More life drawing

My weekly life drawing sessions are through the Oklahom Art Guild. The guild rents a building on the Oklahoma fairgrounds. Since the fair is in September, the guild cannot use their 'headquarters' during sept.

So for september there is no figure drawing classes. This will give me time to work on my Structure of Man lessons.

Meanwhile here are some more life drawings.

At one point I left the room during the session. As I was leaving, a lady asked me if she could look at my sketchpad. When I came back, about half the group was gathered around my pad, raving about my art.

I hadn't really show the other artists too much of my work. They are all either Fine Artists or Art instructors, I don't really feel I'm in the same boat as them. Plus, it's not like I'm going to hold out my pad and say "Look at this!"

Maybe I should because I was pretty stoked that everybody liked my art!

I am reading a book "Talent is Never Enough" and the first chapter is about belief in yourself.

I can feel my confidence growing daily!

BUSTED!!

I've been meaning to upload this ever since the Chicago Comic Con. It seems writer D.L. "They'll Never take Me Alive" Nelson wasn't too familar with the rule for flying during the War on Terror.

Just remember kiddies, when a guy in uniform pulls on rubber gloves, RUN!

Also remember: It is illegal to photograph a TSA Security checkpoint!

Anatomy Lessons

I am going through the video series "The Structure of Man". I am very optimistic that this is helping me. There are 227 videos in the series. It works out to 43 hours, which may sound like a lot, but based on the response I got in Chicago, if it helps me improve my anatomy it will be time well spent.

After all, I had been told if I could improve my anatomy I would get work in comics. That is a strong incintive to plow through the videos!

I'm not sure I will post ALL the videos, but this should give you an idea what they start out like.

You can check out the videos here:

http://thestructureofmandvd.blogspot.com/

August 14 Life Drawing session

After having the Marvel editor tell me to work on my anatomy and CB tell me I should post more art on my blog I decided I would combine the two and post work from my Tuesday night figure drawing sessions.



The sessions are for members of the Oklahoma Art Guild and held at the City Arts Center on the fair grounds (in case anybody is in the Okc area reads this and wants to attend.)



I had been going pretty regular for awhile, but I always get sidetracked with something. This time it was finishing up the Daredevil pages for Chicago.

For what it's worth, the first few are done with charcoal and the last with a 6b Staedler -Mars pencil. I like working with charcoal because it forces me to 'think big' rather then get stuck on the details.

The Thrill of Victory...

Making the cut for Marvel's portfolio review at the Chicago convention.

The Agony of Defeat...

Finishing the review with the editor telling you he's not going back to the office and sending you work.

Seriously, it was super cool just getting to talk to an editor. Out of several hundred portfolios dropped off, mine was one of several dozen chosen to be reviewed. Great thing is I made contact with a Marvel editor, as the last two I met have quit Marvel. Okay, one has come back as 'talent cordinater' still always nice to meet someone new. Best of all he gave me solid, understandable advice.

Daredevil pages for Chicago

24 Hour comic

I did a 24 hour comic this weekend. Here's some pages:

My story was about Houdini being recruited by the government to find Tesla before his kidnappers force him to build a 'Tesla Death Ray' for them.
My impressions of the whole thing:
First, I figured I'd be wiped out after this. Actually I recovered pretty quick. This makes me want to do it again, knowing it won't kill me.
I was pretty happy with my story. Most pages I finished, with no idea what I was going to draw on the next page. The first step to every page was me going "what is going to happen on this page".
I really enjoyed working without a net.
I don't feel I did my best with the art. I wish I had 'practiced' drawing in hour chunks beforehand, so I had a better feel how much I could draw in an hour. That might help me do a better job on the art. Also, I'd use a softer pencil. Oh, and I'd practice my lettering so I got a better feel for how big to make it.
I will NOT be sending this art to editors to try and get work!
However, I have been trying to work a little looser. I think 24 pages of SHEER loose, may drift over into my 'regular' work!
Did I enjoy it? NO! I was very sore when I got done! My thumb is still sore.
Will I do it again? Absolutely!

Kansas City planet Con

Last weekend i went to the Planet Comic Con in Kansas City. I 'm always trying to attend more cons, but this can get expensive. Kansas City is only a 6 hour drive from Oklahoma City, so we (D. L. Nelson, Wayne and I) decided to got. Split 3 ways it only cost us $65 bucks each.

