Fireproof Pants

And ANOTHER show and tell:

2011-04-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

Two Kinds is basically a furries dream. Sulking, plucky guy and his hot tiger/girl pal run around and try to figure out why the protagonist is in this strange new place. Nice enough drawing that gets better as the artist works. Solid enough to be well-known in some circles. Only real problem I have with it is that it's a bit formulaic. Hot tiger/ girl and all that.

Another Show-and-tell

2011-04-12T23:55:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this one hasn't come up in class yet. Jam-packed full of off the wall, mildly stupid, nonsensical humor, white ninja is some of the funniest stuff out there.

Show and Tell!

2011-03-23T05:13:00.000-07:00

I found the comic God Hates Astronauts through my online searching and it struck me as being... uh... odd. While funny as a whole, the humor itself is taken too seriously. It comes across as entertaining, but weird and morbid.

Artist research.

2011-03-11T01:13:00.000-08:00

Matt Ryan
Artist Research

1) Alan Davis: is a sleek, solid, well-schooled artist who has all the tools: sharp figure drawing; direct, clear layouts; expressive characters, and polished finishes. Although remembered for his run on Excalibur (and more recently on Fantastic Four), Alan has suffered from the lack of a big name project or creation he could call his own. After almost 15 years he continues to turn out excellent, if unspectacular work.
2) Jerry Ordway: With a highly polished, precise style that combines and exceeds the best elements of Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson, Jerry Ordway has brought Superman to the next stage in his visual evolution. In addition, his work on Shazam (aka Captain Marvel) has given the Big Red Cheese his best look in years, and as a painter he recalls the style of Russ Heath and his outstanding covers for DC's war books. Now writing more than drawing, Ordway needs to return to the board full time and reestablish his claim to greatness.
3) Sergio Aragones dropped into the New York offices of Mad magazine unannounced one day in the early 60's, speaking little English, and almost broke. When he left, he had a job which began the career of one of America's favorite cartoonists. His greatest comic book creation is Groo, the obtuse swordsman whose stories Sergio has chronicled for 15 years. A truly gifted humorist, Sergio has entertained generations of fans
4) Simon Bisley: has staked out the high ground as comics' most brutal artist. His work is tough, brazen, rude, violent, brash, and powerful. From Lobo to Slaine to Death Dealer, Bisley's name is synonymous with aggressive excess. While his choice of subject matter may be, shall we say, less than subtle, his style and mechanics are anything but. As a painter he has produced rich, bold works. Unlike many modern painters obsessed with smooth technique (Boris Vallejo, Dave Dorman), Bisley has developed a more organic, classic look which suggests Frazetta (whom he much admires). If you like your comics broad-shouldered and rough, Biz is the man for you.

5) Kevin Nowlan: A first class inker in any era, Kevin Nowlan's pencilling has been highly underestimated since he began his career in the early 80's. First appearing as an illustrator for the fan press through The Comics Journal and Amazing Heroes, Kevin eventually moved on to create richly delineated work, both pencilling and inking. His collaborations with Dan Jurgens and Gil Kane have produced magic, while his own jobs showcase statuesque and heroic figures rendered with a feel gone since the days of Mac Raboy and Al McWilliams. One has a feeling that Nowlan will need a signature series to be associated with (ala Mignola's Hellboy, or Adams'Monkeyman) before he will be duly recognized.
6) Dave Gibbons: is one half of the team which produced the best-remembered series of the 80's: Watchmen. His controlled, mannered drawing and deliberate finishes helped create a tension that accelerated the script's methodical walk to destruction. Gibbons' other work exhibits the same superb draftsmanship and command of figures which are his hallmark
7) Michael Golden: Another icon from the 80's, Golden has suffered the fate of many artists who began their career in the "superstar" money era: a spectacular burst of creativity and popularity, a quick decline in output and consistency, and an unsuccessful attempt to recapture lost accolades. When he applies himself, Mike's work is awesome to behold: highly detailed but readable; lushly illustrative but expressively cartoony. He can handle superhero, funny animal, and war stories (his specialty) with equally sharp focus. The spotty nature of his output lowers his rank significantly; were he more active, he could command a lofty perch.
8) Doug Wildey: is known to a generation of fans as the man who designed Johnny Quest for television, but his comic book accomplishments are as a western artist par excellence. After two careers, first as a comic artist, then as a designer and storyboard artist, Wildey returned to the industry in the early 80's with Rio, a beautiful, naturalistic series with some of the most breathtaking western imagery ever in comics. This mini-renaissance helped fuel interest in his earlier work, and crystallize his reputation as an outstanding talent.
9) Dave Stevens: Mix one part Frazetta, two parts Wally Wood, a jigger of Al Williamson, and a dash of Dave Stevens and you've got something like Mark Schultz. Indebted to these masters, but never content just to copy, Schultz has continued improving during his years in the business. He has produced Xenezoic Tales (and its offshoot, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs) as a paean to the things he loves to draw: fast cars, beautiful women, dinosaurs, jungles, and men of adventure. While his work perhaps lacks the divine spark of visual creativity which elevates Wood and Frazetta, his technique often rivals that of his predecessors, no small feat considering their pedigree.
10) Steve Rude: A devotee of Jack Kirby (who isn't?) Rude is known primarily as the artist/co-creator of Nexus. His figure work is already legendary: tightly defined forms, perfectly delineated foreshortening, expressive facial features, and evocative body language are evidence of a man who has worked hard at his craft. His cartooning skills are equally impressive, making for a unique combination of reality and fantasy, which appears to have influenced artists such as Mike Allred and others.

11) Bernie Wrightson's is a somewhat sad story. Fans of his work during the 70's and early 80's will be shocked at his low standing on this list. Others only familiar with his work from the later 80's and beyond, might be surprised to see his name here at all. Bernie's career began the way many energetic youngsters careers begin: with a breathtaking and steadily improving display of sheer technique and chutzpah. His work at Warren, and on DC's Swamp Thing established him as an illustrative star in the mold ofFrazetta, Williamson, and Lou Fine, and as the unquestioned heir to the horror mantle of Graham Ingels. Wrightson then took everything he knew about black and white illustration, and embarked on a project which at once cemented his claim to greatness, and drained him of his energy and enthusiasm. Over a period of almost 8 years, Bernie produced scores of highly detailed drawings for an illustrated version of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. The edition, published in 1983, featured a group of the finest black and white illustrations created since the era of Joseph Clement Coll and Howard Pyle. The effort, however, appears to have been a strain on Wrightson. After a few years away from the business, he returned in the late 80's, and his work, while competent, has never been the same. The responsibilities and pressures of adulthood may obviate a return to the drive and excitement born of youth, but I have a feeling that if Bernie could catch lightning in a bottle once again - look out, we'd really have something on our hands.
12) Jackson Guice: From his early days on the Micronauts, Jackson (then known as Butch) Guice has continued to develop and improve as an artist. Using a well-wrought photo realistic style that borrows from Neal Adams, Jim Steranko and Michael Golden, his work is highly detailed but not cluttered; naturalistic without losing essential elements of cartooning. A quiet talent, his career may still be waiting for a defining moment.
13) Paul Galucy: The most obvious stylistic descendent of Jim Steranko, Gulacy has done justice to the elder man's style, without simply aping it. His wiry, angular figures have been as much a hallmark as his defined, complex lighting effects, and his cinematic staging. He has followed Krigstein, Steranko, and others in his use of unusual, multi-tiered panel arrangements which enhance the timing and spatial relationships of the story. He continues to do fine work after almost 25 years in the business.
14) Mike Ploog: Form and texture take center stage in the work of Mike Ploog, comics' modern maestro of the macabre along with Berni Wrightson. His horror stylings, sort of a bizarre conglomeration of Jack Davis and Walt Kelly, lent a wonderful ambiance toWerewolf by Night, Frankenstein and countless covers during the 70's. Ploog also has a light, nostalgic touch when called for, as seen in his fabulous graphic novel The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. Mike has lately directed his energies as a designer and storyboard artist in Hollywood, and Tinseltown's gain has been our loss.
15) John Romita jr.: The "second" half of this list's only father/son team, Junior has developed into a fine talent in his own right. Crafting figures that bear unmistakable weight and authority, JR is taking a page from Jack Kirby's book of over-the-top explosiveness while not skimping on the subtleties. His layout is among the best in the business: clear, concise, and well thought out. John is now so well-known that many younger fans are heard to exclaim: "Your dad worked in comics too?!" For them J.R. Jr. is "The Man".
16) Jim Lee: Along with Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee is the most influential stylist in comics over the last 10 years. After toiling on titles such asAlpha Flight and The Punisher, Jim made his impact felt on Uncanny X-Men and then on the mega-selling adjectiveless X-Men series before breaking away to form Image Comics. With a superslick, highly rendered style, Lee (ably abetted by embellisher Scott Williams) combined elements of Brian Bolland, George Perez and Alan Davis to define a look for the fickle fans of the 90's. His drawing is accomplished in all areas, far beyond most of his contemporaries: form, texture, lighting, and staging each evidence superior technique and command. Unfortunately, business interests have taken Jim away from the drawing board for lengthy periods, and his output has dropped dramatically in recent years. A modern problem of the artist as franchise, we can only hope that this trend abates and allows us the opportunity to see them more often as what they are: creators, not businessmen.

17) Alex Ross: It took one spring for Alex Ross to go from a relative unknown, working on titles such as Terminator: The Burning Earth andOpen Space, to comics' number one superstar of the middle 90's. Growing more ambitious and surehanded in the years before he wowed the comics world with Marvels, Alex has built on that 1994 triumph to become the industry's most sought-after painter, designer and cover artist. His meticulous and sharply executed painting is the result of supreme confidence and superior preparation. Every step of the process is confident and well thought-out: design, layout, drawing, and painting. His style reflects his attention to detail without being top-heavy on technique (ala Boris Vallejo): strong emphasis on color composition; sharp contrasts; use of reflected light; and an uncanny ability to render fantastic subjects in a "realistic" manner while retaining the paper-thin barrier between fantasy and reality. Check this list in 5 years and you can be sure Alex Ross will have moved up a few notches.

18) Paul smith: Coming to comics from animation, Paul Smith's simple, elegant figure work and clear layouts have been a welcome contrast to generations of comics cluttered with unnecessary detail. Smith understands the need for the eye to rest and absorb what it's seen. These negative areas allow the reader to focus in on the important details which really tell the story in Paul's work: body language, facial expressions and relationships between spaces, size and staging.
19) Arthur Adams: When Arthur Adams burst on the scene, his impact was immediate and powerful. His ornate, heavily detailed drawings delighted a generation of fans in the 80's, but as a whole his work was often busy, cluttered, and visually noisy. It wasn't until he began to strip away the unnecessary detail and artifice in his work that he truly hit his stride as a storyteller and artist. His figures now have greater impact and weight, the layouts are more concise and direct, and the staging is remarkably clear and easy to read. Continuing to improve, Adams is one of the few modern artists to resurrect the pure fun and enjoyment of reading comics.
20) Craig P. Russell: Among comics' most "literate" artists, Craig Russell has recently made a career successfully adapting operatic librettos and the works of Kipling and Oscar Wilde into a foreign medium. With a delicate, almost fragile style, his work has gone against the grain of modern trends toward power and explosiveness. It is to his credit, however, that he has thrived and produced some of comics' best work during those years.
21) Bill Sienkiewicz: Who would have expected the young man who began his career aping Neal Adams (beautifully, we might add) in Moon Knight to turn into modern comics' most interesting stylist? Bill's unique vision, which combines elements of cartooning, commercial art, and fine art has unleashed a Pandora's Box of awed, but unknowing pilferers. Sienkiewicz began his march toward a new sensibility early in his career, creating terrific covers for titles such as Moon Knight and Dazzler. But it was on New Mutants and his proceeding work that he really hit his stride, using the magic of cartooning to visually portray the emotional and psychological aspects of the story. He also played with size and scale, creating a Kingpin who dwarfed his wife Vanessa in a surreal, but revealing mode of expression. In these ways he enhanced the internal elements of a story in a manner rarely accomplished. Unfortunately Bill is also responsible for a legion of artists drawing house-sized, peanut-headed "heroes" without the slightest idea why his work and theirs don't.
22) Graham Ingels: While Tales from the Crypt has become a franchise name in film, television and comics, there is still one name indelibly linked to it even after 40 years of distance. Graham Ingels, more than any one person (except perhaps originator Bill Gaines) is thought of when conjuring the name of EC's flagship horror title. His style perfectly suited the stories editors Gaines and Feldstein gave him: mouldy tales of dilapidated Victorian mansions, populated by old crones, hags, and decrepit freaks bent on mayhem of every type. Rendered in bold shadows, Ingels pulled out all the stops to create a general feel of decay: drybrush inks; chiaroscuro lighting; crooked, almost skeletal figures; and everywhere, always, the saliva between the lips of the (choke!) doomed living and the vengeful dead. Graham, unfortunately, never understood our benign - if childish - love of being scared. He long ago disavowed his horror roots and retired to the life of a teacher, never to look back. It's a shame, since for generations of fans who love to be frightened, his work is every bit as valid as that of Boris Karloff, Alfred Hitchcock, or Stephen King.
23) Mike Mignola: A unique modern stylist, Mignola has cobbled together a wonderful visual lexicon from sources as diverse as classic comics, Italian Rennaissance masters, and vintage industrial design. His flagship character, Hellboy, is a crackling blend of horror, humor, superheroics, and freewheeling adventure that crystalizes everything he's learned about lighting, design, layout and cartooning. His considerable tools are on display regularly not only in Hellboy, but as one of comicdom's most sought-after cover artists.
24) Michael Kaluta: When was the last time Mike Kaluta worked on a regular comic? Who cares? He's an artistic soul who's given us a ream of great stories since starting in the business almost 30 (!) years ago. As part of The Studio with Barry Smith, Bernie Wrightson and Jeff Jones, he helped fuel a renaissance in the illustrative aspects of comic storytelling, and a revival of interest in younger fans for the works of master artists such as Aubrey Beardsley, Howard Pyle and the like. Hopefully the lure of comics will soon draw Kaluta back to the fold and give us some new examples from the pen of a maestro.
25) Brian Bolland: Another modern artist whose exceptional technique dominates his image. While a good, if unspectacular storyteller, it's primarily Bolland's sharp drawing and breathtaking inks which have catapulted him to superstardom. His command and control of precise and detailed finishes puts most "renderers" to shame, and is in a league with greats such as Russ Heath, Dave Stevens, and Craig Russell.

