Santa-cipation (Christmas Card 2016)

An illustration for this year's Christmas card, if I weren't still sending out last year's designs.

Special thanks to my friend and fellow illustrator MD Jackson who posted a comment on my Facebook page suggesting that I could keep going with this drawing I did for a bag at an office Christmas party. 

It just goes to show you what a little encouraging comment can lead to and inspire (hint hint)

Heres to 2017 folks, let's all make it a good one!

Turtle Power!

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. 2016.

Digital.

Commission to kick off the Christmas rush!

To Serve Man

TO SERVE MAN. 2016.

Digital

A tribute poster for one of my favorite television series.

PCL: Eyewitness to Blind Buying

 

Anyone who has seen my illustration posts or heard me on the Geek Fallout podcast knows that I don't do anything without a plan. So while its not for me, I was an eyewitness to blind buying this past week.

 

While out shopping with my neighbor Asia (she's the kind of person who should be post for the League as she fits more with the toy collector crowd) She was squeezing the Star Wars figure bags looking for a Boba Fett. "This one's a BB-8!" she declared matter-of-factly. I suppose the unique shape would give it away. She ended up getting a Darth Vader.

 

She did the same thing with the Disney Princess bags. She left with Tiana, Merida and Cinderella. She arranged them on my dashboard and had them sing Skyler sister songs from "Hamilton" the whole way home. She seemed satisfied.

 

Like this post? Please leave a comment to let me know!

Like the Blind Bag gamble? Take a chance on some of these fine posts!

 

The Last Hometown

Green Plastic Squirt Gun

20 Years B4 2000

GI Jigsaw

Copyright 1984



Summer in Sandusky

This summer I'm taking my show on the road to draw caricatures once again!

You can keep up with my latest work through these phone-friendly media sites:

Tumblr: http://erikjohnsonillustrator.tumblr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikjohnsonillustrator/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IllustratorErik

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikjohnsonillustrator/

See you around!

Big Hero 6: Master Blaster

C'mon Hiro, can't we just get beyond thunderdome!

(I bet Hiro doesn't even know what that line is from)

Frozen: Arendelle Spring

Inspired by spring in Michigan.

(It would seem the cold doesn't bother Anna either.)

EDIT: One of the disadvantages to drawing digitally is that I'll often find myself leaping to render my idea as it first pops in my head, to jump on that idea while it's fresh and new instead of thinking through and sketching other possible interpretations. For example, this was the original drawing, that once finished, I realized, it wasn't really working.

Zootopia: Bunny Ears

NICK:
I thought you said "bunny ears" were an offensive gesture.

JUDY:
No, it's "two" because we're partners, and there's two of us!

EDIT: I just discovered this promo shot of Judy giving Nick bunny ears.
I would love to see what this full image looks like if anyone has an uncropped version.

Geek Fallout 50: The DC Animated Universe!

For our milestone 50th episode its the long anticipated tribute to the DC Animated Universe! Batman, Superman, Static Shock, Batman Beyond and the Justice League! 

Listen to us reminiscence the Awesome, Heartwarming and Tearjerking moments of these outstanding adaptations!

Zootopia: New Uniform

Prior to his graduation, Nick poses in front of the mirror in a new uniform again, finally part of a pack. While alone he sheds a tear since he can't let them see they got to him... Even when they're the ones that love him the most.

Penguins for life!

The Bogan family wanted to be drawn as penguins because of their igloo house.

I couldn't help but think of this:

Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!

Can Ryan Reynold's latest superhero flick make up for his previous comic book flop? (Apparently yes).

Geek Fallout: Superheroes NOT based on Comic Books!

The Return of Geek Fallout The Comic Book Episodes for 2016!

Join Erik, Calvin, Jason and Richard as we discuss Disney’s original superheroes, Sam Jackson as the ultimate mentor and how Spider-Man created the Power Rangers!

The hazards of a lightsaber on your mustache!

Thanks and apologies to Jason Roberts.

Angel

"Angel" is the one feature that changed the most from concept to completion of this year's cards. Up through coloring she was supposed to be a muse, a personification of inspiration. 

However it occurred to me that notion wouldn't be clear to most people and that a floating woman in a loose fitting garment might be unintentionally suggestive for my mostly family-friendly output. 

From there I was going to make her a fairy with a magic wand and butterfly wings but instead settled upon bigger, more easily readable angel wings.

Herobot 01

Purple Gauntlets of Justice!

"Herobot" was originally supposed to be a traditional cape and tights superhero until I realized that I was already dealing with flowing robes on the angel and that a blowing cape might be hard to read when they were next to each other. So instead I decided on this Iron Man inspired robot hero, complete with the overused "Superhero Squat" or "Three Point Landing" as its better known.

Back in Black! (and White)

Everybody Gather Round: Christmas Cards 2015

The concept of an artist being surrounded by their creations is nothing new. I had tinkered with this same notion last year. After my summer at Cedar Point with people looking over my shoulder every single day the idea seemed ripe to revisit.

Whatever apparitions the new year has waiting I'm proud to be surrounded by all of you, my friends!