Leighton Hickman Art

Mentoring Opportunity

2011-12-06T21:32:00.000-08:00

Next year I will be participating in a Mentorship program through Motivarti. For more information check out the link below:

http://motivarti.org/mentorship-program/

There are less than two weeks left to sign up!

The Arboretum

2011-12-06T21:26:00.000-08:00

I painted this as a demo for my class a couple weeks ago, since then a vast number of the trees at the Arboretum were damaged and destroyed by high winds.

Hollywood: Franklin Ave.

2011-10-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

Plein Air Class

2011-09-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

Last years class went so well I can't help but teach again! If you're in the Los Angeles area and want to learn the art of plein air, discover great painting locations or just want to hang out and paint then this is the course for you! Class starts in just a couple weeks- limited spots are still available :)

Coffee or Tea?

2011-07-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

I can't decide which...

Light

2011-05-10T17:12:00.000-07:00

I love when light trickles down a surface and builds into a cascade...

More Light

2011-05-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

Digital Plein Air

2011-04-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

Last week I purchased a tablet PC and started doing some quick half-hour studies around work. Hope you enjoy the results :)

Ogre Camp: Lighting Script

2011-04-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

Fiona: Warrior Princess!

2011-04-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

Yet another lighting key from Shrek 4 :)

World Fades

2011-04-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

This conceptual illustration was dubbed "the painting that launched a thousand effects" by my supervisor on Shrek 4, needless to say this was a very complicated movie moment.

Waffles!

2011-03-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Lighting Key from Shrek 4

"A sticky stack of wafers golden delicious!"

Still Raining

2011-01-24T20:05:00.000-08:00

Rain

2011-01-06T17:17:00.000-08:00

"Rain"
5”x8” Watercolor in Moleskine Watercolor Notebook

Baked Goods

2010-12-16T11:20:00.001-08:00

What I did on my summer vacation...

2010-10-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

"Up Snake Creek"
Wasatch County, Utah
9”x12” Oil on Linen

"Lone Pine"
Provo Canyon, Utah
9”x12” Oil on Linen

Zion Canyon, Utah
9”x12” Oil on Linen

Cops and Robbers!

2010-09-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

(He's undercover, shhh!)

Some Quick Ones

2010-09-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Malibu Creek
11”x14” Oil on Linen

Santa Clarita
5 3/4”x4” Watercolor on Paper

Cal Tech, Pasadena
11”x14” Oil on Linen

Dream Works
4”x5 3/4” Watercolor on Paper

Descanso Gardens
11”x14” Oil on Linen

Malibu Creek
6”x8” Oil on Linen

Troubadour

2010-08-15T20:06:00.001-07:00

Some More Shrek

2010-07-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

Sun, Sand and Surf

2010-07-06T10:26:00.001-07:00

Vasquez Rocks
12”x9” Oil on Linen

El Matador
9”x12” Oil on Linen

El Matador
9”x12” Oil on Linen

He ain't here to play no baseball…

2010-06-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

The Carriage Park

2010-06-07T10:57:00.001-07:00

This series of paintings was completed to establish the lighting throughout the trailer park sequence.

Lighting Keys

2010-06-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

I painted a ton of lighting keys while working on Shrek, this is one of my favorites.

Shrek Forever After

2010-05-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

If you’re like me than your probably thinking: Shrek? Four? They made another one? That’s just what I thought two years ago when I was first asked to work on the movie but to my surprise it had the makings of a great film. Now that it’s done I am sure of it! The new villain Rumpelstiltskin, voiced by our own head of story Walt Dorn, is a hilarious combination of absurdity and pure evil. This movie, while still in keeping of the Shrek tradition of irreverent humor, shows a softer side than the previous Shreks and will definitely pull at your heart strings.

Now out of all the paintings and designs that I did for the movie this doll is for what I am most proud. I don’t want to give away the plot but I’m sure once you see the movie you’ll understand why, and, if you really like it, you can buy your very own plush version at Toys-r-us! :D

Stayed tuned for more Shrek art in the coming weeks!

Moonshine

2010-05-14T10:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple illustrations I did for Moonshine, a publication featuring the personal work of DreamWorks artists, available at Comic Con 2010.

Landscape Painting Class

2010-05-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Starting June 5th I will be teaching a ten week course in landscape painting. The class will consist of weekly field trips to various locations including beaches, gardens, rock formations and cities. The course will focus on the foundational skills of drawing, value and color, as well as learning to see in terms of mass and form rather than detail. My demonstrations will be in oils, but students are welcome to work in whatever medium they are comfortable with.

To enroll contact the Concept Design Academy through their website:

http://www.conceptdesignacad.com/
contact@conceptdesignacad.com

Concept Design Academy
55 Waverly Dr. Ste 104
Pasadena, CA 91105
818-669-4657

Fair Oaks and Green

2010-05-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

"Fair Oaks and Green, 1"
12”x9” Oil on Linen

"Fair Oaks and Green, 2"
12”x9” Oil on Linen

A couple quick ones from a weekend or two ago (who's counting, right?) I painted both of these within an hour of each other in the late afternoon and was amazed to see how quickly the sky could change as clouds rolled in and the sun prepared to dip quietly below the horizon.

"How To"

2010-04-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

I did a step by step for my painting "Parker" in which I detail the process I used to paint her. Check it out at The Art Center Blog!

http://theartcenter.blogspot.com/

"Arthur and Stacey"

2010-04-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

"Arthur"
9”x12” Oil on Linen

"Stacey"
9”x12” Oil on Linen

"Lauren"

2010-04-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

"Lauren"
11”x14” Oil on Linen.

"Lauren"
9”x12” Oil on Linen.

"Parker"

2010-03-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

"Parker"
9”x12” Oil on Linen.

Gratuitous Landscape

2010-02-02T12:59:00.001-08:00

Vintage Girls

2010-01-25T12:35:00.000-08:00

The Escape

2010-01-14T11:33:00.001-08:00

2010-01-04T13:35:00.000-08:00

Flapper

2009-12-28T11:10:00.001-08:00

More Papes!

2009-09-17T20:07:00.001-07:00

Here are some more designs for this little project of mine... enjoy!

Papes!

2009-07-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

These little scamps have been runnin’ around my hard drive for a couple months now… hope you like them!

More Field Studies

2009-06-02T00:28:00.000-07:00

El Matador State Beach.
12”x9” Oil on Canvas.

Glendale.
6”x8” Oil on Linen.

Vasquez Rocks.
9”x12” Oil on Canvas.

Eaton Canyon.
9”x12” Oil on Canvas.

China Town.
6”x8” Oil on Linen.

Via Princessa.
8”x6” Oil on Linen.

Via Princessa.
8”x6” Oil on Linen.

Glendale.
8”x6” Oil on Linen.

Glendale.
6”x8” Oil on Linen.

Glendale.
5”x7” Oil on Canvas.

Yosemite.
6”x8” Oil on Linen.

Yosemite.
9”x12” Oil on Linen.

Yosemite.
12”x9” Oil on Linen.

Half Dome Yosemite as seen from Glacier Point at sunrise.
6”x8” Oil on Linen.

Field Studies

2009-04-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is my favorite place to paint and it seems to attract some unusual crowds: last week the park was crawling with Roman soldiers; a moss covered man wearing a skirt, attended by a silver woman; and an escapee from the thunder dome sporting foam core wings. One trip last year I encountered a space alien wielding a ray gun. Naturally such characters are always accompanied by films crews and photographers but they still add a nice whimsical quality to my day.

Vasquez Rocks, painted en plein air.
Oil on Canvas Board.

Ahab

2009-03-24T00:24:00.001-07:00

I'm currently reading Moby Dick so I felt inspired to paint up my own rendition of the mad captain of the Pequod.

I also have some wet canvases strewn about my studio so expect some new plein air posts in near future.

More Random Sketches

2009-03-07T19:58:00.000-08:00

I cut my long hair and beard off nearly a year ago so it was about time I did a new self-portrait.

Insomnia

2009-03-01T02:32:00.000-08:00

Work at the dream factory has been crazy busy for the past few months but now that things are slowing down I find myself keeping the same long hours. These are some of the random sketches that I do in lieu of counting sheep.

Train Sketches!

2008-10-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

Sketches from my daily commute.
Ballpoint Pen on Post-it Notes.

Still Wet

2008-09-28T18:48:00.001-07:00

Here's a sketch I did just a couple hours ago...

Placerita Canyon, painted en plein air.
Oil on Canvas Board.

I'm pretty proud of my homemade set up. Its lasted two whole trips without breaking! Ingredients: one wood box, a plastic ice-cream bucket and an old camera tripod; constructed shake-and-bake style, garnished with random hardware and lots of glue. Bon appetit!

Oil Sketches

2008-09-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

I christened my homemade pochade box last week by trying out a new medium: oils. I think I’m hooked! The first is of a view I’ve been admiring for a few weeks and finally found the time to paint, the second is a warm-up study after one of my favorite contemporary landscape painters: Matt Smith.

