Strange Behavior (Illustration) Entry: Ralph King

#1

Ralph King is entered in the “Strange Behavior Challenge” update: View Challenge Page

Latest Update: Final Image: Presley Plumbers (The King Unplugged)

#2

Greetings!

Credits – Based on Darth Vader by Lucas Films Ltd., Popeye by Elzie Segar,
The Hulk by Stan “The Man” Lee, and Bozo by Alan Livingston

Here is my first abnormal concept. It is a bit on the artsy side, kind of a mix between Andy Warhol and Gary Larson. I want something funny but more geared to the fantasy & Si-fi area. Anyway hope it gives someone a smile.

Back to the drawing board
.

#3

My latest concept deals with the King and Plumbers with a vampire condition

#4

that vampire-elvis-plumber is great. nice facial expression…and the fangs just make it even better.

#5

Presley Plumbers (Artists with Plungers)

Credits:
Frank Frezetta - Indomitable
Frank Frezetta – Mongol Tyrant
Frank Frezetta – Tiger woman (women)
Frank Frezetta –Escape on Venus (Tiger)
Frank Frezetta – Night Stalker
Frank Frezetta – King Kong (Women)
Elvis Presley and Elvis Presley imitators reference photos

Background
Concept Story - the heroic and monstrous models for Frank Frezetta’s incredible paintings (Indomitable, Mongol Tyrant, Tiger Woman (women), Escape on Venus (Tiger), Night Stalker, and the women shown in King Kong) have to make a living. Because of having such strong forearms they are naturals at pluming. They often get together dressed as Elvis and as dancers for some karaoke. This combination of skills and interests congealed to create a company called Presley Plumbers.

It is the discordance and ambiguity of such far flung attributes I hope makes this piece interesting and humorous. I mean no disrespect to any of the component characteristics, to Frezetta, Plumbers, Elvis, Elvis fans and any race, ethnic group, or gender, while certain vegetables and microorganisms are being scoffed at.

I also get while creating the piece the added bonus of getting to copy and learn from one of my all time favorite fantasy artist.

Notice:
The toilet plungers are only intended to represent toilet plungers, not phallic symbols (which would be spooky when you consider that an alien tiger has a plunger). Toilet plungers provided by Plumber World Inc.

No pickles were injured in the creation of this work in accordance with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Pickles and The Vlasic Convention.

No endorsement is made regarding greasy hair treatment products.

#6

shading working in progress

Shading work in progress

Credits:
Frank Frezetta - Indomitable
Frank Frezetta – Mongol Tyrant
Frank Frezetta – Tiger woman (women)
Frank Frezetta –Escape on Venus (Tiger)
Frank Frezetta – Night Stalker
Frank Frezetta – King Kong (Women)
Elvis Presley and Elvis Presley imitators reference photos

#7

More WIP - color and composition studies

#8

Hey Ralph, really funny concept inspired in Frazetta´s work and your previz are great !! :thumbsup: Good luck and looking forward for more updates!! :slight_smile:

#9

wow

u have a strong hand nice I think that the final post is gonna be great.:slight_smile:

#10

tarekmax,

Thanks for the encouraging words.

#11

Sending second batch of color studies.

#12

Hers is a closeup of a dead pickle guy.

#13

Additional canvas space compared

#14

More WIP

A rough quote from Salvador Dali

“Announcing the declaration of the imagination and mankind’s basic right to their own madness. Only the violence and continuance of the hardened dream can resist the hideous mechanical civilization that is our enemy.” Salvador Dali

#15

hahahaha, hey Ralph, I really like your writing man!

First, thanks a lot for stopping by and leaving comments on my entry. i appreciate it. As far as your piece goes, that is a strange and very funny concept man. I love the whole idea of those muscle characters being so good at plumbing, and forming a band very casually as you’ve described it :smiley: your color palette is very nice too, it reminds me the pastel tones of Frazetta illustrations.
If i had to critique, your canvas is a little too squareish I guess, and the composition is a bit too centered. you could move around some of the characters a little maybe, and break that symmetry while preserving the balance in your composition. but anyway, feel free to ignore if that’s what you’re going for. After all, this kind of format and symmetry works pretty good for illustrations of show posters… keep it up dude!

#16

Hi Ralph! Great Idea! :scream:You got the whole concept in the best category possible! So strange
and funny!! :smiley: Love the pickle guys maybe they need a bit more of shiny bumpy parts since they all just poop up from the water! And the Presley guy he is Hilarious! I also will suggest you add some contrast to the white cloth since it’s a bit to bright, as for the composition, I think Jeff suggestion, would help, but its all about what’s the impact you want to take in your image!:thumbsup:

#17

Greetings Jeff,

Thank you so much for the great feedback I truly treasure it. I will examine the symmetry suggestion, and maybe tweak the scale here and there while I still can. I have experimented and posted some canvas resizing comparisons and I want to add a bit more space. But my ancient PC bulked when I added more pixels so adding more canvas space will be one of the last steps.

#18

Greetings Axel,

Wow that is quite a complement! Thank you also for taking the time to share your highly constructive suggestions. You are 100% correct regarding the refinements I should make, for bumps and shin for the pickle guys and the out of control whites. I have been looking at it so long, that your suggestions bring new insights to what to improve.

Again thanks,

#19

Greetings Axel,

Wow that is quite a complement! Thank you also for taking the time to share your highly constructive suggestions. You are 100% correct regarding the refinements I should make, for bumps and shin for the pickle guys and the out of control whites. I have been looking at it so long, that your suggestions bring new insights to what to improve.

Again thanks,

#20

This is very strange, not sure where to start. Your idea is ridiculous, humorous and crazy among other adjectives:D It’s awesome! Keep going:thumbsup: