Mike Sgier

Sketchbook Project 2012

2012-01-26T08:59:00.004-06:00

A few pictures of my contribution for the Sketchbook Project 2012, Time Lords of the Chronometer, which is currently on its way to the Brooklyn Art Library.

Christmas Gifts 2011

2011-12-29T09:12:00.005-06:00

Some drawings that I made for the family this past Christmas...

The Gnome's Campfire Tale

Mrs. Dowlin never suspected that the class pet iguana was planning the takeover the whole time...

Monster Holiday Blues

2011-12-29T09:08:00.003-06:00

Originally appeared in the Philadelphia City Paper's annual Comics Issue, December 1, 2011.

Drive

2011-12-29T09:03:00.004-06:00

Finished poster illustration based on director Nicolas Winding Refn's film.

LANNISTER

2011-12-29T09:00:00.004-06:00

Finished illustration of the family of Casterly Rock, based on characters from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

The Children of Stark

2011-12-29T08:56:00.004-06:00

Finished illustration of the Stark kids, based on characters from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

ADVANCED NOTICE! PACC 2011!

2011-06-26T16:29:00.002-05:00

Make sure you find yourself in Philadelphia on August 14 for the Philly Alternative Comic-Con. I'll be there along with other great comic creators from Philly and elsewhere selling cool comics. Put it on your calendar NOW!

Poster by Pat Aulisio

The Children of Stark

2011-06-23T08:56:00.005-05:00

I made up this illustration based on Game of Thrones (or A Game of Thrones, for the book aficionados out there) for a mini-zine that someone is putting together. Hopefully it makes the cut, but nevertheless, it was fun to make.

I'd like to think that this is a full blown illustration, but at its heart it's fan art, I know. And is that such a bad thing? I think most of the work I make is inspired by someone else's work, and while my effort pays tribute to their work, at the same time it tries to capture the same energy and spirit that the original work was created with. That doesn't make much sense, but that's the best way I can describe it.

And so, it should be known that George R.R. Martin's books have become sort of an obsession for me. In a matter of two months I've consumed the first two books, and I'm now on the third, and this coming from a very slow reader. Chances are that the rest of the summer will be devoted to the fourth and fifth books, and then I have to wonder what I'll be reading in the fall because I doubt that I'll find anything to live up to this series. And from what I hear, the HBO adaptation is top notch, so I can't wait to finally see that (I lack the means for cable TV).

Also, I fell in love with the pencils I made for this illo, to the point where I was considering just leaving it at that (with the exception of the bottom text, that always needed work). There was just an energy and vibrancy to the pencils that I really liked, and that I've rarely been able to capture through inks. But at the same time, the ink forces you to commit to something, whether a line, expression, or layout, and it has a very good way of exposing your mistakes. So, in the end, I'm pleased with the final result, and I'm even thinking this may deserve a watercolor treatment down the road.

Dr. Sketchy's - June 11, 2011

2011-06-11T20:07:00.004-05:00

A selection of sketches I made during the steampunk-themed Dr. Sketchy's June session (in Philadelphia).

Spider-Man Sketches

2011-06-04T21:47:00.008-05:00

If you've been keeping up with the blog, you may have seen me mention something about a personal Spider-Man project, just a five page sample to try my hand at something 'mainstream.' The project is somewhat...stalled at the moment, due to other projects, of course. I have the page layouts complete and the panels roughed out, but at the moment I'm not sure when I'll be able to pick it up again.

However, I have been able to work out some sketches for the characters I'll be using. I have to admit, my sketching style can be infuriating. I'm always amazed by people's clean sketching styles, because it is the complete opposite of mine. My own is always frenetic, like my brain and hand can't get the drawing out quick enough so that the next one can be drawn. I don't particularly like the practice, but that's just how it has always been, and I've learned how to work around it. Honestly, I'm amazed I get anything done.

Mary Jane Watson

Your Friendly Neighborhood Web Head

Electro

New Online Store & Featured Products

2011-06-02T22:23:00.010-05:00

Jeez, been exactly a month since I posted to the blog. Sorry dear readers, things have been busy, but things are always busy, right?

One of the things I've been busy with is setting up a new online store through Big Cartel. Etsy was nice, but the slow sales were getting frustrating, and I liked the look and flexibility of Big Cartel. So, you can find the store here: Mike Sgier Comics & Illustration - Big Cartel

I'd like to highlight two items that I've recently completed, and are available to buy. First, I created a reproduction of my Sketchbook Project 2011 contribution The Fibonacci Device. You can get a glimpse of the complete book at a Tumblr I set up for it: fibonacci-device.tumblr.com

And you get your own copy of the book here: msgier.bigcartel.com/product/the-fibonacci-device

Also available at the store are a set of sketch cards I made based upon the films of Federico Fellini. At first this project was a just a fun 'hobby,' but it turned out that I really enjoyed it, people liked it, and I kept coming up with ideas for cards. It gives me a chance to tackle a lot of subjects in a short amount of time.

You can buy your own set of Fellini cards here: Fellini! a celebration in sketch cards

And there's plenty of other stuff there too, so please, browse around!

That should do it for one night. I'll try not to be a stranger!

Moving into Spring and Summer

2011-05-02T18:36:00.005-05:00

Figured I would update you on the goings-on in Mike-land. I don't have anything concrete to show, but a batch of things are in progress, and will be making their respective debuts in the months ahead. So, without further ado...

-I'm currently in the midst of a short storyline titled Dig over at my webcomic Supernova Lullaby. It'll end up being a 14 page comic, and will make its first print appearance at the Philly Alternative Comic Con in August, hopefully with a nice screen printed cover. It features a few characters I introduced in the Relative Visitors and Alien-kind's Best Friend storylines, and I'll most likely be using them more in future stories. Dig is inspired mostly by The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, but is now entering a short flashback sequence showing some Las Vegas-like shenanigans.

-I've also begun work on a 5 page Spider-Man action sequence. I wish I could say this is for publication, but sadly, no. It just occurred to me that I had never actually drawn a comic with actual superheroes, and figured it would be a fun exercise and something to show potential clients that I'm capable of this kind of comic. It features the friendly neighborhood web crawler, Electro, and Mary Jane. For some reason, I like drawing Electro over other super villains. And I have a soft spot for redheads, so I'm continually baffled by Marvel's efforts to fudge Spider-Man's relationship with MJ. With the exception of maybe Gwen Stacy, is there any other woman out there in the Spidey-verse that can hold a candle to Mary Jane Watson?

-And in all honesty, a Silver Surfer story would probably be better suited to my talents. If someone wants to write up a short episode, send it my way.

-I've been plugging away on sketch cards, and I've been upping my game a little bit by using ink washes instead of colored pencils. You can find them at a Tumblr blog I set up: Sketch Cards I Make. Mostly cards inspired by Fellini films, but I've got some other things cooking.

-NO LIFE: A few weeks back, I started reading George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire due to the hype surrounding the premiere of the HBO adaptation. Holy crap, you guys, this went beyond the hype. The first book, A Game of Thrones, clocks in at 800 pages, and I finished it in a mere span of weeks. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. Seriously, I'm a slow reader, I get bored easily and find something else to read in the midst of the book. Not with this one though. Don't let the fantasy elements turn you off, this is the real deal. If all of you grown adults out there can stand to read Harry Potter, then goddammit, you should definitely be reading this. This has it all: sex, death, palace intrigue, war, giant wolves, extinct dragons, and a giant continent-wide wall protecting civilization from chaos. Go out, buy the first book, and enjoy. (Or watch the series, either way, it deserves your support.)

Dr. Sketchy's - April 16, 2011

2011-04-17T10:08:00.005-05:00

Went to my first Dr. Sketchy's event ever, right here in Philadelphia. Here are some of the drawings:

above: a couple 5 minute sketches that ran into each other

The theme of the event was 'Art Deco,' and the hostess had a couple challenges for us. One was to incorporate some kind of leashed animal (real or imaginary) into the sketch above. I liked the way the pose turned out, but I kind of ran into a wall with the animal part. Probably for the best.

Libra

The second challenge was to transform the pose into a letter, number, or astrological sign. My two sketches for this were more successful, and Libra, the image above, was my favorite of the day (because everyone knows that Libras are the best!).

And above is my attempt at the letter F.

So, there you have it. It was a lot of fun. I plan on going again. And you should go if your own city has them. The end.

Secret Prison #4 and MoCCA this weekend

2011-04-08T00:22:00.007-05:00

Secret Prison #4 makes it's debut this weekend at the MoCCA Comic Art Festival in New York, New York. I have a comic in this issue which I'm really happy with, and I can't wait to see the rest of the stellar art from the contributors. In case you can't make it to MoCCA, or are not in the greater Philadelphia area, I've posted the comic (a color version, no less) at the link below.

click on the image, and all will be revealed

The Muon combines a little science (though I won't attest to its accuracy) with a dose of galactic spirituality, which is something that I've been wanting to explore within the universe of Supernova Lullaby. It's an element of the comic that I hope to develop over time.

As for MoCCA, I'll be there, though I won't have a table this time around. I didn't do so hot money-wise last year, which was a bit discouraging, particularly since MoCCA is one of the more expensive shows to get into. So I'll just be a humble attendee this year. I'll bring some books to trade and give to publishers, pass out some postcards, buy some comics, make some friends...who knows, maybe I'll even run into the love of my life. It is New York after all.

Honestly, it'll be nice to not have the pressure and hassle of sales, and to just enjoy comics with like-minded people on a Spring day.

A Painting of Sarai

2011-04-01T14:58:00.001-05:00

This post is gonna require some background so bear with me. Late last year, I held a Kickstarter fundraiser for the latest addition to my comic series The Ballad of Toby & Sara. Among the rewards offered were some commissions for original artwork. My friend Lori was lucky enough to pick up one, and she gave me free rein to come up with a painting.