Kansas City is a nice town. One amazing thing is all the comic talent in Kansas City. Matt Fraction, B. Clay Moore, Tony Moore, Jeremy Haun and several more all live in KC.

The con was actually fairly small, but there was a ton of pros there. I showed my Monster Hunter pages around and reveiws were pretty good. Several people gave me some good advice and most seemed to think I was headed the right direction.

I also met Phil Hester. Turns out Phil lived for 2 years (7th & 8th grade) in my hometown of Yukon, Ok. He didn't got to my school, but it was cool sharing a background like that. He spent a lot of time talking to me and giving me advice. He even challenged me to loosen up on my backgrounds and gave me a 'challenge' to help me.

One last thing; Kansas City has several Half Price Books, my favorite bookstore. I bought a cool Richard Estes book!

More Studio 4c stuff

Another Studio 4c clip I found on youtube. This seems to be a trailer of multiple projects. The striking thing to me is the variety of art styles represented. Extremely cool and very inspiring.

Nelson goes under the knife!!!

My good buddy and writer of my webcomic, Dave 'D.L.' Nelson, had surgury today to correct a deviated septum.

I've talked to him and the surgury went well. We figure he will survive.

Give Dave a shout-out at heydlnelson@gmail.com

The best part is maybe this will fix his snoring in time for the Kansas City con and I'll actually get some sleep at a con for once!

Studio 4c Kung Fu Love

I was poking around on Youtube and I found this.




The description says its a promo short for a proposed full length feature. This looks really amazing. When I was in art college one of the instructors brought a bootleg video of 'Akira' just to show the class.

It really blew me away, I had never seen anything like that.

The same instructor worked at a local comic shop and pointed me to the old Epic Mobeuis books.

Thanks to the internet the world gets smaller and smaller!

More Monster Hunters!

Just sent the next page to the writer. I was pretty happy with this page. I picked up some new pencils and we all know it depends on the type of pencils you use...

Monster Hunters panel

Okay, I know I'm putting up too much commentary and not posting enough art.

I'll work on that. I've got a lot of art, it just takes too much to fire up the scanner...

In the meantime, here's a panel from Monster Hunters.

The Message

I have had my Bible since I was a kid. My poor Bible has been drug everywhere for 25 years. Like a weathered face, It's got a lot of character in it's scarred up surface.

However, lately the binding has started to crack and I'm afraid it's gonna fall apart. So I've been looking for a replacement. I figure I'll spend some real money and get another really nice Bible.

One thing I've been looking at is switching up versions. In the end I decided I just can't do it, I'm just too used to the wording and the cadence of the NIV and the new versions just don't read right.

However, several people suggested I get a The Message version. I was very sceptical because I had read online about how 'radical' it is.

One thing I've learned is the internet is no help deciding stuff like 'which version of the Bible should I read' because there are too many opinions and they're all worth exacly what they cost!

Well my father -in-law suggested I pick up a copy of The Message, he said I'd really like it.

So I decided to look around and see. I went to a few stores and one had this version of the message for half price. The cover is so cool with kind of a Matrxi-like photo of a cool urban landscape. Plus the cover is kind of rubberized with rain-drops on it. Exactly yhe kind of thing I dig.

However now that I got it I gotta say the best part is on the inside. I am inspired everytime I open this Bible, it's awesome! I've read the Bible virtually all my life, but this really speaks to me.

One thing I like is in the front, the author admits this is a paraphrase and uges readers to get a good study Bible.

And I'm still planning on getting me a nice NIV with the leather cover and all that jazz. And a local store is having an Easter sale, so I'll get one in a few weeks.

But man I really like this Bible and would urge anyone who doesn't read the Bible, but is maybe curious about God to give this a try. You won't regret it!

New Drawing

While I was at Disney World I did this drawing of Tokyo. I bought a large Moleskin reporter sketchbook before we left. I had seen a webpage with some guy's vacation photos of Tokyo.

That inspired this drawing. I carried the moleskin around with me and drew this drawing in bits and pieces whereever I happened to be waiting. Resturaunts, bus lines, airports, wherever.

The thing I always run into while I'm drawing in public is people want to talk to me and look at my sketchbook. I don't like just handing someone my sketchbook to leaf through because I like to experiment in mine and there are a lot bad drawings, missteps and half finished sketches. I think this is important to have a place to experiment and attempt to grow. If I thought people were going to see every page I would freeze up.

