Norbert and Billy 15

I'm really thinking of revamping this strip and trying to start it as a legit webcomic. While I have toyed with the idea of making it a comic book, I think the web has the lowest level of risk. Ideally, I'd like to do something like three dailies a week and one, bigger, Sunday-funnies size endeavor. If I could get a good head of steam on these and keep it up for a while, I think I could collect it in a book, either a traditional comic book or a more traditional strip collection. Thoughts?

Norbert and Billy 14

Just have time for a single strip today.

Alien Doodle

I may ink this tomorrow with some new flexi nib pens.

Digital inking. Flow set to 100 percent seems the best idea

Norbert & Billy 12 and 13

Sorry for the layoff in updates. No really good excuses for it, just let myself get derailed. Always takes an extra bit of effort to get back on track.

Facebook Connections

My old Junior High, High School best friend, Lewis Hall connected with me via Facebook.

I saw every film in the Psychotronic Encylopedia of film with Lewis at Drive In dusk to dawn showings at the Hillcrest, Riviera, 14 Flags and Sooner Twin in Oklahoma City.

Including the incredible Blood Feast and 2000 Maniacs.

"Feel how shawp that blade is."

Inked?

So the other week I get an e-mail out of the blue from a woman with this text:

I am writing this email about your artwork! I was wondering if you have any issues with people getting your artwork tattoed on them?? I was thinking of getting the robot manta ray that you drew as a tattoo.... I actually have one of the robot octopi that you drew tattooed on my leg. I am sorry that I never asked for your permission! I first found the art on a pichaus site (I believe it was called that) when I google image searched 'octopus'. Then months later, when I was searching for the art to show to my friends, I discovered your blog with the original art. And also, I was wondering, since you love robots so much, if you had ever run into some good robot t-rex art?? Oh, and if you want to see, I can send a picture of the tattoo. :)

Thanks so much!

So I emailed her back saying that it was her body and I would be flattered if anybody wanted my art on their body forever. She sent back these pics:



So I guess I'm flattered....It's a little weird having your art on somebody's thigh. But then I got to thinking, hey maybe I'm getting "Punk'd' by somebody here....hmmm my first guess would be MR. BUNCAKE!!! Those look like his legs!! I swear!! And that skirt!! OMG I've seen him wear that skirt before!! and besides, he can use Photoshop....

Any thoughts?? (blogging from Paris!)

Don Rosa Interview

Mr. Moon, you will probably really enjoy this interview. I'm about half-way through it (eleven parts takes time). What is really sad is how Disney has completely gutted and destroyed the legacy that Carl Barks created and Don Rosa helped sustain. It saddens me to no end, actually, to realize there will likely never be another run of Donald and Uncle Scrooge comics in America the way they should be seen. Tragic.

The Wikipedia entry on Rosa states he has retired from the Duck stories as of this year. Eye surgery, poor treatment by his European publisher and countless copyright infringements have discouraged him from continuing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Rosa

Sad.

BON VOYAGE

Jeff, have a great trip.

IDW Pitch Session Scheduled for Friday ...

Last week I emailed Ted Adams of IDW Publishing to request a shot at a short pitch session. He passed it to Editor in Chief Scott Dunbier and we scheduled it for this Friday, Oct. 3, at 3pm.

My question for TAGgers is this: Do you have first (or second ... heh heh) hand experience with IDW, and if so can you share with me/us? Knowledge is power in a pitch session, so I want to be as knowledgeable as I can be as I enter the room to begin pitching.

;-)

Bailout ChooChoo

Barbarian

for tuesday

Tuesday Sketch(s)

This lacks the charm of "Cork" and the wit of "Norbert and Billy". Just a two sketches done in a meeting scanned and stitched together. If you're inspired, you can post their imagined conversation. Mr. Buncake let's keep it clean.

Mrs. Marble

This is a Creeple character... I don't know anything more about her other than that. She started out as a guy, but after I put in the spikes I thought she should be a female. We watched 1993 version of The Secret Garden last night with the kids and the Maggie Smith character no doubt influenced me on this.

Judo Gene LeBell answers my Dumb Question

The Underground MMA.TV forum had Gene LeBell offering to take questions. I offered up....


"Did Steve Martin require much prep when you did the high crotch lift into a garbage can scene in Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid?"


LeBell.."Mr. Wind: "Steve Martin is my favorite living comedian and he was a super athlete when we shot our films together. When you lift somebody by the crotch they don't need any prep, they just jump."

I have a lot of LeBell's books and video. I'm just a huge fan of the idea of Gene LeBell. Toughest man on Earth. It was a kick to have him give me a funny answer from what has to be an infinite library of anecdotes on Hollywood stunt work.

Arrgh. I had Gene's name spelled wrong initially. Sorry about that Gene. (Don't want that guy mad at me.)

Debate Doodles

Quick, the occasional likeness.

3 Evil Cousins

Click the headline to see a terrific Blog... it's Called 3 Evil Cousins (how I love that name) and it features book reviews "by teens, for teens". Why should you look at it? Well, my oldest has written a couple of the most recent reviews (Artemis Foul and Peeps) and it features a great illustration by TAG's own MJM! If you look at some of the links on the blog you will see some "Bios" of the reviewers along with some more cool drawings.

Oh, and there is also a link to Cafepress so you can order your very own 3 Evil Cousins shwag!

A big thanks to Maurie for encouraging kids to do cool things together!

Rick's In SEATTLE?!?!

DUDE, that is SO COOL you're in Seattle. That's Blair and I's absolutely most favorite American city. Have you looked in Magnolia for a place to live? We like that neighborhood lots. Love the downtown.

And you can play tennis between drizzles.

Shame faced

I post this shame-facedly. There's so much that's been posted here that I've wanted to comment on--Tom's videos, Cork, and I see a new comic strip that I haven't even had time to delve into. My only defense is I'm horrible at multi-tasking. I haven't even applauded the new TAG Blog header, which is magnificent.

Sigh. I'll get back to it.

Action!!

Pose for Tuesday

Spiderman Party - It will make you cry

Corpus Clock and Chronophage

Return of Gun Nose (Liberal Warning ...) ;-)

Here is a new film, an introduction to a collection of music videos that will be coming out about one a week. The overall show is called "Gun Nose Presents" ... and this segment will come before each of the videos. It is quite liberal in its leaning, so if you're not of that mindset, don't look ... ;-)



For those who don't already know, I wrote the music and lyrics and my friend Mark DeCerbo (he of local bands Four Eyes, Steely Damned, and Rockola) recorded the instruments, vocals, and mixed it.

As I finish each video I'll post it. Most, if not all, will have character animation, so I will be rapidly learning new skills.

Norbert and Billy 11

I missed a day and I only had time to scan one strip. Enjoy!

Dolphin Rings

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TMCf7SNUb-Q

"Dream of Life"

http://www.freewebs.com/ngocjhoof/trncaonhnxungdt.htm

ok.
Dok

Norbert and Billy 9 & 10

Billy is sent to the the slammer, but this gray-bar hotel seems strangely familiar...

Lunch Painting

An armed character with gas mask tears an angel in a destroyed street.

Doodlin'

A few doodles around a top down set design for a show called "Body Doubles ..." more about that when it's ready to debut.

Norbert and Billy 7 & 8

Picking up where I left of last week. It's been pretty satisfying posting these and reading your comments. Thanks for all the good feedback.

Cork 7

Didn't have any time to work on a new Cork this weekend... so I did one anyway.

Tink

Taking a break from "Norbert and Billy," which I'll resume posting tomorrow. This is another comic strip my best friend in college, Josh Touchton, and I thought about doing. He was the idea guy/writer and I was going to be the artist. It was basically going to be a one-panel strip about a big dumb redneck named Tink and his white trash family. Josh has to have one of the most wicked senses of humor in the world and most of his ideas were lifted from everyday observations of the denizens of the small town in Arkansas where we went to school. I have to contact him see if he's up for more.

I drew this back in the mid-90's after I had discovered inking with a brush. Once I got the brush, I stopped using crow quills. It's hard to beat the organic character a Winsor& Newton series seven sable imparts on bristol. Anyhoo, enjoy. These are my people.

Digital Painting Bible

A student of mine. Reese by name, had the book that I've linked to here. (click title)

I know these kind of books are common but this one really seemed to have good information. Mine will be here Tuesday. I'll review it some more then.