View of the majestic Santa Clara River from the Via Princessa Metrolink Station, painted en plein air.
Oil on Canvas Board.

After Matt Smith.
Oil on Canvas Board.

New Job, Old Painting

2008-06-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, sorry for the extended absence from the blog. As most of my friends know, instead of getting an internship this summer, I got a full time job. I’ve been working at DreamWorks Animation as a visual development artist for more than a month now. It is an incredible place to work. Subsequently I haven’t had much time for personal art, and I can’t post anything from work (at least not for a few years), but I promise to start using my weekends constructively and at least get some sketches posted. Thanks for all your support; I really enjoy all your comments and appreciation!

Vasquez Rocks. Acrylic on Canvas board.

Robots, Rockets and Railroads, Oh My!

2008-05-05T00:35:00.000-07:00

This project was spawned when I had too many fun ideas at once and I decided I could combine trains, robots, and rockets into a single story. This post contains some of the sketches and designs I did to feel out the style and personality of the characters for the paintings seen in my previous two posts.

2008-04-18T14:20:00.001-07:00

2008-04-09T01:24:00.000-07:00

Another Fun One

2008-04-02T16:15:00.001-07:00

Whenever Mugsy and Officer O’Brien ran out of bullets they would resort to the most ruthless of shootouts: Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Two Days of Painting

2008-03-12T22:11:00.000-07:00

Vasquez Rocks. Acrylic on Canvas board.

LA Arboretum. Acrylic on Claybord.

I’ve been so stressed out lately getting my portfolio ready for summer internships that I have been neglecting my plein air studies. I found time last week to get outside in front of a blank canvas twice in a row, and was well rewarded for my efforts. Nothing relaxes me more than sitting outside in a park, field or forest with some paint and a little free time.

Bork the Brave

2008-03-07T00:49:00.001-08:00

The Old World

2008-02-22T02:29:00.001-08:00

The world Cristoforo Columbo left behind on his journey to Cipangu and the East Indies.

Digital.

Caveman Capers

2008-02-20T00:41:00.000-08:00

Digital.

A Couple Fun Ones

2008-02-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

Voyage of Discovery

2008-01-30T00:50:00.000-08:00

Cristoforo Columbo’s ships: the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria on the first voyage to the New World.

Plein Air

2008-01-28T15:49:00.000-08:00

Descanso Gardens. Acrylic.

Pit Stop

2008-01-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

Differences in interstellar customs can be troublesome for the unlucky vacationer. Digital.

Some Sketches

2008-01-08T23:43:00.000-08:00

At the cafe in a Borders Book Store. Digital.

At Travel Town in Griffith Park. Acrylic on Cold Press Illustration Board; 7x4½”.

Big Sur

2008-01-03T13:23:00.000-08:00

Here are a few sketches from my camping trip in Big Sur over the New Years weekend.

Sand Dollar Beach, Acrylic on Cold Press Illustration Board; 7x4½”.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Acrylic on Cold Press Illustration Board; 4½x7”.

Limekiln State Park, Acrylic on Cold Press Illustration Board; 7x4½”.

Rhinoplasty

2007-12-25T20:38:00.000-08:00

In the rhinoceros community nose jobs are all the rage, they unlike humans opt for enlargements.

This is the final painted presentation for the rhinoceros character I developed.

I really liked this variant but the personality was wrong for the character.

Muppetoplasty

2007-12-24T23:55:00.000-08:00

I’ve always aspired to being a Muppet, I even spent much of my life sitting serenely on a fallen log strumming the banjo in my neighborhood swamp, but alas my dream was never realized. So after seeing Ben Stiller transformed into a noble Muppet for Elmo’s Christmas Countdown I took matters (and some Muppet felt) into my own hands…

Stickem’ Up

2007-12-24T00:18:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the designs of the late (and great) Charley Harper.

Hansel & Gretel 2

2007-12-23T02:56:00.000-08:00

Here is another scene from my retelling of Hansel and Gretel.

Vacation!

2007-12-22T01:51:00.001-08:00

After what experts are estimating to be at least a four month period, the reclusive artist known to many as “Leighton” has finally emerged from his art cave once again to recuperate from tireless 7-day-work-weeks with little sleep, food or sunlight. Sadly however, after much anticipation our subject abruptly returned to his cave after seeing his own shadow, which if legends are correct, there will be an additional six weeks of winter. Luckily experts in the field were able to recover much of his work and will be slowly releasing it to the public after initial investigations.

Above are a couple of pieces I did a few weeks ago illustrating my concept of a creepy Victorian neighborhood that may just be a little haunted. Much, much more to come.

