Chris Trefz Art Blog

New artwork by Chris Trefz, done for May the 4th (be with you), Star Wars Day 2023: Honoring the sci-fi Masterpiece created by George Lucas. Happy Star Wars Day, May the Fourth be with you! The scene here depicts the tragic lightsaber battle between Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his fallen apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, against the dramatic background of the fiery planet, Mustafar, as seen in Episode III, Revenge of the Sith. Star Wars Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on May 4 each year to honor the George Lucas-created Star Wars film series. Since the franchise started in 1977, awareness of the day has rapidly increased through the media and community events. The pun "May the Fourth be with you"—a variation of the Star Wars slogan "May the Force be with you"—is where the date got its name from. Despite the fact that the holiday was neither established or recognized by Lucasfilm, many fans of the franchise have opted to observe it. Since then, Lucas...

The Dark Lord of Gotham Here's something fun for April Fool's Day, a speed painting of Darth Vader removing his helmet only to reveal himself as other then the Dark Knight! When I heard the theme from the new Batman movie, it reminded me a bit of the Imperial March, which was the inspiration for this. 

New artwork based on the Elder Things, an alien race from HP Lovecraft's Novella, "At the Mountains of Madness". Final Image “I am forced into speech because men of science have refused to follow my advice without knowing why. It is altogether against my will that I tell my reasons for opposing this contemplated invasion of the Antarctic—with its vast fossil-hunt and its wholesale boring and melting of the ancient ice-cap—and I am the more reluctant because my warning may be in vain. Doubt of the real facts, as I must reveal them, is inevitable;” ― H.P. Lovecraft, At the Mountains of Madness Published in 1936. the story details the events of a disastrous expedition to Antarctica, and what is found there by a group of explorers led by the narrator, Dr. William Dyer of Miskatonic University. Throughout the story, Dyer sheds light on previously untold events in the hope of deterring another group of explorers who wish to return to the continent. These events include the disc...

New artwork of Arnold Schwarzenegger ready for combat as he is hunted by his most iconic movie foe, "Predator". "If it bleeds, we can kill it." Completed illustration of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Major Dutch Schaefer from "Predator", and perhaps the intergalactic hunter himself if you look closely. Predator is one of the all-time great in the genre of action, sci-fi, and horror. One of the things I really like about the movie besides its fast pace, fun macho characters, and sci-fi carnage, is its gradual reveal of the Predator as it picks off our heroes.  At first, the audience is teased the creature's presence with scenes of the Predator's thermal vision, followed by the shimmering silhouette of its cloaking technology. Even when it's uncloaked, the extraterrestrial hunter hides its face behind a mask. Only during the final confrontation do we get a good look at the ugly mother F-er. 

New artwork of Darth Maul, the acrobatic, dual-blade-wielding apprentice of the Sith. Darth Maul from Episode I: The Phantom Menace  "At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last, we will have revenge." Between his striking red and black facial tattoos, demonic yellow eyes, and lethal wielding of a double-bladed lightsaber, Darth Maul was easily the most memorable thing about Episode I.

New illustration of the Neomorph from Alien: Covenant (2017). This creature was an endoparasitoid extraterrestrial species encountered by the crew of the USCSS Covenant. While they share some characteristics with the Xenomorph XX121, most notably their process of gestating inside a living host organism and their elongated heads, they are otherwise quite different. Neomorph from Alien: Covenant. David: "No one understands the lonely perfection of my dreams. I found perfection here. I've created it. A perfect organism." Initial linework for Neomorph.

New artwork of the Adeptus Astartes, Space Marines who battle threats across the galaxy for the Imperium of Man, in the game Warhammer 40k. In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war.  "They shall be my finest warriors, these men who give of themselves to me. Like clay I shall mould them and in the furnace of war I shall forge them. They shall be of iron will and steely sinew. In great armor I shall clad them and with the mightiest weapons shall they be armed. They will be untouched by plague or disease; no sickness shall blight them. They shall have such tactics, strategies and machines that no foe will best them in battle. They are my bulwark against the Terror. They are the Defenders of Humanity. They are my Space Marines...and they shall know no fear." — The Emperor of Mankind Warhammer 40K is a miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop. There are multiple factions you can as play in the game, from fantasy-inspired Orks to the monstrous Tyranids. But ...

