(Re-)Coloring the classics...

So I wanted to update my Facebook profile picture for the holiday season.  And I love me some Batman, so I did an image search of "Batman, Christmas".  Very little came up... but one image that kept coming up over and over again was the cover to Batman #27 that was released to public back on December 8, 1944.  Yes, the image is 69 years old... hehe... 69...

Anyway, I liked the image... but it had elements that were not so good.  First of all, the bright solid yellow background.  And Robin acting like an idiot.  Stupid Robin.  Dick Grayson became so much cooler when he became Nightwing, but in the 30s and 40s... he was a complete tool.  But I was like, the main part of the image... Batman and Santa... that could work.

Enter Photoshop.  I pulled a very high rez image of the Batman #27 cover off the Internet and took it into Photoshop.  I then went about altering the image.  I cropped the image down to just Batman and Santa, cutting Robin out entirely.  Cuz... screw Robin.  I then touched up and re-did the black linework of the image.  Once I had cleaned up line work on it's own seperate layer, I took out the color... and proceded to re-color the whole thing.  I updated the blue and grey of Batman to the more current shades of blue and grey used in the comics.  Everything else, i took cues from the original cover as for the base colors... and I then went in and shaded everything.  I replaced the glaring yellow background color of the original comic book cover with a blue to white gradiant, and then I added some snow, to help solidify the winter season.  You can view the process here:

After all was said and done, I was really pleased with the end result, and I wanted to "sign" it.  But... I'm not the guy who drew the image.  I just touched up the original image done by "Bob Kane".  Except, after some Internet research... Bob Kane did NOT draw this image, either.  In fact, although Bob Kane is credited as being the creator of Batman, He did very little artwork (or writing?) on the Batman comic books back in the day... though he was credited for it well into the mid 1960s.  Apparently, back in the day, DC Comics would hire "ghost artists" to work on their books.  But the creator of the character would get all the credit.  So although Batman #27, is credited to Bob Kane, it was in fact... drawn by... JACK BURNLEY.

Jack Burnley apparently did a lot of sports illustrations back in the 30s and 40s, but also worked for a period at DC Comics drawing Superman, and of course, the Batman.  He retired from art just before I was even born, and died about 7 years ago, at the age of 95.

Anyway, since I wanted to throw my scribble on the end result, I felt Jack Burnley should get his credit, too.  Since he wasn't given the credit back in 1944, he might as well get some now.  It was hard finding a useable signature for Burnley.  Being a "ghost artist" means your name doesn't show up anywhere.  I eventually found it on a basketball illustration.  So I lifted it off that, slapped it on there, and threw my (much smaller) scribble under it.

30 Characters Challenge - 2013

So in addition to not shaving the manly beard I can sprout from my face, the month of Novemeber also brings the "30 Characters" challenge.  Hosted by Tyler James of Comix-Tribe.  I participated back in 2011, but I was having some computer issues in 2012 and could not compete.  So this year, I had a newer computer that wasn't giving me issues, and I figured I could give it another go.

My first time around was just to try it.  And it was fun.  This time around I wanted to deliver a certain level of "Quality" with the output.  So, I made sure that every entry was created using the same techniques and tools, which I think kind of unified all the characters, even though they're quite different from one another.

If you want to check out my characters, check out my author page here.

I've got some ideas if I do it again in 2014.

Jim Lee doesn't give a crap about my birthday...

Okay, despite the "negative" headline... this is NOT a negative post.  I'm NOT whining.  I'm NOT complaining.  I am merely stating facts.  I harbor no ill will towards Jim Lee, Jeremy Roberts or anybody currently at (or has ever been involved with) DC Comics.

Earlier this year, DC Comics announced that it would take submissions from the general public for ONE page of their new book, Harley Quinn.  Fan-favorite, Harley was to be getting her own book brought to you by the talents of Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner.  The first issue was to be #0, and the page to be drawn by the public at large, was page 15.  Also, the pages were gonna be reviewed, by none other than my personal Art-GOD and hero... Jim FUCKING Lee!!!

