The official blog of the :01 Graphic Novel series Olympians, by George O'Connor.
Showing posts with label Athena. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Athena. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Luncheon on the Grass, Olympians style
Thursday, January 16, 2014
OLYMPIANS POSTER! A complete walkthrough
The upcoming Olympians poster is as finished as it's gonna get. I thought you might like to see this step-by-step process of how it was made, from the finish all the way back to the sketch.
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| finished color |
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| finished inks |
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| pencils |
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| sketch |
Monday, April 29, 2013
Awesome fan art! Lil Hera! Lil Athena!
I'll have to dig up my own designs and post them, to see how they compare.
Monday, July 18, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #77
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks every week day until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from April of 2007.
Nothing too fancy today- just a rather nice gestural sketch of Athena.
Oh, and HERA IS RELEASED TOMORROW! So that's something.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #49
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from January of 2007.
Today's sketch is me starting to figure out how to depict certain scenes. This is a visualization of the time that the Goddess Athena spent living inside her father Zeus's head (notice his headachey pose). I ultimately went with a very different depiction of this scene in Athena: Grey Eyed Goddess, but I did like the dynamism of her pose here.
Today's sketch is me starting to figure out how to depict certain scenes. This is a visualization of the time that the Goddess Athena spent living inside her father Zeus's head (notice his headachey pose). I ultimately went with a very different depiction of this scene in Athena: Grey Eyed Goddess, but I did like the dynamism of her pose here.
Monday, June 6, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #42
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from January of 2007.
Now I know you've been following my Olympians sketches every day with bated breath, right? Well, the last few days I've been showcasing the self-rejected portrait covers I initially conceived of for the series, as well you all know. Well, today's piece is what I thought of for the back cover of the Athena portrait from yesterday.
Now I know you've been following my Olympians sketches every day with bated breath, right? Well, the last few days I've been showcasing the self-rejected portrait covers I initially conceived of for the series, as well you all know. Well, today's piece is what I thought of for the back cover of the Athena portrait from yesterday.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #41
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from January of 2007.
Continuing the series from the past few days of my early proposed portrait-style covers for Olympians. Here's the cover for Athena, which, curiously, doesn't even have the goddess's name on the cover, only Grey-Eyed Goddess. This picture has made its way to the net before, and was even my facebook avatar for a while, but I felt I should include it again here to help complete this series.
Continuing the series from the past few days of my early proposed portrait-style covers for Olympians. Here's the cover for Athena, which, curiously, doesn't even have the goddess's name on the cover, only Grey-Eyed Goddess. This picture has made its way to the net before, and was even my facebook avatar for a while, but I felt I should include it again here to help complete this series.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #38
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from January of 2007.
Today's drawing is another shot of the Goddess of War Athena, from that period of time before I figured out she needed to be wearing robes under her armor. Her bare legs just look funny to me now. Still, I like the pose.
Friday, May 27, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #32
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from sometime in latish 2006.
Today's piece is a sketch of warrior goddess Athena, from before a period where I realized how important it is that she be wearing robes along with her armor. Even though she's the greatest warrior on Olympus (sorry, Ares fans) Athena is also the goddess of weaving. The juxtaposition of hard and soft is essential to her character.
Today's piece is a sketch of warrior goddess Athena, from before a period where I realized how important it is that she be wearing robes along with her armor. Even though she's the greatest warrior on Olympus (sorry, Ares fans) Athena is also the goddess of weaving. The juxtaposition of hard and soft is essential to her character.
Friday, May 20, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #25
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from sometime in latish 2006.
Today's sketch is a near-complete assemblage of the gods. Unfortunately, as you can tell, I drew this across the spread of my sketchbook, so we have a big ol' crease running down the middle. From left to right we have Poseidon, Dionysos, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaistos, Hera, Demeter, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes and Athena. At this point in time I was toying with the idea of Hestia not having a human form at all, but just being personified by a hearth (that's her in the middle). Eventually, I compromised and made her a humanoid figure composed of flame. Conspicuously absent is Big Daddy Zeus himself-- that's because this drawing is done from a Zeus eye view. We're viewing this family get-together from his seat at the table.
