Date: 2009-07-06 13:25 Subject: Summer 09 is for Sketchbooks VII Security: Public Tags: process, sketchbook

Micron, Red Ball-Point Pen

Date: 2009-07-02 12:45 Subject: Summer 09 is for Sketchbooks VI Security: Public Tags: process, sketchbook

Brush Pen, Micron, Markers, Ball-Point Pens, a little Gouache

The submariner stating that he doesn't speak French is for a project I'll talk more about later on.

Date: 2009-07-01 13:47 Subject: Summer 09 is for Sketchbooks V Security: Public Tags: process, sketchbook

Micron; Pink & Cyan Ball-Point Pens

For those interested, the Nightcrawler Nine Times at Night Time is all gone.
Thanks for those who showed interest (Jen I have one set aside for you that I'll get to your mailbox next time I get around to leaving the apartment!).

Date: 2009-06-30 09:22 Subject: Summer 09 is for Sketchbooks IV Security: Public Tags: process, sketchbook

Micron, Pink & Cyan Ball-Point Pens

Actual size is about 1.5".

Date: 2009-06-29 15:40 Subject: Manhattan, KS DVDs Security: Public Tags: manhattan ks, tara wray

I did the DVD packaging art for Tara Wray's documentary Manhattan, Kansas DVD. It's an intense documentary about Tara about her relationship with her mentally-ill mother.


I just got a few of the DVDs in the mail. It's always nice to get these things after the project is all done because it has been so long since I finished the project that I'm not stressed about it anymore - I have a little bit of distance from the project, time wise, so it's easier to appreciate the printing and the packaging without being too self-conscious about the art itself.

Date: 2009-06-28 13:19 Subject: Summer 09 is for Sketchbooks III Security: Public Tags: process, sketchbook

Brush Pen, G-Nib & Ink, Guache

Date: 2009-06-27 13:23 Subject: I Sell Rhymes Like Dimes Security: Public Tags: sketchbook

I put together this sketchbook for Hereos Con 09. It's 60lb (I think) creme cover stock signatures with 100lb (again, I think) "redhot" cover stock for the end-papers. The covers, made with some scrap paper-pad backing board wrapped in butcher paper, are glued to the end-papers. And the corners were rounded using a corner-rounder found in the CCS lab.


The theme is rhyming. Rhymes Like Dimes. The title page is by me.


Top left quadrant: Sean Ford, Greg Means
Top right quadrant: Stephen Floyd, Joey Weiser
Bottom left: Liz Bailie, MK Reed
Bottom right: Chris Schweizer, Drew Weing



Top left: Alec Longstreth
Top right: Chris Pitzer
Bottom left: Lamar Abrams
Bottom right: J Chris Campbell


Top left: Steve Hamaker, Evan Dahm
Top right: David Mack
Bottom left: Brian Michael Bendis
Bottom right: Jason Lutes

Thanks to everyone who did a doodle!

Date: 2009-06-25 12:46 Subject: New Stuff Security: Public Tags: comics, process, sketchbook

I debuted the following things at Heroes Con:

Guano & Birdie Print

Brush Pen, Color in Photoshop


Printed on Creme Cover Stock, so the whole thing is a bit yellowed, which I think is pretty cool.


The original page for the Heroes Art Auction.

I did this and the following print specifically for Heroes Con because I wanted to draw some superheroes and that's probably the most superheroey show I attend. Prints do better at some cons more than others and Heroes Con is actually pretty good with prints, sketches and original art. This print was originally intended to be a screen-print, but I ran out of time and I almost decided to forget about the whole project until at the last minute (like a couple of hours before I had to leave for the airport) I decided to do some color prints on the nice paper and I'm totally glad that I did.

I also did the following Nightcrawler sketch as a print. I drew it on a loose piece of bristol and simply made color copies of it for the show. And then I donated the original art to the Heroes Art Auction, so once I run out of the prints I'm probably out forever. So if anyone wants one, let me know.

Nightcrawler Nine Times at Nighttime

A scan of one of the prints. Originally drawn with a Micron, Pink & Green Ball-Point Pen


A photo of a print.

ILL

This is a mini-comic I made out of THIS sketchbook page.

Date: 2009-06-24 14:35 Subject: Heroes Con/Indie Island 2009 Security: Public Tags: chuck mcbuck, don rosa, heroes con, jason lutes, jeff smith, sean ford, sundays anthology

Heroes Con was wonderful. Last year I had a great time, and this year was even better. No other show takes better care of its exhibitors. Whether it was the shuttles from the airport to the hotel; the friendly and helpful staff; the diversity of the creators invited; or the clear, informative, well-designed website I feel like Heroes, more than any other show really went out of its way to make us feel comfortable and that allowed us to do our jobs as best we could. And that made for a professional, smooth running show.

My biggest thanks to Dustin and Shelton.

Below are some photos of the event.
Unless otherwise noted they were taken by me.


All of the lovely lovely books I picked up at the show and at the Heroes shop after the show. Thanks to everyone who traded with me!


(photo by Dustin Harbin)
Heroes Con 2009 took place in the Charlotte Convention Center, and looks totally overwhelming in this photo. And it kind of is. Lots of things going on.


Here is Chuck Forsman standing amongst the glory that is Indie Island, Heroes Con's section of independent/ alternative comic creators. You can see in his eyes that this is where he belongs. You can also see that this is his forth convention in three months and that he hasn't had much sleep.


Chuck and I tabled with Sean Ford and Jason Lutes, representing the Sundays Anthology and The Center For Cartoon Studies.
( More photos HERE )

Date: 2009-06-24 13:09 Subject: Summer 09 is for Sketchbooks I Security: Public Tags: alexis frederick-frost, process, sketchbook, sundays anthology

Brush Pen; Green, Orange, Red & Purple Ball-Point Pens on Creme Cover Stock

I want to thank Johnny at Drawn.ca for linking to my Sundays Binding post. I got some good responses and tips as a result. Thanks to everyone for all the kind words!

Also, everyone needs to be checking out my buddy Alexis Frederick-Frost's sketchblog.

His sketches are always lush and loose. His contributions to the book Adventures in Cartooning help make that book playful and charming and very very fun to read.

Date: 2009-06-17 11:13 Subject: Heroes Con 2009 Indie Island Security: Public Tags: heroes con, indie island

G-nib, Color in Photoshop

This weekend I'll be at Heroes Con 2009 in the glorious Indie Island. I'll be tabling with my Sundays Anthology co-editors: Sean Ford & Chuck Forsman; and by buddy and former CCS instructor, Jason Lutes. We'll have copies of Sundays3, lots of mini-comics, some new prints and plenty of hand-outs and info from The Center for Cartoon Studies.

Last year's Heroes Con was absolutely the most fun I had at a con that year. The organizers were definitely the nicest and classiest of any of the cons I have ever been to (though this year's TCAF is close competition), they really treated their exhibitors well, made us comfortable and made sure we had fun. And even though the sales weren't the best of the summer we still had steady table traffic and lots of support from the show organizers and fellow Indie Islanders.

Charm-incarnate Dustin Harbin, the Creative Director of the store works very hard to wrangle the many elements of the show together to create something that is very unique. It's definitely the most mainstream show I have ever been to, but Indie Island is very strong with alternative creators and self-publishers and it never feels like a conflict with the rest of the show. It's a cool thing and I'm looking forward to this weekend.

See you there!