New art by Chris Trefz, of Leeloo: The Iconic Savior of The Fifth Element and Her Captivating Journey Leeloo from the movie "The Fifth Element" Introduction: In the vibrant and imaginative world of The Fifth Element, a character emerges who has captured the hearts of fans worldwide: Leeloo, portrayed by the talented actress Milla Jovovich. With her striking appearance, enigmatic origins, and pivotal role in the film's narrative, Leeloo continues to be an iconic figure. In this article, we explore Leeloo's significance in the movie, delve into fan theories about her origin, uncover interesting anecdotes from the cast and crew, and admire the captivating design and costumes that brought this beloved character to life. The Savior of Humanity: Leeloo plays a central role in The Fifth Element as the supreme being and the key to saving humanity from an ancient cosmic threat. She is the embodiment of the Fifth Element, representing love, compassion, and the power to brin...

Front Cover Back Cover Combined Cover Cover illustration I did for a sci-fi/fantasy novel called "Mecha: Survivor". A story about another world called Kath, that has endured 30 years of war, ever since the discovery of a mysterious energy source called distortion, which reshaped civilization. As rival nations vie for power, the delicate balance is put in jeopardy by the uncovering of a Rubian, a race long thought dead with the ability to alter the very threads of matter around them.

Recent artwork of the Doom Slayer, in honor of the new game, "Doom Eternal". Rip and Tear! "In the first age, in the first battle, when the shadows first lengthened, one stood. Burned by the embers of Armageddon, his soul blistered by the fires of Hell and tainted beyond ascension, he chose the path of perpetual torment. In his ravenous hatred, he found no peace, and with boiling blood, he scoured the Umbral Plains seeking vengeance against the dark lords who had wronged him. He wore the crown of the Night Sentinels, and those that tasted the bite of his sword named him... the Doom Slayer." - Doom Slayer Testament, from the Doom remake, 2016.

New Illustration by Chris Trefz of The Facehugger from Alien: Prepare to be Gripped by Terror, literally. Finished illustration of the Facehugger from the Alien Facechise. I always found these guys creepy, so spider-like, but at the same time with those disturbingly human-like fingers. And the way they rush forward, single-mindedly, to grab hold of your face and all the terrifying things that proceed from there. My development Process for this image: Lineart Flat colors

Sketch of Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Jabba was my probably my favorite part of Return of the Jedi. His design was great, and he was an amazing piece of puppetry. If I remember correctly, there were 2 menu inside his torso working the arms, and third guy working his tail. As well as a 4th guy outside working Jabba's facial expressions with a remote control. I also love Jabba's attitude. Using Han as a wall decoration, making Princess Leia into his slavegirl, and trying to feed Luke to the Rancor. Jabba definitely put our heroes through the ringer.    

New artwork by Chris Trefz of the Mondoshawan: The Enigmatic Aliens from The Fifth Element. Sketch of a Mondoshawan from the Fifth Element. See how I drew this image. Introduction: In the realm of science fiction, few creatures have left as lasting an impression as the enigmatic Mondoshawan aliens from the cult classic film, The Fifth Element. With their unique appearance and pivotal role in the movie's storyline, the Mondoshawan have sparked curiosity and intrigue among fans. In this article, we delve into what we know about these extraterrestrial beings, explore popular theories about their origins, and uncover fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about their design and costumes. Guardians of the Elemental Stones: In The Fifth Element, the Mondoshawan play a crucial role as the ancient protectors of the four elemental stones representing Earth, Fire, Air, and Water. These stones possess immense power and are the key to saving humanity from an impending cosmic threat. T...

Here's a look at my drawing desk, and supplies as I work on my next sketch. For the line work, I use Faber-Castell Pitt artist pens and Pandafly Dual tip art markers for the shading. I had been using Prisma color markers when I saw these on Amazon and decided to give them a try. Even though they are a cheaper, lesser known brand, I find I actually like how they blend better, and they had a bit of a watercolor look to them, which I like. Two things to watch out for if you try them. They soak through your paper pretty quickly when layering them on, so get a piece of Bristol board to put behind the drawing to keep the markers from staining the rest of your sketchbook or table. Also, what shade of grey they are isn't very easy to read at a glance, so to a avoid wasting a lot of time squinting at fine print, I numbered them with a sharpie.