Today's sketch is a near-complete assemblage of the gods. Unfortunately, as you can tell, I drew this across the spread of my sketchbook, so we have a big ol' crease running down the middle. From left to right we have Poseidon, Dionysos, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaistos, Hera, Demeter, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes and Athena. At this point in time I was toying with the idea of Hestia not having a human form at all, but just being personified by a hearth (that's her in the middle). Eventually, I compromised and made her a humanoid figure composed of flame. Conspicuously absent is Big Daddy Zeus himself-- that's because this drawing is done from a Zeus eye view. We're viewing this family get-together from his seat at the table.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #22
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from sometime in latish 2006.
Takes dat! Pow! Today's sketch is a goofy little piece showing Goddess of War Athena totally decking God of War Ares with a very loud punch. Elsewhere on the page, a dark-haired Zeus looks taken aback by the proceedings. He must not like it when his kids fight. This drawing really popped out to me as I skimmed my old sketchbooks due to the sound effect. Shades of my first picture book Kapow!
Takes dat! Pow! Today's sketch is a goofy little piece showing Goddess of War Athena totally decking God of War Ares with a very loud punch. Elsewhere on the page, a dark-haired Zeus looks taken aback by the proceedings. He must not like it when his kids fight. This drawing really popped out to me as I skimmed my old sketchbooks due to the sound effect. Shades of my first picture book Kapow!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #9
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from September of 2006.
I just received a comment on this blog yesterday asking me if I could draw a picture of every single character that appears in a Greek myth, yet who will not be appearing in Olympians, in order to complete a sort of "George O'Connor Greek myth style guide". While the scope of such an ambitious program (there are literally thousands of characters) is beyond me, I did mention there's a great many drawings from my sketchbooks of many of these characters already, and here's one. This is a drawing of Echidna, wife of Typhon, and mother of Cerberus, the Nemean Lion, The Lernaean Hydra and many others. She may make an appearance in book 10 (Hermes) but she may not as that's a long ways off. But I designed her, so here you go. Also, check out the crazy helmet on my early Athena there.
I just received a comment on this blog yesterday asking me if I could draw a picture of every single character that appears in a Greek myth, yet who will not be appearing in Olympians, in order to complete a sort of "George O'Connor Greek myth style guide". While the scope of such an ambitious program (there are literally thousands of characters) is beyond me, I did mention there's a great many drawings from my sketchbooks of many of these characters already, and here's one. This is a drawing of Echidna, wife of Typhon, and mother of Cerberus, the Nemean Lion, The Lernaean Hydra and many others. She may make an appearance in book 10 (Hermes) but she may not as that's a long ways off. But I designed her, so here you go. Also, check out the crazy helmet on my early Athena there.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Warm-up drawing: The Apple of Discord
Todays' warm-up topic was "apple" so I drew the Golden Apple of Eris.
As you all of course know, Eris was the goddess of Discord, who, miffed at not being invited to a wedding, showed up anyway and threw her golden apple to the ground, shouting "To the fairest". Now this was a pretty fancy wedding, so many of the Olympians were present. I chose to depict the exact awkward moment when Hera, Athena and Aphrodite, each believing themselves to be the fairest of them all, all simultaneously reached for the Golden Apple of Discord. One thing leads to another, and this little incident eventually lead to the Trojan War and the more-or-less complete destruction of the race of Heroes.
As you all of course know, Eris was the goddess of Discord, who, miffed at not being invited to a wedding, showed up anyway and threw her golden apple to the ground, shouting "To the fairest". Now this was a pretty fancy wedding, so many of the Olympians were present. I chose to depict the exact awkward moment when Hera, Athena and Aphrodite, each believing themselves to be the fairest of them all, all simultaneously reached for the Golden Apple of Discord. One thing leads to another, and this little incident eventually lead to the Trojan War and the more-or-less complete destruction of the race of Heroes.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Found Art-- Alternate Athena Cover Designs
I was poking around my studio computer yesterday and found these sketches for the cover to Olympians Book 2, Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess that I simply did not recall drawing. I suppose I self-rejected them pretty early on in the cover design process. I decided I'd share them with you, my adoring public. So what do you think? Anything you like here? Did I make the right decision?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Fan Art Forum! A Cyclopean Horde!