I'm not drawing pin-ups, it's a sketchbook!

I'm not sure why drawing in public always attracts such attention. If I saw a guy working on a PowerPoint presentation at an airport I wouldn't slide up to him, ask him if he was a salesman, ask to look at his laptop and tell him how great of a salesman my cousin is.

But that's the kind of thing that happens to me all the time.

I guess the whole idea of actually being an artist seems kind of exotic, but I don't understand that. I guse the fact I grew up with an older cousin who is an artist and seeing him work on stuff at Grandma's kind of makes it seem normal. My family has always been 'creative' with artists and musicians in the family.

New Comic

I mentioned I've been working on a new project. Here's the first page. The writer has a major publisher interested in the script, but them wanted to see a completed book. This publisher has also expressed interest in having me work on a project for them.

So we're hoping between them liking his script and my art, this will be a slam dunk.

However, one thing art has taught me, nothing is a slam dunk!

Plus, I'm insecure enough to figure the editor for this company who actually likes my art was an escaped mental patient, who has been recaptured by now!

Adding to my insecurity: I sent the first three pages to a bunch of comic people I know. NO ONE RESPONDED! None, nada, no one! I mean, I know these are busy people, but common I figure somebody would have sent me something, a simple looks good, leave me alone, whatever!

Remember, You know who you are, and I know where you live!

Cool Disney World Stuff

Okay, my last post I kinda dumped on WDW and how much it's changed. Here's where I make up by telling you about all the cool stuff we did that we've never done, even after 8 or 9 times.

1) The Adventurer's Club. A cross between a bar and a theme park, this was pretty cool.

They told all these stories and there were props on the wall which would move and talk to you.

It was one of these places which you will like if you just kinda throw yourself into it and have fun. If you're a wallflower, forget it your in trouble!

2) Prime Time 50's Cafe. In MGM, this restuarant looks like a '50s era house. The greatest part was the witresses. Our's (Aunt janice) kept telling me to keep my elbows off the table. When I was drawing in my sketchbook, she told me, "that's good Skippy, keep doing your homework!' She commented how Michelle couldn't make up her mind. It was pretty fun and I 100% recommend this place-ask for Aunt Janice!

Here's a photo of Michelle as we're waiting to be seated. This place looked like my Grandma's house.

Back From Disney World!

Okay, we've been back for a while, but I've been busy working on a new comic. Here's my much belated DisneyWorld report.

We stayed at Downtown Disney Hotel this time, which is a first. We've either stayed off property or at a 'Disney' Hotel. We were gonna stay on property, but somehow all the hotels were full. My first, price is no object choice is the Polynesian. We stayed there a few years ago and it was awesome! But VERY expensive. My second choice is Port Orleans. It has a boat to downtown and is kinda cool and under $200 a night.

We stayed at the Grovsner, right across the street from downtown Disney. It was $75 a night, but the added about $25 of fees per night. My only complaint was it was kinda old and it felt like an old hotel, with a connecting door , thin walls and all that.

Still the price and proximity to Downtown made it worth staying at. We had a fridge and our first night I HIKED down the end of the block to leave Disney property and go to a grocery store. The walk was so far I loaded up and swore I was only doing that once!

Michelle and I have been going to WDW since '96, right before she graduated from college. While it's still fun I think in some ways its changed for the worse. Here's my reasons:

1) Vibe. Okay I'm gonna start off with the most elusive. The only way I can explain it is Disney used to have this kinda funky '70s vibe that I really liked. It's like it was well preserved. I know this sounds weird but here's some examples.

This used to be a resturaunt. Now it's empty!

2)The Animation tour. WDW used to actually have animators working there.

3) The Virgin Megastore. They used to actually stock graphic novels and art books there. I picked up a bunch of my Mobeuis and Masamune Shirow trades there. Of course this was before Amazon and me going to San diego every year, but their stock has gotten bad.

4) Animal Kingdom. I hate this park! And I can't figure out why. It has the best theming. I think it feel too much like a zoo and that bugs me.

