The Happy Couple

 I just finished this illustration from a pencil sketch and thumbnail sketch, done on my iPhone, that I drew last week at an Illustration Club I'm involved with.

The sketches.

Old Salt - Final Version!

First of all, I want to thank everyone who lent a critical eye to the first two versions of this illustration! I got a lot of great suggestions and you can see some of them employed in this version.

This is going to be my final pass at "Old Salt". I'm much happier with it than the previous versions which can be seen here and here. The water was originally a problem for me. I had to remind myself that the new style I'm working on is in a "Cartoon Modern" style. So, I took a design approach to the water. I think it fits the style I'm going for much better and gives the water much more life than it had previously.

At first I wasn't sold on the idea of putting anything additional into the background, but I thought I'd explore it anyway by putting land and a lighthouse in the distance (per the suggestion of a couple comments). I could always take it out if I didn't like it. As it turns out, this was a great suggestion and I think it really helped the piece come together.

I originally colored this illustration with a monochromatic, almost black & white, color scheme is because I wanted to it to feel older than a current illustration. After I had redone the water and added the background, I was fairly happy with the piece. But... it didn't feel "vintage" enough. So, I added a grungy paper texture to it. That sold this piece for me and now I feel confident calling it done.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out with critiques and suggestions! I totally appreciate it!!!

Old Salt - Revisited

Here is a repost of my illustration titled "Old Salt". I wasn't exactly happy with the way the water came out on the first version, so I decided to go back into it again. I'm hoping to make this piece portfolio worthy and the water seemed like it was holding it back. Constructive criticism is welcomed. Thanks!

Marvel's Super Hero Squad

Now that the NDA is over, I thought I'd share a couple pieces I illustrated last year, for a children's card game, for The Marvel Super Hero Squad property. I played the role of the inker and/or colorist on most of the cards I had a hand in completing, but these two are all mine. I particularly had fun working on The Thing.

These images are © and ™ Marvel Entertainment.

Old Salt

Here's another new illustration for my newly styled portfolio. For this one, I wanted to try to do two things I haven't done much of. The first thing was to do a subtle monochromatic color scheme, almost black & white. I'm fairly happy with how that turned out. The second thing I wanted to try was water. I think I did it well enough for the purpose of this illustration, but I probably have a lot more to learn about rendering water.

T.V. Party

I'm still plugging away, working on a new style for my portfolio. So, I'm finding ways to create assignments for myself and this illustration came about from playing a bit of word association so to speak.

I ran across a photo of some punks sitting outside on an old couch watching as punks and riot cops were battling in the streets of Hanover, Germany. That image made me think of Black Flag's song T.V. Party since the punks in the photo looked as if they could be watching television.

The photo that inspired this illustration by timphotos24

I liked the idea of the punks watching T.V. outside, but I wanted to put them in a more positive setting than a riot. I'm currently living in the Pacific Northwest, so, a forest seemed like a good place to use as the back drop for this illustration. Plus, I felt that this would add interest to the piece as a forest doesn't seem like a common place to watch television.

Lastly, some of the lyrics from the Black Flag song are, " We've got nothing better to do, than watch T.V. and have a couple of brews..." One of the markets I plan on pursuing with my new portfolio is children's books. Therefore, I shouldn't have these young punks drinking beer... hmmm... ah yes! Juice boxes, healthy delicious juice! So, that was the final element to tie this illustration together.

Recycling - "Buzz and Franky"

The new one.

The old one.

It pays to keep old work around. As I've been working on my new portfolio and following the new direction my illustration has taken, I've been creating assignments for myself. I want my new works to be super fun, so today I thought I'd take the opportunity to simply create in the spirit of play. That's when I came across a quick inked-sketch I did around this time last year. After seeing this sketch again, I thought, "Man, this'll be fun to redo." So, what you see here is the new version of that recycled sketch. For those who may not know, the subject is Buzz and Frankenstein Jr. from one of my favorite 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoons called Frankenstein Jr. and the Impossibles.

