Chris Trefz Art Blog

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...

Closing out my Halloween-themed art series with new artwork of a malicious Witch brewing a caldron of some evil potion. The Witch is the final entry into my 2020 series of Halloween-themed Speed paintings. Song of the Witches: “Double, double toil and trouble” BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (from Macbeth) Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the caldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble. Cool it with a baboon's blood, Then the charm is firm and good.

New illustration by Chris Trefz of the Hockey Mask-clad, machete-wielding slasher villain, Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th horror movie franchise. My procession of Halloween-related work continues with Jason Voorhees of the Friday the 13th series, back from the depths of Crystal Lake. To quote Alice Cooper : Oh, but he's back He's the man behind the mask And he's out of control He's back! My development Process for this image: Lineart Flat colors In this blog article, we dive deep into the chilling world of the Friday the 13th horror movie franchise and explore the iconic character of Jason Voorhees. Join us as we unravel the origins of Jason Voorhees, his terrifying powers, and the fascinating story behind his iconic hockey mask and trusty machete. The Friday the 13th franchise has become a cornerstone of the horror genre, captivating audiences with its suspenseful storytelling and unforgettable slasher villain. Jason Voorhees, the masked murderer, ...

New Halloween-themed artwork of a sinister-looking crow consuming a gruesome meal. The Crow is the next piece in my series of Halloween-themed speed paintings. Crows represent death, the afterlife, knowledge, intelligence, adaptation, prescience, fortune, destiny, metamorphosis, and the future in contemporary Western culture. Depending on where in the globe you are, crows are interpreted as either good or bad omens, and their symbolism is both positive and negative. One of the most frequent themes in crow symbolism is death. Because they frequently appear adjacent to dead animals and are scavengers, corvids such as crows and ravens are frequently associated with death.

New Halloween-themed artwork of a sinister serpent wrapping its coils around a grinning skull. Next piece in my series of Halloween-themed speed paintings. As Halloween approaches, our imagination takes flight, conjuring up eerie images that send shivers down our spines. One such haunting depiction is that of a snake coiled around a skull, a powerful symbol that embodies both intrigue and fear. In this blog article, we will explore the inspiration behind this chilling artwork and delve into how it perfectly captures the essence of Halloween. The Serpent: Symbol of Transformation and Mystery Throughout history, snakes have been imbued with a sense of mystique. Often associated with transformation and rebirth, these slithering creatures have appeared in countless mythologies and folklore. Their ability to shed their skin has long been seen as a metaphor for personal growth and renewal. The presence of a snake in your artwork signifies the shedding of the old, embracing change, and emba...

New Art of the scythe-wielding avatar of Death personified, the Grim Reaper. The Grim Reaper is part of a series of Halloween-themed speed paintings I'm doing. I usually work slowly and methodically, drawing out every detail in outline before rendering. My goal here will be to keep things fast and loose, preferably within an hour. My other goal is to celebrate Halloween, my favorite holiday!

New artwork as part of what I hope to be a series of horror-themed illustrations celebrating Halloween, 2020. Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday of the year. I usually celebrate by going to Haunted Houses and Halloween parties. But with a certain set of worldwide events going on right now, I've had to put my normal plans on hold for this year.   Determined to foster the spirit of the spooky season despite being stuck at home, I decided to series of Halloween-themed speed paintings. Usually, I my work is pretty slow and methodical, drawing everything out with line work before renderings. With these, the goal will be to work fast and loose and simplify objects where I can so that I produce a range of spine-tingling scenes and subjects.  The first entry is a wolf howling while silhouetted in front of an enormous full moon.

New artwork of the Marauder, former Allie turned demonic foe in the Game Doom Eternal. The Marauder from Doom Eternal (Video Game 2020). "You were never one of us. You were nothing but a usurper...a false idol. My eyes have been opened. Let me help you to see, Slayer." A group of resurrected and corrupted Night Sentinels, the Marauders are enemies which appear in Doom Eternal, as well as both of its subsequent DLC releases. A group of resurrected and corrupted Night Sentinels, the Marauders are those who sided with the Khan Maykr and the Hell Priests against the realm of Argent D'Nur, becoming demonic sentinels after their deaths.

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 ...