Uncommontom

Uncommontom is a sole proprietorship of Thomas David Ruley.

Uncommontom aims to bring artistic branded products to the ever-expanding marketplace. With artwork created by digital artist, T.D. Ruley, you're guaranteed great eye candy branded on several available different product lines. Choosing fine quality materials, and using the best sublimation methods available, all products are created with a unique, uncommon design in mind. 

All items are Print-on-Demand.

About the Artist

When I first began as an artist, I was a cartoonist foremost. My first characters were rudimentary and lacked depth. I was determined to come up with my own comic book, and actually succeeded in doing so. It never had much of a following, but the characters were good, and that inspired me to get better as an artist.

So, to increase my skillset, I bought a computer and tried to pull my experience as cartoonist into the computer realm. I began messing around with Photoshop, and learned all these cool little functions that turned my art into something else completely.

When 3D art was first introduced to me, I was amazed at the creative process, and that energized me. I saw stuff in my head that my pens and pencils could never replicate. However, 3D art allowed me to create and render stuff that came pretty close.

3D Environmental Rendering & Conceptual Art

Once I figured out what I was doing, my imagination went wild. I was finally able to tap into that surreal side of my art and create things I always saw in my dreams. As the technology leapfrogged into the 21st century, different programs and apps allowed me to pursue new avenues of creation, while still sticking with my unique style and taste.

Fantasy Surrealism

Much of my art consists of alien landscapes, dream-like fantasy realms, and impossible realities both big and small. I like to incorporate many different elements and genres together to create some mind-bending surrealism. After 25 years of constant tweaking of my skillset, I feel that I accomplished everything I aimed to do in this field of art.

As the 2020's rolled around, I knew I had to go back to basics. Back to where it all started. Drawing.

Digital Drawings

As an artist, it helps to be versatile. I've had my hand in 3D art for so long, it almost felt like I forgot how to draw. Once I picked up the tablet and started drawing again, it all came back to me of course. With new digital tools at my disposal, my hand-drawn works evolved into something entirely different.

Circling Back

After two decades devoted to creating 3D dreamscapes, it came to me that I should go back to my roots. So, I started drawing again. Nowadays with all the new tech available, I don't have to rely on pencils that break or pens that leak. Or even a lightboard that dims and flickers. I have my computers, a stylus and great tablet. All of which have served me well over these past few years. However, I have been unable to just walk away from my 3D art.

There are so many new ideas floating around, so many new inspirations. Inevitably these mental gyrations will drag me back into digital surrealism again before too long.

Macro Photography

Of course, I don't want to leave out the fact that I am also a pretty good photographer. Though, I prefer up close in personal pics usually with nature as my canvas, I have dabbled with landscape photography, as well.

About My Art

People have always asked me, "How do you make something like this?"

It's not a simple answer. Anyone who has worked with 3D design elements, whether it be animations, video games, or even conceptual art like I do; knows how tedious of a task it is just to create a scene. I sometimes spend days just creating one scene, let alone animating said scene. (Which I also sometimes do.) It's not an easy thing to do. Especially with no knowledge on the subject. 

That's where I found myself in the spring of 2000, when I was introduced to a 3D program that changed my ways of thinking as an artist altogether. Bryce 4: A 3D landscape raytracing program that allowed one to create stunning life-like scenery. Bryce became a mainstay in my array of designing programs that propelled me through the last 25 years.

Nowadays, I work with Daz studio for character design. Blender for intricate modeling designs, and Bryce to render it altogether. I understand that some might say I am using rudimentary software that by today's standards, might not be the best choice to create 3D art with. However, not every artist is willing to give up their favorite pencil for a brand-new pen.

Below are some fine examples of the artwork I create, as I try to be versatile. I don't always work on the computer. After all, I was a cartoonist before I was anything else. I still have the steady hand of a traditional artist, but with new tools at my disposal, I can break away from the traditional ways to create something new. 

Digital Intricacy

With my tablet, I can fix any mistake with ease. Hence, being a perfectionist in my own right, I have to be intricate in all of my art. Especially my drawings. I try to emulate great artists such as Dali, and Escher though I think I am still far removed from their greatness.

Cartoons+

After I started drawing again regularly, it wasn't on paper with traditional media. No, I bought a badass tablet and started drawing on that instead, and I haven't looked back. Now I can actually draw in layers and add substantial effects to take my drawings to another level.

My Early Years

There is an unfortunate lapse in my portfolio, for I only have snippets of my older material spanning back to as early as 2005. These particular images are from when I worked exclusively in Vue d'Spirit 4.0, a far more elaborate 3D landscape program. Due to an unforeseen mishap, my hard drive crashed, and I lost a majority of my early work, including this awesome software. I can use a newer version, but it's by subscription ONLY now, and besides it costs too much to justify its use at this time.

Infinitum

Mechanical Connections, 2013

A huge hallmark of my work is the concept of infinity. I have a tendency to use reflection to the point of eye-watering intricacy. Even some redundancy as well, as my portfolio is littered with this concept of eternity at a glance.

Mandalas

"A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation and trance induction."

--Wikipedia

Checkerboard Iterations, 2015

After doing some of my own research regarding meditation, I stumbled upon the mandala and decided to create a series of them to aid me in my own spiritual alignment. This image was created using Bryce 7, and was the first of many mandalas

Fantasy

Cupid Visitation, 2015

Every Dungeons & Dragons or Lord of the Rings fan knows their fantasy. I'm a part of that tribe, so I get it. As a result, I have always tried to throw a little fantasy into the mix to keep my work versatile.

Science Fiction Surrealism

Galactic Destination, 2020

My goal as an artist is to bend one's mind with impossible realities. That's what surrealism is all about. However, when you add some stellar sci-fi to the equation, you get some serious eye candy. Floating walkways, portals, and interstellar travel have always played into my art. Especially in these recent years, a lot of my work has turned very spacey, and alien oriented.

Monsters & Mayhem

Prey, 2022

Things that go bump in the night, monsters of the deep, fantastical creatures from the darkest reaches have always piqued my interest. These creatures appear in my artwork here and there. Usually through some interdimensional portal. Like this prehistoric monster from the deep reappearing in the Florida Keys, of all places.

High Detail

Homage to the Artist, 2022

These days, some images take me weeks to complete, as I try to bring as much detail into my work as I possibly can. For instance, with this image you can plainly see how much detail was rendered. I built each piece with Blender, the little guys were brought from Daz Studio, and the whole thing was put together in Bryce 7 Pro. This one took me many hours in a span of two weeks to complete.

Funky Machines

Releasing the Deluge, 2022

When I began to use Blender, I was beside myself at the ease I was able to create things. I got very intricate with my builds and created some badass machines in the process. What this machine does, I have no idea. However, it is reminiscent of the office water cooler.

Mechanical Horrors

Silenced & Reprogramed, 2024

This particular machine is a symbol for humanity as we get into the heart of the 21st century. Hardwired to serve, silent unless spoken to, and utterly blind.

Sound familiar?