The general "plot" made available to the aspiring free-lancers did not include the script, just descriptions of what was going on in 4-panels on the page.  Each panel was essentially Ms. Quinn attempting to kill herself in various ways..  the most titillating of panels was the last one, where she was attempting to electrocute herself, whilst being nude in a bathtub.  A lot of people apparently took offense to the nude, sextualization of suicide, and there was a small public outcry.  So I guess after DC selected the artist they were gonna use, they decided to change it to Harley riding a rocket ship?  I don't know the deets, because I wasn't that artist.  Again, not complaining/whining/being negative.  Just stating facts.

One of the main reasons I'm not farther along in my artistic career is for ALL of my 20s... I was afraid.  Afraid of success.  Afraid of rejection.  Afraid of failure.  Just plain scared, so when opportunities like this came along, I would not take them.  Now in my 30s, I still have some of that fear, but I'm coming out of my shell quite a bit more and taking chances... such as having my art looked at by my Art-GOD and hero... Jim FUCKING Lee.  So I decided to man-up and take a stab at this.  Worst case scenario, I don't get published (and I didn't) and life goes on.  Best case scenario, I could call myself, "a published DC Comics artist".  Which would be schweet!

Now those looking at it going "Well, you didn't ink and/or color it".  The submission guidelines specified NOT TO if you weren't confident in your skills as an inker or colorist.  They would find an inker and colorist to finish the art if they dug the pencils.  I'm not confident in those skills, so I didn't attempt it.  Also, I thought it'd be awesome to be inked over by a professional inker.  So why not?

Also, the legal-ese of the contract stated I could not share the artwork anywhere.  Not wanting to risk my chances of not getting published by posting it on here, or on my Facebook, or other social media outlets, I withheld from doing so until now.  The book is out, I didn't get published... so here's my art!

I'm actually pleased with the final art I submitted, despite some of its flaws.  Again, not being negative.  I know what I drew, I know where I could of done better, and had I devoted more time to it, it would have been better.  But for the time I gave myself, and the challenges I overcame in the process, I am quite proud of it.  Part of the problems came from me thinking too much of "What do they want?" as opposed to me just being me and drawing it the way I should draw.  I know backgrounds are a weakness of mine, so I told myself, I'd do backgrounds.  And I did.  And honestly, they're pretty good.  But like the 1st panel... too much is placed on the background... and not... THE TITLE CHARACTER.  Yes, I did a good background (as opposed to no background like I usually do), but it drew too much away from Harley.  So there were obstacles like that.  If I had just sat down and "had fun" with it... I might have done something better (with it's owns issues and faults), more to "my style" and who knows, I may have been the published artist instead of Mr. Jeremy Roberts.

Speaking of, I included Mr. Roberts' published page as a comparison.  It's kinda interesting the similarities.  Again, not being negative, and I'm not implying he "stole" anything.  Cuz he didn't.  It's "great minds think alike" thing.  But we have essentially the same panel layout...  One panel on the left, 2 smaller panels to the right and one panel going across the bottom.  We also had a similar break down for quite a bit of the page.  I thought that was interesting.  Kinda makes me think I was on the right track... had I had a bit more confidence while drawing... who knows?

Originally, the book was supposed to be released on November 6th, 2013.  For whatever reason it got delayed 2 more weeks to November 20, 2013.  Which just so happens to my 32nd birthday.  I was secretly hoping that my Art-GOD and hero, Jim FUCKING Lee and DC Comics would have picked me to be the artist, cuz it woulda been awesome to pick up a (Batman-related) comic book, on my birthday, with my art in it.  Mayhaps one day I'll be able to cross that off my bucket list.

The me in my 20s, would have been set back by this, and drop the pencil for MONTHS on end... but the me in my 30s is only strengthened and encouraged by this whole situation.  When/if an opportunity like this comes around again... I will attempt it... and who knows, maybe that time I'll be the lucky guy.

Or maybe I'll get my shit together, and land a job drawing comics as a living... and who knows... maybe one day... draw the Batman... professionally.

Amanda Conner

Jimmy Palmiotti

Amanda Conner

Jimmy Palmiotti

Amanda Conner

Jimmy Palmiotti

The 2nd Greatest Fictional Butler...

Alfred is by far the best fictional butler... but Lurch is pretty damn awesome too!  He's creepy, and cooky.  He's a silent and reserved man...  and in the case of the old black and white TV show, not only was he the butler, he was also Thing.  That's right, his hand was... the hand.  But seriously, picture the famous Ted Cassidy, who stood monstrously high, hiding under tables and things to appear as but a hand...  hehe...

Anyway, I've had an inkling to do my own "spin" on the Addams Family.  This is the first attempt, and I experimented with a different way to "ink" my drawings...  The pencil sketch for this was very very lose (looser than I typically do).  I then scanned it and used the "pen" tool in Photoshop.  Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty neat.  It allows for consistent line weight, which is an issue I had with my previous methods for digital inking.  Though this method is a bit more time consuming than a previous method I've been rocking of late.  But it allows for more control and refinement.  I guess it just depends on what I want out of my images...

Sketchy - Joker and the Cat

Was kinda burned out today, and just wasn't "feeling" the urge to be creative... so procrastinated a couple commissions a little longer (a habit, I really need to break).

However, I insisted that I do... SOMETHING.  So amongst a lot of sketching (and trying to emulate styles of my betters), I did the above drawing of Joker and Catwoman.  Joker is whatevers... But I kinda dug my take on Catwoman.  She's a bit younger than what I picture Catwoman in the books, but I like the spunkyness I was able to capture with her.  This is a girl who knows how to play... and she plays hard.

Anyway, hope you like.

I'm also stewing about a "perception of art", that I got involved with the other day... I might go off on a rant about it later.  Or not, haven't decided if I want to vocalize it or not, as it deals with "friends".

Comic-Con 2013 Souvenir Book Submission

It's April already?  What happened to March?  Why am I not posting on here as often as I did in... January... or 2011 for that matter?

Anywho, part of my absence was because it is once again time to submit artwork for the San Diego Comic-Con International Souvenir Book.  As you know I did this last year, and the year before.  And BOTH times I saw publication, Once at the head of an article, and the other a full page spread (though next to an ad and not something more important, like an article, but still... FULL PAGE SPREAD!!!).  So hopefully I'll see my art published again (and maybe in a prominent position again?).

This year there were many "themes" to work from. But I opted to go with the 50th Anniversary of the X-Men.  This was for a couple reasons.  1.) I wanted to challenge myself as an artist.  So picking a more popular theme, meant I'd likely have more competition for acceptance, and thus if I get printed, I can bask in glory of being awesomer than others.  (It's an ego thing).  2.)  I've had this exact idea for this drawing in my head for YEARS.  So seemed like as good of a time as any to draw it.  So yay!

I showed the image around to a couple of co-workers, and quite a few of them did not get that I was doing a "parody" of an iconic 1980s movie poster.  Granted I work with a lot of early-mid 20-somethings, so the cultural radar may have been off a bit, where as I was 3 (going on 4?) when the film hit cinemas, so it was naturally around in my upbringing...  so for those who might be as equally out of touch as my "day-job" co-workers... here's what I parodied.

I'm 99.9999999999% certain that next year's themes will include... the 75th Anniversary of... BATMAN!  I should probably start drawing that one... NOW!

Hulk Smash... and stuff?

Yeeesh, another week without a steady flow of art?  This will not stand!  I thought I got my groove back with January...  Well, saying and doing are different things, so I need to stop saying I'll draw more, less... and DO draw more, um... more?   It makes sense in my head.

Anywho, above is a drawing of the Hulk.  Before the Nerd Nation tears me apart... yes, I know his face is a bit too long.  As the Hulk, is more cubish.  Yes, his nose, should be smaller, and a bit more closer to the eyes...  I wasn't really going for accuracy with this, just was having fun with the line work (which I like very much in this one!)... I went to throw some color on, and after putting on the flats, I was like... y'know, the flats are enough.  this does not require shading.  It serves its purpose.  So there ya go.

BATMAN... and Ramen!!!

So... here's the finished product to the Batman teaser I put up 2 weeks ago.  On a side note, this blog needs more art!  I've had one other piece in between the teaser and this.  That can not stand!  MORE DRAWING!!!

Anywho, for those not following the current storyline to the "Death of the Family" storyline which ends today with the release of Batman #17... The Joker has come back and is raising a new level hell... he even bludgeoned and kidnapped ALFRED!!!  The popular theory about halfway through the arc is that Alfred would meet his maker...  that got me to thinking... What if that happened?  What would Bruce/Batman do?  Who would fix the Batmobile?  Who would nurse Batman's wounds... who would.... COOK!?!?!?!??

Then the idea came to me for the new crime-fighting duo in town.... Batman AND RAMEN!!!  And this was a picture I just had to draw... and I'm very pleased with the end result.   I tried to draw it in a style similar to Greg Capullo to help it tie-in to the story-arc.  I'm very pleased with the end result of this image... it's funny and still  powerful.

If I had been fortunate enough to have been given an Artist Alley table at this years San Diego Comic-Con, this would easily have been a print I would have sold.  Speakin of San Diego Comic-Con International...  They just annoucned the theme's for this years souvenir book!  I need to get cracking on my submission!

Argh... zombie...

Argh... zombie... run!

WALKING DEAD IN TWO WEEKS!!!! OMG!!!!!

Batman "Teaser" Sketch

So... I've been following the New 52's Batman... Cuz Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are fucking GODS!

For those of you not up to speed, the current storyline in the Bat-Books is "Death of the Family".  It deals with the return of the Joker and all sorts of shit hitting the fan...  The chaos spins off into the other bat-books and is building towards a climax in Batman #17, which will be out on February 13th.  Every issue of the story is out except for the finale.

Many people have theories for what will happen at the end... the above pic is a commentary of sorts if the storyline ends the way a lot of people are thinking it will end.  I personally don't subscribe to the "popular theory" cuz it just seems too obvious.  And I think Scott Snyder is a fucking genius, and wouldn't give us the "obvious" ending.  I think it will be something else.  But we got 2 weeks to find out.

Anyway, I'm gonna finish the above and post it on the 13th (maybe the 14th) after the story is out in the world (it should be spoiler free, so don't worry if you haven't read it yet).  And even if the "popular theory" doesn't pan out, the above drawing will still be amusing/entertaining.  Just holding off its publication until Snyder/Capullo tells us what's what.

Crappy sketches of superheroes and whatnot...

So a slight delay in posting... mainly because...

I GOT A NEW COMUTER!!!  WooT!

But yeah, it took a while to get everything set up, installing new software, upgrading to newer versions of some programs.  Figuring out some of the changes to said upgrades, and just getting situated.  So that took some time.

After it was all done, I said... BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!  And thought I'd draw some epic superhero type action... but it was just frustrating sketch after sketch... all of them kinda crappy and just frustrating.  So, I scanned all the crappy sketches (mostly Spidey) and slapped some color on the sketches in Photoshop... and wah-la.  Today's post!  Yay!

Dino-Doodle... and my 100th post apparently?

When I logged into Blogger to post this, it said that I had 99 posts.  So this would be my 100th post.  Not the 100th drawing, cuz some of those posts had multiple drawings in them... so... yeah...

Happy 100th post to me!!!

Above is a doodle that again, I may or may not have drawn at work...  But I kinda dugged it and thought it'd be fun to photoshop some color on... so that's what I did.  I like the looseness and the scribbly feel to it.  Just kinda of a "fun" piece.  No real meaning or message behind it... just having some fun....

Sexy ladies...

I took a couple life drawing/painting classes in college.  I highly recommend that any artist do that.  Take as many as you can!  It's one of the most important classes you can take!