26) George Perez: George's place this high on the list may surprise some people, but he has already logged (gasp!) 25 years experience, and continues to do essential work and improve with age. Perhaps the last in a line of "classic" 60's style comic artists, George has followed the tradition of outstanding illustrators such as Murphy Anderson, Gil Kane, John Buscema and John Romita. His dedication and enthusiasm have helped him remain a star with much of the youth culture while many of his early contemporaries appear dated.
27) Gene Colan: Stan Lee didn't tab Gene "The Dean" for nothing. Versatile in the extreme, Gene adapted his highly individual style to a variety of subjects and always came out looking great. Who as an editor would have thought that Colan's style would have suited the likes of Iron Man? But suit it he did, becoming the most acclaimed artist on the strip, as well as on Daredevil, and running the top tier on Captain America and others. In addition, Gene tackled science fiction, war, romance, and suspense with equal elan. Although health problems have dimmed his edge in recent years, Gene nonetheless still consistently turns out high-calibre work .
28) Basil Wolverton: Amusingly, astonishingly, and utterly singular, Basil Wolverton created some of the most bizarre and fascinating drawings done not just in comics, but in cartooning of any kind. A master of the absurd, he is, with Robert Crumb, comics' most individual "cartoon" style artist. It is unfair, however, to label him as just a "cartoon" artist. He produced some of the most surreal and disorienting science fiction stories ever, and his so called "bigfoot" work exhibits a total mastery of drawing and rendering, just as Crumb's does. His influence reached far, and can be seen in a generation of underground and aboveground artists such as Will Elder, Gilbert Sheldon, and of course, Crumb.
29) Frank Miller: Another of the "experimenters" on this list, Frank has made it part of his job to push the barriers of storytelling and style. As result he has remained fresh and influential throughout his 20 year (!) career. It seemed obvious from the beginning that Frank was destined to be something more than just another hack. He spent hours sketching New York, drinking in the ambiance of the city, and it showed when he got his first break at Marvel. The city itself became a character in Daredevil, and Frank used it to great effect. He exploded conventional layouts, employing some of the strategies of Steranko, Krigstein, Will Eisner and others who wanted to drag the medium to its full potential. He has also reinvented his style regularly (Daredevil, Ronin, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City) to suit the tenor of his stories. While perhaps not a true "original", he has helped refine and hone great ideas to razor sharpness.

More Contemporary:

Ed McGuinness: McGuinness is the Wolverine of comic artists. He’s the best there is at what he does. And what he does is draw big muscular cartoony fun! Hulk is the PERFECT book for him. The man was born to draw it. Throw in an extensive Superman (And later Batman) run and you’ve got plenty of pretty beefy heroes to look at. Did I mention that his art is a fantastic model for toys as well? Check it out! Sure, he doesn’t have much range and he’s a bit lazy, but if I ever need anyone to find a vein on my arm, I’ll go to him!
Frank Cho: After criticizing EM’s range, I put Frank Cho? Am I crazy? Maybe, but Cho does actually have some range. Go check out his Spider-Man issues with Mark Millar. Sure MJ had big boobs, but his Venom was badass. He also renders some fantastic animals. Who draws Dinosaurs and monkeys better than Frank Cho? And yes, he draws some bodacious babes, but is that really such a bad thing? Yes they’re a bit crude, but it works with an American audience. We’re a bit too uptight when it comes to the female form. Cho just puts it out there. Too preachy? I like big boobs. Better? The fact is his women are tough, sexy, and usually pretty muscular. They can kick the shit out of the men. That’s a kind of female power, right?
Steve McNiven: Good, we’re away from the cartoons. Steve McNiven is pretty new to the art scene. Ok, he’s been in the biz for about eight years, but I can count his projects with my fingers. I’ve always considered myself a fan of the man’s work, but his most recent project, Old Man Logan, is what got him on the list. Have you seen that stuff? It’s fucking epic! He’s created an entire future Marvel Universe, aged character designs, and zany stuff like a Venom T-Rex. He’s nailed them all. There’s no doubt in my mind that in ten years when fans discuss the best Wolverine artists, McNiven will be mentioned in the same sentence as Frank Miller and Barry Windsor-Smith. As if that weren’t enough, he also did a stellar job on Civil War, and whether you enjoyed that event or not, at least you were treated to some gorgeous images.
Tim Sale: Say what you want about Jeph Loeb, but when he and Sale get together, you get magic. I just picked up that new Daredevil Yellow hardcover a few weeks ago and Sale’s art was absolutely mystifying. His Daredevil is poetic. Sale captured the fallen hero, Battlin’ Jack Murdock, perfectly. Don’t even get me started on his Karen Page. Lois Lane, Mary Jane, Gwen Stacy, Selina Kyle, Tim Sale has rendered some of the most iconic women in comics and yet he always brings something new to the table. Sale is an expert at taking old characters, blowing off the dust, and making them look all shiny and new again.

