old site, and replaced it with a fancy new blog! I’m jazzed about the ability to quickly update and change things myself. Why didn’t i do this sooner? Stay tuned. I will soon photograph a bunch of new paintings….