Chris Trefz Art Blog

New Artwork of Krampus: Unleashing the Mythological Menace "He came not to reward, but to punish. Not to give, but to take." - Omi Engel, Krampus (2015) Introduction: In the realm of folklore and mythology, creatures of darkness often lurk, captivating our imaginations with their enigmatic nature. Today, I am thrilled to unveil my latest artwork—a black and white drawing of Krampus. Join me as we delve into the origins of this mythical figure, explore his menacing appearance, and discover the enduring fascination surrounding Krampus in popular culture. The Krampus Myth: A Dark Twist on the Holiday Season Amidst the joyous festivities of the holiday season, there exists a chilling counterpart known as Krampus, "The Shadow of Saint Nicolas." Originating from the Alpine region of Europe, Krampus is a creature deeply rooted in local folklore, adding a macabre twist to Christmas traditions. While Saint Nicolas rewards the good, Krampus emerges from the shadows to p...

New art of Two-Face: The Dichotomy of Chaos and Tragedy in Batman: The Animated Series Two-Face from Batman: The Animated Series.  In the gritty and atmospheric world of Batman: The Animated Series, a compelling and dangerous adversary emerges in the form of Two-Face. With his distinct dual-personality and tragic backstory, Two-Face captivates audiences as a complex and unpredictable foe. In this article, we explore the history of Two-Face in the show and delve into why he stands out as one of Batman's most intriguing and formidable adversaries. The Tragic Transformation: Formerly Gotham City's noble District Attorney, Harvey Dent falls victim to a devastating accident that disfigures half of his face. The physical trauma becomes a catalyst for his descent into madness, splitting his psyche into two distinct personas: the noble Harvey Dent and the vengeful, coin-flipping criminal known as Two-Face. This tragic transformation adds layers of depth to his character, blurring...

New Artwork of Mr. Freeze: A Tragic Tale of Cold Revenge Mr.Freeze from Batman: The Animated Series.  Introduction: In the dark and captivating world of Batman: The Animated Series, one character stands out for his tragic journey and chilling demeanor. Mr. Freeze, originally known as Victor Fries, is a complex and compelling villain with a heart frozen by sorrow. In this article, we delve into Mr. Freeze's origin, his heartbreaking progression throughout the show, and the inspiration behind my black-and-white drawing that captures his icy essence. Origin and Tragic Progression: Mr. Freeze's origin in Batman: The Animated Series is a poignant one. Driven by his desperate attempt to cure his cryogenically frozen wife, Nora, Victor Fries is transformed into a cryogenic-powered villain seeking revenge on those responsible for his personal tragedy. His tragic progression is marked by his relentless pursuit of a cure, ultimately succeeding in saving Nora but at the cost of his...

New Artwork of Harley Quinn: Capturing Her Mischievous Charm Harley Quinn, from Batman: The Animated Series. Introduction: In this article, we delve into the world of Batman: The Animated Series and explore the captivating character of Harley Quinn. As a fan-favorite, Harley has left a lasting impression with her unique origins, complex relationship with the Joker, and her eventual journey towards independence. Accompanied by a new artwork, we aim to capture the whimsical and mischievous nature of this iconic character. Harley Quinn's Origins and Relationship with the Joker: Harley Quinn, originally known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, was introduced in Batman: The Animated Series as a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. Fascinated by the Joker's twisted mind, she fell deeply in love with him, eventually becoming his loyal accomplice. Their tumultuous relationship showcased a unique blend of manipulation, madness, and dark humor. Harley's unwavering dedication to the Joker made he...

The Joker, based on Batman: The Animated Series. Voiced by Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself, this is my favorite version of the Clown Prince of Crime.

The Dark Knight, based on Batman: The Animated Series, my favorite version of the character and his rogue's gallery of villians.

Pennywise the Dancing Clown from It. (updated 2/19/23) Kicking off the Halloween season right with Pennywise fanart. I'll always be a fan of Tim Curry's original performance, but I love the new Pennywise. From his creepy expressions and archaic costume, to his inhuman speed and monstrous alternate forms, Pennywise kept me on the edge of my seat throughout part 1 and 2.  See how the illustration took shape with these work-in-progress images: Line Art Flat Color Mid Shading Original final verzion

New art of King of the Monsters, Godzilla, the legendary reptilian star of Japanese studio, Toho. Updated 3/30/2023 This illustration depicts a colossal snake that arose from the depths of Lake Michigan and does battle with Godzilla in front of the Chicago skyline. The scene was based on the new composition "Godzilla in Chicago" by Michiru Oshima.  I had free range to choose which of the many versions of Godzilla I used, so I went with the GMK design, from the movie, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. A bit of a mouth full to say, but great flick with awesome creature designs, and an absolutely vicious take on Godzilla. The Sea Serpent was a brand new creature created for the music with no established design. For inspiration, I looked at real-life animals like the anaconda, which spends a lot of its time in the water, the moray eel, and a sunfish for its spikey fins. Work in progress for a new commission I'm working on. Sketch...

Commission of the male Tyrannosaurus from the novel Primitive War. A story about soldiers encountering living dinosaurs during the Vietnam War. In this scene, Russian soldiers have killed a baby T-Rex and brought it back to their base. The parents end up tracking the soldiers back to their base and exacting their revenge. This illustration depicts the Father Rex bursting through the compound wall.

New Artwork Based on The Primitive War: An Experiment Gone Wrong Unleashes Dinosaurs Amidst the Vietnam War. Finished new commission based on the novel "Primitive War". The story is about soldiers who encounter living dinosaurs during the Vietnam War. In this scene, Russian soldiers have killed a baby T-Rex and brought it back to their base. The parents end up tracking the soldiers back to their base and exacting their revenge. This illustration depicts the Mother Rex, I'll be doing a follow-up commission of the Father Rex bursting through the compound wall. My development Process for this image: Sketch Line Work Flat colors First take on the feathers texture.

New art of the mighty T-Rex, inspired by "Jurassic Park: Lost World" Novel. New version updated 3-23-21 This depicts a scene in the novel where a trio of would-be thieves attempts to steal an egg from a Tyrannosaurus nest. When their plan to hold the parents at bay fails, the father Rex quickly pounces and takes his revenge. See below for my development process for this image: Sketch Linework Flat Colors Rendered background Original final versio Close up of baby Rex watching from it's nest

Cyclops from the X-men series This sketch, as with the Wolverine drawing I did is based on the 90's cartoon, which I enjoyed watching as a kid.