Use the Farce Luke!

Alas, this post is not about any new Star Wars buzz or related fan art, this is instead a caricature of my cousin Luke done as a Christmas present.

I don't draw caricature as much as portraiture, (not since that one of Joaquin Phoenix in January) but I could probably benefit from playing with pieces that call for exaggerating the subject, rather than just copy what's there.

What I learned:

1. When working in a style that you're unfamiliar with, it's important give yourself plenty of prep time to experiment. The project may sound simple, but it'll come out better if you give yourself time to play with the possibilities.

2. If you're asked to draw someone that you've never met in your life. Make sure the client gives you MULTIPLE reference photos. Five minimum is a good place to start.


Now I want to hear from you. What have your art projects taught you in this past year?

Plate House

A Christmas present for my uncle, an illustration of his house in Pennsylvania. 

Tomorrow: Play Ball!

MCC Weekly 5: T-Rex Triple Threat!

I got to pick this week's theme and wanted something that could cast a wide net so we wouldn't all wouldn't have to draw the same character. Plus I wanted something that I was passionate enough about to be able to finish what with all the Christmas crunch.

Here we have the three T-Rex themed Red Rangers from Mighty Morphin', the new Dino Charge and Dino Thunder. Inspired by the dinosaur sentai team up from Kyoryuger vs. Go-Busters.

For more on these suits check out my commentary on the costumes in Power Rangers!

Sketch ya'... tomorrow!

MCC Weekly 4: Master Splinter

Holiday hubbub kept me from contributing to last week's annual sketch of Master Splinter, so I wanted to make up for it this week with a more dynamic composition.

During this drawing I was able to get my hand on a white gel pen that let me draw white lines over top of my blacks. I can't wait to put that to further use!

I also can't tell you how many time I caught myself saying "And four baby turtles..." while drawing this.

Sketch ya' ... Friday!

Geek Fallout 109: Top 5 Families

Ah, Christmas that time you get together with your family. Recording this episode in the midst of the busy Christmas season; we're tired, we're cranky, and its clear that none of us want to be here tonight. What resulted is our most unintentionally hilarious episode ever!

Join Brian Farrell, Jason Roberts, Derek Ash and myself for our pointed and articulate discussion of DC Comics' TV shows before we completely lose it and incoherently ramble about the best families in pop culture.

Secret Santa Sketches

One of the local elementary schools asked me to make some sketch cards for the kids as part of a Secret Santa exchange.

Hiro and Baymax

Groot and Rocket

Groot and Rocket

All those who chose to oppose his shield must YEILD!

First time I've drawn Anna.
Seriously I've gotten more requests for Sven than her!

Dave... or maybe Steve

Olaf

Rapunzel, another Disney first for me.

Wolverine as Michael Keaton's Batman!

Starfox and Wonder Man as Harold and Kumar.
This sketch is actually for the Michigan Comics Collective Secret Santa Exchange.

Now I want to hear from you! Which card is your favorite and who would you request for a secret Santa sketch?

Sketch ya' later!

The Making of Christmas Cards 2014

Plenty of people have sent me e-mails letting me know that they received their copy of my Christmas card so I guess I can sure it with the rest of the world now!

Two years worth of experience have taught me to start earlier each year so it was a bit hard to come up with something Christmas-y when I had only just caught the Halloween bug. So sadly I wasn't able to continue my unintended them from previous years of a seasonal messenger coming to your home, be it by angels or an animal.

Instead I opted for a self portrait, to make it more personal.

This Christmas, surround yourself with colorful characters!

My original plan involved a picture of myself at my desk interacting with a variety of fantasy characters. It was fun to construct this set up, but it ended up being too ambitious to be fully completed in just a month.

Its an idea I'd seen in other places and wanted to give my own take on it as a way of showing people the more fantastical elements that I like to draw.

Ed Catmull, John Lasseter and friends

Walt Kelly

Jack Kirby

To try and give it a fun twist, I added the finished card at my desk to create this weird recursion illusion. Yet another case of time limitations and necessity being the mother of invention!

Now I want to hear from you! What do you think of this year's Christmas card and how do you think I can improve for next year?

Merry Christmas!

Random Nerdness Christmas Special!

Art by Ralph McQuarrie

The Geek Fallout crew returns for our Christmas Special Spectacular!

Join Chris Lockhart, Chris Giada, Brian Farrell, Derek Ash, George Pappy and myself as we brighten up the season by talking about our best Christmas gifts, our favorite TV specials, cookies and debate whether or not to tell the kids about Santa Claus.



Tomorrow: Christmas Cards!

Art & Advocacy Auction

I was invited to attend the Art + Advocacy Auction for Safe & Sound, an organization that aids children who have been in abusive homes. 

So I had a table set up and drew live portraits in exchange for a donation.

MCC Weekly 3: Dr. Strange

I thought it would be funny to show a character struggling with the added alliterative appeal that crops up all over the place in the Marvel Universe. Hence we have Doctor Strange spitting all over himself trying to handle this tongue twister of a spell.

Sketch ya' later!

MCC Weekly 2: Caitlin Fairchild

#mccsketch  #mccweeklysketch

MCC Sketch Week #2 Caitlin Fairchild from Gen 13

Another character I don't know anything about beyond "wears a leotard". Hence her reaction mirrors my own. I suppose I could have done another pose, but I thought it would be fun to do something tongue in cheek. (No Pun Intended!)

Sketch ya' later!

Geek Fallout 108: Star Wars and Aliens

Chris Lockhart leads us out for his final episode as host on the show.

Join Chris, Miss M, Derek Ash, Jason Roberts and myself as we react to the trailers for "The Force Awakens" and "Jurassic World" before discussing our favorite extraterrestrials in entertainment.




Let us know what you thought of the Star Wars trailer and what your favorite alien is.