Anywho, as a person who LOVES comics, a lot of the ladies I drew at the time were "sexy".  Then I fell in love, and became all gentleman like, and kinda stopped drawing "sexy" ladies.  A commission I'm currently working on, involves a little bit of sex appeal.  And as I was trying to draw concept sketches for it... I realised...

I had gotten rusty at drawing "sexy".

So I busted open the internet and used random swimsuit models for a substitute life drawing class.  The above is some of those sketches.  Yes, i know a few them have some really bad proportions (tiny heads!), but really I was studying the hip/shoulder angles, and the way curves work, etc.

Little Green Martian...

Has it really been almost TWO weeks since my last post?  I need to step on it.  And step on it, I shall!

Anywho, the above is a doodle of a little green martian...  Fairly stereotypical alien looking dude.  Green skin, the big vacant eyes, antennae, etc.  Mars'esque background.

Really just a doodle I may (or may not) have done during a slow work day that was Photoshop'd in some color.

More random doodles in the future, and some commissions down the road.  I'd show them now (or their progress), but as a lot of my commissions are usually gifts for people, I don't like to post the progression of work until the recipient of the commission has seen it first.  So, alas, no sneaky-peeky!  But one day.

Random doodle...

Not technically a "new" drawing, I meant to post this months ago, but it never made it to my scanner until now.

One night I was watching television with the future Mrs., and was just kinda randomly doodling... And I was playing with the "Sharpie Pen", and was getting kinda detail oriented, cuz of the very fine point that Sharpie pens provide... and I just let my mind wander.  Above is what came out.  Enjoy.

Happy NEW Post / Commission / Year

Hello... anybody who still reads this.

Sorry for the absence...  Actually no, I'm not.  It's my blog, I do what I want!  HOWEVER, I don't like that I haven't really been as post-y on here as much as I should be.  So with a new year, comes new determination.  This blog was always intended to be a place of quantity over quality.  So I'm determined to post on here as close to daily as is possible for me.  So unless I'm out of town or unable to post, I'd like to post at least once a day on here.  *fingers crossed*

As I'm slightly hung-over from last nights festivities, and I have a long day of work at my day job ahead of me, today's post is a bit of a cop-out as I drew it in the middle of last year.  But, it's new to the blog so it's new!  Above is a commission I was asked to do.  What excited me the MOST about this commission was... I DID NOT KNOW THE CLIENT!!!

Most of the work I've done is for friends.  Which is fun and all, but I'd like to branch out.  So this particular commission is for a friend of a friend.  Who I did not know.  This was great, mainly cuz I could pretty much drop the "friends and family" discount.  I gots to get paid!  Anyway, the client saw the commission I had done for my friend, and she thought it'd be neato to get something similar of her and her man.  So she got my contact info from my friend and contacted me out of the blue and we got the ball rolling on what she wanted and how much.

One challenge was she wanted a print of this, and she wanted it LARGE.  24"x36" large!  That's huge.  I usually draw in pencil, and ink/color on the computer.  And most of the time I draw slightly smaller than whatever I want to print at (cuz my scanner is small).  But this was intended to be printed at 24"x36"!  I couldn't draw 11x14'ish and blow it up.  It'd look bad!   So what I did instead was....   DREW IT AT 24"x36".  I drew it on 8.5"x11" sheets of printer paper, taped them all together.  Drew the thing.  Un-taped all the paper.  Scanned each individual 8.5"x11" sheet into the computer.  Re-assembled them all in Photoshop... touched up lines here and there where stuff didn't quite line up, then went about my normal inking/coloring process.   A LOT of work.  If I had foreseen how complex that was gonna be, I might of charged more.  But live and learn, I suppose.

Anywho, the end result was quite impressive.  She got it just before Thanksgiving and was intended for a Christmas present for her man, but she liked it so much, he got it early for Thanksgiving.  And now I'm sharing it here.

Cool story, eh?

See you tomorrow.