within the walls

Taking Visible Shape

2012-01-16T18:32:00.003-05:00

M E T E O R A

2011-12-10T00:40:00.002-05:00

Back in 2008, I started environment sketches for a personal comic I was working on which I eventually had to put to the side to work on other projects. Only recently I remembered the sketch and decided to color it.

The original is here: Almost forgotten...

Awake

2011-10-24T07:55:00.005-04:00

Gramma PUNK +

2011-06-02T15:01:00.005-04:00

Some life painting... I love the first model, she's always donning a new hair color, this time it happened to be PINK!

TMI Snippet - Down the rabbit hole...

2011-05-23T23:03:00.002-04:00

Ok, wasn't sure if I was going to post it, but it's one of the panels I enjoyed the most for Issue 3. This is also posted on Th3rd World's flickr...

TMI Snippet - VALENTINE

2011-05-07T08:03:00.005-04:00

Here's a preview of Valentine in a flashback panel from Issue 2 I believe...

I'm losing track of pages and time and space...

Soon this blog is going to have a face lift, I'm getting sick of this layout, so in the next couple of weeks I'll decide what to do with it. Until then maybe I'll surprise you all with some new art or another preview :)

TMI Snippets on FLICKR!

2011-04-16T16:44:00.003-04:00

Th3rd World Studios post a lot of sneak previews on their flickr, check out some recent panels I've been working on for City of Bones: Issue 3:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23266617@N05

TMI: CITY OF BONES Iss 1 Cover

2011-03-23T17:52:00.004-04:00

Cover is designed and painted by me.

Noticed Cassie uploaded this on her facebook, so I decided to upload it as well.

This is the official cover for Issue 1 of City of Bones.

Hopefully out this fall/winter.

I'm happy that one person noticed the Mucha reference lol.

M is for Mon-- MARVELOUS?

2011-03-05T03:08:00.004-05:00

Well I feel marvelous at least...
As I've said in past posts, I always like to upload a drawing on my birthday. A little something to mark a special occasion.

. Happy Birthday to Me .

Robert Burke is amazing... can't say that enough...

Death Shall Find Me

2011-01-27T05:38:00.002-05:00

Sketch Dump.. I'm NOT DEAD

2011-01-25T13:11:00.004-05:00

Just posting some sketches I had that are part of my little visual journal I'm keeping so don't go insane lol

And every artist should know this, but isn't stressed enough is that you have to always make the time to do YOUR OWN WORK.

***TMI NEWS: I just finished the cover for Issue 1, so hopefully I can post that soon. Keep checking Cassie's blog for the updates http://cassandraclare.livejournal.com/

NYCC TMI Sketches

2010-10-12T18:30:00.003-04:00

Magnus is wearing my boots... I wore those at the B&N signing lol.

TMI Snippet Part II

2010-10-09T07:31:00.002-04:00

GO TO BOOTH #653 Aisle 600 near the artist alley. Stop by say hi or get a commission from me!!!

TMI Snippets Time Part I and NYCC!!!

2010-10-08T22:03:00.003-04:00

Ok here's the first! Tomorrow I will be at the booth around 2pm! Hope to see you there and if you can't make it tomorrow, stop by Sunday @ 12pm for the signing!!!

NY COMIC CON! ARE YOU GOING?!

2010-10-06T00:21:00.005-04:00

I'll be at NYCC this weekend sketching and signing! I''l be at booth #653 (TH3RD WORLD STUDIOS) on Sunday from 12-3 signing copies of the TMI FCBD Book and taking commissions! Stop by and say hello!

Also watch for some more TMI snippets over the weekend!!!

UPDATE:I will be there SATURDAY from 2-4pm

ALOHA...

2010-09-30T00:52:00.009-04:00

From the movie No Such Thing (As Monsters)...

Yeah I said after the con, but oh well...

But anyway I want to talk a little more about this piece. I love Hal Hartley's modernization of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale and the funny thing is it reminded me of a specific Random House children's version of B & B that I have. The story stays true to the original version and isn't modern by any means, but one thing that sticks out is David Chestnutt's watercolor/ink illustrations which are very much indicative of the 70's. But they are absolutely gorgeous... My favorite aspect in the artwork is the use the circle motifs throughout the pieces. One particular illustration from the book that sticks out to me ( I think it's on page 15) is this close up on the Beast's face and once again there's the motifs of the circles. So in a way this is my little homage to David Chestnutt for inspiring throughout the years.

