"Mystic of the Crystal"

Another piece to add to my growing collection of work done in this style on the neat toned card-stock I picked up a while back. I'm really enjoying the way these pieces turn out. The ink with highlights and minimal color in color pencil. I've always liked this type of drawing, but for some reason, it took me a long time to get around to actually trying it myself. Now that I have, I find it to be very intense and alive! It's a very satisfying way to do these types of character study drawings!

My intention is to have a nice collection of this and other types of art to sell as prints at the comicbook and fantasy conventions I like to frequent. A lot of artists sell pin-ups of superheroes and other fictional characters at artist alley tables, but I never really had a lot of these types of prints to show at cons (except for the furry conventions), and I think it's time I corrected that oversight.

Anyway, I really enjoyed creating this drawing of one of the gentle Mystics from the world of Jim Henson and Brian Froud's "The Dark Crystal". I might also do one of Augura, the crazy old astrologer, perhaps with a sketch of her amazing observatory in the background. Or perhaps a piece featuring the charming Gelflings. But I must admit that the Mystics were always my favorite characters in the movie. I wish more of it had focused on them and their lives...but I suppose that would have been too dull for a movie. They weren't exactly like Shaolin priests or anything. All they did was lope along quietly making potions and sand paintings and songs...not exactly fodder for a thrilling movie spectacle.

At least they make nice subjects for drawings. ^0^

A Friend In Deed

This year during our Great Yearly ceremony, The C.L.A.W. will be awarding the lovely Carmen Melendez her very own "Friend of CLAW" fez in recognition of everything she did during 2012 to help us with venues and and events that featured CLAW involvement!

I was asked to create her invitation to the ceremony and decided to make her a fun little paper sculpture of her favorite character, DC's Harley Quinn, the Joker's main squeeze! Here are a few pics of me making the presentation and of the final piece itself.

Congratulations, Carmen--but most of all, thanks from all of us in the Cartoonist's League of Absurd Washingtonians!

A Super Christmas for Da Boys!

Just wanted to share the pin-up pieces I made for three of my nephews as Christmas presents. I did them on actual comic boards with all the blue lines, to give them an authentic feel. My sister was able to tip me off on which hero each of the boys particularly idolized.

I thought it was interesting which characters they picked. In a way it gives a bit of insight into each of their personalities. It just seemed that each one's choice was perfect for him. Makes me wonder about my own favorite comic characters...and what that says about me. Mind you, my favorites change from time to time, and I suppose theirs do too. I remember, though, how much I used to like Captain Marvel--a kid who could speak a magic word and become an invulnerable and powerful adult. And I always liked Spiderman, a guy who always felt torn by his secret life and guilt about his inability to be everything he thought he should be in both of his worlds.

Oh sure, I liked the Flash and Superman and Batman and many others. But there was always something about Captain Marvel and Spidey that really spoke to me growing up.