Inked!

The super hero project continues along...

Next up, color!

From the Vault - Loud Boy 2004

I've been trying to find the original file of this piece for a while now but, not finding it, I think it might have been lost in one of those pesky times when my computer freaked out and I didn't have the work backed up.

Back your work up, kids. Take it from someone who lost a few pieces here and there.

Luckily, in one of the folders of art I found, I had a hard copy of it printed out so here he is, Loud Boy himself!

I must have done this piece right after I moved into my new place. I remember still having things in boxes, trying to paint and fix up my new place, and doing my best to set up some sort of bare bones studio so I could work on this piece.

I got a call from Penguin Books in New York City and they were working on a few graphic novel projects. Somehow they'd come across my work and wanted me to do a sample for a new book they had in development called "Loud Boy." I can't remember what the story or concept were but, from looking at this sample, it appears, as you'd guess, to be about a boy who was LOUD.

So, I got my studio into some sort of working order and quickly got this piece done and out to them.

From what I remember, I don't think I ever heard anything back from them at all. Not a yes, not a no, not a maybe...nothing.

But, that's the way the freelance world is sometimes. If a client doesn't want to use you or even if they have used you and plan on using someone new and never talking to you again it's not like you get some sort of severance package or even a call to tell you you're "fired."

Sometimes the world just doesn't call you and that should be answer enough.

But, after doing the piece and having a good talk with the client about the job, a "no thanks" would have been nice.

Hit Somebody!

It's been a busy week and whatever part of me that is the writer seems to have taken a break.

But, enjoy this, the pencil sketch of two superheroes fighting.

It's been too long since I drew anything even close to something like this. It reminds me of why I wanted to draw cartoons in the first place.

Inked!

I found a little time this weekend, between dinner Saturday night and going out for ice cream, to ink the piece of art I did for Morgan.

I inked the piece while watching the Colorado Avalanche host the LA Kings. The Avs ended up losing but it was still a fun game to watch.

Art, hockey, and pretty girls...not a bad way to spend a few hours on a Saturday night!

From the Vault - Haircut 2003

Back in 2003 I was still working a nine to five job (well, eight to four) five days a week while I tried to get my freelance art career back off the ground. Doing my own comic books, doing work for local clients, and doing stuff for friends just wasn't paying the bills.

In August of 2002 a friend of mine, Rob Kelly, was finding success on a website called the ISpot. He'd been on it since early 2001 but, since it cost money to join, I hadn't jumped on the bandwagon. In 2002 it seemed like Rob's career was taking off so I looked into joining again.

I had pretty much given up on a career in art at that time. I figured I'd work a regular job like most folks and do art for myself and try to just be happy doing that. But, one day, luckily, the boss I had at my day job did something piss me off just enough to make me take action. I called in "sick" the next day, got a portfolio of art together, and joined the ISpot.

This was in August of 2002.

The first jobs I got contacted for were pretty nickle and dime stuff with people saying my prices were too high and other artists they talked to said they could do it cheaper. These days, with people like that, I simply tell them if money is that big an issue you'd be better off hiring the cheap guys. You get what you pay for. But, back then I worried if I could even make it in the art business again.

In November I got a call from Cincinnati Magazine about doing a full illustration for them as well as a few spot illustrations. They were all full color, and, thinking in terms of comic book pricing, I thought maybe, just maybe, I could get a couple hundred bucks for the whole job. When the editor asked how much I charged I asked him how much his budget was. He said, "I'm really sorry but all we have for all three pieces is (well, I don't want to say, but it was a lot more than a couple hundred bucks.)" I did my best not to drop the phone as, calmly as I could, said "um....that's fine."

Of course, when I got off the phone I jumped up and down a bit and did a dance around my apartment.

Finally, I could see myself making an actual living doing what I loved.

The next few months were pretty dry but I ended up picking up one more magazine illustration job in January.

Then the advertising agencies found me.

The first job I did in advertising were some quick penciled storyboards for two commercials. I think I did them over a weekend but it felt like I did them quick. Little did I know what "quick" really was. Less than a week later, I got a call from them saying they needed two fully colored illustrations for Johnsons & Johnsons done by the next day.

Now, remember, I was still at a regular day job and this was the middle of the week. I'd have to do the illustration work in the few hours I had between going home at night and showing up to work the next day. I remember panicking a bit. When faced with jobs like this my mind tends to race. I wanted to do a great job because, if things worked out well, this client said they had a ton more of work to give me.

And that phrase alone made me see the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, I took some quick photo reference of a woman who I worked with and a photo of one of my friend's kids. I pieced them together and went home to work.

Looking back now I'm amazed I got this piece, plus another, done in one night. I was still finding my way with the computer so I was still painting a lot like I used to airbrush. I scanned in the pencils I had done and simply painted over them in Photoshop. I think, if given the same job today, the color might be a lot flatter and animated looking. But, back then, you can tell I was trying to impress and this piece really came out a lot better than it should have given only the few hours I had to do it.

But, I got it done and more work started steadily flowing my way.

For six months I worked both the day job while doing freelance art work at night. How I didn't kill myself by working so much I'll never know. I guess I was a man on a mission.

By September of 2003 I left the full time day job and, for the second time, started my freelance art career. It's been a bumpy road at times but I've loved the ride. And I wouldn't trade those crazy six months I had working all the time for anything.

Inked

The Sports Illustrated pieces have been inked.

Now, it's just a matter of scanning them in, coloring them up, and making sure they fit into the article.

And it's all due tomorrow!

Time to get to work.

I need a Hero!

Like I said, before, it's been a while since I did anything even remotely super-hero related. Honestly, with the work I've been doing the last few years I didn't even think I'd be in the running for a job involving super anatomically enhanced characters.

But, I got the job and I have to say, I've really been enjoying the project. Not only does it have me going back to my college days when we learned anatomy but I've also been watching a lot of old Bruce Timm Superman and Batman cartoons. I've even looked into getting all of Timm's old Justice League episodes on DVD (I've never seen any of these episodes and, with over 90 of them out there, I think it would make for a few fun viewings.)

I even have visions of doing something involving Superman when I have some free time.

But, for now, it's back to the paying jobs.

These designs have been approved and now it's on to the fun stuff.

If I haven't drawn super heroes in a while, you can imagine how long it's been since I drew two of them throwing punches and duking it out.

The fun has only just begun!