I honestly had no idea what to do. But I did have an image in my head that I had been meaning to make, which also happened to be a character from the series that had not yet appeared. I made a drawing for Lori, and she gave me the green light to make the painting.

So, this is Sarai. If you've read Track 5, you know that the story has a double-sided nature to it, part of it taking place in present-day Omaha, the other part taking place in the ancient city of Nineveh in Mesopotamia. The connective thread between the two eras is the wandering archangel Raphael, who in the present story goes by the name Ray Azzarus. By the end of Track 5, we catch a brief glimpse of a young man named Tobiah who Raphael has been looking for in Nineveh, which coincides with his meeting of Toby Jasinski in Omaha.

This idea of counterparts is one of the key narrative hinges in the series, but it's taken time to establish. And so Sara Reynolds, the young woman that Toby has a crush on in Omaha, will have her own counterpart in the past in the person of Sarai, a young woman who bears similarities to Miss Reynolds, but has her own unique demons to fight (literally).

Confused? Yeah, it's a lot to understand. It's given me a lot of challenges as a writer and creator, and there are a lot of question marks still to fill in, one of these being where and how to introduce Sarai to the main narrative. But I at least wanted to give her a visual persona to inhabit, to at least bring her out into the world and give her some kind of existence in people's minds.

And one last thing: Sarai's dress was inspired by a number of artistic sources, most of them from Persia circa the 16th century C.E. This is a bit inaccurate since the Nineveh story takes place around 700 B.C.E., but the fashion fits with what I was trying to accomplish in the painting. At the very least, it's a place to start for the her design in the comic.

Your chance to help Secret Prison in 2011

2011-03-24T13:46:00.004-05:00

Secret Prison, a Philadelphia-based free comics tabloid, has 10 more days to raise funds to keep it in print for 2011. It's doing well, but we need a final push to get it through the home stretch. Put it this way, if 25 people pledged $15 for a year's subscription, we'd be done. Or if 19 people put up $20...you get the idea, it's that simple.

So, why should you support Secret Prison? Because issue #4 has a great lineup of artists, who are doing everything possible to make new and original comics that you're not going to see in your local newspaper, or in any mainstream comic. Because it's a completely grassroots effort, no one has our backs on this one. The NEA isn't sending a grant our way, and the big shot museums and galleries are too busy putting up their noses to take notice. Because YOU believe that emerging artists need a venue to not only be published, but to help them find their voice and an audience for their work.

None of the artists putting together Secret Prison need to be doing this. We have bills to pay, jobs to go to, families to raise. But to tell us not to make comics would be like telling us not to breath. It's in our blood and our DNA, and we believe that it's important not only to us but to the cultural life of the city, and comics community as a whole. Sure, the Web is good and all, but there's something to say for that printed matter, being given something where each page offers a new world to explore. Some are funny, some are demented, some are downright weird and obscure. But each is a unique and singular voice worthy of recognition.

If you think that Jersey Shore, Dancing with the Stars, and Battle: LA are the only things that the culture at large has to offer, then all I can do is feel sad for you and your dull, boring world. Because there are artists right in your own backyard making incredible things, and one of those is Secret Prison. So step up, show your support, and help us make this happen!

Best Show Related Material

2011-03-21T18:11:00.002-05:00

Both of these images saw the light of day a while ago, but I figured I would post them since I have a personal connection with at least one of the people depicted, and they are both connected to a radio show that I'm a big fan of, The Best Show on WFMU.

The top poster I made for my friend Geneva, who is currently in the running to take over for Best Show Protégé (or Protégée, in her case). Sara Bauer (of Hey Pais fame) came up with the idea, and then Geneva sent it my way to take a crack at it. I'm not sure how formal this campaign is, but it's been a fun aspect of discussion within the FOT community. One of the reasons that I even listen to the Best Show is because Geneva was always talking about it when we both lived in Minneapolis. At the time, I was listening to WFMU, just not the Best Show. But after Geneva's high praises, I finally gave it a listen, and I haven't turned back. So, for obvious reasons, I think it's only fitting that Geneva be granted protégée status.

The below image is of Best Show caller Laurie from Miami (now Chapel Hill), which was made for the Best Show trading cards that were part of the marathon rewards pack from 2010. I actually made it last summer, and from what I've heard, the cards are now being delivered (at least I hope the rumor is true...). Through that fabled network of 'friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend,' I was asked by Best Show host Mr. Tom Scharpling to make the image, and I was only too happy to oblige. Laurie's library background gave me a chance to include a lot of Best Show related material, so click on the image to have a good look at the background.

Thank you Geneva! Thank you Tom! And thank you Laurie! Glad I could help in some small way.

Charlie Rose Sketch Card

2011-03-21T12:06:00.003-05:00

I made a boast on Twitter that I was making a Charlie Rose sketch card, and I wasn't lying. Not sure what inspired it, but I figured he deserved one.

What can I say, Charlie Rose's show is really one of the last places in the media landscape where you can find critical, intelligent discussion. You're just not going to find it on any of the cable channels, and so I'm glad there's at least one outlet that can support his type of show.

Watch, and broaden your horizons. You won't regret it.

The Comet Wranglers (Kite Edition)

2011-02-27T17:00:00.005-06:00

Recently, I had the good fortune to be invited to the First Flight show at Masthead Print Studio here in Philadelphia, PA. The show opens in a couple weeks, but I've been including process photos of the work on Facebook, so I figured it would only be appropriate for me to include photos of the finished work here on the blog.

The Comet Wranglers

Pen and ink, watercolor, bristol board, strong

2011

The premise of the show is a kite theme, which could be developed in a variety of ways. My thought was to use the kite as a vehicle for an image, and give some indication of a story or world within the form and structure of the kite.

This is obviously an untried medium for me, but I found it...I don't want to say 'liberating' since that sounds so cliché...but something about the process was really enjoyable for me. Maybe it's just that thrill of the new, of testing uncharted creative waters. Maybe it's the reactions I've received from people as I've posted the process photos, which seem to be more numerous than anything I've received from my comic or illustration work. I don't know, my feelings for this have escaped words.

But, overall, I think a real thrill for me was breaking past the edge of that kite boundary, which in some ways served as an oversized panel border. That little piece of string may be slight, but by incorporating it into the action of the image on the kite, I think it helped to create a harmonious whole not only for the image but the kite as well.

I realize that I'm not really breaking new ground here, I'm sure there's a kite designer somewhere in the world who has considered all the things I've done here and made a swell living doing so. But I think for me this opens a new door for storytelling possibilities, a new way to explore the universe that I've created with Supernova Lullaby, and a new way for the characters to interact with that universe. Who knows, I just might, might be onto something.

More Kickstarter Commissions

2011-02-17T09:55:00.006-06:00

A couple more commissions from my Kickstarter project. Click on the image for a larger view.

pen and ink on watercolor paper

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

pen and ink on watercolor paper

Sketch Cards Project

2011-02-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

This is a side project that I've begun working on this year, making handmade sketch cards based on various characters from comics and movies. Eventually, I may include some of my own characters, but I'm still waiting to see how these cards are received in general. All cards are 2.5" x 3.5" on bristol paper, made with pen and ink and colored pencil, and are available for purchase from my Etsy shop.

Sketchbook Project 2011 Opens this Weekend

2011-02-14T15:07:00.005-06:00

The Sketchbook Project 2011, sponsored by Art House Co-op and the Brooklyn Art Library, opens this weekend at their home base in Brooklyn, NY. If you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and check out the books. I was there this past weekend (since I won't be able to make it to the opening), and they said they have received 12,00o books for the tour. Incredible!

While you're their, keep an eye out for this eye, The Fiobonacci Device by yours truly:

And if you can't make it to Brooklyn, the show will be traveling across the US over the year. Dates and locations are listed below, but more may be added, so make sure to check their website on occasion.

Brooklyn Art Library - Brooklyn, New York, - February 19-27

Austin Museum of Art - Austin, Texas - March 12

SPACE Gallery - Portland, Maine - March 30-April 2

The Granite Room - Atlanta, Georgia - April 8-9

Transformer Gallery - Washington D.C. - April 11-30

Form/Space Atelier - Seattle, Washington - June 10-12

111 Minna Gallery - San Franciso, California - June 18

Hyde Park Arts Center - Chicago, Illinois - July 14-17

Full Sail University - Winter Park, Florida - July 29-31

Bounty Hunters in Love Print

2011-01-27T10:27:00.004-06:00

Bounty Hunters in Love prints are now available in my Etsy store. Prints are 11" x 14" on high quality Kodak Endura photographic paper, printed by iprintfromhome.com. The perfect Valentine's Day gift for that special geek/gamer in your life!

Alien Eustace Tilley

2011-01-23T13:34:00.004-06:00

This is my entry for the 2011 Eustace Tilley contest at the New Yorker. I did something similar a couple years ago, but I decided to start from scratch since the old version had significant issues that required a new set of solutions. It was actually kind of nice to revisit an old idea, believe it or not.

Batgirl Commission

2011-01-15T16:13:00.003-06:00

Barbara Gordon - Batgirl & Oracle

Pen, Ink, and Watercolor on Watercolor Paper

This was a commission I did recently for one of my Kickstarter backers in the UK. His request was for an image that included both incarnations of the Barbara Gordon character, so I developed a montage of sorts.

I feel like I'm gaining a greater command of watercolor, but at the same time, I still feel that it isn't the right painting medium for me. Perhaps gouache? Any suggestions from practitioners out there?

I sent this over a week ago, so hopefully the backer has received it by now. I tend to over-worry stuff like that...

Sketchbook Project 2011 Preview

2011-01-01T18:18:00.009-06:00

I'm posting a few select images from my contribution to the Sketchbook Project put on by Art House Co-op in Brooklyn, New York. At least, I hope it will be part of it...the deadline is coming up fast, and there's still a lot I want to do with it. I was a bit ambitious when planning this one out.

