VFX Reel 2009

Make sure to click the HD Button :)

UPDATES...

Hello Everyone,

Yeah, yeah, I know I said I'd post art, but something's wrong with my computer - won't upload for some reason...argh!!! I'm getting a new one soon, so keep your eyes out for new work in the summertime.

But anycase, here's the scoop:
The last few month's I've been working on G.I.Joe/Transformers: Art of War, and as fun as it was, I'm glad it's pretty much done. I think I drew enough TFs for a while and am pretty much creatively burned out (interiors anyways). Erik's been real good to me, and I wish nothing but success for both Udon & Devils Due. Watch out for my buddy Joe Ng though he's going to be something special (congrats on the new place by the way :) . You can check out his stuff here:
http://ngboy.deviantart.com/

I've done a couple more covers for IDW as well - those I could do those forever :) Basically because I can take my time, and there are absolutely no restrictions when drawing them. And both Dan Taylor and Chris Ryall are reall funny guys.

I also just finished up a special project I've been working on for a big company with a very good buddy of mine - Edwin Garcia, but can't let you know what it is until it comes out in the summertime. I'm really pleased the way we're gelling on the project, and perhaps this is the start of a new working relationship. Eddie's the man!!

So I'm taking my act over to DC filling in on a couple issues of a title there. I'll let you know which one soon. Creatively, it's much more fulfilling, and guys like Mike Carlin & Tom Palmer have been great to me. I've always liked the way DC handled business when I was doing Wonder Woman, and things haven't changed.

But I'll let out a bombshell right now... I'm going back to school full time.
Yep, six years, a wife and a baby girl later, I'm returning to become a college fratboy.
I'm taking Computer Animation in the fall at Sheridan College.
So I'm not sure how long I'm going to remain in this business, but I'm going to explore every opportunity I can to better the lifestyle of my family. Hey, after school, I could end up back into the business, or use my new skills to enhance my work. Guys like Brandon Peterson have been using 3D programs recently to real stellar results, then you got pencillers doing their own greyscale color work like Pascual Ferry and it looks like computer enhanced pencils are where the business is heading... gotta change with the times :)

So I'll keep you updated.
In the meantime, I'll use this blog as an actual blog :)

God Bless,
James

I'M BACK!!!

Hello All,

I haven't updated this thing since I got regular work!!

When I last left you all, I got hired by marvel. Special thanks to Joe Q., Chris Allo, Mark Paniccia & Nate Cosby for all their help and support. I did the following projects over the last year:

Hulk:Destruction #2,3,4
Captain Universe/Invisible Woman
Amazing Fantasy #16,17,18 & 20

I just finished up City of Heroes #13 for Top Cow, and now I'm doing work for some old friends... I'll tell you about it later :)

Stay tuned, I'll be posting up artwork from those issues - got a lot of catching up to do ;)

Best,
James Raiz

Here's my first attempt at the Hulk. This took about 6 hours total, and was a lot of fun doing it! 

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE!!!

Well, since the cat's outta the bag so to speak, here's the pencilled version of the Megatron Cover. I'm real excited to see Simon & EJ's new take on the 'Bots! It's gonna be fun!

Hello Everyone! I know it's been a long time. I've been working on some projects with my buddies at Udon! Right now, work is pretty light, so I was able to take a stab at that MillarWorld Magazine cover contest on Mark Millar's Forum (http://www.millarworld.net). I was pretty happy with the outcome, but I still have a lot to learn with photoshop. I also lost the pen for my pen tablet, so I had to use a mouse (so it took much longer than usual). That's okay, it was a blast. Don't know if I'll win though, Mark Brooks' cover was KILLER! 

Here's the finished pencilled piece. You might notice here, Mr. Fantastic has a smirk. It just didn't work in the final, so I changed it. I blew up the layout and actually drew each character separately on an 8"x11" board, and pieced it together in photoshop. I didn't fully draw Torch, because I knew I would be playing with some sfx. 

This is a pin-up of Top Cow's Aphrodite IX. This took a lot longer than I thought it would. I had problems with her face. I drew it over and over again, and I just couldn't get it quite right... Oh well, hope you like it ;) -J