Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Don't Be a Menace to Brokeback Mountain While Sipping Your Perrier in the Hood

For Toro magazine's review of Brokeback Mountain.

Also for Toro, one of a series of icons for campy movies. This will probably print no larger than a dime.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Archives: Polynesian Girl

Here's one from the archives. When I was getting set to go freelance, I took 2 illustrations to turn into promotional postcards. I created this one in Painter, a program I probably haven't touched since.

Years prior to creating this, while I was in Hawaii, I visited an antique shop. I saw a print of Soonie's Rose by Margaret Keane, and it really made an impression on me. I think it served to inspire this drawing.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

X Press Yourself, No More

The Ottawa X Press axed my political cartoon. Evidently, I fell victim to restructuring and cutbacks at the paper.

Does this mean the end of my political cartoons? Perhaps not... stay tuned.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Evolution of a Character

I'm currently working on a project that requires a character of a 12-year old girl. The first sketch I did (and submitted) was done in my "signature" kids' style.


While rendering her, I began to think the lines could be simplified. I drew inspiration for the rework from the "Dora the Explorer" character.


I ended up with a final rendering very close to this reworked sketch, but added length to her legs to make her a bit older. I don't suppose she's quite 12 yet... maybe more like 8? But I don't think it matters too much.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Emporharper and Darth Emerson?

I know, I know... it's usually Darth Harper. But now he has an apprentice!

I feel like there was a missed opportunity this week. I really wish I had done a cartoon on the uproar over the Muhammed cartoon, but I didn't develop an idea in time. Now I have 2 ideas. I might draw them to post here.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Whitman Inked

That was one long day of blogging. A few things to correct on this one, but otherwise, we're good to go. Good night, Beautiful Dreamer.
zzzzzzz

Thursday, February 02, 2006

He-Man: Part 3

I have to say I rarely sweat anatomy this much, but these legs were really bothering me, and I was determined to get them right. Or almost right... basically, to the point that I could live with them. I also figured it would be good practice.

So here are the many embarrassing stages of He-Man's legs, for your edutainment. There are aspects I like in each of them, but they usually didn't work harmoniously.

A This is the first sketch I made, which came before He-Man: Part 2.

As you can see, I would have needed to pivot his torso in Photoshop to match properly. These legs reminded me too much of the Hulk, and I opted instead to put him in his boots (as he appeared in the cartoon) rather than barefoot.

B I was trying to get different angles on his legs to give him a broad, foreshortened stance, but it just ended up looking like he was perched on something, so I drew a rock for his foot.

If you notice on the left leg, I corrected a line there that belonged over his calf and not under.

C With this one, he wasn't looking as squat as I wanted. I couldn't figure out which way his right foot should be pointing. Duh. As I once told my friend, fellow illustrator Mike Faille, I sometimes find I have drawn something the complete opposite of what it should be. He had no idea what I was talking about.

On it's own, I like his left leg.

D Now I was quite happy with this one, and was almost prepared to stop. It's a pose befitting his torso, and the entire shape of the character is pleasing. Except, it felt like a cheat... I hadn't truly solved the problem of drawing his legs, so I decided to go at it again.

E Voila! The winner. Again, still a few things to fix up, but I'm happy enough with this one to call it quits.

Slim Whitman

If you know old-time country music, you know Slim Whitman. If you don't, make it your mission to find a copy of Slim singing, "Una Paloma Blanca", "Beautiful Dreamer" and "Danny Boy". You'll thank me.

He-Man: Part 2

I've decided to take He-Man to final art, so I finished sketching his body. I often struggle to get legs looking right.... even bloated, muscley cartoon ones. This was actually my second attempt, and I'm still not super happy with it. His chest strap is all wrong, too. I'll try to make corrections when I ink it. Stay tuned.


Ottawa X Press

Every Tuesday, I illustrate a political cartoon for the local newsweekly, Ottawa X Press. The new cartoons are posted on their website each Thursday morning. I invite you to stop by and leave your comments!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

New Year's Resolution & He-Man


This year, I made it my new year's resolution to start sketching and drawing more — just for pleasure.

A blog seemed like a good venue for showing some of my sketch work... stuff that's probably not destined for my portfolio, but stuff I still think is worthy of being seen. Your comments are welcome and appreciated!

Here's He-Man: