Posts

Showing posts from 2015

Free Holiday Wallpapers fro your PC: Manly Modern Ornaments

Image
Looking for something less traditional? Look no further than here. This 1920X1200 wallpaper is available in a number of 70's inspired color schemes like Maroon (shown here), Olive, Dark Green, Candy Mint, Baby Blue, and Mod Pink. This wallpaper is completely new, completely one-of-a-kind, and completely free. You can download one or all of them here . I only ask that you do not re-upload them, sell them, or claim them as your own, else I send Krampas to ruin your holiday. Enjoy! #christmas #holiday #freewallpaper #pcwallpaper

About Us

Image
Ten years ago, a tiny company called Metamouse Design Works got its start on geocities. It was chiefly a graphic design studio back then, offering business services like logo design and web sites. As time went on, however, the artists became dissatisfied with the bland world of business. After all, they were in it for the ART, not the business, but they had been trapped into following the trend. Somewhere along the corporate way, ART had ceased to be the reason. They had lost sight of what was really important - cosplay, zombie pirates, and the smell of spray paint. And so, we come to  Studio 71... Want a badass costume for Comic-Con? Yeah, we do that. Need a unique mock-up or prop for your presentation? Yeah, we do that too. Browse our fine art or sketch galleries, or partake of our free downloads, no registration required. Don't be afraid to contact us - special orders and odd requests are always welcome. And, of course, we still do logo design and corporate imaging. Huzzah! B

Brilliant Cosplay: DIY Military Style Medals

Image
While simple in design and style, these military reproduction medals are more than convincing, even at close inspection. "Sons of Liberty" medal is strung from whip-stitched white sateen ribbon. "Pathfinder" medal hangs from whip-stitched tartan taffeta ribbon. Both medals have easy fasten pin backs. These medals were used as a part of the Halloween "Steampunk Pirates" costumes and received rave reviews. While these two medals were hand sewn, I will admit that the design's aesthetic appeal could be improved with a machined stitch. The ribbons themselves are made from an 6 inch length of 1 1/2 inch wide ribbon. A mark was made designating the center and the pin was sewn on to what would become the back. The ribbon was then folded wrong sides together and carefully stitched down either side before being sewn into a tapered point by folding the corners toward the back and sewing them together. The medals are suspended from stainless jeweler's rin

Free Holiday Wallpapers for your PC - Snowflakes and Ornaments

Image
These unique wallpaper designs were made using Photoshop CS6 and a tutorial from designstacks.com . The tutorial was great, as you can see by the end result, and even though I had to find my own link to the free snowflake brushes, it was well worth the time and effort. I learned a lot about shapes and how to manipulate them. I also learned how to create a digital master file that can be recolored with a few simple clicks. Being able to repeatedly re-use an image can mean the difference between hours or even days of work compared to just a few minutes. You can download one or all of them here for free. The images are all 1920X1200 at 300ppi in JPG format. I only ask that you don't repost them, sell them, or claim them as your own. That's how we keep things free, and plus, it's just plain polite. If you'd like to make your own wallpaper, there is a link to the tutorial in the description above, or you can click here.  Happy Holidays, and enjoy! #christmas #wallpa

Free Christms Wallpaper Collection: Classically Christmas

Image
This image started with a Photoshop tutorial from designstacks  that explained how to create that lovely shiny reflection in the ornaments. The rest was a freeform design by me because I didn't really care for the background the tutorial used. I also changed the reflected image from a bathroom interior (your guess is as good as mine) to something a bit more holiday spirited. Thank you, Creative Commons, for the charming christmas tree vector, and thanks to Titi Montoya for the great ribbon brushes. If you like this image and would like to have a copy for your own desktop, you can download it here.  The size is 1920X1080. Be sure to look for other free wallpapers from now until Christmas. Enjoy! #art #digitalart #holiday #christmas #wallpaper #photoshop #graphic design

Free Christmas Wallpaper Collection: Star Ornaments

Image
This fanciful wallpaper was created from a tutorial found at designstacks . I have altered this work only minimally from the original instructions, that being because the original was for Photoshop CS5. In spite of that, the design is still fresh and makes a very attractive wallpaper. Credit to creativetuts.com for the light effect brushes. If you like this and want it for yourself, you can download a copy for free here . The size is 1920X1200 in HD color. Be sure to look for other free wallpapers from now until Christmas. Enjoy! #art #digitalart #holiday #christmas #wallpaper #photoshop #graphic design