EYE SCREAM, U SCREAM...

2010-09-29T15:38:00.005-04:00

. Blue Dip Cone, Coconut Cone, Strawberry Shortcake Cone,
and Butterfinger Cone .

Fun job! lol... So I've been pretty busy with everything in the past 2 months especially since Comic Con is approaching. I'll be updating more after the con...

TMI Werewolf & Snippet

2010-08-31T20:02:00.003-04:00

Showing off some of Alec, Jace can't get all the attention...

TMI Sketch Set

2010-08-05T17:07:00.006-04:00

This is the sketch set that was given away as a prize at the B&N signing yesterday. Congrats to the winner :)

TMI Snippets & B & N Union Square signing

2010-08-04T01:40:00.003-04:00

Two snippets for today and hopefully I'll see some of you at the B & N signing today at 7pm.

BARNES & NOBLE SIGNING AUG. 4th @ 7pm w/ CASSANDRA CLARE

2010-07-23T21:05:00.005-04:00

UPDATE 08/03/10: This event is going to be livestreamed, also stay tuned for 2 TMI snippets before the signing!

It's been a while, but some good TMI NEWS (I write this as there is a tornado watch in NYC lol):

I will be sitting on the panel alongside Cassandra Clare who is having a signing in New York City at Barnes & Noble Union Sq. on August 4th @ 7pm.

Here's a link for more info: [link]

As it says in the link above there will be trivia and fun stuff and even --yes an original sketch by me!!!

So if you can make it stop by!!!

Nature Boy

2010-07-08T23:16:00.004-04:00

Then one day...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvaZ-J2Nvk0

TMI Snippet

2010-07-04T11:09:00.003-04:00

Taken from page 31; panel 1.

Happy 4th of July

Something Blue...

2010-06-28T10:45:00.006-04:00

Some pages from my comic Pillars, which was featured in MoCCA's show, Meanwhile at 594 Broadway... with a number of other great artists.

My newest painted comic, I've been working on it on again and off again. Little by little I'm getting together the thumbs and been figuring out a set palette for it. I've mentioned it before, but it's a part of my desert series I've been working on... it's something I've been very eager to start as well.

Theo Again

2010-06-25T16:37:00.003-04:00

One of the first drawings I did of Theo.

...mang, you so fly.

Worm

2010-06-19T23:40:00.005-04:00

Was working, but I couldn't help myself... I don't know why, but the Worm of Sligoff from The Flight of Dragons comes to mind...

TMI FCBD Preview Pg8

2010-06-17T16:45:00.004-04:00

Page 8.

Couple of things about this page for those of you who obtained the copy of the 10 page preview for FCBD-- THIS IS NOT THE FINAL PAGE. This is a CENSORED version of the original so that the younger crowd could get copies. For example panel 3 & 4, the black demon blood had to be either substituted or removed, but it will be added back in for the full final version of Issue 1. I will also add the final version eventually to show a comparison.

So be prepared to see Jace covered in a heap of black muck in the first issue ;)

Aphrodite

2010-06-13T17:48:00.006-04:00

Pencils: Me

Inks: Will Rosado

Colors: Me

A little collabo...

I'm going to recolor it eventually.

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS || Magnus

2010-06-06T21:39:00.004-04:00

This is Magnus' final design. Same sketch but slightly tweeked with new hair.

TMI Snippet

2010-05-28T21:08:00.003-04:00

Taken from panel 3; page 7.

TMI FCBD Preview

2010-05-19T16:42:00.005-04:00

Page 2-3 preview. Copies still available @ www.th3rdworld. More to come...

TMI Snippet

2010-05-14T12:18:00.007-04:00

Taken from Panel 5; Page 24 of City of Bones... it needed some color. Poor Jace...

Free copies of the FCBD TMI preview still available at Th3rd World www.th3rdworld.com

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS || Ravener Demon

2010-05-14T10:41:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite designs for TMI. More to come...