Show and Tell

2011-03-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

Here's a piece I found a while back. The staple of this is the Super low-rez final Fantasy-esque characters living in their little world. Very funny commentaries on the gaming characters themselves. Enjoy. 8-Bit theater

2011-02-23T06:32:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite webcomics to date, has to be Dinosaur comics. The art does not change, the panels are never rearranged, and there are never any new characters. The single driving force behind the comic is the plots, which DO vary. Though never very complicated on the surface, the consistent humor of the characters and the strange, philosophical moments that Tyrannosaurus Rex has are priceless. Must read.

Let's be friends again! Supplement.

2011-01-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

Made some improvements.

Nobody reads my blog, do they?

2010-11-05T17:21:00.001-07:00

I got a blue shirt and I'm SAD inside.

Tombstone

2010-11-05T17:10:00.001-07:00

The Thing

2010-11-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

I'm going through a list of movies I like and am doning my own versions of the posters. Here is the first that I'm happy about.

Nightwing for SHCC

2010-10-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

After a long stint as the drummer for the hardcore death-metal band Dynamic Duo, Dick Grayson now tours with the Titans. The Titans, as you may recall, includeWally West on electric guitar, Raven on tambourine and Koriand'r on lead vocals. Garth Jackson Hyde replaced Roy Harper on bass and back-up vocals, during his long battle with heroine addiction. Victor Stone, though not an official member of the group, has worked on several collaborations with the Titans in the past, and is rumored to be featured in the Titan's next album titled "You Suck, Dan DiDio Please Stop Killing Us Off."

And yes, those are the real names of the other Teen Titans. I'm proud that I know them. You hear me? Proud.

24-Hour Comic

2010-10-04T12:10:00.001-07:00

Post 2

2010-08-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

1) Of the artwork that you have done, what is your personal favorite piece? Why do you like it?

- This guy. I think it's because of the story that goes along with. Not a particularly interesting one, and it is poorly written. I just like it.

2) What piece do other people like most? Do you agree? Why do you think they like it?

-I've gotten a lot of good feedback on this one, but I haven't decided how good it is. I had fun making it, but I felt kind of so-so about it.

3)What piece surprised you the most?

-This guy. I had just started with the brush and it came out much better than I thought.

4)Choose 5 doodles or sketches that you like as much as any of your finished pieces.

Everyone's favorite subject (themselves)

2010-08-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

1) What media do you like working in?

-Paper and pencil. The caveman of all medias.

- Paint, and canvass, though I'm not very flexible in that one yet.

-Ink. I feel like It's very important that I can get better at this.

-Digital coloring. I know Photoshop and it knows me.

2) What media do you hate working in?

-Charcoal and conte. It's a texture thing.

3) What media would you like to try, but haven't?

-Watercolor. I just haven't gotten around to it.

4) List three non-illustration classes that have influenced you and / or your work positively.

-world Mythologies. Mythology has an almost inexhaustible supply of stories that can be pulled from. It was inspirational.

-2d design with Elvis Kee. This class gave me the desire for perfection. I haven't achieved it yet, and never will, but it was SO craft base that a lot of it stuck. Some good pieces came of that class.

-Horror Fiction. Any of my literature classes, really. But this one in particular because horor books are super engaging, and I really like a good scary story.

5) How has the work of your peers influenced you and your work?

-I don't want to say competition, but we all know we are kind of trying to impress each other. The classes are so small that you can't help but be intimately familiar with each other's work. It's encouraging, makes you want to work that much harder.

6) What sort of subject matter do you like to create work about?

-Short answer? Heroes. I like the story of a character that faces insurmountable odds because it's the right thing to do. I like westerns and think I can churn out a good narrative about one. I think everyone has a good story in them somewhere.

7) What sort of subject matter do you like to read about

-The lovable loser. I love that archetype, because it's relatable to me. But then I like them to step up when they need to. Sorry, that was fairly specific. Let's just say dinosaurs. I change my answer to dinosaurs.

8) What kind of music do you like? Why?

-I'm kind of all over the place with that. I check my ipod and see a ton of rock and roll, but there's outliers. I think a story is important in a song. Look at Led Zeppelin. They sing songs about life, and love, and loss, and joy, and the Lord of the Rings. Stories.

9) What non-art related interests/hobbies/skills do you have?

-I have archery skills, horseback riding skills, hunting skills. Sorry, Movie reference. Umm I can bake a mean cake and I really like to swim. I like to write. I'm a very good drinker.

10) What is something that you like and nobody else likes?

-Me *sob*. That's a tough one. I like a lot of things, but my guilty pleasure? Books by Joel Priddy. Bah-ZING! Please don't fail me.

11) If you had the run of the world's museums, what three works would you like to own?

-Umberto Boccioni, The Farewells

-Anything by Frank Frazetta involving a berserker fighting a monster. You know, one of his uncommon ones.

-Goya, Saturn Devouring his Children. Creepy. I want to hang that one over my dining room table. Bon apitite.

Are you kidding me?

2010-06-25T04:24:00.000-07:00

I know I've been absent for a minute, but I am offended at the number of porn-ads that pop up on my blog. You see all of the Chinese in my posts? Porn. Every one. It's kind of offensive and there is nothing I can do about it. Can't delete the posts (to my knowledge), can't respond and ask them to stop, and can't retaliate because they won't care. Plus, there's like, 9 billion of them and if I win once, my defeated enemy will be immediately replaced. Thanks alot blogger.

Yi the Archer and the Ten Suns

2010-03-31T00:48:00.000-07:00

My illustration of the Chinese myth for class, that was a huge step for me using digital coloring. I haven't perfected it yet, but I think I'm learning alot.

Even more demons

2010-03-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

So I have thought of a sort of theme for at least three of the suits. Spades are thieves, highwaymen and thugs, and the queen is a sort of imaginary Indian pain goddess. Hearts are the dangers of lust, and are mostly women. And clubs are bringers of death and takers of life. I like the bone-collector one, because he seems like a sort of graveyard scavenger. Now I just need about 20 more!

eessketches

2010-02-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

printed thingy

2010-02-24T10:58:00.000-08:00

The Vatican

2010-02-17T02:53:00.000-08:00

Isn't this where Jesus lives? Wait, the Pope lives here. So not Jesus, but his boss.

more demons

2010-02-17T00:43:00.000-08:00

More Demons

2010-02-10T11:00:00.001-08:00

Color comps

2010-02-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

One Hunnerd (52) Demons!

2010-02-03T06:42:00.000-08:00

It's only 48 less. But still very cool. Here are my first 1o. Still works in progress, but fun to do.

More News

2010-02-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

South Korea is dead serious when they say "If we even smell nuclear weapons, we will strike first." Well, they didn't say that exactly, but it sounds like that in my head.

Da News

2010-02-03T06:25:00.000-08:00

These are about the man who shot the Pope being released from the big house. At first I was kind of sympathetic (time served, crime paid for) but then I realized he is supercrazy and might try it again.

The Death Penalty

2009-12-01T01:54:00.000-08:00

Robin Hood via me and Alex Barton

2009-11-19T11:49:00.000-08:00

Robin Hood should be strong. And green. I drew this bad boy and the lovely and talented Alex Barton colored him. I like his style.

It's an elephant in a bottle.

2009-11-17T09:12:00.000-08:00

Well, it's an elephant more-or-less in the SHAPE of a bottle. I didn't want PETA after me.

Mud-slinging

2009-09-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

Here is the second, and last, ad for my election. I won by three votes and Rory was a great sport. I'm not so sure I would have been such a gracious looser. I would openly been happy for her, but would have secretly plotted revenge from some dark lair.

I'm running for office. You should all vote for me.

2009-09-15T23:49:00.001-07:00

Here is the first ad for my campaign for sequential-narrative rep. My opponent, Rory, is gonna be doing some mud-slinging and I'll post both the attacks and my replies to them here. Vote for me!

sketches for illustration class

2009-09-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Imagine a better life. Imagine one in COLOR!

2009-07-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the finished version of Rachel's dream job. Look at the duck. He's sooo cute.

Rachel McCasky, hot air balloon pilot & world explorer

2009-07-21T03:47:00.000-07:00

After the planet suffers a series of devastating earthquakes forever reshaping the continents, only one woman can map the new world. Rachel, with her trusty sidekick, Mr. Quacks, has taken on the responsibility that many have called too dangerous, (and altogether unnecessary) in order to help us all rest easy.

This is only the inked version before I lay out some grey tones and is based on the job that Rachel actually believed she would have when she grew up. I am sorry to admit the existence of google earth, which renders it only a fantasy, because it would be friggin' awesome.

Regardless, Godspeed madam McCasky. Godspeed.

I can paint, too

2009-06-24T02:16:00.000-07:00

... well, maybe not very well, but I'm getting better I suspect. I do like to learn, but these days it's getting right-frustrating... kind of like trying to ice skate uphill. I sure wish I wasn't born stupid, but I get by. Not totally without a few unkind words on behalf of my character, but I get by.

"I thought you said she meant nothing to you."

2009-06-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

In the final painting there is a severed head of a hen sitting on a table in the background. The rooster is obviously upset with the rancher and without that extra element, the audience doesn't know why. I kind of think this is funnier.

Fun with Photoshop

2009-06-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

I call this one: Beauty and the Monster-thing. What? I don't wanna get sued. Do you? I imagine Disney has many a web-surfing lawyer-shark just waiting for me to slip up. One must be careful in times of such creatures. Publicly tremble, and the Terrorists win.

Our Lady the Wolf

2009-06-04T04:13:00.000-07:00

This is for a painting that Josh and I will work on. Well... he doesn't know we will be working on it, but I think he will agree. I went back to my invisible city prospect using the sex appeal of totem poles and old women. Wait. Sex appeal of women and old totem poles. Yeah. That's what I meant. Okay, I think I shall got to bed now. Goodbye.

