30Char - 30 - Chamaneleon

And here's the final entry! # 30 of the 30 Character Challenge, "The Underground Edition". I've inked an weird animal.
This is a chamaneleon. It's more aquatic than his more popular cousin, and you won't find one like it anywhere else. At least not one that talks. Mr. Leon, as he likes to be called, is a demanding CEO. Other company lizards loathe him. We catch him during leisure time, getting a snack. Did you know his weird eyes can see in the dark?

Tempted to try my latest dark shadowing trick, I didn't use it this time. I have possible mixed-media plans for those eyes. So I called this one done, and the official closing piece for the 30 Character Challenge, Undergound Edition! This has been a great opportunity to learn, and the practice is invaluable. Many lessons to talk about in my next post, which will include a Character Parade (I coin it!).

Anyway, here's a little guy that got inked in the meantime. One place that will be bubbling over with characters will be the 30 Character Challenge web site. Now, for registered, unregistered, and underground creations, visit some of my crazy awesome artist friends: Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward.

Follow me on Twitter, click gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog if you like. There's bound to be a new sketch or piece every couple of days, at least. Leave a comment please, they're very much appreciated. That's it for now, as always, have a great art time!

30Char #29 - Uncle Sal

Entry # 29 of the 30 Character Challenge, Underground Edition. In the next to last character, I offer a humble pencil sketch. Its marked "Boot Up Sketch" because it was started while booting up a computer (I haven't beat the computer yet).

Meet "Uncle Sal". Mr. Salvatore Vespucio Poggolini. Kind hearted, he spends evenings at the lodge, never getting in trouble. Look at that face, looks like he's going to tell you there's spinach between your teeth. Go back 30 years, when he knew every cop and every crook in another town. These days he doesn't talk about it, but every now and then you'll see him stare out the window, and at his cello case. You know, I don't think I've seen him play his Cello either.

I'm glad I can say I missed drawing with just pencils. This means I've been inking at least for four days straight. It's nice to let loose with pencils. After all, that's where everything comes from.

There are more new characters for today and tomorrow at the 30Character Challenge web site. But for registered, unregistered, and underground creations, visit some of my crazy awesome artist friends: Kevin Cross, Bob Learned,Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward.

Only one character left to go. I'm thinking of doing further challenges. Follow me on Twitter, click gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog if you like. Leave a comment, please, they're very much appreciated. That's it for now, as always, have a great art time!

30Char #28 - Boom!

I  give you entry # 28 for the 30 Character Challenge, Underground Edition. This i s starting to look like a robot parade. I have just scratched the surface on that one. Experimenting with a couple of techniques, while locking to a style/theme is new to me. But robots keep popping up on the sketchbook. Only 2 left to do, before we see slideshows.

Here is Boom! Maintenance robot # 4. While getting his weekly module updates, he accidentally connected himself to the janitor's personal music player device. This happened concurrent with that fateful lightning storm that struck the compound's power grid. He didn't make a sound the first day, but after reboot, he literally blew away his companions when he producing a sound. His new powerful audio blast could destroy small buildings. He has learned to control his volume, but his weekly re-boot session is cause of concern. It is important to say that #4 is a heavy metal fan. The hand signal a mix of meditative and heavy metal meaning, announces his "about-to-rock" state of being. Boom!

I experimented with light direction without a harnesss, so be warned. All in all, I'm happy with the things I've discovered. I still need to see some example of good black/white separation techniques at the drawing level. But that will come.

There's way more new characters every day this month at the 30Character Challenge web site. But for registered, unregistered, and underground creations, visit some of my crazy awesome artist friends: Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward.

Two left to go, but will we stop creating at this pace? Follow me on Twitter, click gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog if you like. Leave a comment, please, they're appreciated. That's it for now, as always, have a great art time!

30Charr #27 - Punch!

Here's entry # 27 for the 30 Character Challenge, Underground Edition. I continue with another robot because I'm exploring  a lighting technique, and the robots keep popping up on the sketchbook, and I can't stop. I have to repeat, there are no rules in the underground, and you go with the flow. Only 3 left to do, and we'll have a celebratory slideshow.

Here is Punch! Maintenance robot # 3. He was charging up in the shack when that lightning storm hit the compound. Ever since getting that unexpected extra jolt, he's able to "fly", and shocked actuator/dynamo system now multiplies his strength. He discovered this last fact when he punched a runaway train to save a dog stuck on the rails. Of course, unlike his brothers, 1 and 2, his IQ is that of 8 year old, which makes him their superior in intelligence. He's looking for a cape.

