marvel on the brain . . .

Been working on a project using established characters in the Marvel "Super Hero Squad" style:  Three fingers, shorter legs, bigger heads. etc.  

I've also been having an absolute ball recently reading Marvel Essentials reprints (Avengers and Defenders currently).  The nostalgia fix aside I get a real kick out of seeing the art from my current POV and am pleasantly surprised that much of it holds up today.

Some of those 60's and 70's covers still give me a jolt.  

So in tribute to one of the greatest, here's a take on John Buscema's Silver Surfer using a style similar to that used at Hasbro over the past few years.

It was fun - and I plan on doing a few more of these as time permits . . .  

david wasting paper

I recently had the honor of joining a long list of talented cartoonists interviewed by David!  Cartoonist Survey #254 can be found here:

http://david-wasting-paper.blogspot.com/2012/01/john-forcucci-cartoonist-survey-254.html

In addition to scores of interviews with names you'll actually recognize he's got a lot of fun, informative posts on the nuts and bolts of cartooning.  So grab a comfy chair and a nice beverage and be prepared spend some time getting lost in his archives.

Thanks David!

Big thanks also to my buddy Bill White for pointing me to David's blog.  Bill's a "Cartoonist's Cartoonist" - evidence of which may be found over at his fab site:

http://bwhitecartoons.blogspot.com/

Thought I'd post a process piece - pencils for a Wonder Woman (52) piece for the Third Rail Design Lab forum.  Inks and colors to follow . . .

cover painting - the monkey king's daughter - book4

I've had the pleasure to work with Todd Debonis on all 4 covers of his fantastic "The Monkey King's Daughter" series.  Book 4 is a "wrap-around" cover so our goal is to have an image that tells a story both as a front cover and a panorama of sorts.  Here's a peek in the process . . .  

PHASE 1: THUMBNAILS

Every cover begins with several thumbnails based on our initial discussion.  Book 4 is unique in that our final image composition is a "last minute inspiration" - none of these ideas made the final cut.

PHASE 2: PENCILS

Todd then supplies me with a template for the cover copy.  This is very helpful as I'll design elements to work with the text.  The pencil sketch is either scanned into Photoshop or drawn directly into the program on a Wacom Cintiq (which is the case here).  

Throughout the process I'll keep the text on a separate layer and toggle on/off to make sure important elements remain visible.  

PHASE 3:  REFERENCE

I now now what will be in the background - well much of it as new ideas often pop up during the process. I'll hop on Google for related images.  Todd sends a bunch as well.  I use two monitors for painting - the Cintiq and a second to my left where I keep all needed reference.

PHASE 4:  PAINT

Everything from here on in is painted in Photoshop.  The first paint pass is a complete version of the final in black and white.  The goal is make sure everything reads well with good separation/depth.  If it doesn't work at this stage color won't save it.  

Color is then applied on top in glazes.  I'll use a lot of Photoshop layers to keep various elements separate and free for later tweaking. 

The focus here is on Meilin - paint right over pencils (which are still visible under this initial layer).

Most of the background elements are in and Meilin's close to finish.  Now it's a matter of smaller details.  We'll also apply the final green cast which is the "color theme" for Book 4.

Quick check on the copy layer - everything seems to be working.  I flip the image horizontally several times during the process as well - if there's an error my tired eyes are missing it becomes evident with the flip

Done!  Green cast has been added in addition to our final lighting details, some smoke and the ruins behind our hero.  I then send it to Todd and cross my fingers . . .

Detail of final image - some of the pencil is still visible!











Thanks for dropping by - questions are always welcomed . . .

kermit welles

I've not yet seen the new Muppet film - definitely on the radar.  I do miss Jim Henson behind (under?) Kermit. Miss Piggy without Frank Oz is another character in my opinion - no disrespect to the current, capable crew - just what I'm used to.

I remember years ago my mom telling me that Sean Connery was the "real" 007. I couldn't imagine anyone BUT Roger Moore in the role at that time . . . so I'm sure the new Muppet voices are just fine for many.

This was done for the Third Rail Design Lab forum as part of the annual "Vlad Fiks Memorial Noir Jam" in memory of a very talented, generous artist who passed away in 2009.

acrylic inks with photoshop copy.

my friend chuck

I truly appreciate the opportunity to work as a freelancer.

It began with a decade on the bass guitar and subsequent survival of over 600 weddings/functions, countless club dates, studio sessions and an annual Beachcomber 4th of July Extravaganza down in Wellfleet, MA.

I do miss it . . . but still get to stay up all night once in a while with a deadline! These days there's no gear to lift or early morning 'cold tea' at Chinatown's finest post-club hang . . . and it's definitely better for one's family life.

Post music biz I started storyboarding around Boston and eventual had the good fortune to meet and work with many of the fine folks at Hasbro and their Cake Mix Studios.

Here's a thumbnail sequence and a few penciled pages from a Tonka Chuck & Friends kids book which was used as an insert for one of the playsets. I had a great time working with these characters for a fews years - watching them develop into their current 3D selves on Hasbro's Hub TV.

All images © Hasbro so look but please do not copy!

Season's Greetings, y'all! Time to roll out the new blog . . .

The plan is to post various works in progress, finished pieces and stumblings from the never-ending journey that is skill set improvement. Also featured will be various inspirational books (in print and out) from my ever growing art how-to/sketchbook/portfolio collection. Once an addicted comic book junkie . . .

In the meantime, thanks to cartoonist extraordinaire Bill White for the Holiday flame-under-arse that helped get me - and the ball - rolling . . . check out the hilarity here:

http://bwhitecartoons.blogspot.com/