Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Week #1 - Favorite Comic Strip Character - CALVIN and HOBBES

We're about to start a weekly themed sketch project (at this point still unnamed) over at Sketch Charlotte. The first week's topic is favorite comic strip character. I was so pumped about getting back into a weekly sketch group that I went ahead and sketched out my favorite, Calvin & Hobbes! (apologies to Mr Watterson of course!) I usually finish things off with ink, but I really enjoyed knocking this one out with an old beat up school pencil. Maybe it'll see inks at some point...
Now that I have a son the strip is about to take on a whole new meaning for me! It's a weird position to be in, because just a few short years ago I still read it from the Calvin "perspective." Now I look for how his parents respond to his adventures and brace myself for what's surely coming down the pike!
I get the daily strip in my inbox via ucomics.com and I have just about all the paperback collections. I recently picked up the absolute collection for my "library." As soon as Jonathan is ready he will inherit them and hopefully they'll entertain and inspire him as much as they did me!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Monroe Library Mini Con!

I'll be at guest at this year's Mini Con at the library in downtown Monroe this Saturday from 1:00 pm - 6:30 pm! If you're in the area swing by and check us out! I'll be manning a table with my buddy and partner in crime Terence "Teeminus" Hoskins. We'll have two different sketchbooks, original art, sketch cards and more available...stop by and say hello, we'd love to see you! :)

Monroe Library
316 East Windsor St
Monroe, NC 28112
704-283-8184

Friday, June 18, 2010

Superman vs Superboy Prime


I stretched outside my usual boundaries for this one. This was done for a guy who has ordered several commissions in the past, so I thought it fair that I step it up a bit, in practice anyway. I jumped up to 11 x 17 bristol board and brought in white acrylic paint to help develop the piece. I'm still new to it, but it's a fun method once you let go a bit! I created the star/universe splatter with it in the background with the ol' toothbrush method....messy but effective! I had to do some touch up after it dried, but it, like the client, was worth the extra effort!
I'm already working on another piece for him and hopefully he'll be as happy with it as he was this one! :)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Snake Eyes!


One of my all time favorite characters...in any genre. Was asked to do this in a sketchbook and was not only intimidated to do a drawing following the legendary Sergio Aragones, but drawing Snake Eyes always puts me on edge. Along with Batman I feel like I can't do either of them justice. There's always room for improvement...they can never live up to my expectations of the character.
I was actually pleased with how this turned out...almost didn't want to send it back! :) Now I have the confidence to do more Snake Eyes drawings!
microns & sharpies in a 8-1/2 x 11 sketchbook

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Playin' poker with Luke Cage!


This is an edited version of the original commission. My buddy Ted wanted a Luke Cage piece that showed both versions. He also mentioned liking a playing card drawing I'd done before (Spirit/GL Hal). So I combined the two. The original piece Ted has hanging in his downtown pad has the current Luke Cage on top with the 70's version on bottom. I thought the 70's version was a better drawing, so I flipped it, cleaned up the "CAGE" belt buckle and added a playing card-espue background. I'm really happy with how this one turned out!
I'm usually have more of a realistic style, but bending the rules really gave this a playing card feel. The proportions are off, but I think they really serve the overall design. May take a crack at some more playing cards at some point down the line...
The original was done with Copic markers on my usual 9 x 12 bristol board.

Monday, June 14, 2010

King Monkey!


Did this one for Lord Simian over at the Outhouse last year. I touched it up a bit for this year's sketchbook. Everyone loves monkeys don't they? So of course I jumped at the chance to do this one!
Copic markers and brush pens on 9 x 12 bristol.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

One for all the Browncoats...

The man they called Jayne. That's all you really need to say to all of the Firefly/Serenity fans and they get it. They understand the character that nobody likes, yet everyone secretly loves. And it all starts with the hat his mom sent him. This commission specifically stated that he had to be wearing said hat. Without it, he could be any other character. I didn't have a decent reference at the time, so I drew him holding Mal's pistol(s).
Copic markers on 9 x 12 bristol board.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Dr. Horrible

I realize this is an older image, but I'm hoping it'll catch a few set of fresh eyes! Joss Whedon's Dr. Horrible! If you haven't seen it put your computer down and make it happen! A great musical treat starring Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day...a must see! :)
Done with microns & sharpies in a 5 x 7 sketchbook.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Mad Men's Pete Campbell

I'm hoping to post at least once a day to get this thing off the ground. (keeping my fingers crossed!) Not sure how in-depth these posts will be, thought I'd just let the art do the talking. At this point, suggestions are welcomed and appreciated!
This entry is a commission I did for a friend - Mad Men's Pete Campbell. Copic markers on 9 x 12 bristol board.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Monster Weddings


Another piece from the new sketchbook, also an entry into the Dollar Bin's Wedding Anthology. A mock wedding magazine cover...because monsters get married to y'know! ;)

Catching up!


I'd almost forgotten about this site! Another Heroes Con behind me and my creative juices are bubbling. Thought I'd post a few things to show what I've been up to...
Abe Sapien from Mike Mignola's BPRD. This one shows up in the new sketchbook - volume 4. Which debuted at the 2010 Heroes Con.