So, how does this whole thing work? Basically, you sign up for a sketchbook, Art House sends it to you, you fill it up, you send it back, and then it goes on tour across the country. Basically, it's a chance for people to see your work up close and personal, and to get a bit of insight into your creative process.

This time around, Art House also created themes for the artists to work from. I decided on 'Dirigibles and Submersibles,' and so developed a story and characters around this. The book is set up as a series of dossiers done by an investigative agency during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. The people in question possess a device that can create an unlimited source of energy. Some are seen as friendly to the interests of the U.S., others are seen as threats, while a few have hidden motives. Essentially, this was my attempt at an adventure/steampunk concept. A bit different for me, but a good challenge nonetheless.

Below are a few images that are complete at this point. Text will go along with these, but that's not quite done yet. I'll keep posting as it all reaches completion.

'Meetings & Greetings' now available through Etsy

2010-12-17T11:14:00.003-06:00

The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Meetings & Greetings is now available for purchase in my Etsy store. $10 + shipping and handling. The store will only be open for a few more days before the Christmas holiday, so make sure to pick it up soon!

'The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Meetings and Greetings' - now in print!

2010-12-09T17:15:00.007-06:00

Earlier this week, I returned home to find 3 boxes of these waiting for me...

The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Meetings and Greetings is the result of the Kickstarter campaign that finished up a month ago. It includes Track 5 of the ongoing series, plus two stories that I'm calling 'B-Sides,' stories which focus on the supporting cast of the story, but which aren't part of the main narrative. The previous four chapters made their debut back in 2008, and for a while I was in doubt that the continuation would see the light of day. But I really and truly persevered this year and made a valiant effort to finish Track 5, and well, here we are today.

And I must tip my hat to the people at Bookmobile in Minneapolis, Minnesota who printed this book. I've used them in the past, but they really and truly outdid themselves this time around. The blacks are rich and crisp, the grey tones look excellent, and there are even some full page bleeds in the book. It's well done and well crafted, and I'm a fiend for that sort of thing.

I'll be sending the books to those who pledged to the Kickstarter campaign over the weekend, and then I'll post the book in my Etsy shop on Monday. Stay tuned.

No love for Bear & Octopus

2010-11-28T18:48:00.007-06:00

click to enlarge

This was my recent submission for the City Paper's Comics Issue here in Philadelphia, but sadly, it didn't make the cut for the issue. I have some serious questions about their selection process, but in reality, I'm just another obscure dude making comics, so I doubt the editors are losing sleep about my opinions.

There's a political tone to this comic, though I think it's more about political rhetoric than it is about party/partisan politics. I think one success was the dynamic between Bear and Octopus. In their previous adventure, they had the same personality essentially, and acted in unison when needed. Here, Octopus is developing more of a surly attitude, which clashes with Bear's naive, blindly optimistic attitude.

I have one more comic in mind for these two, but after that I may shelve these two for a bit. Their fun to work with, but I don't think they're ready for public consumption.

Sherlock

2010-11-28T18:45:00.005-06:00

A simple character sketch of the new Sherlock Holmes, from the BBC's recent Sherlock series.

Before the Holiday Storm

2010-11-21T23:58:00.003-06:00

Cluttered Desk, Cluttered Mind

Evidence Control

Penny for your Records?

A Bear and Octopus Rejection

2010-11-03T00:16:00.002-05:00

So, it's Election Day, and I'm kind of in a crappy mood, so it's probably not the best time to post and write about a rejected comic. I submitted the above comic for the next issue of Secret Prison.

In all honesty, though, I don't think the rejection was a bad thing. I was never really into this comic, and I think it kind of shows. It features characters that I've never worked with before, and I have no f@*king idea what to do with them. And really, the last thing I need right now is another set of characters to occupy my time.

I was going to use Bear and Octopus in a comic submission for the City Paper here in Philly, but the more I work on that comic, the more I hate it and the complete premise of the two characters. If I don't feel it in my gut, there's probably a reason why.

The deadline is November 15, and I have no other ideas for it, so I'm probably just going to skip it. Yeah, sure, it would probably be good to 'network' and get 'exposure.' But I highly doubt a crappy, ill-conceived comic in an alternative newsweekly is going to blow the lid off of what little career I have.

Man, I'm in a mood.

Bounty Hunters in Love

2010-10-23T18:49:00.004-05:00

Bounty Hunters in Love
pen and ink on Bristol, digital coloring

This is quite possibly the geekiest thing I have ever done. And as far as I know it hasn't been done before, which surprises me. Then again, it could just be hiding from me somewhere on the interwebs.

But the next question is...what do I do with it? T-shirts? Wedding invitations? If you have an idea, drop a line if you like. I love this, but at the same time, I have no idea what a practical application would be.

Now with Color (plus a new Myth Drawing)

2010-10-21T00:18:00.007-05:00

Added some watercolor to some previous Monster/Myth drawings. Still just experimenting at this stage, but but I'm fairly pleased with how things are going.

Perseus & the Medusa
Watercolor, Pen & Ink on Watercolor Paper

Dracula
Watercolor, Pen & Ink on Watercolor Paper

And a new Myth drawing (can't really call it a Monster drawing).

Orpheus & Eurydice
Pen & Ink on Watercolor Paper

All of these will be for sale at the MCAD Art Sale in mid-November, so if you're in the Minneapolis area and are looking to purchase some art, keep an eye out for them during the sale.

Kickstarter pledge drive for 'The Ballad of Toby & Sara'

2010-10-08T14:57:00.002-05:00

For those of you that have been following the progress of the next chapter of The Ballad of Toby & Sara, I just wanted to let you know that I started a Kickstarter pledge drive to raise funds for a print run of the new book. This is a great chance to pre-order the book, as well as get some other great books, prints, merch, and even some original art. Take a look at the page, and please place a pledge, every little bit counts! Thanks, we love you.

The Ballad of Toby & Sara Kickstarter Page

Some Alien Drawings

2010-10-08T11:55:00.003-05:00

A couple alien drawings, before I add some color...

Galactic Drifters: Norbel, Irbit, and RX-155
pen and ink on watercolor paper, 9" x 12"

The Thinking Droid
pen and ink drawing on watercolor paper, 12" x 9"

More Monster Drawings

2010-10-08T11:50:00.002-05:00

Some more monster drawings, before I add some color...

Dracula
pen and ink on watercolor paper, 9" x 12"

Perseus & the Medusa

pen and ink on watercolor paper, 9" x 12"

Theseus & the Minoatur

2010-09-17T16:30:00.002-05:00

Theseus & the Minotaur
Pen & Ink on Watercolor Paper, 8.5 x 11

This will be my contribution to The Monsters Project, a benefit sponsored by the Comics Alliance for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The piece will be available to bid on at APE, and on eBay through October. Once I have more details, I'll pass them along.

SPX 2010 Thoughts

2010-09-14T17:45:00.004-05:00

It's been a couple days since my return from SPX, and fortunately for all of us, my initial positive impressions of the show still seem to hold true. This is a rare thing, my friends. Most of the time, when I have time to ruminate on something like this, I find aspects that are disagreeable, but that hasn't happened this time around.

What is there to say? Friends were made, books were traded (some of them were even sold!), promo postcards were passed out, food was eaten, beer was drank, bricks were given away as awards. Usually at conventions I'm fretting about sales, but at SPX I decided to have fun. I think once I let myself off the hook in terms of profits, I was able to make the most of what the convention had to offer. Sound business sense? Probably not. But do I feel a stronger connection to the comics community at large? A resounding yes.

And for those of you that are fans of The Best Show on WFMU, SPX was crawling with FOTs (that's short for 'Friends of Tom'). If Tom Scharpling himself paid a visit, I'm sure he could have walked out of there with a stack of comics without even opening his wallet.

Watercolor Sketches for SPX

2010-09-10T00:18:00.008-05:00

So, I won't be debuting any new comics at SPX (unfortunately), but I have been making some new watercolor sketches. Nothing too refined, but I think my technique is getting better. I'm not sure how well they'll be received at an indie comics expo, but we'll just have to see, won't we.

Desire and Delirium of the Endless
(a personal favorite)

Spider-Man
(a classic look, kind of like Ditko or Romita, Sr.)

Doctor Octopus

Electro
(I hate the traditional costume, so I took some liberties with the design)

Roorshacki from Watchliens
(So, last year I did a poster that was a 'Supernova Lullaby' riff on 'Watchmen.' I haven't done anything with those versions of the characters since then, and for some reason decided now would be a good time to work with them again.)

Night-Woot and the Blue Spectre from Watchliens

Small Press Expo this weekend! September 11-12!

2010-09-07T11:27:00.005-05:00

Yes, I will be exhibiting for the first time at the Small Press Expo this weekend in Bethesda, Maryland. After attending last year, I'm excited to have a table this time around and to really be a part of the action. At table C10B you'll find comics in all shapes and sizes, original drawings and artwork, prints, and all sorts of merch.

And, if nothing else, there will be a chocolate fountain.

Click on the image above for complete info.

'The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Track 5' now available online!

2010-09-07T00:13:00.006-05:00

As you may have guessed, this is the official announcement for the online release of the next 'Toby & Sara' chapter, which can be read at the following link:

The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Track 5 - Meetings & Greetings

I've started work on a more reader friendly site, but this will take a while to build, so hopefully the pages at my main website will suffice for now. This chapter has been in the works for 2+ years now, and I'll be honest, to have it done and complete is a huge weight off my shoulders. It's a pivotal part of the story, and I think it's a pivotal moment for my own personal and professional development as well.
Now, some of you may be asking, 'How do I get a printed copy?' Well, as of now there is no print version, and I'm not sure when I'll have one available. Cash flow has been tight recently, and I'm not in a position to just plunk a printing charge on my credit card. In the end, I'm going to have to do some old fashioned fundraising. I'd like to attempt a Kickstarter campain, and hopefully SPX will prove fruitful this weekend. As always, you'll be the first to know of new ideas, items, and promotions as they come along.