New Illustration by Chris Trefz of Optimus Prime, Leader of the Autobots: A Legendary Warrior's Steely Determination. Updated 4-8-21 The leader of the Autobots himself, Optimus was my favorite Transformers back when watching the original cartoon back in the 80's. Grimlock was my a close second, given he turned into a T-Rex, and I was pretty Dinosaur crazy as a kid.  My development Process for this image: Line Art Flat Color Original finished version Introduction: The Transformers franchise has captivated audiences for decades, and one character who has become an iconic symbol of heroism and leadership is none other than Optimus Prime. From his inception in the original cartoon series to his enduring presence in pop culture, Optimus Prime has stood as a paragon of courage and determination. In this digital illustration, I pay homage to this legendary Autobot, showcasing his battle-worn yet indomitable spirit. The Original Transformers Cartoon: Growing up in th...

New Artwork of the Predator: Honoring the Fearsome Alien Hunter from the Movie Franchise Sketch of the Predator. Introduction: In the realm of science fiction and action cinema, few creatures have left as indelible a mark as the Predator. With its iconic design and relentless pursuit of prey, the Predator has become an enduring symbol of extraterrestrial menace.  In this article, I am excited to share my new black-and-white marker drawing of the Predator, aiming to honor its presence in the franchise. We'll explore the origins of the character, delve into the first Predator movie, discuss the creation of its striking design, and touch upon the Alien vs. Predator crossovers that have expanded its mythology. The Birth of the Predator: The Predator made its first appearance in the 1987 film simply titled Predator, directed by John McTiernan. The film follows a group of elite soldiers who become targets of an extraterrestrial hunter during a rescue mission in Central America. Th...

Here's some new art of Darth Vader, the dark lord of the Sith, the main antagonist of the Star Wars film franchise, and the greatest movie villain of all time. It's hard to get more imposing than Vader with his massive, black-clad frame, skull-like mask, raspy breathing, and the voice of James Earl Jones.  Vader was always my favorite villain and favorite character in Star Wars. And after seeing his recent return to the big screen in "Rogue One", now seemed like the perfect time to do some fan art. See how the image developed with these work-in-progress shots:     Sketch Line Art Early Shading

New Illustration by Chris Trefz, of the Engineer: Unlocking the Mysteries of "Prometheus". Finished version Exciting news! I've just finished a new illustration of the Engineer in his iconic biomechanical spacesuit from the movie "Prometheus". Take a closer look at this captivating artwork featuring the mysterious Engineer and his intricately designed spacesuit. It's a tribute to the enigmatic world of "Prometheus" and the advanced civilizations that lie beyond our imagination. My development Process for this image: Finished line art Early shading Mid shading Unveiling the Enigma: Exploring Prometheus and Its Dark Secrets Introduction Welcome to a journey into the mysterious world of Prometheus, a sci-fi film released in 2012 and directed by visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott. As a prequel to the iconic movie Alien, Prometheus delves into the origins of the xenomorphs and the enigmatic Engineers, shedding light on their connection...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz of Survivaball: A Comedic Prank on Corporations to Spread Environmental Awareness. My salute to the Survivaball :) The Survivaball is a fictional survival suit created by comedians "the yes men", to raise environmental awareness. The message is that if we don't take care of the environment, then we're all going to need a Survivaball. You can also find lots of funny videos about it on Youtube. Introduction: There are few things more amusing than witnessing a clever prank, especially when it serves as a satirical commentary on the actions and behaviors of powerful corporations. One such hilarious endeavor was carried out by the renowned comedic duo, "The Yes Men," who masterfully used their wit and creativity to expose the absurdity of corporate greed. One of their most memorable pranks involved the infamous Survivaball, an inflatable suit that promised a whimsical solution to the impending doom of the apocalypse. Insp...

Godzilla - Fire Breath Godzilla, unleashing the fury of his breath weapon.