Chris Trefz Art Blog

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...

They all float down here! Sketch of Pennywise, the Killer Clown, in honor of the recent remake. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but everything I've been hearing sounds good. Which is great, since Steven King's work generally hasn't been very well treated by Hollywood, including the recent Dark Tower adaptations. ---------------- artwork, drawing, black and white, inktober, tradition art, sketch, markers, illustration,  horror, monster, movie, halloween, Pennywise the Dancing Clown, Killer Clown, IT, 

New Illustration by Chris Trefz of Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack - A Legendary Clash of Titans. Sketch of Godzilla from "Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack". Introduction: In the realm of kaiju films, where colossal creatures clash in epic battles, there is one standout entry that has left an indelible mark on the genre for me: "Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack." Released in 2001, this film, produced by Toho Studios and directed and co-written by Shusuke Kaneko, captivated audiences with its thrilling plot, awe-inspiring monster battles, and a fresh portrayal of Godzilla as a formidable and villainous force. Accompanying this cinematic masterpiece is my own black-and-white marker drawing that aims to portray the malevolence and strength of Godzilla, capturing the essence of his role in the movie. The Plot: "Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Mon...

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...

New Artwork of the Jurassic Park Raptor: Capturing the Ferocity of an Iconic Predator Velociraptor based on the Jurassic Park series. Introduction: Step into the prehistoric world of Jurassic Park with a new black and white marker drawing that showcases the awe-inspiring and terrifying velociraptors from the iconic 1993 film. In this blog article, we will embark on a journey to revisit the groundbreaking movie, delve into the unique traits and role of the raptors within the story, and explore the inspiration behind my artwork that aims to capture the ferocity and piercing gaze of these remarkable predators. The Jurassic Park Phenomenon: Summary of the Movie: Directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Universal Pictures, Jurassic Park revolutionized the world of cinema when it was released in 1993. The film transported audiences to an island where dinosaurs once again roamed the Earth. With groundbreaking visual effects, a compelling storyline, and memorable characters, Jurassi...

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 of a Warrior Xenomorph: Unleashing the Terror and Exploring the World of Aliens. The ruthless Xenomorph from the Alien Franchise. Judging from the blood stain on its tail, this predator has already made a kill for the night. My development Process for this image: Sketch Finished line art Flat Color Early shading Introduction In the realm of science fiction and horror, the movie Aliens stands as a landmark cinematic masterpiece. Released in 1986 and directed by James Cameron, Aliens is a thrilling sequel to the iconic film Alien. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the movie takes us on a heart-pounding journey into the depths of space, where humans encounter a new level of terror. Plot of Aliens: A Battle for Survival The plot of Aliens follows the story of Ellen Ripley, portrayed brilliantly by Sigourney Weaver. After surviving the nightmarish encounter with the xenomorph on the Nostromo in the first film, Ripley is awakened from hypersleep 57 y...

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...

Welcome to my blog  I'm Chris Trefz, a freelance illustrator available for personal commissions and commercial projects. I'm a fan of science fiction, fantasy, video games, and movies, from which I draw inspiration. I especially like drawing real-life animals, prehistoric creatures, as well as fictional monsters from entertainment, and my imagination. On this blog, I'll be sharing my latest work, talking about my process, sharing helpful tips, and occasionally talking about other things I'm interested in. I'll also be creating a backlog of posts highlights my older work, creating a timeline of my progression as an artist.

New Artwork by Chris Trefz of Military Experiment Gone Disastrously Wrong. Created for Deviant Art Contest based on the movie "Splice". "A secret experiment will break the laws of science and create an animal-human hybrid. In 2010 their greatest creation will be unleashed." - Splice movie tagline Here's the backstory I wrote for my creature: Subject X613 was the pride of the government's Bio-Weapons Division. Nothing like it had ever been attempted in the branch's history. The Creature's DNA was a perfect blend of earth's most resilient predators, including: Hammer Head Shark, Bat, Cheetah, Praying Mantis, and Scorpion. X613 possessed flight, incredible speed, brute strength, armored skin, and unexpected regenerative properties. The Creature's structural perfection was surpassed only by it's sheer aggression. Uncle Sam wanted me to create the most vicious killing machine the world had ever seen, and I gave it to them. Of Co...

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...

On December 21st, 2012, the stars will be right once more... Dedicated to a friend, who assures me that the world is definitely going to end along with the Mayan calendar.