Read Comics in Public Day

2010-08-28T14:53:00.005-05:00

Green Line Cafe, 43rd and Baltimore, Philadelphia, PA

I found the declaration and timing of this 'day' to be a little odd and slightly amusing, especially with the brouhaha being stirred up by the whole Glenn Beck rally on MLK's 'I Have a Dream Speech' anniversary. And I guess I've never been ashamed of reading comics in public anyway, I've done it before, and I'll no doubt do it again. My experience has been that no one has noticed or cared, or even realized that I was reading a comic. Maybe I've always gotten strange and hateful looks while I was reading, who knows...

However, I understand the purpose of the day, and so if it helps to raise the visibility of comics in the public domain, so be it. On my weekly excursion to Green Line Cafe, I brought along two books by Jason, Why Are You Doing This? and The Left Bank Gang. Jason is fast becoming one of my favorite artists, and these two books could well topple Goodbye Chunky Rice from the top of my favorites list.

I love this quote from The Left Bank Gang, spoken by none other than James Joyce (as an anthropomorphic bird). When asked why he does comics, he replies: "It's the only thing I know how to do. I can't drive a bus or hit a nail with a hammer. I can tell a story in tiny pictures and fuck up my eyesight a little more every day."

This pretty much sums up my philosophy for comics.

Dogs!

2010-08-27T18:10:00.006-05:00

Over the course of the past year, I've had a couple commissions that have...surprised me. I was asked to make cartoon portraits featuring pets, and more specifically, dogs. Don't get me wrong, I'm always flattered when someone asks me to make something for them, but in this case I was a little confounded. I don't consider myself to be an expert at drawing animals, and haven't really gone out of my way to draw them in my personal work. So, I found it a little odd when I was asked twice to do similar commissions. If nothing else, it forced me to actually incorporate animals into my drawing style, and they both turned out to be fun.
The above commission was pretty straightforward, just a simple portrait of two greyhounds. Nothing specific about background or action. So, using the reference photos given to me, I tried to figure out the personalities of the dogs, and develop a scene from there. According to the client, I came pretty darn close too!

This next one was a little more intensive. It was a larger size, with three dogs, and portraits of their owners as well. I was also asked to compose it after the cover for 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.' However, since the couple doesn't live in New York City, I attempted to convey more of a midwest, neighborhood vibe. And as you can see in the background, I'm working with color line variations as a way to separate the foreground from the background. The final image was printed on a really nice fine art paper from iPrintfromHome.com. I think everyone, including myself, was very pleased with the end result!

So, all in all, if you have an idea and you think my style might suit your purposes, look me up. It could be dogs, cats, your family, those sci-fi characters you've been writing about for so long, or if you really want to get on my good side, one of my own characters. I'm always willing to it a shot.

BEAR VS. OCTOPUS

2010-08-24T19:37:00.002-05:00

Most awesome thing I've ever drawn? Maybe...

Indiana Jones in watercolor

2010-08-07T14:40:00.003-05:00

Indiana Jones
Pen & Ink, Watercolor

Another movie illustration, this one a little more intensive with the addition of watercolor. I kept it a little loose, and didn't worry too much about neatness and what not. I found it more enjoyable that way, frankly.

Random News and Notes

2010-07-31T13:36:00.004-05:00

- 'The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Track 5' will make its full debut on my main website by the end of August. Like I said in the previous post, the pages are done, I'm just adding a grey tone to the artwork. As for an actual printed book, this may have to wait due to a certain lack of funds to do an adequate print run. I am, however, contemplating a Kickstarter drive. I'll keep you posted if this develops into anything.

- I'll be attending two more conventions this year. The first one comes up next Sunday, August 8, at PACC (the Philadelphia Alternative Comic-Con). Then, in September I'll be exhibiting at SPX in Bethesda, Maryland the weekend of September 11-12. If you're in the area for either of these, please stop by.

- I have a comic in the upcoming issue of Secret Prison, a free comic tabloid distributed around Philly. The comic met its Kickstarter goal, and is set to debut at PACC. If you're not in the area and would like a copy, email me and I'll find a way to get you one.

-I've never been to Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA, but I found Tom Spurgeon's overview of the most recent one over at The Comics Reporter insightful and observant, as always.

-If you're having trouble understanding Inception, this timeline infographic over at Deviant Art by dehahs might help you.

'Toby & Sara: Meetings and Greetings' dilemma

2010-07-19T22:03:00.005-05:00

Back in April at MoCCA, I was offering a small, 15 page preview of the next 'Toby & Sara' chapter 'Meetings and Greetings.' I haven't heard back from many people, but the response was positive if a little bit hesitant. In this comic, however, I had announced that the remaining pages would debut in June 2010.

Well, June 2010 has come and gone, and July 2010 is about to close its door as well. So I'm here to say that the pages are DONE. I could conceivably lay them out and send a new book to the printer, or upload them to my main website. So, why haven't I?

As I was cleaning up and preparing the final pages, I couldn't help but think that, yes, these are good pages, but that an additional element would help immensely, something to really focus the readers attention on the characters, and to add depth to the visual settings of the story. My drawings can tend to become cluttered with a lot of visual information, and as I've learned from working on 'Supernova Lullaby,' the use of color and tone can help guide the reader in how they experience the comic.

Thus, I've decided to incorporate gray tones into these new 'Toby & Sara' pages. Below, I've posted samples of a few pages, both with and without the gray tones. I'd love to hear your comments, if you are so inclined.

Page 3

Page 14

Page 17

A couple things to watch out for in 'Inception'

2010-07-19T21:30:00.005-05:00

First off, this isn't a review of Inception, there are already hundreds out there who have critiqued the film in both positive and negative lights. But as I was watching it, I noticed two undercurrents to the film that I thought worth sharing. As you probably know or can tell from my work, I'm a bit of a mythology geek, and so whenever I see or notice something mythic going on, I pay attention a little more.

So, there are two myths, both Greek, whose DNA flows through the story of the movie. One is the myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth. Christopher Nolan, the director and writer, by no means hides this allusion. Ellen Page's character in the movie is named Ariadne, who provides the hero of the original myth with the means of getting out of the Labyrinth and vanquishing the monster.

The other myth, however, plays out in a much more subtle way in the movie. The parallels aren't as literal as the Labyrinth one, but I couldn't help but see traces of Orpheus and Eurydice in the film. Orpheus, who goes down to the Underworld to retrieve his lost love Eurydice, only to lose her again. Nolan is much better at hiding this parallel, and in the end even subverts it a little bit.

That's all I'll say for now, just a couple hints before you see the movie (or see it again, as may be the case for many of you). I may go into a bit more detailed analysis at a later point, but I don't want to give away too much of the plot at this stage of the film's release. And truth be told, I'm not even sure how I would describe it from beginning to end.

(Oh, and in case you wondering, I really liked the film. An intense ride that caught me from the beginning and didn't let go for 2 1/2 hours. I can't think of any movies in recent memory that have done the same thing.)

Movie Illustrations Project (ongoing)

2010-07-16T22:24:00.005-05:00

These are two illustrations for a project that I had good intentions to execute. The premise is fairly simple, do 8x11 drawings of characters from various movies, not only to practice my skills but to also have something to sell at conventions. Needless to say, this and that comes up, and before you know it, the project has fallen to the wayside. Wah wah.

So, these are the first two drawings that are the most developed. I'm tempted to add color to them, either with a set of Pitt brush markers that I picked up recently, or with watercolor (though I'm fearful that the water color would warp the paper). Though I'm kind of pleased with the black and white too. Decisions, decisions...

Johnny 5 from Short Circuit

Richie Tenenbaum from The Royal Tenenbaums

Secret Prison #2! Kickstarter! Help us out!!!

2010-07-15T13:16:00.003-05:00

I’ll have a comic in the second issue of Secret Prison, a free comic tabloid based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But right now we’re raising funds to print it, and we’re asking for your help! Check out our Kickstarter page, and come away with some awesome swag. But hurry, there’s only 10 days left!!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1043760737/secret-prison-2

A few thoughts on the passing of Harvey Pekar

2010-07-12T22:25:00.006-05:00

Earlier today, it was announced that Harvey Pekar, the acclaimed writer of the long running comic American Splendor, died at the age of 70. The news circulated through both major media outlets like the New York Times, and through the internet via Twitter, Facebook, and sites like the Comics Reporter. And for good reason, Pekar's presence on the comics and cultural scene helped shape what comics are today, and how they are regarded by major critics and everyday readers alike.

I never met Pekar, I don't have any enlightening anecdotes to share with you, that's a subject for others to relate. I've read a sizable portion of his work, but I probably should have read more by now. However, I was always touched by the honesty, humor, and reality that I found in his stories. That's a rarity to find even nowadays, which makes Pekar's work even more essential to the community as a whole.

To me, more than anything, Harvey Pekar is sort of a patron saint to any cartoonist who slogs through a day job they don't want be at, only to go home and work on comics that may or may not be read by anybody. It can be lonely work, and the rewards are few and far between, but Pekar's example proves that by continually doing the work and putting that work out there for people to see, you will find admirers, and new stories to tell and new avenues to explore. Maybe that's romanticizing his impact, but that's just what his work meant to me.

For every fast rising star over the comics landscape, there are hundreds more below hunched over drawing tables, writing and scribbling and sketching out ideas during those few hours between the paycheck job. Thank God we had Harvey Pekar to show us how to get it done.

Simon Schama's The Power of Art

2010-07-06T11:15:00.001-05:00

I will confess here and now that I'm a bit of a jaded Artist. (Okay, I'm jaded about things in general, but still....). Call it the Curse of Grad School, but I have difficulty in finding warm affection for that thing called Art, even though I've been educated in it through and through and I'm attached to it as a livelihood. The 'Shock of the New' is no longer shocking nor that new, and the museums that house the Old Masters seem more like mausoleums than places of discovery.