Free Christmas Wallpaper Collection: Santa's Flight

Image
This magical image was created in Photoshop CS6 and was based on a tutorial by ALFOART Graphic & Web Design called "Christmas Night, Magic Scene With Flying Santa". While the original image and tutorial are excellent, there were some things about them that I wanted to change... The scene was modified from vertical to horizontal to accommodate today's widescreen monitors. To compensate for the added empty space, the original scene's iceberg was replaced with an image of a glacier face and the lighted tree was added. Santa and his reindeer were created from a free vector image found on the internet rather than the paid vector used in the original. Instead of the fireworks image for the magical twinkling snowflakes, I chose an image of a bright star nebula courtesy of NASA. I did use the same moon photo and cloud photo from the original image, since they came from Textures.com , a site to which I already belonged. The resulting wallpaper has the look and feel

Halloween Surrealism: Pax In Exercitu

Image
"Pax in Exercitu", translated, "Peace through Strength". Pen and ink on 10 lb. cold pressed paper. This is the second in a series of symbolic designs. The theme here is one of knightly nobility, since the motto expressed in the banner is one often used by military groups. The horse has been used for centuries as a symbol of nobility and knighthood, Roses, crosses, chain mail, hawk feathers, lions, crowns, and rosary beads compliment the theme. #Art #PenandInk #Inktober #TattooArt #Skull #Surrealism #Drawing #Sketching

Halloween Surrealism - In Mortem Speramus

Image
"In Mortem Speramus", translated, "In Death We Trust". Pen and Ink on 10 lb. cold pressed paper. This is the first in a series of symbolic designs. The theme is the mysteries of death. The crow has long been considered a spirit messenger, and the symbols he carries help him with his task; the scythe for reaping souls, the lantern to guide the newly departed, keys to open the gate to the underworld, and a coffin adorned with a mandala constructed from two symbols of rebirth. He emerges from the misty veil in the cloak of death and calls to lost souls to join him. #Inktober #Art #Drawing #PenandInk #TattooArt #Surrealism #Symbolism

The Old Homestead

Image
16X20 oil on stretched canvas, completed 08/21/2015 #art #painting #oilpainting #landscape #pastoral #rural #tennessee

See Rock City

Image
16X20 oil on stretched canvas, completed 08/26/2014. #painting #landscape #creative #fineart #art #fallcolor #farmpainting #pastoral #country #tennessee

Baron de la Croix: Baron Samedhi

Image
Baron Samedhi, or as he was also known, the Baron of the Cemetery, was a voodoo spirit that presided over the newly deceased. So what better costume to wear to a zombie walk than the voodoo zombie overlord himself? The entire costume was hand made especially for the 2014 zombie walk sponsored by Red Towers Entertainment. It included a black, three piece undertaker's suit, prop bottle of absinthe, cane, cigar, and assorted plastic snakes and spiders. The makeup was modeled after the Baron Samedhi's costume from the James Bond movie Live and Let Die . While it isn't really all that terrifying, it was very easily recognized, and was specifically designed not to upset or frighten children. After all, the Baron was more inclined to enjoy the fun rather than terrify the populace, and so were we... #zombie #cosplay #costume #halloween #baronsamedhi

DRONE

Image
Digital painting/collage made in Photoshop CS6. Thanks to ayyasap.deviantart.com for the great painting tutorial and to donovanyoung.deviantart.com for the reference image. #digitalart #painting #portrait #surreal #art #drawing

Bombshell

Image
Just a little tongue-in-cheek humor for the boys in camo. No tanks were harmed in the making of this sketch.

Victorian Gentleman's Top Hat

Image
Ah, yet another hand-made Victorian style men's top hat, this one in decadent brown suede and green silk. It features a heavy canvas cloth rise with soft suede padded crown and wide, molded brim. The interior is fully lined in brown suede to match. The trim is made from silk ribbon with handmade decorative accents including a watch, hand cut gears, and gemstone brooch. The hat was designed to accompany a matching London Fog men's overcoat in green with leather trim and was specifically made to sit canted as shown. #steampunk #victorian #edwardian #costume #cosplay #vintage

A Steampunk Memorial Day

Image
"Olympia" I've been playing Bioshock Infinite lately and the game's nostalgic art style inspired me to do something patriotic for Memorial Day. While I am a day late, I think the wait was worth it. #steampunk #pinups #retro #dieselpunk #bioshockinfinite #columbia #drawing #patriotic #girlswithguns