Dai Kaiju Rock City

I've been diligently working on a new portfolio to reflect the new direction, influenced by the "cartoon modern" style,  that my illustration has been taking. Here is a piece I just finished that may or may not make it to my portfolio. I'll know better after I've done some more.

Click the image for a larger view.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 30 !!!

The nihilistic Nora smells like coffee and is here to remind us that "30 Characters in 30 Days 2010" has come to an end.

Congratulations to everyone who finished this challenge!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 29

When the fun-loving ecologist, William Fowl, saved a family of ducks from the shotgun blasts of the super-villain Dick Cheney, an ancient Duck God rewarded Fowl by bestowing him with the powers of the duck. Mister Fowl was also given the power to shoot lasers from his eyes, because as the Duck God said, " I just think lasers are cool." William Fowl now fights for the powers of right and justice as Laser Bill!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 28

Raquel is just as adept at hunting a gnarly saber-tooth as she is on the runway. Wow, man... she's the most!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 27

I'd love to describe Ripper Shreds to you, but Suicidal Tendencies do such a good job in their lyrics to "Possessed to Skate" :

"Seemed like such an innocent toy
Got a skate at eight years old
He was the All-American boy
Now the story can be told

Beware he's possessed to skate!

Skating takes him up in height
He's a pilot on a modern flight
See him flying through the air

If he don't land then he don't care
 
When he skates-he skates
Cause he never hesitates
Cause he rips-he rips
Like a modern gladiator ain't got no fears
He's the wizard on the wheels
So skate

He shoots the pool like a launching pad
Skating is all that's on his mind
If it ain't insane then you can't get rad
He's skating radical all the time

Beware he's possessed to skate!

Six foot airiels inverts backside
Looks like a magic carpet ride

Optical illusion it must be
He redefines insanity

Doesn't understand why you'd wanna walk
Ain't got time to sit and talk
Used to be just like you and me

Now he's an outcast of society
Beware he's possessed to skate!"

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 26

In the dead of night, The Oxoloxo strode into town. Some folks say that she is one of the legendary titans of the ancient world. Regardless, many believe she is the harbinger of humanity's doom. The truth is... The Oxoloxo just wants to party.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 25

In 1954, Slammo Incorporated introduced the Proto-Serve 2000. A robot that they claimed to be the most important household appliance money could buy. A radio spot for this product boasted that the Proto-Serve "cooks, cleans, and crushes your enemies with ease". Production on the Proto-Serve 2000 models ended in early 1955 due to shoddy craftsmanship. In 2011, Slammo will reintroduce this product to the world as the Proto-Serve 3000. None of the specs have changed.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 24

I'll tell ya... Persnickety Jones don't like nuthin'!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 23

Don't let that charismatic smile or calming Southern drawl fool you, Dickie Texas is nothing but a philandering scoundrel. Hide your wallets and women-folk when he comes to town.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 22

The happy-go-lucky Leona Hopkins beat a murder wrap way back in '74 when she was accused of eating children at the daycare center she worked at. Miss Hopkins is currently working as a counselor at the Shady Water Summer Camp. Recently, campers have been found half eaten.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 21

For centuries, Count Grimmy was the Scourge of Europe. Now a tad senile, his reign of terror has been reduced to nothing more than goosing the bottoms of unsuspecting passersby. Additionally, Count Grimmy, finds Matlock to be quite an enjoyable program.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 19

Mr. Bobbles, AKA The Fizz Whizz, is the spokesman for the Fizzie Soda Company. Some of his catch phrases that can be found on television commercials and radio jingles are "Where the Fizz izz!", "It's Fizz-tastic!", and the less imaginative "It tickles my nose!".

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 18

Ever since the recession hit,
Mildred has been quite a malcontent.
She's been sad for so long,
That her back got bent.