So, I have to give credit to Simon Schama's Power of Art for at the very least forcing me to look again at the culture of Art, its history, and how it relates to me as a person in the 21st Century. I checked this out from the library with a bit of skepticism, but a couple episodes in and I was truly hooked, eating up all eight episodes in one weekend.

What was it that caught my eye? What made me a true believer? Was it the production, the artists, Schama's voice itself? That last part may not be far off, because I think what made each episode remarkable was the one thing that I always look for in a work of art: storytelling. Each episode opens and ends with a work of art by an artist, and then branches out to encompass their body of work and their personal history. In this, Schama is an impeccable guide, he knows how to spin a good yarn and to transform these artist biographies into a living, breathing narrative. And by doing this, Schama removes them from the pedestals of High Art and High Society, and shows just how connected they were to the politics, religion, commerce, and upheavals of their respective eras. None of these artists are saints, each of them is flawed, and all of them had to struggle to bring their visions to life.

Of the eight artists profiled, the one that effected me the most was Mark Rothko, surprisingly. Part of this was due to the fact that I didn't know much about Rothko to begin with, and I'm not immediately drawn to abstraction. But in the episode Schama confesses that he himself wasn't an immediate admirer of Rothko, that he too had doubts. This admission opened up the possibility for me that there might be something more with Rothko's work that I'm not seeing, that even doubters can become believers. And sure enough, I discovered that within Rothko's work there is a sense of contemplation, that Rothko is creating a place and space for the viewer to be silent in a world that no longer allows it. Schama states that Rothko treats every viewer as a 'human being, and what other higher compliment could there be than that.' One would hope that all Art would attempt the same.

There are other high points. Caravaggio's episode is excellent, and the Van Gogh episode digs deeper to understand the artist's psyche beyond just the 'tortured genius' argument. Though Schama uses 'genius' anyway, and actually throws it about just a little too much with all of the artists. But no matter, Schama is in love with his subject, and that devotion is clear through each episode. His goal isn't necessarily to educate, but to open your eyes to the possiblities that Art possesses, not only in the past, but one would hope in the future as well.

City Pages Illustrations

2010-06-29T22:50:00.004-05:00

I made these illustrations for City Pages, a Minneapolis-St. Paul newsweekly, a month ago. All three were for an article about bad bus drivers. At first, I was going to have a unique bus driver for each illustration, but I decided to develop one character to use for all three, to bring some continuity to the illustrations.

Final Drawings and Thoughts on 'Lost'

2010-05-27T09:10:00.005-05:00

Looking back over the past few months of posts, it would appear that all this blog has become are 'Lost' sketches that I've done either for myself or for friends. And so today I say to you, these will be the FINAL 'Lost' related sketches that I post FOREVER!!!

Trust me, I've enjoyed doing them, but I think it's time to move on...

Locke/Man-in-Black/Smoke Monster
I have to say, this aspect of Season 6 was a personal favorite. I loved the various double-crossings and cons that went into this storyline, and I felt it shed some light on the series overall.

Hurley
A classic image from Season 1

Crazy Claire
I really enjoyed seeing the return of Claire, but I felt that she was
underused in the season overall. I wanted to know more about her whereabouts in the three years we didn't see, and how her relationship with the Smoke Monster developed over time, which had creepy written all over it.

As for the finale...I really liked how they resolved the Island storyline, and in fact I was surprised they wrapped it up as tightly as they did. There was an element of tragedy to it all, but hope as well. And I was surprised to see that the Island is literally a cork, which leads me to believe that Jacob had at some point gone down into that well to see what exactly was down there.

But the Sideways storyline...I'm still trying to get it. I've read other synopses about the finale, and more and more, my thoughts lean towards the negative. At the start of the season, I was really into it, but to find out that it didn't have a direct correlation with any of the events on the Island (such as the Incident in Season 5) was a bit disappointing. What always amazed me about the various seasons of 'Lost' was how well the writers brought everything together by the end of a season, everything just clicking into place. I didn't get that feeling this time around, and maybe that's what I'm missing.

Aside from my quibbles though, I'm grateful to the series. The creative team behind it made the story that they wanted to tell, and as a fellow storyteller, I find that inspiring. I'd like to think that my life is just a little richer for having seen and experienced this story, and met these characters. I may not have had faith in the series all the time, but at the very least it kept me entertained, and gave me quite a bit to think about it. There's a lot to be said for that, especially for a medium like television.

And so... Namaste.

MoCCA Thoughts (A Month Later)

2010-05-07T12:03:00.004-05:00

It's been a month since the MoCCA Comic Art Festival, and I have yet to put up anything publicly about the weekend. I guess it's taken awhile to process, and only now I have something really to say about it. Be forewarned, some of my observations may verge on cynical/depressive, but I think it's somewhat healthy to acknowledge some cons along with the pros of the convention.

Financially, the show was a disaster. I didn't come close to making back my table, let alone the money that I invested in producing books and swag for the show. But overall, I had a good time. It was my first chance to spend some quality time in New York since moving to the East coast, and I got to meet a few artists whose work I really admire. And I passed out a lot of promo cards for my webcomic and website, so hopefully this garnered some readership and will have some returns down the road.

And yet, I still have no idea what people look for when attending a convention. My tablemate had a small mini-comic about a cat that she was selling for $2, and she made a killing. People would come up, look at it, and literally become giddy right at the table because it was about a cat, and they had a cat, and they could relate to it. I'm not knocking it, it was a great comic and it deserved to be picked up by as many people as possible. But the lesson I took away was that you have to have something, whether a character or concept, that is simple enough for people to pick up and get immediately. That comic that you've been slaving over for months (or years) probably isn't going to cut it, and people are most likely going to stay away from long winded series unless they can get into it with a stand alone story. At the end of the day, people are still fanboys or fangirls. They may not be looking for Spider-Man or Iron Man material, but they still want something that they are familiar with.

Probably the best advice I got was from David Malki!, he of Wondermark fame. First, he said that you should become really good at what you're making. Master it, keep at it, and it will eventually find its audience. Second, he said to wait before producing books or merchandise until people start asking for them. This way, you'll have some chance at selling your product, and you won't be stuck with an enormous bill. I honest to god wish I had heard this before the convention, because sure enough, I had a collection of my webcomic and t-shirts at my table, and the majority of them are now sitting in boxes in my apartment. Granted, I'll have this stuff for future conventions, but there's no guarantee I'll sell them there either. Sadly, it's now sort of expected that you have merchandise along with a webcomic, even before the comic itself has had enough time to gestate. In any case, David's advice was enormously helpful, and while our chat was brief, I'm glad I approached him and asked for his advice.

My one regret is not approaching more cartoonists at the convention, some of whom I had met years before. Granted, being an exhibitor at these things can sometimes prevent this, but in some ways I still feel isolated within the comics world, and sometimes I feel even more so after conventions. More and more I realize that I need to nurture the relationships I have within the larger comics community. I can't expect friendships and professional relationships to form overnight, especially when I'm only seeing these people maybe once or twice a year, if I'm fortunate enough, and so I need to take advantage of the opportunities as much as possible.

So, there you have it, my thoughts on MoCCA. Some good, some bad. Onto to the next one...

Oh, and Kate Beaton is awesome. She makes comics about history. READ THEM. Hark! A Vagrant

More 'Lost' Commissions

2010-05-04T11:13:00.005-05:00

Jack in the Hatch

The Smoke Monster/Man in Black

Charlie and Desmond in the Looking Glass

Another 'Lost' Commission - Two Lockes

2010-04-25T13:06:00.004-05:00

This 'Lost' commission requested by a friend offered me a unique challenge: showing two versions of John Locke together, one the actual person that we knew for 5 seasons, and his current incarnation as the Smoke Monster/Man in Black. Since we haven't actually seen the two Lockes side-by-side, I decided to go with a more symbolic route, kind of a battle for the soul of John Locke. It also gave me a chance to use two elements that were essential to the character of Locke, his handicap and his suitcase of knives.

And credit must be given where credit is due. The idea for the smoke-from-the eyes came from artist Jared Stumpenhorst. I first saw his 'Lost' illustrations at io9, and I thought this particular feature was inspiring, and would be appropriate for this illustration. I don't know if this would be considered sheer stealing, or perhaps a little creative borrowing. I hope it's the latter. Either way, please check out his work, it's really quite excellent: Jared Stumpenhorst-io9

'Lost' Sketch Commissions

2010-04-20T17:36:00.006-05:00

Recently, I've been doing some 'Lost' sketches for friends in commemoration of the final season that is quickly reaching its conclusion (May 23! Holy Smoke Monster!). I've been happy to oblige since I've been meaning to tackle the variety of characters that the show offers, and these first three have provided some unique opportunities and challenges.

Neil, aka 'Frogurt,'
aka the guy that gets shot with a flaming arrow in Season 5
(Don't know who Neil is? Don't worry, neither did I. Thank the internet for Lostpedia!)

Desmond and Daniel Faraday
from Season 5

Ben Linus
from Season 2
(At first, I was thinking of drawing Ben turning the wheel at the end of Season 4, but instead I went with his debut in Season 2, where he was a captive in the Hatch.)

There will most likely be more of these in the weeks ahead. This project has kind of bumped the 'Lost' kid comics from my plate, but I may get one or two more of those out before the end of the season. If only I could make time...

MoCCA Art Festival! This Weekend! April 10-11!

2010-04-08T18:32:00.004-05:00

This up and coming weekend, I'll have a table at the MoCCA Art Festival in New York City! I'll be sharing it with illustrator Ulana Zahajkewycz, who will be selling unique and delightful comics and art. If you're in the New York area, please stop by!

