More Black Swan W.I.P.

I have decided that drawing digitally seems like an easy fix to get things into the computer. The problem is that it looks like shit. There is something about the natural feel of drawing that you lose when you try to do it digitally. I have tried over and over and am not ever happy with the results. Other people seem to be able to pull it off, but I can't somehow. So I have decided to just work in pen and pencil/paper and scan everything. So I posted the Black Swan piece, and I def. hated it.  I went back and tried to redo it in pen and pencil now.

I then went in and added some colors to the piece (I had only intended to do a basic color of a pen and ink drawing. However during the process a happy accident happened and I realized that if I moved the color layer above* the line layers and then added values I would somewhat get the same effects of a painting (not as refined of course)

 The final step..was that I added a textured background to give the picture some atmosphere.
I have to say that even though the painting is not necessarily masterful...I def. like the way that this came out. This was a total accident, but I am excited about the day that I can get this result on command. Oh and Happy Easter!

Metroid Painted Final

Done with this guy..

The Black Swan Ver 2

I didn't like the first version that I did of this, and so instead I redid the drawing, added different colors added texture and added a feathered background, which I like a lot better.

The Black Swan WIP

I saw this movie recently..and thought that it was great. I especially like the design of the movie posters, how they made Natalie Portman look like an actual swan...so I thought that I would do a work up of that. (Update...I looked this over again and realized that it looks like shite...) so I am doing another version....

MOCCA Fest Post Game

MOCCA Fest has come and gone...what a great great great show. I had such a good time..SUCH a good time and met a lot of folks and even sold some books..who knew that would happen? The best part is that I got a bunch of comics to read. and....I haven't really been reading books for a while..but the fact that I met the actual creators makes the books that I got that much more compelling to read.

Day 1:
I arrived and got my badge and my seat assignment.,and found that I was seated right by the entrance. I sat next to a bunch of gals from Ireland who were selling a bunch of indie comics, kids books, cards and other things. At the end of our row were two guys from Accent UK comics (you can click on the link to check out their selection of comics and their site), and right off the bat I realized that people actually came across the Atlantic to make the show. So I guess i'm pretty lucky to have access to the festival right here in NYC.

Before I sat at my table I took a lap and saw what the other tables were that were being to being set up
I saw so many cool tables and pieces of art from indie folks and publishers that just blew my stuff out the water. Right away I was thinking about ways to make my stuff better for the next show.

By mid afternoon a couple of friends came though which I really appreciated. I had a really great first day..and I even sold a book or two...I was tired by the end of day one, but was so excited to be a part of the show and was psyched that I was in for more on day 2.

Day 2:
Day 2 started off even better than day one. I got there early to make sure that I got a bagel and a poptart to eat before the show started. So I was sitting at my table and along comes Bill Plympton who is an animator/cartoonist and pretty well known in the biz. He just released a DVD and was there at the show to promote his latest work. He actually came up to my table and said really nice things about my banner and my art work, Wow. that was super cool. He even autographed my sketch book and signed it too, Again.....wow!

I spent the rest of the day selling some more books, giving advice to some folks that were curious about getting into the show and putting their own stuff out and.....I even did a sketch. Which I don't think I did such a good job on. However I was flattered that I was asked. I closed the day out with two envelopes of free books, hoardes of biz cards and a ton of new connections..which was what I was hoping for. After spending so much time in isolation working on this book, not knowing what to expect, I came home patting myself on the back with the ability to say that I was in an indie comics show. I can't wait for the next one (I already have an idea)...and to read all the free comics I got..

Manny the Bot Comics Are In!

I got my comics today from the printer and they look super awesome!
I reaized that there was a mistake on one of the pages, and the size of the pages are not standard comic sizes. However considering the fact that I dropped them off on Monday, they turned them around super fast and did such a great job! I am psyched...now for Mocca fest!
I also put together my banner stand (below are the pics).

See you Saturday if you are in the area!

Details below:

 MOCCA FEST 2011:

 MoCCA Fest 2011!
A Fundraiser for the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art-MoCCA
Saturday April 9th and Sunday April 10th 11am-6pm

At the Lexington Avenue Armory
68 Lexington Ave (Between 25th &26th Streets)
New York City

http://www.moccany.org/content/mocca-festival

Mega Man Tribute

A while ago I did a piece for the Megaman tribute, and I didn't make it. The reason was because my colors were off...like waaay off. So after a few lessons, I decided to go back and start over. I am psyched because this was a huge piece, but I finally got it done. I am pretty happy with it, but the lines still look hatchy and that is because I used a tablet and Sketchbook Pro. Next time I might either draw it in Painter, or hand draw it and then scan it in. A lot less cleanup that way. Anyway enjoy

Manny the Bot! MOCCA Fest 1 Week away!

That's right..MOCCA Fest is one week away. So far:
-I've got my banner and stand ready
-I go my postcards in the mail
-I finished the comic, and got my business cards
The only thing that is left? Printing!
One week to go, and I realized that the printer that I was going to go to around the block, is not* the most tech savvy. I figured that I could go there and have them work it up really quickly, but they are just a mom and pop shop, and so I am going to need to find a place to go and get it done.

There is one place in Brooklyn that specifies in black and white comic printing (but it's in Brooklyn and that's not the closest). So I am gonna start with STAPLES and hope that the easy button works for me.
I finished it early enough that I should have enough time to get it done, but if for some reason that doesn't work, then I am gonna need to go to the Bk. place and hope that they can get it to me this week (preferably before Friday?)

I will also need to pick up a few other things and figure out how to get it all there (I think I can just take the train).  Here is the post card that I did for promotion.

It's based off of an old Charles Bronson film called 10 to Midnight. (Here is the original):

  

 

I will def. take pictures and do a post after the event.