5) The Art of Disney store downtown. This store used to have nice stuff. I bought my 'Illusion of Life " there. Heck, we bought a coffee table there. They used to have shirts, books, furniture all kinds of stuff. Now it's just stautes and high end prints. Oh you can buy a 'cel' drawn by a Disney artist. You can sit there and watch him. I talked to the guy and he was super nice, but lets face it, that's not a cel. It's a guy copying from a model sheet. You could do the same thing yourself! I also have this same gripe about the store in Epcot, across from the Electric Umbrella. I guess my real beef is the stores used to sell some cool stuff, now it's junk from china.

I don't want you to think I didn't have fun, I had a blast. Walt Disney World used to have a cool 'feel' that I really liked and I think it's lost that.

Next i post about all the cool things we did!

Streetcar

Almost everyday I listen to a little bit of "A Confederacy of Dunces", my favorite book ever. I've been working on pumping up my 'art' section of my website. Inspired by the New Orleans setting of the book I drew this streetcar in my sketchbook.

VACATION!

We're going on vacation!

Michelle and I have been to Disney World 8 or 9 times. We haven't been in a couple of years and Michelle wanted to go again. We planned this trip in a rush, but I think it's gonna be one of the best. We're staying on the edge of Disney property and I think it's gonna be cool. There's a 7-11 near our hotel!

I know it's hip to be down on Disney, believe me, I seen the down side, but what I love is the care they put into everything. I look around and see all the artistry that goes into everything and it really inspires me.

What I'm listening to...

Art of Concentration
Meditative Music Designed to Enhance Focus

I picked this up at Target. I've seen these kinda things for a while now and I've wondered if they do anything.

I think it's better then listening to some stuff while you're trying to draw. They claim there are hidden harmonics that add your focus and concentration.

I don't know if it helps you, but I don't think it hurts you.

I've tryed to find music that i can listen to while I draw; stuff that won't distract me, but will help mask distracting noises.

Some classical and jazz seem to work. I like some of the Brian Eno ambient stuff, epsecially 'On Land'. I've got a few of those 'ambient' CDs with rain and jungle noises, that sort of thing.

I would LOVE to find a CD with 'urban' sounds like they play in the NYC backlot at Universal Studios (e-mail me if you know of one!) You know trucks, buses, that sort of thing.

I found a guy online who had mp3s he had made of 'Arcade Noises'. That is very distracting, but very cool!

My Studio

I was scanning through some photos on my computer and came across this photo of my studio.

Typically, my studio is the messyest room in the house. Too much comics, books, paper, etc. and too little time.

The theory is if you keep your workspace neat, know where evrything is and never look for anything.

And I believe that, I even keep my pencils in the same place all the time.

But the problem is all the 'other stuff' that seems to pile up.

Of course it dosen't help that I feel the only time I am in my studio is when I am drawing. It's not an office or a study or a 'spare bedroom' (thankfuly!)

One day I'll keep it clean and spend my evenings sorting and throwing stuff away.

But for now, I'll let other guys trying to break into comics spend their time cleaning. I prefer to spend my limited spare time drawing!

iMac Pencil

One of the cool things about being an artist is getting buy buy all the cool supplies. I love going to office supply stores and have since I was a kid.

This weekend I picked up this:
It's a Pentel Papermate Clearpoint mechanical pencil. I love this pencil! It's got that first generation iMac clear look. The barrel is clear so I can what is going on inside it. Best of all it works good. The grip is grippy so I can hold it looser; I tend to put my pencils in a deathgrip. And its got a big eraser. I've never used a 'sidebutton' pencil, but I'm liking it more then the 'top push' style! Only downside is I think it only comes in 0.5 & 0.7, no 0.9.

When it seems like everything is getting cheaper and cheaper made, it's nice to find something new that is this cool!

Now if they made it in Blueberry!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

We rang in the new year with a communion service at the church. There was a brief moment of terror when I thought there wasn't enough supplies (I was responsible for putting them out!) but we were okay.

This was a time of reflection about the past year. Overall 2006 was pretty good. I could list all the amazing things that I saw and did this year, but they might not seem as cool to you!

I would be tempted to obsess on the shortcomings, only looking at the things I didn't acomplish.

But the blame for any failures is only my fault, not from lack of trying, but from aiming too high.

See, I have this theory that if you are reaching all your goals, you aren't setting your goals high enough.

Conversly, if you are always falling just short, your goals are just high enough. Thus, you are always doomed to failure. This is a tall task and can be very demoralizing!

Like a wise man once said "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars"!

And may God bless you this new year!