Flea Market Finds - Reclaimed Canvas Painting

Image
2015 Image copyright Studio 71   After the Rain , oil painting on 24X36 reclaimed canvas. I discovered this canvas at a thrift store. The original painting depicted a giant vase of gaudy flowers on a mauve background. It was one of those kitschy, mass-produced things that seem to be popular at home stores - technically sound but devoid of any real self-expression. It made me cringe just to look at it. Four dollars later, I put the canvas in my van and took it home. Little did it realize the fate that awaited it... It took more work than I expected to sand down the serious depth of texture the previous painter had left behind, and it took two coats of gesso to completely cover that terrible color scheme. Also, the sanding made the canvas extremely smooth and slick, but in the end, it was worth it. A brand new canvas in this size would have cost me sixty dollars (US) at an art supply house. This one cost me four dollars and a little time, and now resides happily on what used

An Artist in Skyrim: Posthumous Portrait No. 2

Image
Portrait of a Draugr Scourge Lord, Ruins of Fulgunthur, Skyrim This is the second in a series of figures I am preparing for the redraw of the work mentioned in my previous post. This scourge lord wasn't exactly pleased when he discovered me hiding in his crypt. His angry face and the downward turned horns on his helmet make him look like a bull about to charge - which is exactly what he did. Thank Talos for stahlrim arrows. #elderscrolls #skyrim #draugr #zombie #zombieart #fantasyart

An Artist in Skyrim - Posthumous Portrait No. 1

Image
Portrait of a Draugr Archer, Red Eagle's Redoubt, Skyrim. This drawing on toned paper is a detailed character study in preparation for a redraw of a previous project entitled That All You Brought? , which was posted to Facebook but not featured here. This female archer will be one of six figures featured in the final artwork entitled Ghoulcaller . #elderscrolls #skyrim #draugr #zombie #zombieart #fantasyart

Inspired by Destruction: Dragons of Skyrim

Image
A Bit Close... Hand Drawn in Photoshop This is a redraw of a previous project that got a bit too in depth. I have moved the field of view forward so that the dragon dominates the center of the space, changed the appearance of the battlements, and added some expendable extras to give the creature some scale. An alternate version of this drawing features a graphic background. (see below.) I ultimately intend for there to be a whole series of these, so keep your fingers crossed.

The Monster Within

Image
The Ghost of Madness original sketch, graphite and india ink on copy paper effects and background added with Photoshop Art is often an indelible expression of the beast that lurks within, a grisly, graphic illustration of the overwhelming longing to destroy all that which binds us, all that which mocks us, all that which abuses the helpless inner child. It shrieks and screams like a cyclone, barreling ever forward like a runaway locomotive hell-bent on burning the cruel and intolerant world to ash.

Musings From the Great Hall

Image
Ermac, Thane of Falkreath Original Sketch - graphite pencil on cold pressed paper I was wandering the wilds of Whiterun the other day when I had the thought that my escapades as Thane of Falkreath might make a successful sitcom. While my life as Thane lacked romance, it was slop running over with action, intrigue, adventure, and good old fashioned redneck brawling. Throw in a few pretty maids and a grand, mystical landscape, and you've got the makings of the next Lord of the Rings. Strangely, completing this work was especially difficult. I knew what I wanted, but for some reason, I had trouble translating that vision onto paper. I made a few preliminary sketches before finally settling on this, a sort of "mid-swing" pose with some excellent movement. While you may be drawn to stare at his angry face, your eye can't help but follow his arm down to the nasty looking mace he's holding. The immediate impression is that you're about to need a medic. The

NERF N-Strike Elite Cosplay Conversion Mod

Image
It's already time to start thinking about the 2015 Zombie Walk to benefit Feed the Humans. Last year's Baron Samedhi costume was a huge hit, but this year I thought I might try something a little different. How about a bit of steampunk mayhem? Given the popularity of books and movies like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies  and Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter , my accomplice and I have decided to be the hunters instead of the hunted. Let the modding begin! The image above is a sketch I made of the Hammershot, part of the Nerf N-Strike Elite, Zombie Strike Series. I have one of these little joys and it still works famously. The plan is to alter the Hammershot to make it resemble a more realistic weapon suitable for a monster hunter. With the digital sketch, I can test drive different mods without destroying the weapon. I have to say that when rendered in black and white instead of safety orange and stripped of the Nerf logos, this so-called toy looks much less like a toy and

Ocean

Image
Pentech RSVP medium weight ball point pens on cold pressed paper.

Canyons

Image
Canyons Expressionist portrait of a young African woman drawn with Pentel R.S.V.P medium point ball point pens on cold pressed paper. Artist - M. L. Smith