Reworking an old project and making it new...

Here's a painting I did some months back that I was never totally happy with. I decided to go back in and here's what I came up with. I'm happy with the new one, but thanks to the digital medium I still have the first version, and that's pretty cool!

First version...

Second version...

QuickSketch!

Here's a quick sketch using Cintiq and photoshop. I remember initially going digital and just trying to mimic my "Traditional" techniques. That was very limiting and frustrating. Once I got familiar with the digital tools, I began to find a new style suited to the medium. And I'm still "finding" it! Keep your eyes open or the future will be lost to the past!

IDIOT ENGINE ep 49:DEATH in Storytelling!

Join me and self-publisher Javier Hernandez as we talk about how Death is used in storytelling. Now, it may sound like a down beat subject, but take my word for it we're absolutely animated! As a matter of fact, I'd say we were Alive about Death! Take a listen... if you DARE!
*note, I couldn't remember the name of a film I referenced that starred Eliot Gould. Well, thanks to the internet I have it, it's called LITTLE MURDERS (1971).

Watching Pro Wrestling Guerrilla live is... Awessssome!

I had a great time at the latest Pro Wrestling Guerrilla live show. The crowd was awesome (I was in it, yeah!) the wrestlers were awesome so ie the show was awesome! Here's a quick drawing of my favorite moment at the show when KEVIN STEEN executed a fall away power slam on Nick Jackson of the YOUNG BUCKS!

Zombie Badge Zero and friends!

Here's a pic of Zombie Badge Zero and friends!

SketchDay! Javier Hernandez's COMA!

Designing characters doesn't always mean drawing them

I've been designing characters by customizing and remodeling old action figures for a while now. It seemed to come naturally for me since I collect toys and figures anyway. I'll sit at my desk and just look at a toy, watching the light and shadows fall across the sculpt as I move it under my desk lamp. Here's a group shot of some characters in one of my current projects. I know it's not the your typical way to design characters for comics, but you might want to give it a try!

just a Day Sketch...

Inspired by artist @rvbelzen (on twitter) here's a sketch...It's a day sketch!


Dan Dane the ditch digger danced down the driveway and dwelled on the dynamics of driving his drill down a deep dark dank dent. He's a driven dude!

Spending my time wasting it...

I've been spending my extra time experimenting with stop motion film making. Will it help me be a self-publisher? I don't know, but I do know that we don't have all the answers either. Sometimes, doing something that doesn't seem the most practical, is just what the doctor ordered! So, I'm off to take my medicine!

Experimenting with Format!

I'm experimenting with formatting my next project "Widescreen" as I did with Super Monsterama. it's tricky, since I'm more acquainted with traditional comic book "Portrait" format, but that's what makes it so much fun. And if I find that sweet spot, well then I've mastered another "Trick!"


Staggering the gutters makes all the difference in terms of guiding the viewer along the panel grid...It's feeling pretty good to me, tho the text will have to be larger since final size is roughly only 5.25" by 8" ...

I Think I just had a Mid-life Crisis!

So I just bought a cool Tinieblas doll that came with an even cooler Tinieblas mask and I had way more fun wearing it than anyone has a right to. Tinieblas is a famous Lucha Libre Masked wrestler I used to watch on AAA wrestling. Does this have anything to do with Art? Nope, so what's the lesson? One does not live on Art alone! Now pardon me while I play with my Tinieblas mask some more!

Warm Up Sketching!

I'm starting a new Supermonster Coloring Book project for an upcoming craft fair, so first up is a Warmup! It's CAP!

WATERCOLOR PAPER fun!

Some buddies gave me a pad of watercolor paper, so I went ahead and had a little fun with ink wash and a little red acrylic paint AND some photoshop adjusting of colors. I don't use watercolor paper much, so this was a great way to become acquainted with a new friend! Hiya Watercolor paper, nice to meet you!

FIRST OMELETTE OF THE YEAR!

I make lots of omelettes, LOTS of omelettes. And like most anything one does you can find an Art to it. Sure, most times I just crank 'em out and shovel 'em down, but sometimes I do make an especially good one, from a flawless execution(meaning it doesn't stick to the friggin' skillet) to a really tasty finish(when it has that crispy-not burned-crispy edge and that light almost cotton candy-like body).
This one came out pretty good, and it's the FIRST OMELETTE OF THE YEAR!

Merry Christmas Flashtoon!

Here's a quick li'l flashtoon I put together between shopping and chores, Cheezy Christmas fun!



Hope Everyone is having a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday!

BDAY Sketch!

Happy B-day Man!

Sketch Comics hit the Spot!

I just finished up my latest SKETCH COMIC late last night. It's even better than a glass of warm milk, especially since I'm lactose intolerant! It's fun working on a project that's actually NOT designed for reproduction... You can focus on the MOMENT of art much more, since the exact piece you're working on will be what your audience will experience. It's like the difference between looking at a painting and a photograph of a painting, it's very different!



This is THE SMILING KING, which I'm especially happy with. The story is tight and I think the piece holds together really nicely...


Man, I dig activating my creative art endorphins... Eye of the Tiger and gettin' the PUMP on, Baby!

Latest Sketch Comic!

Here's pages 10 and 3 And 8 and 5 of my latest Sketch Comic I've been working on. I like doing these "done in one take" comic projects. For this particular one I grabbed like 4 sheets of heavy (legal size) 8.5 by 14 inch paper and started inking with some cheap black ink from the bookstore. I'm not doing any pencil roughs, which keeps the brush stroke pretty bold. After the pages are done, I'll go and paint the cover right on the book in acrylic. This is a great exercise, forcing you to compose and be adaptable with the execution of your strokes. It also ends up as a nice piece of original art!

who needs cold medicine? I've got art!

I've been sick, so what better reason to make a webcomic... This is a result of lots of public television, dvds and trying to get comfortable with pillows.

FINAL Vampy!

Just finished my custom for the AGIMAT gallery show! It's essential to know when a piece of work is done, believe me!(I've OVERworked many a project to the point of NO RETURN)And for VAMPY, he's done! We had some good quality time together, but now it's back to AGIMAT COMICS. (sniff!)