Recently I visited my good friends at PS 63 and the Neighborhood School in NYC. I shared some of my drawing secrets with the kids there and this is what they did:
Oh, gods! Run! It's a mob of Cyclopes! Electric Cyclopes, fanged Cyclopes, winged Cyclopes, horned Cyclopes, robo-Cyclopes, armored Cyclopes, Cyclopes with eye-beams, Cyclopes with hand grenades! RUN!
Oh, but wait! We have an army of Athenas to defend us! Sure, she's outnumbered, but she is a warrior goddess. I suppose we're in good hands. In fact, I feel pretty bad for that one lonely Cyclops sharing the page with all these Athenas. Good thing it has wings ;)
A special thanks to everyone at PS 63 and the Neighborhood School who drew a Cyclops or an Athena, and thanks for letting me post them up here. Special thanks to super-librarian Cheryl Wolf (and her assistants) for scanning these for me.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess released today!
So if you're the sort of person who enjoys making their comics purchases in a bookstore or online, today is the day that Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess is released! Woot!
If you're more of a comics shop traditionalist, you will be able to find Athena tomorrow at all finer comics shops with the normal Wednesday comics shipment.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Olympians Book 2: Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess out soon!
On or around April 13th, I believe, you'll be able to get your very own copy of Athena: Grey Eyed Goddess at your favorite bookstore, comic shop or etailer. In honor of this momentous occasion, and also as a nod to the new Clash of the Titans movie that just came out, here is a preview of one of my favorite pages from Athena, a wordless section depicting Perseus and Medusa. Enjoy!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Myth Manners- On Mocking the Gods
Plagued by jealous gods? Bedeviled by man-eating monsters? In love with a centaur but you're allergic to fur? Maybe Myth Manners can help you!
Dear Myth Manners,
Whenever I’m at the local taverna and I’ve had a skinful of wine, I have an irresistible urge to make fun of the gods. I can’t help it! I just think some of the things they do are so ridiculous! For example, why in the world would Zeus choose to go courting in the form of a swan, a bull, or a shower of golden rain, no matter how attractive a shower of rain he was? Why would Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite waste one of Atlas’ golden apples on Paris, whose only redeeming quality was his hotness? Sometimes, the gods just make me want to giggle! But I feel like if the gods find out I’m laughing at them, they’re not going to be happy. But they shouldn’t be that mad, right? Honestly, what’s the worst that can happen?
Sincerely, Giggling at the Gods
Dear Giggling,
Unfortunately for you, the gods have a serious problem with people who point out their negative qualities. Think of them as teenagers, super-sensitive to any slight or insult, but with the powers of shape-changing, thunder and lightning, super-strength, weather-changing, etc. You don’t want to make them mad!
I had a friend recently who wove a tapestry to illustrate how ridiculous the gods were. Athena came and changed her into a spider! Granted, tapestries are a lot more permanent than taverna gossip, but I wouldn’t chance it if I were you!
Dear Myth Manners,
Whenever I’m at the local taverna and I’ve had a skinful of wine, I have an irresistible urge to make fun of the gods. I can’t help it! I just think some of the things they do are so ridiculous! For example, why in the world would Zeus choose to go courting in the form of a swan, a bull, or a shower of golden rain, no matter how attractive a shower of rain he was? Why would Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite waste one of Atlas’ golden apples on Paris, whose only redeeming quality was his hotness? Sometimes, the gods just make me want to giggle! But I feel like if the gods find out I’m laughing at them, they’re not going to be happy. But they shouldn’t be that mad, right? Honestly, what’s the worst that can happen?
Sincerely, Giggling at the Gods
Dear Giggling,
Unfortunately for you, the gods have a serious problem with people who point out their negative qualities. Think of them as teenagers, super-sensitive to any slight or insult, but with the powers of shape-changing, thunder and lightning, super-strength, weather-changing, etc. You don’t want to make them mad!
I had a friend recently who wove a tapestry to illustrate how ridiculous the gods were. Athena came and changed her into a spider! Granted, tapestries are a lot more permanent than taverna gossip, but I wouldn’t chance it if I were you!
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