I wanted to try some more of the last shading technique used on robot #2. and discovered there's more to this. The divisions between black and white areas are hard to figure out. I'm going to have to examine their use. Even though its an experiment, I'm happy with how it comes together as one unit just by using that exaggerated dark shadow. We'll see how it goes. We already have a group of shadowy robots going.

There's way more new characters every day this month at the 30Character Challenge web site. But for registered and (unregistered) underground, excellent daily character creations, visit some of my awesome and crazy artist friends: Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward.


I have 3 left to go, the question is, can we stop? Follow me on Twitter, click gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog if you like. Leave a comment, please, they're appreciated. That's it for now, as always, have a great art time!

30Char 25 & 26 - Crunch and Munch

Finally up to date with entries 25 & 26.  I am slapping down bonus card of creating twin characters! And there are no rules in the underground. Only 4 left now. When we complete 30 characters, we will have to rig up a slideshow page.

Here is Crunch, also known as Number One. Along with his brother Munch, another maintenance robot, he got left outside in a lightining storm one night. Yes, the old lightning-bolt-gives life story. Their programming got scrambled enough to keep working, but develop their own "personality" modules from scratch. These guys are sort of dumb, and daring. A dangerous combination. Without fail, these guys get in trouble helping anyone others. This particular image of Crunch is from way back, when he first tried out his walking routines. We made him build and replace the furniture he broke after he calibrated his walk cycles.

And brother, Munch, good 'ol Number Two. You could say he's the daring one. Dumb as a bolt, he has no problem walking into danger, and catastrophe, with his pointy grin. Here we have him showing us what he's best at. He must have opened the wrong door while on the barn's loft. Lucky he didn't damage himself too much. Other than some rattling from the brain case, he keeps on going. But they take care of themselves. Crunch can handle soldering irons and meters, results are another matter.

I went a little experimental. With Crunch, I inked and used a mix of hashing and shadow lines. It was interesting. But then I tried the black shadow areas on Munch. Oh yeah! Feeling close to some comic inking I like. I will have to explore these techniques.

There's way more new characters every day this month at the 30Character Challenge web site. But for registered and underground, excellent daily character creations, visit some of my awesome and crazy artist friends: Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward.

I have 6 left to go, the question is, can we stop? Follow me on Twitter, click gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog if you like. Leave a comment, please, they're appreciated. That's it for now, as always, have a great art time!

30Char #24 - Betty

Entry 24 for the 30 Character Challenge, (Underground edition). Keeping steady pace, still behind by 2, because its already the 26. This means that to hit the 30 mark, there's 6 more characters to cook up. Thanksgiving was full family time, and not a lick of art in the afternoon or night. And it was a long night. I did manage to finish coloring this piece.

This is Betty Flowers. She's the shy new girl in highschool about to try out for the swimming team. She's a little nervous. She wrings her hands as she walks over to the edge of the pool when called, looking at the team, in a "now or nothing" moment.

The piece has a process history. I started drawing a girl sketch, and coincidentally, my last run of characters were mostly male. My great artist friend on twitter, George Ward (web site link below), mentioned he hadn't seen female characters from me. He offered to give me tips, and I love tips. I include a couple of roughs that we exchanged. Great feedback from George! The initial pose changed significantly in the final version.

I colored with pastel chalk pencils, and used a Q-Tip (cotton swab on a stick) to soften the colors. The blending of slight shadows on fair skin is barely noticeable. I added background for contrast.

For more characters through this month, drop by the 30Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great artist friends to see their characters. You'll really like creations by Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. This is a great way to explore creativity, and possibilities. It is also a great way to practice, and share everyday problems, solutions, and discoveries.

Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more during this month. You can follow me on Twitter, just click on gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

 

30Char #23 - Mrs Mills

And here's entry 23 for the 30 Character Challenge, (Underground edition). Steady as she goes, catching up in numbers. I should post entry 24 some time today, and if I'm lucky, 25 will see the web tonight, while Thanksgiving festivities go on. But I may be in a food induced comma, so I can't guarantee that last one. Still, I'm not going to let the backlog grow like it did before.

Mrs. Mills lives in the village. She spends her time tending her garden, and keeps to herself, but on Tuesdays she takes a stroll down to the village market. Folks don't talk with her too much. There are stories floating around that she's a witch. Of course, folks do believe them because of her looks, but the truth is that she's a very nice lady. The few people that know her, defend her at every turn. If you look into her eyes you'll find that there's a caring heart in that old soul. She doesn't mind her fame because most people leave her alone. But her habit of singing to the plants in her garden every full moon don't help dispell the stories at all. Nice lady.

