Click image to enlarge.
View from my parents' porch in Chapala, Mexico.
Trying to do more "sitting and drawing" what I see.
It's been a long time since I've done that sort of thing.
(Marker and pen.)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Weekly Reader : Nov 2009
Here are two illustrations from a regular gig I do. Current Health 1* is a Weekly Reader magazine. Kids write letters, and I accompany them with my drawings.
Sometimes it is a challenge to figure out how to draw "gross" topics in a kid magazine friendly way. Take for instance... "ralphing." It makes me queasy just thinking about it.
Click for larger.
This one was easier... chapped lips.
* The editorial staff is great fun to work with.
** These just came out, but we are working four months ahead on the deadline. These illustrations were finished in July.
Littlefield Fountain : Unfinished
Ever since I was little, one of my favorite places in Austin has been the Littlefield Fountain on the UT campus. This is the unfinished comp sketch I did of the fountain. It's an imaginary situation. The little boy would be me (kinda) and I am totally riding on the back of those merhorses.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
This Week in the Sketchbook : Character Design
Wrapping up the finals on the second Rockh... wait. Did we announce there's gonna be...? Urgh. Um...
Wrapping up the finals on some project and moving into September. September is "get proposals knocked out for publishers month." I have... four... books I am putting together.
I don't normally post works in progresses, especially before someone's called dibs on them, but since this is just a a character and you know nothing about him or what he's doing, I thought I'd show him to you.
No guarantees he's going to end up like this at all, but here's his journey so far.
(My big money scanner is not calibrated and I am having probs getting the blue out.)
Thumbnail
Click image for larger
Why is it these first pencil thumbnail sketches are some of my favorites? My most favorite of Rock from Animal Band is just a quick collection of lines. Can't even see much about him. But there's an energy, and, somehow the soul of the character's there. If that makes any sense.
Tightening up
Click image for larger
He's looking a bit like Christopher Robin here. Maybe it's the short pants.
Meh.
Click image for larger
Just warming the pencil up here. Playing with some elements. Mostly his clothes. Very stiff drawing. (I often notate as I am drawing along.)
Pushing the abstract.
Click image for larger
Playing with more simplified shapes. He's too old here... needs to be softened to be a kid's book. (Hieroglyphic feet!)
More there-er
Click image for larger
Softer. More realistic. (TOO realistic?) Ok.
Looking for a balance. Looking for who this kid is. Not sure, yet. The story is brand new and developing. Missing some of the pieces. But it's coming together.
NOTE: NOT THE FINAL. GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING SKETCH AND FOLLOWING IT DOWN ANOTHER PATH.
Wrapping up the finals on some project and moving into September. September is "get proposals knocked out for publishers month." I have... four... books I am putting together.
I don't normally post works in progresses, especially before someone's called dibs on them, but since this is just a a character and you know nothing about him or what he's doing, I thought I'd show him to you.
No guarantees he's going to end up like this at all, but here's his journey so far.
(My big money scanner is not calibrated and I am having probs getting the blue out.)
Thumbnail
Click image for larger
Why is it these first pencil thumbnail sketches are some of my favorites? My most favorite of Rock from Animal Band is just a quick collection of lines. Can't even see much about him. But there's an energy, and, somehow the soul of the character's there. If that makes any sense.
Tightening up
Click image for larger
He's looking a bit like Christopher Robin here. Maybe it's the short pants.
Meh.
Click image for larger
Just warming the pencil up here. Playing with some elements. Mostly his clothes. Very stiff drawing. (I often notate as I am drawing along.)
Pushing the abstract.
Click image for larger
Playing with more simplified shapes. He's too old here... needs to be softened to be a kid's book. (Hieroglyphic feet!)
More there-er
Click image for larger
Softer. More realistic. (TOO realistic?) Ok.
Looking for a balance. Looking for who this kid is. Not sure, yet. The story is brand new and developing. Missing some of the pieces. But it's coming together.
NOTE: NOT THE FINAL. GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING SKETCH AND FOLLOWING IT DOWN ANOTHER PATH.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Big Pimpin'
Larger : Click Image Tone Sketch
I know. There have been pimp bots. It's been done.
This is not ANY pimp bot. This is Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet, king of all 50's robots—and in my book—top of the heap of all robots.
He was in my sketchbook this week because of an AWOL Forbidden Planet poster.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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