What will I be selling? Here's a rundown:
* 'The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Tracks 1-4'
* 2 'Toby & Sara' B-Sides: Visitors and Creme Brulee
* A sneak preview of the 'The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Meetings and Greetings'
* 'Supernova Lullaby: Every Galaxy has its Problems...' (a collection of the first year of the webcomic, brand new!)
* Buttons!
* T-Shirts!

For more info, please visit: http://www.moccany.com/content/mocca-festival

Hope to see you there!

Lost - Jacob's Cabin

2010-03-22T23:13:00.004-05:00

Another 'Lost' comic. I think the next one will feature Jack and Ben...I think...

Lost-The Hatch

2010-03-16T10:58:00.002-05:00

So, with the last season of 'Lost' in full swing, there's been a lot of fan art floating in the Inter-webs. I've been doing art based on the series over the past six seasons, but this is my latest contribution, and it's a bit different from my previous attempts. I'm going to try and do more of these in this style before the end of this season, but it depends on whether time permits. Don't worry, I'll come up with something!

Click on the image for a larger version.

The Making of Torex

2010-02-06T22:10:00.011-06:00

For a little over a year, I've been working on a webcomic called 'Supernova Lullaby.' The basic premise is to show the everyday problems of another galaxy, centered around a group of friends; the shy and neurotic Froiberg, the scientific genius Ogglethorpe, the overconfident Hurster, and his girlfriend the sweet but feisty Meranda. However, over the course of this time, the series has accrued its fair share of supporting characters, each with their own personality traits and distinct back stories.

One of these is Meranda's ex-boyfriend Torex. Torex has a become a central character in the current storyline 'Alien-kind's Best Friend.' Recently, I felt it necessary to remind the readers of the comic of the connection between Meranda and Torex, and when I linked to the previous comics that he appeared in, I happened upon the realization that his character design is now dramatically different.
Above is the first appearance of both Torex and Meranda, from the fifth installment of 'Supernova.' And below is the second appearance of Torex from the seventh week, where we witness Meranda's break-up with him.
This is how Torex appears now.
This is a pretty dramatic difference, even though several elements are similar. His neck still merges with his head, except his cranium is now wider. His nose is the same, and his hair is still composed of spikes, though they are drastically shorter than before. The most obvious change is the removal of the third eye.

So, what happened? What made me change his design and features? Why didn't I hold true to my previous rendering of the character. I think the following sketch holds a clue:
This was a sketch I drew at the Philadelphia Alternative Comic-Con back in September 2009. At the time, I was just beginning to think about the story for 'Alien-kind's Best Friend,' and I knew Torex was going to play a big part. I also knew that I wasn't terribly happy with Torex's previous design, and so I sought to change it. And this is where it all came together for me. The other thing that caused the change was 8 months, the time from when I first drew the character to the beginning of 'Alien-Kind's Best Friend.' In that span of time, I started thinking about the different kinds of aliens that made up this galaxy, and I wasn't sure how to make Torex's previous rendering fit in.
Am I just trying to let myself off the hook for this? Kind of. Should I have been more faithful to the continuity? Probably. But I think one of the great things about this series (which is still a very young series) is seeing how these characters develop, from both the storytelling and aesthetic aspects. And I think I recognized that I would need to change Torex in order to make him more appealing to draw. As I heard Scott McCloud say one time, if you're going to draw a character over and over, you better like to draw that character.

I hope that's reason enough.

From the universe of 'Supernova Lullaby'

2010-01-31T12:56:00.008-06:00

It's been a while since I posted (as always), so I thought I would pull some stuff from the sketchbooks that's been sitting around for a while. All of these come from the universe of 'Supernova Lullaby.' They may all lead to bigger and better things down the road, but for now, they're just sketches (albeit, a bit more elaborate than I am use to).

'The Watcher Zuba-elle announces the conception of Karsi Wipsi the Forsi, Son of Yoh Shaboh, to the Sacred Mother Esmer'ta.'

Preliminary poster for the film '200,00 Parsecs Under the Nebula,' based on the digi-novel by Jobel Vursus.

One of the many terrors of the planet Arkham 9-99
(My personal favorite!)

Sneak Peek: 'The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Meetings & Greetings'

2009-12-13T11:25:00.009-06:00

I decided to post some of my in-progress pages for Track 5 of 'The Ballad of Toby & Sara: Meetings & Greetings.' It's been more than a year since I released Tracks 1-4, and while I can give you multiple excuses for the long delay, ultimately, I think it's been beneficial to the comic. It gave me a chance to really think about where the series should go in terms of storytelling, and how the artwork would be integrated with this. If this analogy helps, Tracks 1-4 set the chess board for the story, and Track 5 is where we see the first moves of the characters.

Overall, Track 5 centers on the former archangel Raphael, known to the people he meets as Ray Azzarus. He arrived in Omaha at the end of Track 3, and we discovered the first impressions of his true identity in Track 4. While the mystery surrounding him won't be completely solved in this chapter, the connection between his past and present situation will hopefully be more clear to the reader, and how his presence will prove fateful to both Toby and Sara.

Also, one of the challenges that I faced in this chapter was portraying the ancient city of Nineveh, which plays a part in Raphael's past. I didn't want to treat it as some uber-exotic Oriental land of wonders, but give the city some element of plausibility . I've made every effort in my research to present it with a degree of accuracy, but I've had to take imaginative and artistic liberties in some places. Any suggestions for sources would be helpful, if you have any.

And of course Toby and Sara play a large role in the chapter. I tried to enlarge their respective worlds while not distracting too much from the main narrative force of the story, which is the introduction of Raphael to both Toby and Sara.

So, when will this chapter be complete? I'm aiming to have the next book ready in time for the MoCCA Art Festival in April. When it's ready, I'll let the readers of this blog know, and the finished comic will be posted to my Web site. Stay tuned...

A Couple More X-Men

2009-12-04T14:12:00.004-06:00

Finished the colors for two more X-Men sketches that I did some time ago.

Toad and Blob
For these characters, I was going for more of a disaffected youth vibe, hence the lack of any real costumes or uniforms. Just two guys with odd powers that have a chip on their shoulder. Also, I was thinking of Jorge Garcia (Hurley) from 'Lost' as a basis for Blob.

Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde)
When I originally did this drawing, I completely forgot about Lockheed, Kitty's pet alien dragon. I could dodge this and say this is from her 'pre-Lockheed' days, but something tells me that wouldn't cut it.

Some X-Men Drawings

2009-11-15T16:33:00.006-06:00

Things have been a little lite around the blog these days. I'm working on stuff, it's just stuff that isn't really intended for this blog. However, I was browsing through my 2009 Illustration folder, and came across a bunch of X-Men drawings I did earlier this year. A few of them had color added to them, and so I finished them up and posted them below.

Cyclops

Phoenix

Magneto
Nightcrawler

These were drawn at a pretty small size, around 4x5 on average, hence the simplicity in design and color. I have drawings ready for other characters like Wolverine, Rogue, and Sabretooth, so I'll have to find some time to finish those up and add them to this collection.

The 'Toby & Sara' crew by Danno Klonowski

2009-09-26T21:06:00.004-05:00

Some time ago, comic artist extraordinaire Danno Klonowski made a great drawing of Toby, Sara, Raphael, and Company, and I've been horribly, horribly delayed in posting it.

Danno is simply put one of the most prolific indie creators I know, and you can find more of his work at Staplegenius.com(ics). He writes and draws 'Manly Tales of Cowardice' (a great cross between Indiana Jones-style adventure and Venture Bros.-style humor), draws 'Tommy Chicago,' is a contributor to 'False Witness: The Michele Bachmann Story.' and...the list goes on! Thanks Danno!

(And for those wondering...the next installment of 'Toby & Sara' is on its way. Your patience has been appreciated, and I hope the wait will be worth it! All I can say right now is that it'll be 45 pages, and it will include some fateful meetings between the characters introduced in the previous installments. Keep your eyes peeled...)

A 'Toby & Sara' B-side: Creme Brulee

2009-08-23T11:36:00.004-05:00

My longer comic narrative 'The Ballad of Toby & Sara' has taken a back seat due to some recent projects, namely 'Supernova Lullaby.' I wish it wasn't the case, I wish I had the time to work on them side by side, but it just hasn't worked out that way. However, I recently completed a B-side for the story, a comic that takes place a couple years prior to the beginning of the series, and which fills in some of the blanks for the heroine Sara Reynolds. You can read it online for FREE at my website, just click on the image below.
The location of the comic, Delice Bakery in Omaha, Nebraska, actually closed its doors in the Old Market earlier this summer. It was a great place, I remember getting delicious sandwiches there when I worked at a gallery in downtown. I never expected it to close, in many ways it felt like a cornerstone of the neighborhood. So, I guess this comic is a tribute to it, even though that wasn't my intention when I started it...

Summer Projects

2009-08-20T12:01:00.008-05:00

It's been somewhat quiet here on the blog since I'm preparing for a cross-country move, but I have quite a few projects to post. Some I started early in the summer, but a couple were surprises that popped up during the summer.

The big one though is a watercolor painting that was commissioned by a friend of mine, and is now in his possession. I was a bit nervous starting this one since I haven't done a lot of work with watercolor, especially at this size, but I found it really enjoyable. After getting feedback from a number of people, I think it may have opened some creative doors for me. Below: 'Henry O'Sullivan's.'
Next, Seth From Somewhere commissioned another travel illustration, this one for the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I think as far as sheer technique goes, there was a lot of development between this one and the previous ones I did for him earlier this year. I'm working more with shadows and highlights, and I think this is giving a lot more depth to my computer illustrations.

'Henry O'Sullivan's' - In Progress

2009-07-22T13:14:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to give a quick update on the progress of the painting commission I'm working on. A couple months back, I posted pics of the drawing, and I've been hard at work on the final version. Yesterday, I think I turned a corner when I added a wet-on-wet layer to the background and ceiling, and I think it really helps to create a look and atmosphere for the painting. Below are a few pics of the painting at this stage.

