Saint Nersess the Great

My Grandmother, my mom and my uncle posed for this illustration.

Saint Gregory the Illuminator

I found some inspiration for my painting of Saint Gregory the illuminator (at top) in this icon from a church.

Armenian History illustrations

For more illustrations from the book New Faith to New World be sure to check out my production blog here.

Historical Illustration

Throughout this project the input and advice of Father Garabed Kochakian Pastor of Saint John Armenian Church was invaluable even when I wasn't able to incorporate all of his suggestions. His knowledge of Armenian art history and church tradition added to the sense of authenticity. Any historical or theological mistakes are my own.

Gregory of Datev

Whenever I was stumped on an illustration I would go back to the text by Nersoyan. Reading and re-reading the stories searching for clues to help me to visualize the scene. Sometimes I would find myself reworking the image. Occasionally, I would end up starting over completely. Usually this would result in a stronger illustration.

This was my first attempt at illustrating the story of Gregory of Tathev a famous teacher.


This is my second take on the subject of Gregory of Tathev which is more historically accurate. It's inspired by this passage in the text-

"The degrees were granted in a special religious ceremony, prepared by Gregory himself, that took place in the church of the monastery. He was the main speaker on these occasions. On one occasion, in the course of an address to the graduating class of dzayragouyn vardapets seated in their special chairs he said: "You know that for a clergyman to sit on a chair during a ceremony is a special privilege and a sign of authority. You have now acquired that privilege. You have authority to preach from one end of the world to the other. "

Stories from the History of the Armenian Church

The original title of the book was Stories from the History of the Armenian Church. For this reprint the title has been updated to the more contemporary New Faith to New World. The subject matter was familiar to me being an Armenian Christian and having attended sunday school at Saint John's Armenian Church in Southfield Michigan for twelve years, however it still required a lot of historical research. This is a painting in gouache of Saint Nersess the gracefull or Shnorhali, a Catholicos who wrote music and hymns for the church in the 1100's. I tried to capture the moment of divine inspiration.

New Faith to New World

For the last year or so I've been working on illustrations for the revised, edition of Hagop Nersoyan’s classic book on Armenian Church history, now entitled New Faith to New World.
The book is scheduled to be released on December third.

Portrait Study

My family is often drafted into modeling for me. This is a study of my brother in Gouache. I also used this pose for a painting which I will post soon.

Sunday Comics

Sunday Comics returns with another page from my X-files portfolio. This one has my grandfather standing in as the police officer.

Black & White

Panel from an X-Files comic book page drawn for my portfolio.

Tony DeZuniga

An original comic book page from my collection by Philippine born artist Tony DeZuniga. This page is from issue 38 of Savage Sword of Conan.

This is how it would have appeared in the black and white comic.

James Montgomery Flagg

I found these two ads from the 1920's by pen and ink virtuoso James Montgomery Flagg, in an antique store.

One Year Anniversary!

For the one year anniversary of my blog I thought I would share a selection of sketches and drawings by my grandfather Nazar Harabedian. He wasn't a professional artist by any means but I like his cartoony style.

Go Lions!

The Detroit Lions won a game Sunday for the first time in 21 months, beating the Washington Redskins 19-14. Thus ending the second-longest losing streak in NFL history at 19 games. The Lions must have been doing well back in 1983 when I was seven since I drew this picture. Personally, I love the hilly, rocky field and the player with no helmet.

Pen and Ink drawings

I thought I'd re-post these drawings as they are some of my best.

Mulder

A panel from an X-Files comic book page.

Fiftieth post

This is my fiftieth post! A pen and ink sketch of Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes.

Pen drawing

Boris Karloff

Pen and ink sketch

Another practice sketch from an old movie.

Actor

Another drawing from an old movie. I find it useful to use images from movies for practice as they provide interesting lighting and costumes as well as great faces.

Sketchbook

It's another actor from an old movie. Part of a series of pen and ink drawing from my sketchbook.

Lon Chaney Jr.

Drawing done directly in pen and ink from an old film still.

Pen and Ink drawing

A modern Gibson Girl.

Tusken Raider

Pencil sketch of a Tusken Raider from Star Wars.

Saucer 66

This is a panel from an as yet unfinished comic book story about the 1966 Michigan UFO sightings near Ann Arbor Michigan. The character is a young Dr. Jacques Vallee a pioneering UFO investigator. This scene is based on a passage in Vallee's memories Forbidden Science.

Dark Knight

Another Pen and Ink drawing of Batman.

Memorial Day

This is a drawing of Uncle Sam done as an editorial comic. I added the color with Berol Prismacolor Markers.

Batman

Pen and Ink drawing of Batman.

Hulk Smash

Here is a portrait in gouache of the Hulk from Marvel Comics. Its based in part on Lou Ferrigno the actor and body builder who played the character on the 1970s TV show and partly on the comic book version.

Wolverine

X-men Origins: Wolverine comes out today. Here is my take on Marvel Comics fierce mutant. I think it could have come out better. Maybe I'll have to do another drawing of Logan in the future.

Sunday Comics

An image of Flash Gordon and Dr. Zarkov as they battle Ming the merciless.

Sunday Comics

New Sunday Comic.

Sunday Comics

Happy Easter!

Sunday Comics

Comic book art.

Sunday Comics

New Sunday Comics.

Sunday Comics

Comic book page.

black and white

An unused business card design.