Buddies

2007-11-18T21:29:00.000-08:00

What's a rhino without his wingman?

Hansel and Gretel

2007-11-11T15:28:00.000-08:00

This is the first image for my retelling of Hansel and Gretel set in the Great Depression Era. The styling draws influence from the Italian Futurists, Cubism and the caricaturist Paolo Garretto. Enjoy!

El Tigre

2007-10-31T03:34:00.000-07:00

"Another One" Revisited

2007-10-28T01:06:00.000-07:00

I'm reworking some old pieces for my portfolio; the original version of this was painted in July of this year.

Baba Yaga House

2007-10-27T01:37:00.000-07:00

Another Forgery

2007-10-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

...still not quite an international art thief but I'm working on it. Enjoy...

After Scott L. Christensen

Play Time 2

2007-09-01T01:36:00.000-07:00

Since I can’t post any of my work from the last few weeks yet I thought I would paint something else for fun! (the ladybug is a little sneak peek at my current project)

Play Time

2007-08-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

I made some new brushes last night and thought I would play around at bit...

Plein Air

2007-08-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

My last landscape of this series; painted yesterday at Caltech, Pasadena.

Story Sketch

2007-08-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

This one is a style test for an up and coming project, enjoy!

For all the Movie Nerds...

2007-08-04T17:06:00.000-07:00

This is the field that Charlton Heston ran through during the human hunt in Planet of the Apes. The corn is all gone, and I didn’t see any monkeys (talking or otherwise), but still a great place to do a little plein air.

Malibu Creek State Park

Palette and Style

2007-08-03T01:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of my explorations in color extremes and style.

Finally Finished

2007-07-19T00:41:00.000-07:00

After setting it aside for a week or so I've finally finished it...

...I've got another one in the works for the same story, it's basically done, but I think I'll sleep on it before declaring it a masterpiece!

More Color Studies

2007-07-14T18:26:00.001-07:00

This one is from a very dry day last week in Millard Canyon.

Sketchbook Deux

2007-07-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

Brand Library

2007-06-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

This one is fairly detailed; click to enlarge.

Color Studies

2007-06-27T23:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of color studies I painted today in Pasadena; 1hr each.

After being evicted from my first spot by automatic attack sprinklers I relocated to my old standby: Vasquez Rocks.

Here are a couple more quick ones from Pasadena. I got sun burnt while painting so I hope you like them.

Sketchbook

2007-06-24T14:30:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of spreads from my pocket sketchbook, the theme is old woman who are candidates for a witch character I’m developing.

Eaton Canyon

2007-06-16T23:24:00.000-07:00

I've been kind of lazy lately, must be the heat, but heres a sketch from Eaton Canyon.

Forgeries

2007-06-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of master copies I did last week as part of my training to become an international art thief.

above: after Edgar Payne

above and below: after Scott Christensen

Invented Landscapes

2007-05-31T00:27:00.001-07:00

Derived from abstractions: 2 hrs each.

Will the Studies Never End?

2007-05-28T22:39:00.000-07:00

Sketched at a park in Pasadena, 1.5 hr each.

I suffered a multitude of mosquito bites to produce the above piece, proving that I too am a tortured artist.

More Studies II

2007-05-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

Here are a bunch of studies from the past few days, eventually I'll post some more fun stuff once I get off this "studies" kick.

More Studies

2007-05-13T23:15:00.000-07:00

Boring stuff, but my vacations over as of yesterday so it's time to get back to work! Subsequently I should be posting more with every passing day.

This last one is an invented landscape; just for practice and maybe a little fun.

Another Study

2007-05-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

Head Study

2007-05-06T03:02:00.000-07:00

Only had time for one today, but it's a fun one; enjoy!

Proving with finality that smoking really does cause mullets.

A Fish Tale

2007-05-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

This is an early concept painting that inspired me to develop a story about a fisherman and his adventure with a magic fish. It started out as a fairly ordinary forest until I decided it needed a flying rowboat.

A sketch for a scene from the story. I'm changing the style from the above image to add a bit more whimsy.

Digital Landscape

2007-05-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

Digital speed paintings from Vasquez Rocks last week, painted while sitting in the back of my car.

Here's a quick one from my front porch (unfortunately I forgot to check my lawn's sprinkle schedule before starting.)

Harry Potter

2007-05-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Character design for a cartoony version of the popular Harry Potter book series.

Robbie Crusoe

2007-05-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some visual development images exploring style variants for my version of Robinson Crusoe as seen from the imagination of an inner city kid.