Yep, due to my living situation for the summer, I'm painting this on the floor. It's not as bad as it might look, but I definitely need to give my legs a break every now and then.

I'm just now starting to tackle the people in the background, who will have a little less detail than the foreground characters. At first, I was reluctant to add the ink outlines, but I think it helps to tie everything together, and is just an aspect of my style that I can't let go of.
A detail. The picture is a bit brighter than the actual painting, but this gives you an idea of the texture on the walls and ceiling.

There's still a ways to go, but I'm confident that this can be completed by mid-August. Just gotta keep chipping away...

The Brothers Bloom

2009-07-15T21:13:00.003-05:00

So, I've been racking my brains trying to come up with a personal illustration for the movie 'The Brothers Bloom.' I really enjoyed the movie, and thought that it got written off too soon as a Wes Anderson knock off. While director Rian Johnson may have used some similar stylistic choices, I thought it aimed for something different than Anderson's movies, especially in regards to storytelling and how certain personalities try to control their own lives through story.

But back to the illustration...I did this drawing in my sketchbook, and while I don't see this as being the final illustration, I do think this gives me something to work around. I may include some close ups of the two female leads, Penelope and Bang Bang, as well as a playing card motif. We'll see...

Little Funny, & the return of 'Dear Friends'

2009-07-15T17:55:00.003-05:00

As part of the 'Big Funny' gallery show opening on August 7, the Cartoonist Conspiracy is also debuting 'Little Funny,' small accordion comics that you can buy for....well, cheap. You can find my two contributions below, which feature the return of 'Dear Friends,' and a celebrity guest. Don't ask why, I just do...

Since the nature of these is so small (each panel is 1.5" x 2"), I kept it pretty lo-fi, and there wasn't much room for corrections, so I hope the 'humor' makes up for the questionable drawing. To find the inspiration for these comics, you can go to none other than the New York Times.

Mike Sgier Prints and Art Etsy Store

2009-07-03T14:48:00.004-05:00

I finally got around to starting an Etsy store, which you can find at this address:

msgier.etsy.com

So far I have 9 items for sale, a mix of older relief prints from my pre-grad school days, and some recent digital prints from my 'Supernova Lullaby' webcomic. Here's a sneak peek at some of the art for sale:
Browse around, and enjoy! Thanks!

Club Batman Spain Drawing

2009-07-03T14:24:00.004-05:00

A few months back, I was contacted by a group called Club Batman Spain, and was invited to submit a drawing for their blog. It took a while to finish, but a couple weeks back they posted it, and I thought I would post it here for my other national and international viewers.

To see the original post on their blog, follow this link: Club Batman Spain

And please check out the rest of their blog, there's some great art posted!

Reading Comics - June 2009

2009-06-16T16:23:00.008-05:00

It's been some time since I posted any comic reviews, but trust me, I've been reading away, and sure enough I have some thoughts on them.

Bone - The Complete Series
'Bone' is one of those comics that I credit for bringing me into comics. I can remember ordering back issues directly from Cartoon Books (mostly for 5th or 6th printings), and waiting almost a month for the comics to arrive at my door. I'd even buy the trade paperbacks just to have, and at the bottom of my drawers are still a couple t-shirts that I bought, and then was too embarassed to wear them.

And as time went on, and Mr. Smith changed publishers, and the release schedule became more erratic, the series disappeared from my radar, only to resurface towards the end of the complete run. Fortunately, the enormous volume that comprises the entire series makes it easy to digest the story without having to wait or switch between trade collections.

First and foremost, 'Bone' makes it clear that Jeff Smith is one of the great cartoonists working today. Even starting out, his skills were sharp and well-crafted, but as the story moves along, his line and character design become more refined and precise, but without losing that cartoon influence. And by finishing the series, Smith has given comics a tried and true epic, one that surpasses 1,000 pages, and stands up there with the likes of 'Cerebus' (an irony, I know, considering Smith's feud with Dave Sim.)

Story elements like the Great Cow Race, Fone Bone's fascination with Moby Dick, and the suspense surrounding Phoney Bone's involvement with the Hooded One and the Lord of the Locusts are sure to stand out as classics in comics literature. But I have to say, almost with some resignation, that the first half of the series stands better than the second half. This isn't to say it's bad by any means, it still is great comics storytelling, but once Phoney's involvement with the Hooded One is revealed, the story falls into its fantasy mythos, which feels borrowed rather than original. The Bone cousins become supporting characters in events that are far from their own making, and Thorn becomes a warrior princess with almost limitless powers (which apparently suck away any shred of personality). Things pick up a little bit when Phoney and Smiley go back to scheming in Atheia, but at that point the epic narrative is well under way, and this small episode becomes swallowed by something far larger.

Is 'Bone' essential? Absolutely, this a huge achievement within the realm of comics and comics literature. 'Bone' itself is a product of comics' struggle to break free from the grip of the superhero mainstream, and has definitely had a hand in the creation of the modern day 'graphic novel.' It's just a shame that the spark that initially started the whole adventure of the Bone cousins gets lost along the way.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Century: 1910
Alan Moore, Kevin O'Neill, and the League are back (and this time at Top Shelf Comics)! Dealing with an occult society, and the return of a serial killer to London, Mina Murray leads a new version of the League in the wake of the failed Martian Invasion from Volume 2. Among the new crew are Alan Quatermain Jr. (Alan Quatermain Sr. rejuvenated), the gender bender Orlando, the pschic Carnacki, and the reformed burglar Raffles (could the League exist without Wikipedia today?)

Since this is the first in a longer series, I feel I can only give impressions. O' Neill's art as always captures the neo-Victorian period perfectly, while at the same time developing a certain hand for parody that wasn't as evident in the earlier stories. And Moore brings his interests in the occult and the Jack the Ripper killings into the League's world, but without giving them a fitting conclusion, in this chapter at least. And as before, a sexually risque, bawdy, and sometime brutal quality permeates the story, but it's hard to say if this will have an effect on the larger story, or if it's just the after effects of Moore's 'Lost Girls.'

Above all else, it seems clear Moore is making these Victorian characters more of his own. He's less interested in planting them to their roots in the 19th century, and more inclined to see how they would have operated in the tumultuous events of the 20th century. He has a good start, and I'm eager to see where he goes.
(Writer's note: I haven't read 'Black Dossier' yet. Trust me, it's on deck.)

Jamilti, and other stories
This is my first encounter with Rutu Modan's work, and I certainly wish I had found it sooner. The stories in this collection, made between 1998-2007, reveal an artist experimenting with her craft, and developing a storyteller's voice within the comics medium. Many of the comics are made with a clean, spare line, but they're drawn with such command that they exude character. And even though the color is muted when it is used, it brings texture and depth to the stories.

While many of the stories are set within Israel, they don't deal with the many conflicts in the Middle East directly. Modan's stories are more concerned with the personal stories of her characters, and the strange, sad, and tragic events that befall them, helping them to reveal hidden strengths. This isn't to say Modan ignores the geo-political conflicts, they hover on the periphery, always waiting to intrude on the characters, whether a stolen plane flying from Lebanon ('Homecoming'), or a suicide bomber mistaken for a victim in the title story, 'Jamilti.' While something like Joe Sacco's 'Palestine' is more political in nature, examining the forces that lead people into a social and cultural stalemate, they do share a common thread, I think, in examining the repercussions of living with the knowledge of terror.

The last story in the collection, 'Your Number One Fan,' shows Modan finding her strongest voice. Using a style similar to Herge's, she tells a story about identity, loss, culture clashes, and expectations through the experiences of an Israeli musician visiting England. Both he and his 'fan' are looking for different kinds of acceptance, only to find it in the unlikely, and possibly wrong, places. It's a fitting end to the collection, and prepares us for what I'm sure is going to be a fruitful career of stories.

What's on deck:
'Crime and Punishment' by Fyodor Dostoevsky - what, you thought I only read comics?
'A Princess of Mars' by Edgar Rice Burroughs - because it's summer, and I need something to balance out the above.
'Concrete Volume 1' by Paul Chadwick
'Maakies Volume 1' by Tony Millionaire -dook dook dook dook dook dook
'T-Minus' by Jim Ottaviani, Zander Cannon, and Kevin Cannon

Summer Commission

2009-06-06T11:09:00.004-05:00

It's been pretty quiet here on this blog, and I apologize for that. Comics and drawings are happening, trust me, but I guess they're just not ready enough for posting.

So, I thought I would go ahead and share what will be my big summer project. A good friend in Iowa City commissioned me to create a couple paintings some time ago, and I'm now finally able to do the finished artwork for the first one. He gave me nearly complete creative control, so I was able to make something that fit my aesthetic, but also appealed to his tastes. The drawing for the first painting is below:

The subject matter is actually reminiscent of some of my older relief prints, where I would do large scenes of characters in urban settings. In this case, the time period is a bit different (late 19th/early 20th century), and in a rare instance, all of the characters are human. The final painting will be watercolor at about 17" x 35." Like I said, a summer project. I'll post process photos as the painting develops.

My 'God' Comic

2009-05-07T21:23:00.003-05:00

It seems that God is a fairly popular subject among cartoonists, whether as an object of reverence, or as a source of hypocrisy and control. More often the Almighty becomes a mask for the cartoonist to use to espouse some viewpoint of the world, which boils down to his depressed state in it.

Alas, I too once had aspirations of doing a 'God' comic. While in grad school, I began to work on some pages in my sketchbook with God as a main character, keeping the story spontaneous and without forethought. I think I had some kind of mythic Campbell-ian ideas in mind, where all gods are really one and what not. And as you can see, I got reeeally far (3 pages! Phew!)

