Chris Trefz Art Blog

Here's the finished version of my PumpkinHead sketch. PumpkinHead is a vengeful demon from the 1988 movie of the same title. I love PumpkinHead's design, taking the human figure and stretching and distorting it into a monstrous parody. While adding demonic iconography like the pointed tip of its tail. I also like the demon's attitude. Where the movies dehumanize Jason Voorhees, by making him emotionless as he goes about his killing spree as if it's more of a chore then anything else. The inverse is true with PumpkinHead, the creators infuse the rubber costume and animatronics with life and personality by having the monster draw out his kills, tormenting his victims, and grin ghoulishly as he reveals their suffering.

Here's a time-lapse Youtube video I made recently of me draw PumpkinHead, a demon of vengeance from the the 1988 horror movie of the same name. Summary: "After his son dies in a hit-and-run accident, Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen) seeks revenge against the teenagers responsible. With the help of a local witch (Florence Schauffler), Ed summons the vengeful demon Pumpkinhead to hunt and kill the group of friends. But when Ed discovers a bond between himself and the creature, he begins to have second thoughts about employing the vicious monster, and he fights to end Pumpkinhead's murderous rampage before it is too late." -------------- Art, artwork, drawing, black and white, inktober, tradition art, sketch, markers, illustration, creature,  demon,  horror, monster, movie, pumpkinhead, Halloween, time-lapse, Youtube, video.

This is Halloween! Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas, dressed in his Pumpkin King garb from the opening song.

In honor of this past Friday the 13th, I drew the madman in the hockey mask himself, Jason Voorhees. The fact that he is a silent, and invulnerable behemoth, killing with neither remorse nor glee, is contrasted by his tragic origin, making him my favorite of the 80's slasher villains.

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 Artwork of Clayface: The Shapeshifting Menace of Batman: The Animated Series Sketch of Clayface from Batman the Animated Series. Introduction: In the dark and atmospheric world of Batman: The Animated Series, one villain stands out as a formidable and intriguing adversary for the Caped Crusader: Clayface. With his ability to shape-shift and manipulate his clay-like form, Clayface presents a unique challenge that pushes Batman to his limits. In this article, we explore Clayface's powers, delve into his origin story, discuss his significance as a nemesis to Batman, and uncover interesting details about his character design from the creators of the beloved series. Unleashing the Shapeshifter: Clayface, also known as Basil Karlo, possesses the extraordinary power of shape-shifting, allowing him to transform his body into any form he desires. This ability grants him incredible versatility, making him a formidable opponent for Batman and his allies. From assuming the appearan...

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