Author Archive: melissadowillustration

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2013 Returning Challenger: Melissa Dow

| October 31, 2013 | 0 Comments

Hey guys!

Slipping my intro in here at the last moment!  So, I guess I’m a quasi-returning challenger; I didn’t participate last year, and I only got about a week in the year before, but I’m determined to at least try to get through it all this time!

I’m an freelance illustrator and char designer/graphics artist for a small video game company.  I live in Portland, OR and enjoy pretty much all things geeky. 🙂

You can view my work on my website if you are interested in learning more.

Can’t wait to see everyone’s awesome creations, and hopefully pushing myself for the full run this time around!

Cheers!

3_TestSubject_0992_Sven1_Mama_Scarfonie

#6 – Ian Fellows

| November 8, 2011 | 2 Comments

Hipster lent our prized vinyl?  Ian Fellows never returned it.  Hipster wants bohemian brownstone apartment downtown?  Ian Fellows will never vacate it, he has rent control and pays the same per month as he did in 1975; he will die there.  Hipster seeks out sweet vintage clothing?  Ian Fellows pillages all sweet threads from Goodwill, before 11am.  Hipster plays the accordion?  Ian Fellows plays it better.  Hipster is cool.  Ian Fellows is a nerdy old man.

#5 – Paula

| November 7, 2011 | 0 Comments

Would you like some contempt with that?

#4 – Sal “Minor Key” Scarfonie

| November 5, 2011 | 0 Comments

Another addition to my silly Scarfonie clan; Sal, Uncle Sal, or “Minor Key” Sal, if you want to be cryptic.  Sal used to play jazz piano, now he plays chumps when they need a lesson.  He is a man of few words and even less empathy.  He does not use that piano wire to floss.

Wish I’d spent more time on this character design, but in fear of falling behind, I must plow on.  🙂

#3 – Test Subject 099

| November 3, 2011 | 4 Comments

Things are not going very well for Test Subject 099, ever since he signed on the dotted line to drink Septix Co’s, Super Energie Fluxx.  The beverage hit the shelves last year.  Meanwhile, Test Subject 099 wanders the toxic green wasteland’s of his mind, searching for answers, and some ice cubes.

Part of my experimental Psychotronic Sunrise theme/world.

#2 – Sven (the Gentle Sailor)

| November 2, 2011 | 4 Comments

This is Sven, the Gentle Sailor.  Not at all typical of the usual kind of character I come up with, but I’ve sketched him a few times and wanted to bring him to life a bit more (besides it’s fun to explore new territory :)).  I don’t know too much about Sven, except that he used to be a circus strongman, can lift 100x his weight, and does not like spinach.

#1 – Mama Scarfonie

| November 1, 2011 | 3 Comments

The first in a set of characters I am working up, based on a very silly web comic idea I had awhile back.

Mama Scarfonie is the tough, fashion backward, ruling matriarch of the Scarfonie crime family.  She is the proud mother of 12 felons, has not seen her waist since 1977, been married 5 times and divorced 1.  As well as money, she still launders her son’s clothing.  She firmly believes that starch is the most essential food group.  She ate Snooki for breakfast.

(still trying to find a more original font for this set. 😉 )

2011 Challenger: Melissa Dow

| October 29, 2011 | 4 Comments

Hi guys, apologies I am getting this in so late, I was on vacation, but back just in time for the challenge to begin!

My name is Melissa Dow, I am an illustrator/character designer living in Portland, OR.  I work for a small gaming company, as well as freelance.  I absolutely LOVE character design, and have been working om my own character project 100 Bastards, for awhile now.  I received a BFA in Illustration from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in 2007.  I love drawing, love it, love it.  My work is largely influenced by portraiture, pop culture, graphic novels, crazy colors and most definitely character design.

For the challenge, I think I am going to work on a few character sets for some web comic/random ideas I’ve had, but I’m not entirely set on that yet.  I definitely am drawn to ‘exaggerated realism’ type characters; crime, noir, not-so-distant-future, slightly alternatie universe, etc, as well as satirical themes.  I also may create some weird animal/creatures.  For the moment, I expect to just do pen and ink, with simple toning to keep myself from taking too much time on each one. 🙂

I missed doing the Challenge last year, and am so excited to get a chance to participate this time around.  I can’t wait to see the amazing work you guys create!

Cheers!