What struck me was all the detail on settings that can stay arcane unless someone clearly points out what they do.

It's also cheap. 13 bucks. But it also seems to have a flimsy papeback binding. Might come apart eventually.

Norbert and Billy 5 & 6

Hope I'm not wearing out my welcome with this. Please let me know if I am.

Norbert and Billy 3&4

When I did this strip, I was basically just making stuff up as I went along with no real plan. Mainly, I just enjoyed having a total cad for a main character. He could be a real jerk which meant he got some kind of vicious comeuppance as a result.

Norbert and Billy

From the way-back machine, circa 1992. This was my first and only attempt at making a comic-strip for syndication. I noodled this out during my junior year of college when I was taking summer classes. Motivated by Scott's 'Cork' strip, I decided to dust this off and scan it in. I'll run the whole series if you guys like it.

Mark and Kirby rip-off

He draws on Yo! Gabba Gabba as of late, which I have yet to see.


oh yeah- click link for R U Experienced?

Work in Progress

This is a sketch for a digital painting I'm working on.

Hick Werewolf and Bela

Bela's the human. Done during a company meeting.

Guy on top is just my usual doodle on scrap paper

Old Blog and Old Times

Last night I was invited to attend a group of concept artists who get together once a week to hang out, draw, chat and perhaps hire a model to pose. I went and it was very cool… and familiar. It was like the old TAG days had been revived!

At any rate, I’m bummed that I discovered this group as I’m headed out the door of the Bay Area, but I am inspired to find or start my own group up north. It brought back a lot of good memories of hanging out with you guys… thanks, guys & gals, for being part of TAG and providing me with fond memories and inspiration all these years. :)

Oh, and be sure to take a look at my old blog... I'm posting there again! http://rickart.blogspot.com/

Trailer #2 is here:

Just click on the title to go there. It's similar, just shuffled a bit and with different text.

This week I'm going to try to put together a video that explains how the game is played ... it'll involve green screen, so wish me luck!

Craft Services on the set of Mothman

My head was very freshly shaven. But the "blueing" of my beard and head are very pronounced in the photo.

Little After Effects Movie for The Cyber Ring

Here's a first look at the first trailer for The Cyber Ring, a reality game show that I'll be pitching to Endemol through Talpa Creative. So much fun to pitch stuff. I'm finalizing (simplifying) the details of how to play the game right now.

Tutorial from Conceptart.org

Title is a link to the thread of HULKING, TRAIL-CLEARING ROBOT SHATTERS TREES WITH RAKE-LIKE CLAWS .

I'm using this in my next class at Otis

The second image is a student's reaction to "A Poacher finds an Alien in his Steel Trap." Pretty good I thought.

Nice TAG logo at the top of the page by the way. Jeff probably?

Laundry Day

On Tom's recommendation, zipping over here from Facebook TAG.

So here's the sketch for my new book with Clarion -- I just got the news yesterday that they bought it! This is the first book I've sold based on one spread (sketch) and the manuscript. Wow, that's a lot less work than doing the whole dummy before I show it to the publisher. So, I think this is pretty unique -- very much a graphic novel format in a 32 page picture book for little kids. I'm inspired by artists from Sendak (everything) to Shaun Tan (The Arrival) to Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) and hope I've got my own little take on the idea.

That Spacegirl Work. Click this Title

Travis Charest. Nice stuff

Have I posted this before?

I'm not sure if I've posted this before... this should look familiar to Tom C.

Cork 6

I finished this on Friday but it took till now to find a workable scanner.

I DO SELL GOONS

This post is for a certain TAG member that I happen to know will be turning 55 this month. I was reminded of this while reading a Tommy Tomorrow story that shows that in the enlightened year of 2061, workers will be required to retire at the age of 55! To learn the identity of the mystery TAG member in question, just unscramble the anagram that is the title of this post. Other variations include "GOIL'S NOODLES", "LESS GOOD LOIN", "I, GODLESS LOON", or "O, GODLESS LION", "LONE DOG SOILS", "OOLONG SLIDES", "LO, LEO SINS, GOD", "LI'L GOOD NOSES", "LOG SLIDE SOON" and "DOG NOISES, LOL".