This puppy dog cartoon character illustration was created a mascot/logo for a recent client. His nickname is “News Hound”, hence the word “Press” on his dog collar name tag.
The pup went through quite a few rounds of sketches, even before sending “initial” sketches to the client. I had a certain look in mind and wanted to get this guy just right. The proportions were key, as was allowing for the nametag on the dog collar.
This drawing of a surfer dude cartoon character was sketched for a current project. He came out pretty cool and I thought I would share as the final will most likely be tweaked in response to client input. The other characters in the series are leaning towards a different body/head ratio as well, so he’ll have to be adjusted. Sometimes what works for one character doesn’t work well across multiple characters.
I just finished up this fun Pink Panther cartoon character illustration for the current Sugar Frosted Goodness contest “Saturday Morning Cartoons“.
As I mentioned on the post at SFG, the Pink Panther was always one of my favorite cartoons as a kid. There was just something unique about the art direction and style that just made an impression on me back then.
I also liked the fact that the Pink Panther didn’t speak. There’s something that just cool about having the guts to do that with your main character.
A recent project, “Major Change” was developed for a Canadian client looking for a cartoon character mascot for a promotional campaign. Interestingly enough although it was a Canadian client, they preferred to go with a United States military officer for the iconic quality. Kind of a bummer to think that when people think “military”, they think “United States”. I guess for some people that’s a positive thing. And before this post gets too political…
For some reason I had it in my mind from the initial discussions that somehow the character was to be a gruff bulldog chomping on a cigar, General Patton-style. The cigar remained, but I was set straight on the proper direction early on. Another reason to make sure you have plenty of dialog with your client before starting projects.
I recently updated the “Girl in the Moon” artwork (while drinking some Miller High Life beers, of course). I had initially created a version of her a few years back, and while I thought it was good at the time, lately I have been wanting to update her as she was my first attempt at a pinup style illustration. I have been working towards a certain look/style for the pinup girls, including some devil girl pinup art and others and felt I was getting closer to that vision as of late.
I thought it only fair to go back and update the original. A request to get that original art in t-shirt format prompted me to start work on the new version.
I touched on the awesomeness of using multiple pencil grades in a previous post on essential cartoonist tools before, but there’s a great overview specifically on pencil grades by cartoonist Matt Glover. There’s some decent additional pencil grade classification information over at Wikipedia as well.
Find out what those cryptic “2B”, “HB”, “6H” and the rest really mean. Knowing the difference, having a full set of pencils with all the grades in the range is a must. This is the way to lay down very thick, dark blacks in your drawings as well as fine, light grays. It’s all in the blackness and hardness my friends.
I (very) recently worked on a two-page spread illustration for the Cleveland Free Times issue that comes out this week (Wed. Aug. 15, 2007). The piece was a satire on the controversial Cleveland Clinic “Medical Mart” being proposed in Cleveland, Ohio.
Writer James Renner found my work via my website and wanted me to illustrate his Star Wars themed parody of the shenanigans. The piece was done in a cartoon style (obviously) reminiscent of MAD Magazine, as I was flexing some serious Mort Drucker, Sam Viviano & Jack Davis idolisation while creating the piece.
Staff writer Renner, along with Editor Frank Lewis were extremely pleased with the final piece, which was created on a super-tight deadline (even after being given a requested week’s bump by Art Director Ron Kretsch due to many existing and pressing projects on my end).
Still using that pencil you found in the couch and an old dictionary as a drawing board? Don’t feel like the biggest computer wiz when it comes to graphics software? There are plenty of inexpensive tools out there that will boost your productivity and enjoyment level when drawing, sketching or just doodling. And you don’t have to spend a ton of money to expand your tool kit in ways that are sure to make your life much easier, giving you more time to draw.