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES FCBD COVER 2010

2010-04-05T19:53:00.012-04:00

Here is a preview of the cover for Free Comic Book Day which is May 1st. Visit your local comic shops to get a sneak peek of the first 10 pages of City of Bones.

Cover colors: Retro Aero http://retroaero.blogspot.com/

Colors and design by Michael DeVito and Jon Conkling.

And don't forget MoCCA Fest is approaching hope to see some of you there~

AND don't forget to check out Dave's comic with my spiffy covers which will be available at Comixpress!

Decibelle & MoCCA Festival.

2010-04-01T02:05:00.011-04:00

This is the cover I did for Issue 2 of The Eclipse by David Fernandez http://dave-fernandez.blogspot.com/.

He and I will be attending MoCCA Fest. Hope to see some of you there!

UPDATE: I have a new domain name for this blog, http://www.nikvirella.com/ !!!

Logan

2010-03-30T17:00:00.007-04:00

Just messing around with ink as usual...

Modesty

2010-03-26T16:54:00.002-04:00

Ballpoint pen sketch. Yeah her hair is slightly longer. I kind of like it. I need to stop reading comics and get back to WORK lol.

GOI

2010-03-09T20:24:00.008-05:00

giggle on the inside.

Save me!!!

2010-03-05T14:03:00.005-05:00

Usually I try to do at least one drawing before or on my bday so I decided to redo a drawing, my character Thia, who refers to herself as Theo. Why? Because it's sexier...

Really what her caption should be saying is:

"Excuse me? You mind that my thighs rub together when I walk?"

I should finish this drawing of her and Redux http://nicole-virella.blogspot.com/2009/07/redux.html

~ And thanks to everyone for the wonderful birthday kisses and wishes ;)

Tell you a story...

2010-03-03T22:07:00.001-05:00

Quandary

2010-03-03T21:37:00.003-05:00

Sketches

2010-03-02T12:30:00.008-05:00

I couldn't sleep as usual...

2010-02-26T02:12:00.002-05:00

These were thumbs I was working on a while back for a story I wrote that was going to be painted. It was going to be one of three stories that all take place in a desert setting. Hopefully I can pick it up again...

I C U

2010-02-22T15:25:00.007-05:00

The Red Bull

2010-02-11T01:24:00.003-05:00

Ah, The Last Unicorn... I wanted to do some illustrations when the Unicorn/ Lady Amalthea crosses paths with the bull. It was an idea I had been playing around with...

BLOW MY WHISTLE BITCH.

2010-02-05T17:28:00.005-05:00

doodles, Doodles, DOODLES... that's all I got.

hmmm, he kind of looks like Blueberry lol.

In case you're wondering about the caption:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ0ojjOLJg4&feature=related

Arcade memories....

The Boy and the Doll

2010-02-05T01:45:00.002-05:00

Something I was working on for my comic Pillars. Would like to do something graphic with this or just paint it...

NEWSARAMA INTERVIEW on THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS

2010-01-26T23:50:00.004-05:00

Check out my interview about The Mortal Instruments on Newsarama!

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/mortal-instruments-th3rd-world-100126.html

DAVIDE

2010-01-12T12:04:00.001-05:00

An old character of mine which I love. I wish I had tattoos like that...

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS GRAPHIC NOVELS

2010-01-05T23:14:00.008-05:00

YAY! Some new work to show! So these past few months I have been working on the art and adaption of Cassandra Clare's first book The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

She revealed this sketch of her character Jace tonight during the chat @ http://www.mundiesmoms.blogspot.com Check out the blurb @ www.mundiesource.net !

For more info check out Th3rd World Studios @ www.th3rdworld.com & www.themortalinstruments.com

Twins

2009-12-23T19:55:00.002-05:00

A little painting... it's tiny. Another in the series of these strange beauties.

Anton

2009-11-24T00:26:00.002-05:00

I drew this one day in Becky's class trying to come up with the concept for the main character in my story "Pillars."

Just thought I post it since I kind of had to put my other projects on hold for the new job! Yes it's very exciting, but can't go into that now... I will update more about this soon~

Doodles

2009-11-05T01:21:00.000-05:00

Some doodles I did a while ago... I love drawing Redux.