I seem to have a knack for drawing old people, or at least they come out whenever I'm doodling a face. I think its because of some practice drawings I did a while back that tended to use old cartoony folks, which I really enjoyed, while practicing from reference in a Loomis book. I had to color this one with pastel chalk pencils because the linework kind of buried the piece. I think it makes it pop enough to be acceptable. Practice practice!

For more characters through this month, drop by the 30Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great artist friends to see their characters. You'll really like creations by Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. This is a great way to explore creativity, and possibilities. It is also a fun way to practice.

Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more during this month. You can follow me on Twitter, just click on gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

30Char 22 - Hank Huggs

Not letting the character backlog grow now. Here's entry 21 for the 30 Character Challenge, (Underground edition). This means I'm still 2 characther's behind with yesterday's and today's character. I intend to draw the reamining ones tonight!  I leave you with a hug now! (ugh!)

Here's Hank Huggs. He's basically a nice guy. Maybe too nice. Actually, kind of ugly! Imagine getting a big old hug from him (shivers). Hank is a relentless ambassador of good will, and hospitality. Try as he may, people avoid him in general. There's something about a person that just doesn't know when to stop hugging everyone. He'll even wait for the mailman just to try to hug him. Don't get me wrong, hugs are a very positive way to convey emotion, and form a bond, but too much is too much. He can take it to extremes. For instance, you don't hug a traffic officer when you get stopped for a moving violation. I'm sure that his happy go lucky attitude and enthusiasm are admirable, but you don't go to a court session carrying a "Free Hugs" sign.

For more characters through this month, drop by the 30Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great artist friends to see their characters. You'll flip over creations by Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. This is a great way to explore creativity, and possibilities. It is also a fun way to practice.

Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more during this month. You can follow me on Twitter, just click on gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. I'm also currently running a Webcomic Jam at my LAB (blog). It's a fun collaboration between 6 awesome cartoonists, and myself. The story that we are developing is really interesting.

Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

30Char Underground 19 through 21 - George, Bill and Horace

And the catch up sprint continues for my 30 Character Challenge Underground pieces. Here are 3 more! To be up to date I would need 2 more characters (3 tomorrow). Don't worry, they're in the works as I type this.

George McGreedy doesn't look like a good guy, does he? He likes to hang out in saloons, looking for a likely mark. That villainous look can be deceiving at times. You can tell from his face he doesn't like people. Poker, whiskey, and loose women are his pastime, when he's not trying to get away with loot of some kind. He's tried to swindle pensions from old ladies, and he's not beneath conning the virtue from young maidens either. He's got a gang of ruffians that do his dirty work, but he doesn't like to be seen with them, especially when he's working his cons. I wouldn't be surprised if you find him tying some young thing to a railroad track. (I didn't mean to draw the classic villain, but the face called for it).

Next up we have William Bullington. His no good friends call him Billy the Bull. This time, he found a way to get his jollies by abusing the local elementary school basketball team. They were practicing in the gym, and when their coach stepped away for a few minutes, he challenged the team to a mismatched game which he obviously won. He must get a kick from watching the kids suffer. He should pick on folks his size. Look at the mean smile and the smug face. We all probably know someone like this. Don't worry. Billy will get his soon enough.

And last in this run is Mr. Steward. Horace Steward retired some years ago. Lost his loving wife while he still worked at the railroad yard. A church going man, he turned towards his parish for solace. Now he lives in a cabin next to the church, and the graveyard where his wife rests in peace. He is the grounds keeper, and tends to the grave yard every day. Other than chasing the neighborhood kids from the premises every now and then, he walks about at night with a sad look, talking to himself, keeping company to the spirit of his long lost wife. He takes pride on his job these days. Folks that know him, pity him. Others are scared of him because rumor has it he talks to the dead. Horace has a steadfast heart.

For even more characters all through this month, drop by the 30Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great creator friends to see their characters. You'll flip over creations by such great artists as Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. This is a great way to explore creativity, and possibilities. It is also a fun way to practice.

Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more during this month. You can follow me on Twitter as gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. I'm also currently running a Webcomic Jam at my LAB (blog). It's a fun collaboration between 6 awesome cartoonists, and myself. The story that we are developing is really interesting.
Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

30Char Underground 16 through 18 - Henry, Lars, and Harry

On a catch up sprint with these 30 Character Challenge Underground characters. It's suppose to be one daily, but in order to catch up, I'm posting them in 2s and 3s. Here are 3 more!

