A Funky Phantom Re-Do!

Ten years ago, I drew a picture of my take on the old Hanna Barbera cartoon, The Funky Phantom. You find that post here on my blog, you can not only see all the work that went into it but also the proclamation of my being happy with the end results. Times have changed, and as proof to any of my students past or present, this shows that you never stop learning and hopefully getting better. As time went on, I became less and less satisfied with the final result, so I figured a re-do was necessary. Well, maybe not necessary but since I had been using this drawing on my iPad to demonstrate what I teach to my kids how it translates directly to digital work too. So here is my ink line drawing, shadows, lights and colors added one by one. A complete repaint at this point.

Here are the shots of the re-paint as well as a comparison. 

Can You Read My Mind?

I was recently at Fanboy Expo Orlando and to be honest, it was pretty slow. So, I had time to draw on my iPad. Maybe it was the fact that Sarah Douglass and Jack O'halloran were at the show that inspired me to draw a Christopher Reeve Superman too. I went for a more whimsical look and wanted to keep it simple. Eagle eyed observers may notice the heavy influence of the wonderful work of Steve Thompson as well.

Enjoy!

As always, some work in progress pics:

Vacation Pic!

To build upon another recent post, while on vacation I got the inspiration to draw a fun picture of us all in the van and some of the sights that we were seeing along the way. I wanted it to be fun and I was itching to draw in a retro style again so why not! I kept it loose and didn't force it as I knew that most of the "real" work would be done after we got home. I plugged away little by little usually while watching television at night with the family. It was a nice way to wind down and relax as I felt no pressure to finish by a certain date or anything. So here it is, and I hope you enjoy it.

Here are some of the WIP pics.

Maureen's Superman!

34 years ago, Maureen was about to begin her career as a schoolteacher in northern New Jersey. She was understandably nervous. She asked me to draw a HUGE Superman drawing to hang on her door. I did. That drawing has been hanging there for 33 years even making the move to Vermont to where she still is. I have teased her about burning that drawing for ages. She said she would if I drew her a new one to replace it. Well, Maureen doesn't have her own door anymore as she began a new job with the school and had no room for it. I took the opportunity to re-draw the same Superman by hand using the same reference as the first one even. I and drew it and framed it (8x10 so she can squeeze it in her room somewhere). So, Superman is set to continue flying for Maureen and to always remind her that "she's gonna be fine". 
I scanned it and touched it up just a bit and then added some digital color to it. The original reference was done by John Byrne for the back of the original trade paperback of Man of Steel in case you were wondering.

Love you Mo!

Enjoy!

Here are the work in progress pics.

Charles Flanders Homage!

This was a quick doodle on my iPad recently and an homage to Charles Flanders, the cartoonist who illustrated the Lone Ranger for decades! I added the colors and textures as a bit of fun.

Digital Art!

A bit of a rant.

 
I never intended to become a digital artist. In fact, I hesitate to even label myself as one, as it is still seen by some as a "shortcut" or "easy way out." The notion that using digital tools diminishes the altruistic nature of art is outdated and narrow-minded. It is simply a different medium for artists, just like a pencil and paper differ from oil on canvas. What truly matters is the act of creating, the mark making, rather than the method used. Drawing and painting digitally can be just as challenging and intricate as traditional methods, and it is certainly not a matter of following a predetermined formula or “paint by numbers”. Embracing digital art opens up a world of endless possibilities and eliminates the limitations that may scare some away. There is no excuse for producing anything less than our best, as we no longer have any excuses. As long as there is a hand holding a tool, there is an artist. 

Digital art is undeniably real art. 

Period. 

I didn’t set out to be a digital artist, I set out to be an artist. 

And I am.

Indiana Jones Commission!

 I recently completed a large commission piece of Indiana Jones. This one was done traditionally with ink on paper at 11x17. The client asked for Indy and an "aged up" Short Round with the Fountain of Youth. Was a fun premise.

Here are a few in progress shots for you to enjoy!

Vacation Sketches!

Our vacation was an extended road trip with two other families to see historic sites on the east coast. We hit Savannah and Jamestown and then headed to DC and Philidelphia. It was a trip of a lifetime!! I made it a point to get up early and head to the lobby for my "me time". There I could draw in my sketchbook a bit and also avoid the chaos of my family getting ready at the same time in a single hotel room. The George Washington drawings were of a life mask of Washington himself. The red pen drawing is of a statue of Frederick Douglass from the Senate building. Pencil drawing of Roberto Clemente from the Smithsonian. The colonial looking gentleman is actually a person in Philidelphia that was speaking behind Independence Hall. The others are quick doodles of other hotel patrons while I was at breakfast. Except the cartoon of Lincoln. He wasn't there.

Black Bolt!

 Here is a drawing I recently made in my sketchbook. Simple number 2 pencil and Sharpie markers! I actually kinda like this one!

Enjoy!

Some Recent Commissions!

 These are a few fun commissions I recently did for HeroesCon. I am really enjoying hand inking these! Well, you are only seeing two hand inked as I forgot to scan the completed Darth Maul piece so I digitally inked my sketch to post it. To be honest, this one may look a tad better as it's easter to paint a lightsaber blade in the computer! You know it to be true!

Enjoy!!

Super Secret Monkey Squad: The Video!

Here it is!! This is the animated intro I have been working on for the past several months. Please watch and if you like it, please share it with your friends!