Eve

2009-10-28T23:30:00.001-04:00

Did this tonight at the drawing class. It was the only drawing I really liked.

Bloggerrific

2009-10-28T00:29:00.002-04:00

So apparently a couple of us including myself were featured in GEEKANERD back in May when Fresh Meat was going on:

http://www.geekanerdblog.com/2009/05/photos-comic-artists-in-their-larval.html

I had no idea lol...

War Dogs

2009-10-27T21:24:00.002-04:00

My character Redux// Noah Albedo with a member of his old team while he was still in the military.

The dialogue is just random lol...

With Love

2009-10-25T20:04:00.001-04:00

Deacon Ford

2009-10-25T11:59:00.003-04:00

A little sketch of my friend, David Fernandez's character, Deacon Ford from his story The Eclipse. Can't wait to see when this story is finally published!

Pluto

2009-10-25T00:00:00.002-04:00

A rough sketch I did the other day for a series of much larger paintings. They are going to be huge lol... I had a massive headache as I was drawing this too...

"She keeps the darkest magic in her eyes..."

2009-10-24T22:53:00.005-04:00

A sketch based on a sculpture I did a while back, which has spawned a series of small paintings. You'll be seeing more of these beauties...

Night Court & Recent Sketches

2009-10-24T21:27:00.005-04:00

Most of this is straight ink... had a lot of fun doing this. And I have to say thank you to Will who fixed my scanner, which was refusing to let me scan larger images. So now you will be seeing more frequent updates from me. YAY!

The Eclipse - Cover Work

2009-10-24T18:08:00.003-04:00

I forgot to put these up here... These are a couple of covers I did for a friend's comic called The Eclipse. I'll eventually be adding more of these as I finish them.

Sleepy heads...

2009-07-23T18:24:00.003-04:00

More of a prequel than a continuation of the other two paintings I did for the exhibition "Something Different."

So this is just a quickie painting, but I like it. Once again my sister was used as the model. I'm sure she's thrilled... lol.

Somewhere in between...

2009-07-21T14:35:00.003-04:00

So this character has a story behind him, but rather than do a comic I plan to do a series of large watercolor paintings. This is one of my bigger projects I plan on doing in the future...

.:ReDuX:.

2009-07-20T21:12:00.004-04:00

A sketch I gotta finish... Not sure how I want to finish it. I think I may ink it and throw on some watercolors. Either that or I may just go digital. I'll see what happens...

"Something Different Exhibition" at APW Gallery and "Meanwhile...At 594 Broadway: The Art Of MoCCA Volunteers"

2009-07-20T20:54:00.011-04:00

Here We Are (11 1/2" x 16 1/2")

Hopscotch Dreams (15" x 23")

So I've been busy since school ended. Been trying to stay focused and work on new pieces like these which are now up at APW Gallery for the exhibition "Something Different." Both pieces are currently for sale. Also the first couple of pages from my comic Pillars is hanging up at The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art http://moccany.org/. My artwork will be on display till August.

I pretty happy with the new pieces I did for the exhibition and I'm grateful to everyone who could make it out to both shows! A special thanks to my sister Angel who modeled for me. ;)

ink Ink INK!

2009-05-14T14:55:00.002-04:00

I don't know why I don't ink more... I feel like I'm enjoying it more and more.

2009-03-11T23:44:00.001-04:00

Things like lack of sleep does this...

Though I gotta say it wasn't so bad inking this, it was actually kind of fun.

Infinite possibilities...

2009-03-10T18:56:00.002-04:00

Something I did two years ago while I was in class.

AND NOW! Back to work.

Creation is the great mime.

2009-03-05T00:06:00.004-05:00

I'm trying to "enrich the emphemeral island on which I have landed on..."

.:happy birthday to me:.

Jupiter Jazzzzz...

2009-03-02T16:21:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite songs by Digitalism...I use to have it as my ringback tone.

Very very BaDD...

2009-03-01T22:12:00.004-05:00

Some stuff I found floating around in my messy room. This is from my comic BaDD jUjU which I originally started back in 2006 in Gary Panter's class. I wanted to go further with it but ended up having to abandon the idea. But who knows I just may pick it up again...