Alone

2009-06-01T01:24:00.000-07:00

This is the first illustration for one of my short stories. The idea of creepy monsters in the woods is a scary one, and hopefully it won't come across a cheesy. I have more drawings to add here in a bit, this is just the first of many.

Time Consumption

2009-05-29T04:22:00.000-07:00

What does it mean? Assume the question is rhetorical. Why is she pulling away from the parking meter? Why is she shackled to it? Is it because of the cigarette, or is that just a feature of her character? Assume ALL of these questions are rhetorical and I am in control. At least for now, anyway. The shredded temperament of her dress insinuates that the game has been carrying on for some time now. Ask yourself one last question: Where is the man? I have an answer for that one. He is getting change. Cue insidious laughter.

The finished Jumper

2009-05-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

See what happens when to great minds come together? This was fun to do and we are working on another co-op piece as I type. How is this possible? I actually have a clone of myself that I use for all of my artwork. I would tell you all about him, but that's for a different blog. This little baby sold to some lucky gentleman for 150 dollars. Yee-haw, I'm a professional artist! Okay, go away now.

The Jumper

2009-05-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

This is an illustration for a painting my friend Josh and I did. Ta-da!

The Rock of Easy Company

2009-04-29T01:15:00.000-07:00

This the first part of a larger drawing I am working on featuring Sgt. Rock, one of my favorite comic book characters. Good guys don't always have to wear tights, but they must kill Nazis. Nazis are always bad. Everyone should agree on this.

Some funny title

2009-04-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, this was pointless but easy...

Too hot to trot

2009-04-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

This is what I was doing instead of listening intently to artist presentation.

Character sketches for Self-directed comic

2009-04-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

These are some sketches of Atticus the Hunter and Silverbane, characters in my last assignment for Illustrated Story 1.

20/20

2009-04-21T20:03:00.001-07:00

This assignment was to make a comic adaptation of a microfiction. I am fairly proud of it, mistakes and all. Really think I learned some tricks. What? You don't think I can learn? You are so mean. I hate you.

The Great Escape

2009-03-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

Go Steve. Go.

Rime of the Ancient Gunfighter

2009-03-16T03:14:00.000-07:00

This is how I would like to spend my retirement. No shuffleboard. No Bingo. No Carnival Cruise commercials where that Godawful song "Time of Your Life" is played. Too bad this wont be on the activities list.

Painted picture of Lady with Puma

2009-03-07T21:47:00.000-08:00

This is the first painted version of this piece, and I still have some finishing touches to do... but this is how she looks so far.

To save a life

2009-03-01T22:41:00.000-08:00

This one started out as another students assignment. Mean old Shane made us switch and finish someone else's instead of flushing out the details of our own. My teacher might be the Devil.

Lady with a puma

2009-02-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

I like my coffee like my women: cold and bitter. If you don't get the "I'm not interested in you" message by her posture, then the mountain lion will help you come to terms with it. In the finished product, the outline on her face will be light blue. Maybe a cool effect? Dunno. We'll see.

Heart attack

2009-02-28T15:11:00.001-08:00

This is when I discovered who my true friends were. When I asked for help getting my heart cut out for an assignment, Funlola and the crew were ready with a clean knife. Thanks guys. Who needs a functioning cardiovascular system these days anyway?

2009-02-23T00:36:00.000-08:00

My mission was to make a story using only four scenes, and here is what came of it. My plucky hero is Jonah from my delayed comic, and I really missed drawing him. Stupid, cowardly, and generally clumsy, he is the kind of protagonist I find when I look inside myself. We can't all be Batman.

Seven Deadly Sins

2009-02-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

this was an assignment for illustrated story, about the seven deadly sins. I tried to simplify it as best I could, but still give you all the information. You know, what a comic is supposed to do. Anyhow, I was fairly proud of this one, and I had fun making it.

Elvis with a Sword

2009-01-26T01:11:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know what you're thinking: "The hell is... is that Elvis? Matt is stupid."
Well, I got news for you: Yes. Yes I am stupid.
In fact, I'm so stupid that I know I had better get better at drawing because I sure as hell ain't smart enough for a real job. Now, why is Elvis holding a sword? None of your business. Not until I am done with the project, anyway.

The Hard Drive is DOWN!

2008-11-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

I cannigh get anythin' from her Captain! She's givin' it all she's got and it's still is nary enough! Aye Captain! Me computer's Hard Drive is down, and it'll take some time to get her runnin'. We may have to get the reactor core replaced, too. The hull is leaking coolant like a sumabitch. As soon as I get the ole Hard Drive replaced, I should be posting again. It isn't such a big deal, but I have not the money to do it. Fireproof Pants will be accepting donations for the "Get Matt's Computer fixed foundation."