Henry Hitcher is a sad case. He's been haunting the roads near his home town of Corky Creek for most of his life. If you bump into him, you'll be throw off by his buggy eyes and permanent grimace. He'll tell anyone that will listen the the Cork Pixies did this to him, and to avoid going near the Corky Creek bridge at all costs. You'll often see him on the side of the road trying to get away from town as far as possible, but every time someone gives him a lift, something prevents their vehicle from going any further. Eventually, Henry gives up, and returns to his old shack by the creek. No one visits him for fear of pixies.

Lars Kringle lives near a small fishing village near Amsterdam. No one knows where he came from. One bad fishing season, he realized he couldn't afford his weekly beer intake, so he came up with a plan. He dyed his hat and coat bright red, and broke into the local inn through the chimney. It so happened that the innkeeper's young daughter surprised him as he was quaffing down his 4th flagon of ale. Lars thought nothing of letting her know that he was Kriss Kringle's cousin, and that his job was to check on inn to make sure they were good enough for his famous cousin to visit. Of course, this included making sure the boys and girls had been good as well. The innkeeper discovered the scene, and as the little girl had believed the story, he didn't have a heart to let her down. Lars had a good meal and drink that night, and ever since, every holiday season, he's got a special place at the inn's table. Lucky Lars, eh?

Hypno Harry. Poor Harry. He was sort of awkward at school, and did not have much luck with the girls. One day, a shady character he met at the county fair insisted that his problem could be solved through hypnosis. That science could make him popular with the girls! Harry had nothing to loose, so he gave it a go. Out came a pocket watch, swinging back and forth. Harry was immediately affected. During the session, Harry deeply hypnotized, the police came calling, and the hypnotist, startled, accidentally hit Harry with the watch, as he left running. The blow must have affected Harry somehow. He came out of his trance ok, but now, whenever he sees any type of clock, or watch, he'll freeze up in fear, and sway back and forth in a daze. Poor Harry. Please don't ask him what time it is.

For even more fun characters all through this month, drop by the 30Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great creator friends to see their characters. You'll flip over creations by such great artists as Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. This is a great way to explore creativity, and possibilities. It is also a fun way to practice.

Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more during this month. You can follow me on Twitter as gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. I'm also currently running a Webcomic Jam at my LAB (blog). It's a fun collaboration between 6 awesome cartoonists, and myself. The story that we are developing is really interesting.
Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

30Char 14 and 15 - Lola Light and Bernie Zapp

Since I'm on a catch-up spree with these 30 Character Challenge Underground characters, and I have almost caught up, but not posted, I intend to post what I have in batches. Here we go!

Lola Light. She's a city girl. Here we have her hailing a cab, ready for the day. She may remind you of the main character in "That Girl" (that old time TV show portraying a naive, and spunky young woman trying to make her way in the big city), well, she may look the part, but she's nothing like that. Think undercover. She may look innocent, but she's a wiz at hand-to-hand combat, and espionage. She used to sing backup vocals for America Love. In fact, it is said that she picked up a lot of her undercover operative skills while working gigs with America. That handbag carries a concealed arsenal, and the fashionable cat-burglar suits as well.

Next we have Bernie Zapp, your trusty pizza delivery guy, working for Alien Pizza, the oldest integalactic pizza delivery service. Apart from carrying hot, and fast extra-terrestrial goodies that may include Zesty Tentacle Delight, or the ever popular Glowing Magma pie, he's the quickest delivery guy there is. His humble looking hover-board can actually bend space-time, so there is no way your pizza will ever arrive cold (unless you order the Frozen Frisbee Special).

For even more fun characters all through this month, drop by the 30Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great creator friends to see their characters. You'll flip over creations by such great artists as Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. This is a great way to explore creativity, and possibilities. It is also a fun way to practice.

Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more during this month. You can follow me on Twitter as gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. I'm also currently running a Webcomic Jam at my LAB (blog). It's a fun collaboration between 6 awesome cartoonists, and myself. The story that we are developing is really interesting.
Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

Boot-up Sketch 22-Nov-10

This is something I'd like to do as often as possible, for practice.  If you work with computers at an office, you probably have to wait until your machine is ready. The famous "Boot Up" process. Most folks make calls, or use the time productively. So I thought I'd sketch something while this little electronic dance is performed. Sort of a "warm-up" during the "warm-up".  I give you my first "Boot-up" sketch. I inked it to celebrate. Nothing fancy, just something funny, maybe reflecting the feeling of the moment. I pictured somebody waiting, thoughts floating, interrupted in action. Hope you like it. It didn't take long, so I'll try to do this daily, whenever possible. Have a great art time!

