In response to the more observational cartoon version of Joe in the last post, I tried to do a version far more loose and far less precise, so I did those above. It was actually fun and stress-relieving to not try and match up all the strokes, to let the ink be ink and not be so anal. Which likely means that this is a style that -I- like and which won't be so well received. Ah, well.

Quick drawing as I take a break from working on a short comic. It's Joe Flash tossing up sign over his webcam. Ink.

Still working on that 'secret' story for that anthology. Did these two today (Crawford and Cromwell) in a more 30s, rubber hose style in preparation for the later pages of said story. Also because I bought a collection of Floyd Gottfredson's Mickey Mouse comics which are just all sorts of good.

T-shirt design I recently made available. Was pretty happy with how it came out. I always order one for myself first to make sure. Anyone interested? It's at:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/thomasblue/t-shirts/7941874-lucco-t-shirt

Page 14. These have been a little slower in coming as I've suddenly two other projects with deadlines in front of me.

Other things I've been working on. First is a rejected design for a new year's card (year of the dragon). Second is a color comp for a kids' book I'm doing for my mom. I have a lot on my plate at this point.

Final (hopefully) version of the first page of a new short comic. Now if I can just do about five more like this..

Apparently, they will be called Crawford and Cromwell. The pose needs to be taken farther. Still, this is just aesthetic work.

Another in the last style. This one took a little longer as I worked out the textures.

The comic story I was doing wasn't well accepted so now I'm trying to work my way away from that style and approach. Played about with these two last night and this morning before work. -I- like them but I'm not sure about my taste any more.

Page 13.

Fite is still going on in the background but in the meantime, I was asked by a friend to work up something for an anthology he's putting together. I promised not to post the whole thing online so I'm just posting page two of five. Four are done and I hope to get the last done this weekend. When a fire is lit under me, I can work fast. The character's name is Joe Flash and the comic is called, "Sound and Fury."

Another one before 'work.'

Another one.

Got another one done today.

Another re-finished page. Will Pixar care? Probably not. Doesn't hurt to try, though.

Threw this together today. It's all true. I just didn't know it was true until recently.

Another Skwonk extremity.

Skwonkfox is an exercise in trying to push my own boundaries. No curve can be pushed too far, no expression too extreme. I always feel my work is hampered by some indefinable something. So with Skwonk, I hope to just push and push and push. Even the yawn could have been -more-. Still, since he's not part of anything, there's no way I can mess him up.

Another page down. This one has two drawings from the original still in it. I hope to mix it up as I go along so that the transition isn't so obvious.

A rare female character design done for a friend. She liked it, so I guess it's successful.

Another new page and it's off to work.

Another one down.

Here is Fite page 5 and a new Biography. They're connected.

Hey, even more Fite-based goodness. Went looking through the archives to see the three steps in making this particular page. I think there's a version missing, one of the first version but done with digital water colors. In any case, this is a six year span. I'd like to think that it shows that I've done some growing and learned a few things. And if not, well, I'm not worse off than I was before.

And one more for the day. With the later pages, I plan to keep the existing backgrounds so that there will be a smoother transition between the old work and the new. The idea is to make a more cohesive whole.

Got another page done today. Man, I like these SO much more than the originals...

It's hard not to share stuff I've been doing -somewhere-, so I'm choosing here as there are fewest people watching. Though it's backpeddling and I KNOW it's backpeddling, I've started redrawing the first section of pages of Fite. When looking at the comic as a whole, I don't feel right showing it off with those early, awkward drawings. I've also got it in my head to use it as a sort of portfolio piece, sending it out to places I'd love to work. To that end, since I can now draw Lucco + Co. a hell of a lot better than I could at the beginning of the comic, I'm redrawing them. And the thing is, I really miss drawing Lucco. He's my boy, my first real, distinct character and I'm proud of him. He doesn't have another story in him and I won't force one on him. I still want to draw him. So there.

Redrew this from yesterday.

I'm over this; not getting the job, but the subject matter was too good to waste.

Just some inking practice before work. I like the character. Probably too 70s, but there you go.

VERY sleepy this morning. So I brought in an older character, Joe Flash to take my place.

No comment.

I rarely get hooked on video games, and even when I do, drawing usually wins out in the battle for time. This time, I haven't drawn anything in over a week, haven't done one of these in over two. Inspiration's just not there.

I've been keeping a separate sketchbook, 'character a day,' just to keep myself busy. These guys above are the first to come out of it. I love crows. They hold a special place in my comics. Was also trying to step outside my own usual mode of construction/inking. It's hard to do, but worth doing I think. Doing so led to today's bio comic:

The "secret" behind Retail Q. Cat. Sort of.

My video gaming partner of the day got sick.

Took the cartooning/fine art thing a little far. On the other hand, I WAS productive today. Based on a favorite Picasso self-portrait, blue period.