Lifechanging Stories for Lifechanging People

2008-11-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

Illustration homework, project: Rachel

2008-10-15T23:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, the title speaks volumes, I'm tired, ta-da.

The finished Aquaman

2008-10-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

I hear alot of trash-talk about poor old Aquaman and it breaks my heart. People like to say, "Oooo, Aquaman, what's he gonna do? Call in some fish to help chew through his ropes?" Then they would laugh and clarify to me that they think he sucks and go about their merry day. Well I'm here to clear up that lump of nonsense. Sure, he can talk to fish, but he can also call in a school of great white sharks to tear your dingy apart. Aside from that, he is super strong and nigh-invulnurable. Think about it, he lives in the blimey deep in pressures that would crush a submarine full of orphans like a Pepsi can. I don't know how I became the champion for Aquaman awareness, but I still think he rocks something awesome. Anywho, this is my finished image and, as always, your criticism (as well as any tips on better water effects) is invited.

Aquaman! (Pt. 2)

2008-10-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Here is da second part of Waterdude with the flats. The water effect was a nightmare, but I think I could do it faster next time. I'll work on the values manana. Hasta-lasagna!

Hombre al Agua (man overboard)

2008-10-11T08:41:00.001-07:00

I have beeen out in the world for the past few, so my normal tenacious blogging has been dulled some. Fret not, I'll be back on the proverbial horse after a short spell. Until then, I guess I'll drop a glance of what I have been up to for your critical pleasure. I have a hard time determining if I should go ahead and color this bad boy, or change the perspective of the surface of the water. What do you think? Yeah, me too. It would be more of a challenge if I did it that way. I guess I'll start chopping away at it with photoshop until I find out exactly how I want to go about it all. Thanks for the help.

Oh, lordy-lordy

2008-10-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

I have descovered Adobe illustrator and there is GOLD in them thar hills! Will this improve the quality of my work? Mayhap. Should anybody care but me? No. But thats ok. Once I play around with it enough I should be fightin' fit and sittin' pretty, or something like that. Be happy for me, I have reached the next level of Drawing enlightenment. Not quite Zen, but close.

Drawing composition homework

2008-09-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

The assignment was to make a landscape (?) drawing that was to include an interior and an exterior space. I decided to do a shot from my porch looking at the Circle K across the street and either did well, or failed miserably. You decide.

Finished Phantom

2008-09-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is the finished product. I had fun with the texture of the chair, but a reliable source tells me it looks funky. Ask me if I care. Seriously though, constructive criticism is awesome. If, however, it is just critcism, then prepare for a fight of words. Beware, I am an adjective JUNKIE!

The PHANTOM!

2008-09-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

okey-dokey, here are the first two stages of my latest drawlring, The Phantom. I had some problems with the colored image, because when I saved it the first time, my black and white channel didn't save with it. It took quite a bit of clever work on my part to get it going again. I'll hopefully be finished with it tonight, if homework allows.

It has a stinger!

2008-09-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

It may be a bad image, but the hand is touching a bee. This is a drawing I did for Remy Miller's drawing composition class.

Illustration homework

2008-09-14T00:33:00.000-07:00

This little finger monster longs to be with the duck. Love lost and left wanting. Really tugs on the heart srings, doesn't it?

Finished Catwoman

2008-09-14T00:26:00.000-07:00

...Aaand here is the finished version. None too glamorous, but I think she is pretty enough. God, I can't wait to get better at this.

Sneaky Pt.2

2008-09-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

Ok... further along now. These are the flat colors for catwoman, all that is left are the shades and values. I'll go in and add some nifty lasers and stuff while I'm at it.

Sneaky Chick

2008-09-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

This is the image I am currently working on (if the girlfriend permits) and I shall be elbows-deep in photoshop until I finish. I'll keep you cats updated... wait... Nobody is going to read this. I could pretty much put whatever I want. Zappa Spam Roadcones!

Nova versus Green Lantern

2008-09-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

I made this for a friend and think it is a nice addition to my portfolio. Weeks from now, I will be looking at it, will decide it is garbage, and throw it away.

Jonah Fox versus the horrible space monster

2008-09-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Jonah would never actually do this as he is afraid of space, monsters, and space monsters. He is the main character from my comic (webcomic?) and, with any luck, will be coming to a website near you.

Zombie Batman versus Superman

2008-09-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

just for fun, I threw this little number together. If batman were ever to become a Zombie, and Superman were ever stupid enough to get this close, the result would look cool. I think.

Nickel Pin-up

2008-09-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a pin-up from my delayed comic, freightrunner Fox. Hopefully once I settle down I will be able to give it the attention it deserves.

A drawing that I did for www.bushitales.com

2008-09-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

This is a drawing of the Bushi Yatsu just before she shows this orc the business-end of her spear.

Whoopity-doo! I haves me a blog!

2008-08-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

Captain's log, Stardate: Friday

Oooookay. I am in class and looking around. There are desks and things... computers... people. Good fun. Teacher is talking, gotta go. More later- STAY TUNED!!!