Monday, April 23, 2012

Uncle Brian on Grimm (and my fan art!)

Doug's brother Brian, who lives in Portland, got to be an extra on Grimm about two months ago. The episode ("Cat and Mouse") aired this last week.  Doug has been watching with me--it's like our Friday-night date after Kate goes to bed. 



We knew which scene he was in but couldn't pick him out at all. Fortunately Brian was able to identify himself. You can see his teeny-tiny head in the background for about half a second.



He said he could tell that the white sign would block him, so he scooted back a couple of feet. But then he's blocked by David Giuntoli's leg for most of the shot anyway. Still, it's kind of fun to be able to say, "Hey, that blurry little head there is Brian! Cool!"

 The scene was shot at Union Station at 1:00 AM (probably not many trains coming through at that time of night).  Brian had to get up at 6:00 the next morning, so the timing was not great for him, but he said it was fun getting paid to sit around waiting and eating snacks.



After seeing some other people's creations I tried my own hand at some Grimm fan art a few weeks ago--Silas Weir Mitchell as Monroe (everyone's favorite Big Bad Wolf) in charcoal.  I don't think I've done anything with charcoal since high school art classes, but this seemed like a good one to try it out with.  The actual drawing itself went a lot faster than my pencil drawings do, but then I spent another two days futzing around with it.  I will have to try some more charcoal later, once I decide how durable it is.  (I haven't tried spraying it with fixative yet... I'm just nervous about that!  I need to do a small test drawing or something.)
 

I had the drawing taped to my board and propped up on a kitchen chair for a while, so I could see it every time I walked by.  I decided this one actually looks better from an angle. I don't think I've ever had that happen before.

(Used a screen shot from "Game Ogre."  I also found this animated gif from the same scene.)

I am really enjoying this show. On one level it's about a police detective who can see creatures that no one else sees. On another level it's about a guy who finds himself revealed as the ancestral boogeyman of a certain portion of the population, and how he deals with it and how they deal with it. I just get a kick out of the twist on the whole monster-hunter thing and how they handle the concept of other, from both sides. And I adore the characters and their interaction.

(I can tell that my imagination loves this show, since the way my brain has been playing with it is completely different from what it usually does with shows that I like. Which makes Grimm unique in my experience.)

9 comments:

Pam said...

Ah, I love it!!!!!! That charcoal is amazing. I am a few episodes behind, but I find the show sets off creative neuron triggers for me as well. As a writer, I love how they are playing with language and all of those beautiful books they've created for the show. I wish I could get in that trailer!!!!!

Pam

Helena said...

I like the books too! It would be very cool to be involved in prop creation.

Stefanie Eskander said...

Awesome drawing, Helena! I haven't been watching the show, but your art is definitely inspiring me!

Kim said...

Your artwork is amazing! That's pretty exciting, to see someone you know in a prime time show...even if only for a second or two! :)

Michelle said...

that's so cool! I love watching the show because I can say "Hey, I've been there!" and it makes me a bit homesick.

RollerScrapper said...

Wow you are a great artist!

Disneypal said...

Haha - love that he is a tiny blurry head - cool he got to be on the set. Your artwork is incredible !

Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more said...

firstly, how fun is that! Secondly, holey cow you have some talent, what a great pic

DumansArk.com said...

Wow your Monroe charcoal is AMAZING!!!
And how cool that your Uncle got to be an extra; neat!!!