But I recently found these pages again as I skimmed through my old sketchbooks, and while they are pretty rough, I still think they're quite enjoyable, and that there is a lot of potential there. And so, I share these with you, dear Web surfer. There may be more to come...

Super Fantastica Comix Review!

2009-04-29T16:57:00.002-05:00

A comics anthology that I have work in, 'Super Fantastica Comix 2009,' received a shout out on the popular Web site Ain't It Cool News. Please check it out, and if you have a spare $8, please buy a copy of the book!

Ain't It Cool News
bewilderedkid Store

And to entice you even more, you can read my contribution at my Web site:
Science Fair Goes ZAP!!!

Some Follow Ups...

2009-04-26T20:41:00.005-05:00

I posted these images in an earlier post, but I've done a little work on them since then. Above is the color version of the Poison Ivy illustration. Special thanks go out to Nicholas Straight (blog: Drawmit!), who did a preliminary color design that helped me formulate the final colors. And below is the Two-Face illustration, which originally had three tones in the background. Thanks go out to Jordan Delmundo (blog: Brown on the Towne) for the recommendation!

MCBA Microcon This Sunday!

2009-04-20T13:07:00.004-05:00

MCBA MICROCON COMIC BOOK PARTY

SUNDAY APRIL 26TH 2009 - 10AM TO 4PM
Minnesota State Fairgrounds - Progress Center

1621 Randall Ave - Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108

If you're in the Twin Cities area, stop on by for some comic book goodness to usher in spring. I'll have my own table where I'll be selling 'Supernova Lullaby' and 'Toby & Sara' swag, as well as helping out at the Cartoonist Conspiracy table. Thanks everyone!

More info at : MCBA Microcon 2009

More Batman Villains

2009-04-15T00:01:00.004-05:00

Things have been a little quiet around the blog as of late. I've actually been busy for the first time in a long time, with a number of projects converging all at once (and some of them not of my own doing, i.e. I have a client. Woohoo!). However, I find time to do some recreational drawing (a gateway habit, I know), and I'm working on a couple more Batman villain pinups for Microcon coming up the last weekend of April. Both of these originated as smaller, cruder sketches, but I liked them enough to do more finished pieces.

Two-Face - pen & ink with ink wash

I really like the way this turned out! The inks were crisp and solid, partly I think due to the Vellum Bristol, and I'm becoming more comfortable with the ink washes. And here's a factoid: I based the Harvey half of Two-Face on the actor Dominic West, best known for the character of McNulty on 'The Wire.'

Poison Ivy - pen & ink

I've been itching to do this one for a while now, even though I tend to avoid floral settings. I'm tempted to do an ink wash on this one as well, but I'm thinking color would also be a good addition. Should I do both, and then compare? DO I DARE?!?

So there you have it. I am alive and well. More after these messages.

Cutesy but not Cutesy

2009-03-30T09:23:00.005-05:00

When I was visiting Philadelphia a week ago, I had the distinct honor of meeting Cutesy but not Cutesy's Diane Koss. In case you don't know, Diane makes monsters...

These are just a few of her creations. While reminiscent of Dr. Seuss crossed with 'Where the Wild Things Are,' these are truly Diane's characters, and once you see the sheer number of them, I think you'll agree. Oh, and did I mention she makes them by hand? Yep, each one handmade, by her hands. Small, medium, and large.

While her work is most readily available at various craft fairs, lucky for you she has an Etsy online store. So please visit and browse around:

www.cutesybutnotcutesy.com

Obama's People

2009-03-15T13:25:00.005-05:00

Another small project I've been working on is portraits of the new administration. Nadav Kander's photos from the New York Times Magazine served as good source material, and below is a small sampling of what I've done up to this point:

Big Funny Sneak Preview

2009-03-15T13:18:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything, but that's because I've been in the midst of some big projects. One of them is Big Funny, a local Minneapolis endeavor, and I've posted the final pencils for my submissions above. These are big, about 19x24, though the final printed anthology will be 16x20. They may be a little hard to read, but hopefully they'll give you an idea of what the final pages will be like.

Sketchbook Project! Last Round!

2009-02-25T17:24:00.006-06:00

Last group of pics from my Sketchbook Project submission, this time focusing on some space-scapes from 'Supernova Lullaby.' The show itself opens this Friday in Atlanta, Georgia at the Art House Gallery. For a complete list of cities and dates, please visit their Web site: Art House

These last two kind of snuck in. I liked them, but I didn't have the space to draw more superhero images.

Yes, I'm on Twitter

2009-02-25T17:16:00.001-06:00

Total immersion in the internets continues. Follow me on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/msgier

Thank you!

More Sketchbook Project

2009-02-18T23:42:00.005-06:00

It may have been a small sketchbook, but there were a lot of pages. More from my Sketchbook Project submission:

Most of these characters I was trying to work with in my first year of grad school, but the criticism I received wasn't very helpful, or it tended to be negative, so I scraped them. Of course, now that I'm out of school, I have a better understanding of them, so I guess it wasn't all bad. You can now find them in my mini-comic strip 'Dear Friends,' which is part of Supernova Lullaby.

More Sketchbook Project Images

2009-02-12T13:39:00.005-06:00

Thought I would go ahead and post a few more images to my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project, which will be starting its exhibition tour in a couple weeks. These are a collection of images featuring characters from my comic series 'Toby & Sara.'

Cold Floor, Warm Hearts

Spying from the Balcony: Toby and his roommates, the Crooks Sisters

Cross Culture Love Affair: Guanyin and Rapha-el

Sara's Boring Day

Ah, 'Toby & Sara.' To those who have supported the series up to this point, I promise you more stories are on the way. It's just been taking me longer than I anticipated, and every week some new project pops up that seems to take priority. Hang in there!

'The Island at the End of the World' Book Cover

2009-02-11T16:46:00.003-06:00

So, a few months back, a friend posted a link for a contest to design a book cover. Unfortunately, the contest was over by then, and the site now shows the results of the contest. But, the story and idea intrigued me enough to go ahead and create my own cover for the book. And after fighting with the design for a few months, I think I've come to a point where I'm finally satisfied with the result.

It definitely posed some challenges for me. One was that I was working with ink washes, which I've rarely done. I also had difficulty with the type, redoing the font a couple times. And the illustration, for a long time, was cast in a blue-green tone, but changing it to a golden tone seems to have helped out a great deal. There were also conceptual issues. The contest didn't give a lot of details on the characters, but since my design was so focused on them, I had to take some chances and hope that in the end I got their appearances right.

I'm a big book reader, and doing book illustration has long been a dream of mine. You don't see a lot of it done outside of childrens books and comics, but who knows, maybe one day there will be a rebirth. And I hope I can be a part of it.

Illustration Friday-Time

2009-02-09T11:50:00.003-06:00

A late entry for the Illustration Friday them 'Time.' Since I'm currently working on a Web comic about aliens called Supernova Lullaby, I asked myself what time would look like in an alien civilization. And by the look of the watchmaker, it would appear to be very confusing.

Seth from Somewhere

2009-02-06T13:58:00.003-06:00

I've been working on a couple images for friend of the blog Seth Brooks. He's putting together a web site of his various world travels, and wanted to have some illustrations done in the style of old travel posters. Here are the first two, with two more on the way:

Please visit his site at Seth from Somewhere. He's been to some amazing places, and he has a lot of photographs to gaze upon.

Sketchbook Project part 1

2009-02-05T12:23:00.004-06:00

So, later this month I'll be participating in the Sketchbook Project, a traveling art exhibition sponsored by Art House (you can find a listing of the cities and dates here.) I sent in my book this week, a 3x5 Moleskine, and I thought I would post images from it periodically. I didn't start out with much of any idea for the book, but as time went on I started telling little stories about characters, sometimes across multiple spreads. This round of images will focus on the story of the Minotaur and Medusa, two monsters whose last chance for happiness may be with each other:

Illustration Friday-Climbing

2009-01-24T17:56:00.005-06:00

I don't know why, but I must have Middle Earth on my mind these days. I haven't read the books in ages, and I haven't seen the movies in recent memory. But this is the second week in a row where I've illustrated an IF topic with 'Lord of the Rings' subject matter. In this case, the climb up the stairs of Cirith Ungol, with Gollum, Frodo, and Sam.

Illustration Friday-'Pale'

2009-01-18T18:29:00.002-06:00

When I saw this week's topic, I immediately thought of Gollum, from 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord of the Rings,' hiding in his cave with the Ring of Power.

Tribute to Atlantis Lad

2009-01-17T11:23:00.004-06:00

Just a little something to show that I haven't forgotten about this blog. I recently did a drawing of Atlantis Lad, from Danno Klonowski's 'Manly Tales of Cowardice.' You can find more of Danno's comics here: Staple Genius. Danno's a key member of the Cartoonist Conspiracy here in Minneapolis, and a prolific creator of mini-comics. Thanks Danno!

'Supernova Lullaby' premieres Friday, January 9!

2009-01-07T21:15:00.003-06:00

As part of the big plans for 2009, I'm starting a weekly Web comic called 'Supernova Lullaby' starting this Friday. You can find it at this address:

http://supernovalullaby.blogspot.com/

Stop by then, and if you like what you see, please consider becoming a Follower (for Blogspot users), or subscribe through an RSS Feed like Google Reader. Thanks for your support, hope you like it!

Season's Best

2008-12-18T22:15:00.001-06:00

Jenny Lewis

2008-12-05T11:12:00.005-06:00

I made this drawing some time ago, thinking that I would make it into a faux concert poster. Alas, it fell to the wayside on my Flash drive, but I decided recently that it was worth at least bringing to some form of completion. Pen and ink drawing, with digital coloring and modification in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday-Opinion ('The Senators Discuss Over Coffee')

2008-11-26T20:57:00.002-06:00

A late entry for Illustration Friday. I was out of town last weekend, hence the delay.