Old stuff...

2009-02-26T23:59:00.001-05:00

This is just some old stuff I decided to move to my blog bc of facebook.

I hate facebook...

::The Fallen Project::

2009-02-11T05:44:00.004-05:00

These are a couple of sketches done for the project . Initially this was intended for the Michael character , however the armor in the first sketch is being used for the Lucifer character.

Tried something a little different but didn't make the final cut.

This is the final head turn around for Michael.

Thesis 2008 -REPOST- BATHORY

2009-02-11T05:07:00.007-05:00

A reposting of my watercolor/collage/digital comic, BATHORY. Enjoy!

THE TALENT NEVER STOPS!!!

2009-02-02T21:27:00.003-05:00

http://rmreborn.blogspot.com/ This is my friend Ramon Martin's bloggy blog. CHECK IT OUT! A great modeler and artist that asked me to be on a collaboration project, called the Fallen with him. You can see the progress on his site and here eventually. I plan to start posting the sketches and roughs of the character designs soon.

Pillars - REMAKE!

2008-12-09T00:46:00.003-05:00

Remake of my original story "Pillars." This just a preview of the second page hopefully I will have more of it uploaded soon.

My Anthem

2008-10-09T00:53:00.003-04:00

I guess I got no reason to live...

The O.Henry Anthology of Comics Adaptions

2008-09-05T22:04:00.003-04:00

The O.Henry Anthology of Comics Adaptions

Edited by Nick Bertozzi
Adapted by the SVA Comic Book Storytelling Workshop

SOME BETTER NEWS!! Yes all the work from my storytelling class got published online and is now featured on Nick Bertozzi's site http://www.nickbertozzi.com/

This assignment was focused on taking a story (from O. Henry) and adapting it however you wanted which was kinda nice considering we had a lot of free range.

Page 2 preview:

So check it out!!! Mine can be viewed here: http://www.nickbertozzi.com/teaching/ohenry/index.html

Read and enjoy all the hard slave labor!

2008-08-25T22:05:00.009-04:00

A color test of my character Seth in three palettes...I think I'm leaning towards the top two more in color than the bottom one only bc it seems to have a balance whereas the last one is just too hard and muted.

Next to it I did a color test for Erde. I only did one at the time and I don't know why, I guess I was just being lazy... But I still like it, maybe I'll even do a full body one...

Cheza from Wolf's Rain done in watercolor.

Men in Exile Dream of Hope

2008-08-20T21:06:00.003-04:00

Another fan work from the same anime. Tsume is another great character who is exiled from his pack for being considered a traitor. Funny how I saw this series 5 yrs ago but recently my love for it has been rekindled.

With You...

2008-08-20T11:22:00.002-04:00

...in the paradise you hoped for.

This is a fan work I did for one of my favorite animes, Wolf's Rain. Really is one of the better ones I enjoyed. It's a perfect example of great artists doing what they love to do best.

Kiba - Wolf's Rain

Check out my dA account www.supersquito-pouf.deviantart.com

Stars.

2008-08-08T17:07:00.004-04:00

This is a quick watercolor portrait I did for a family friend in Italy. She should be getting it soon since my aunt is arriving there around this time as I type lol.

Hopefully she likes it since it was such short notice that my aunt was going to Italy.

Enjoy your picture Caterina!

2008-07-18T22:10:00.002-04:00

Turn around of my oh so lovely character, Seth again. This is for a possible toy/ figurine design that I'm trying to make a reality and plus it would be nice to have something custom of my own. Also I hope to sell some once I get the comic going.

Eventually I'm gonna start posting art of the other characters as well as more misc. art and sketches.

Seth© me, niK

Almost forgotten...

2008-07-16T00:22:00.004-04:00

Enviroment concept for comic...strange i don't do enough of these, i dunno why either they are actually pretty fun.

Interno

2008-07-15T19:31:00.004-04:00

more concept work for the comic I'm planning on doing. At first I didn't plan on coloring the sketch but I figured eh why not? so here's the outcome....

2008-06-11T19:01:00.002-04:00

Whoa, mind-blogging...