keynote speech background art

The Goal:  

Add some pop to a keynote address presented at EMC World 2012 using “graphic novel” style images.

It was agreed that all “types” and costumes should remain generic in order to be an immediate read.  The main parody reference was the "Matrix” films. 

The Process:

I met with my art director to discuss his ideas.  These were translated into a handful of character designs, thumbnails based on a script and a finished “test panel” to get everyone on the same page with finishing style.

Given the super tight deadline it was decided to keep the images black & white and use the company’s iconic blue as an accent color (though green managed to slip in just under deadline).   The finished images were prepared for a PowerPoint presentation and projected across three massive screens on stage with the speaker.

Below are some final panels - and some WIPs.

Photoshop CS5, Cintiq

Apologies as I had mentioned a Transformers piece coming up this week.  I'll have to sit on that for a bit and post at a later date . . .

marvel CCG storyboard

Storyboard for a proposed Marvel CCG.  

The goal:  to show the game in action and get the right people excited to move the project to the next phase on its way to actually being produced.

A few quick ideas for a composition.  Image size is 11 X 17 so I try to keep things interesting within the format.  Experimenting with portrait and landscape ideas.

"D" gets the go ahead for further development.  I know 'where' to put stuff - this more detailed thumbnail helps confirm 'what' goes in there.  I typically draw in blue (or red) first.  If other drawing problems need solving I'll go in with another color before final inks.  

Final inks.  This level of finish is all that's required.  I absolutely love drawing Hulk - even if only his yelling mug and a fist.

All the above was done in Photoshop CS5 on a Cintiq with a few cups of coffee.

Next Up:  Transformers

communities and jams

Drawing "just for fun" has many advantages outside of the immediate satisfaction one gets from messing about with crayons.

Online communities are a fantastic way of building friendships and getting exposed to new things (techniques, a new online music site - whatever).  

Third Rail Design Lab (R3) is one of the good ones with artists at all levels discussing comics, film, music and art (among other things) in addition to hosting a weekly jam open to everybody.

This was recently done for one of the jams . . . I'll continue to post these weekly sketches here.

Thumbnail is Col-Erase blue pencil drawn in a sketchbook 

(during "Big Bang Theory").  

FInish is the scanned thumbnail inked and shaded in Photoshop on a Cintiq.

Practice isn't just for breakfast anymore - and the folks who inspire it.

Somethimes I'll take a break from the work day and do some studies.  On "good" days I'm up early, work out if I have it in me and get studies done before the bell rings for the day's deadline-fest.

I need the practice.

To that end - here are a few folks (from a huuuuuge list) that inspire me with their own dedication to craft - these guys never stop! 

Rad Sechrist:  http://radhowto.blogspot.com/

Stephen Silver:  http://stephensilver.blogspot.com/

Paul Richards:  http://autodestructdigital.blogspot.com/

 . . . and a lunch-break sketch.

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 . . .  

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/