Chris Trefz Art Blog

New artwork in honor of 50's B-Horror movie classic, "The Crawling Eye". Updated 2/28/23 "The nightmare terror of the slithering eye that unleashed agonizing horror on a screaming world!" My illustrated tribute to "The Crawling Eye", also known as "The Trollenberg Terror" from 1958. A series of decapitations on a Swiss mountainside appear to be connected to a mysterious radioactive cloud, but it's hiding something far more sinister. This black-and-white creature feature is one of my favorite classic movies. When I first saw it as a kid, the creature design captured my imagination. As an adult, it's a bit more goofy than scary, but it has a charm that makes me like it even more. It also has a Lovecraftian vibe from the tentacled space invaders to their ability to telepathically enter your dreams and manipulate humans. See my below for my development process of this image: Sketch Lineart Basic colors Original final ver

"The shark is the apex predator in the sea. Sharks have molded evolution for 450 million years. All fish species that are prey to the sharks have had their behavior, their speed, their camouflage, their defense mechanisms molded by the shark." - Paul Watson Speed painting of a Hammerhead Shark. One of my favorite sea creatures due to the unusual shape of its head which its name is derived from.

New artwork of Jurassic-era predator, Coelophysis, ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey! Speed painting of a Coelophysis, a small, ground-dwelling, bipedal carnivore, that could grow up to 3 m (9.8 ft) long. It is one of the earliest known dinosaur genera. Scattered material representing similar animals has been found worldwide in some Late Triassic and Early Jurassic formations. I realized after I finished painting him, he's a little bulky here compared to most depictions if you google the species, so for anyone wondering, I based him on a statue I saw at a reptile Zoo. I really liked the attack pose it was sculpted in.

New Illustration by Chris Trefz in Holiday Tribute to Nature and the Barn Owl: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Taking a break from monsters and aliens to celebrate the holiday season. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Introduction: As the holiday season embraces us with its warmth and cheer, I find myself captivated by the beauty of nature and the wonder it bestows upon us. Inspired by my parents' passion for bird watching and my own fascination with the enigmatic Barn Owl, I have crafted a digital illustration that celebrates the splendor of Christmas and pays tribute to the remarkable creatures that inhabit our world. Join me as we embark on a journey through this enchanting artwork, where a Barn Owl takes center stage amidst a winter wonderland adorned with festive decorations. The Captivating Barn Owl: Perched regally on a tree stump in the foreground of the illustration, the Barn Owl commands attention with its piercing gaze and distinctive facial structure.

  Once savage creatures from the darkest caverns of the North Pole, the Elves were conquered by the Great Clause a millennia ago, bound by dark magic and forced to toil away in Santa's massive toy factories.  Something a little creepy before Christmas :)

Updated Here is some newly completed artwork depicting a battle between Venom and The Lizard, two Spiderman villains from Marvel comics. Here is a short story I wrote inspired by the illustration:  I was wakened from my sleep by a sudden, and thunderous crash from outside. Had there been a car accident? No, the sound came from my window facing the alley behind my apartment. Rising from my bed, I hurried to the window as another powerful impact broke the night's silence. Looking below I saw no wrecked vehicles, but rather two figures thrashing in the shadows of the alley. Were a couple of drunks fighting, or perhaps someone was being mugged? No, their movements were too fast, the figures were a blur as they ferociously threw each other from one side of the alley to the other. Then there were the sounds, inhuman snarling, and hissing, more reminiscent of some kind of feral animals. Finally, the pair rolled out of the shadows and within the edge of a street lamp's light, all but f

New Illustration of a Cthulhu Idol by Chris Trefz, and the Final Entry into the 2021 Halloween Art Series. "The figure represented a monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind.  This thing, which seemed instinct with a fearsome and unnatural malignancy, was of a somewhat bloated corpulence and squatted evilly on a rectangular block or pedestal covered with undecipherable characters. The aspect of the whole was abnormally life-like, and the more subtly fearful because its source was so totally unknown." - HP Lovecraft, from "The Call of Cthulhu" Here is some new artwork of a Cthulhu Idol as the Sixth and final entry in my Halloween 2021 Speed-paint series.

New Halloween-themed Illustration of Chris Trefz, of an Eerie Abandoned Church with a Mysterious Green Glow.  Three nights ago that eerie green light appeared inside the old abandoned church up on the hill. We dared Johnny to go in and find out what it was. It's been over an hour since he squeezed in through one of the boarded-up windows, but he still hasn't come back out.  The Old Church is the 5th entry in my Halloween 2021 Speedpaint series. Exploring Urban Decay: Unveiling the Beauty in "The Old Church" Introduction: Urban decay has always fascinated me—the gradual deterioration of once vibrant structures, the passage of time leaving its mark, and the hidden stories they hold. In this article, I want to delve into the allure of urban decay, the practice of urban exploration, and the inspiration behind my artwork, "The Old Church." Urban Decay: A Captivating Symbol of Time's Passage: Witnessing the decline of once-majestic buildings and structures

New Halloween-Themed Illustration by Chris Trefz of a Ravenous Werewolf.  Transformed into a bloodthirsty beast by the rise of the full moon, the Werewolf is the 4th entry in my Halloween 2021 Speedpaint series. Introduction: Werewolves, those mythical creatures that embody the fusion of man and wolf, have captured the human imagination for centuries. The concept of the werewolf, often associated with the full moon and a transformative curse, has permeated folklore, literature, and popular culture. In this article, we delve into the origins of the werewolf myth, explore the lore surrounding the werewolf curse, and examine the enduring presence of werewolves in popular culture. Origin of the Myth: The legend of the werewolf dates back to ancient times, appearing in various cultures and civilizations. It was believed that individuals possessed the ability to transform into wolves, either voluntarily or through a curse. The exact origins of the myth are shrouded in mystery, with differen

New Halloween-Themed Illustration by Chris Trefz of a Shambling Zombie. Doomed to roam the earth in a state of undying decay, tormented with an unending hunger for the flesh of those who yet live. The Zombie is the 3rd entry in my Halloween 2021 Speedpaint series. Unleashing the Undead: Exploring the Mythology and Symbolism of Zombies. Introduction: Zombies, those relentless and decaying creatures, have become a staple in horror and popular culture. Originating from ancient folklore and legends, these undead beings have captured the imagination of many, representing fears of death, disease, and the crumbling of societal order. In this article, we delve into the mythology and roots of zombies, their symbolic significance, and their enduring presence in popular culture. The Mythology and Historical Roots: The concept of zombies finds its origins in various cultural and religious beliefs. In Haitian folklore, the zombie is believed to be a reanimated corpse controlled by a sorcerer,

A lost soul, bound to this plane of existence by past regrets. The Ghost is the second entry in my Halloween 2021 Speed-paint series.

New artwork of internet terror, the Slender Man, to kick off my 2nd series of horror-themed illustrations celebrating Halloween (2021). October has returned, and so has my series of Halloween-themed speed paintings. I think I will try to make this an annual thing, as Halloween is my favorite holiday.  We kick off the 2021 spooky series with Slender Man, the creepypasta meme turned pop culture icon. The Slender Man, often known as Slenderman, is an imaginary supernatural figure that first appeared online in 2009 as a creepypasta meme made by Something Awful forum user Eric Knudsen. He is shown as a tall, slender, featureless humanoid wearing a black suit, with a white head and face. The Slender Man frequently stalks, kidnaps, or traumatizes people in stories, especially children. The Slender Man has become a pop culture figure, although he is not limited to a single story and instead appears in a variety of other fiction works, most of which are written online. The Slender Man has appea