30Char 12 and 13 - Sammy Sparks and Wally Waterjet

Here are Sammy Sparks, and Wally Waterjet. This is my "entry" for characters 12 and 13 in the 30 Character Challenge, underground edition. Sammy Sparks and Wally Waterjet are neighbors. Sammy has a strange problem. He turns into a fire monster whenever he gets stressed. Wally has always wanted to be a monster fighting super hero, and since his father is a fire fighter, he has learned to battle fire, even at his early age. So Wally, armed with his water gun (super soaker style) likes to hunt down this strange fire monster that has been showing up around his neighborhood lately. Sammy, afraid to tell Wally, has to hide from Wally when his condition "flares up". He doesn't know what will happen if that water jet hits him. Wally is mortified because every time the monster is around, Sammy is nowhere to be found, plus this monster seems to know where Wally is all the time. So the same drama ensues any time Sammy gets antsy for any reason.

If you'd like to check out the story of the process in creating this piece, it will be posted at the Mad Scientist's Art Laboratory, explaining the experimental mixed media approach I took. Well, it was an experiment for me, and that is the type of content I post at the lab. 

For even more fun characters all through this month, drop by the 30Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great creator friends to see their characters. You'll flip over creations by such great artists as Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. This is a great way to explore creativity, and possibilities. It is also a fun way to practice. I am still behind, but I will catch, I promise.

Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more during this month. You can follow me on Twitter as gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. I'm also currently running a Webcomic Jam at my LAB (blog). It's a fun collaboration between 6 awesome cartoonists, and myself. The story that we are developing is really interesting.

Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

30Char #11 - Tommy Trek

Here's Tommy Trek. A quick sketch addition as Character #11 for the 30 Character Challenge, underground edition. Tommy is a regular at pop culture conventions, and sci-fi related gatherings. He likes to play it cool in fan circles, especially when "socializing" with his Star Trek fan club comrades, but his mother's constant watch never ends. This time she managed to shoe-horn a cell phone into one of his "Tricorder" replicas. Not situation befitting a Starfleet science officer, is it?

For more characters all through this month, drop by the 30 Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great creator friends to see their characters. You'll flip over creations by such great artists as Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. Many colleagues are officially, and unofficially participating. I think this is a great way to explore creative potential and possibilities, and a great and fun way to practice. I am currently a bit behind, but I intend to catch up this week.

Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more, every now and then. You can follow me on Twitter as gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. I'm also currently running a Webcomic Jam at my LAB (blog). It's a fun collaboration between 6 awesome cartoonists, and myself, and the story development is really interesting.
Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

30Char #10 - Frank "Emo" Stein

Here's Frank "Emo" Stein. Character #10 for the 30 Character Challenge, underground edition. Frank is just full of angst. (I couldn't resist). Imagine being the "emo" type, and of top of that, "living" with a second hand heart! Not to mention having his "bride" 

reject him.  Frank likes to hang at the local coffee house. He finds the caffeine fix electrifying (rimshot). He doesn't say much, other than things like "Coffee Good", and "Service Bad". Patrons have gotten used to him, and like to get him all riled up lighting matches close to him, and dropping forks on the floor when he walks by, just to get a reaction. He likes to listen to "Jimmy Eat World" and Dashboard Confessional" music, although he's been known to mope around listening to "Morrissey" and "The Smiths" ("I'm So Sorry" and the like).

For more characters all through this month, drop by the 30 Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great creator friends. You'll fllip over characters by such great artists as Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, "Jahhdog", and George Ward. Many colleagues are officially, and unofficially participating. I think this is a great way to explore creative potential and possibilities, and a great and fun way to practice. I am currently a bit behind, but I intend to catch up this week.
Thanks so much for visiting. Drop by for more, every now and then. You can follow me on Twitter as gonzalexx, or subscribe to this blog, if you like. I'm also currently running a Webcomic Jam at my LAB (blog). It's a fun collaboration between 6 awesome cartoonists, and myself, and the story development is really interesting.

Well, that's all for now, and as always, have a great art time!

30Char #9 - The Great Gordini!

The Great Gordini! Character #9 for the 30 Character Challenge, underground edition.  This was my 1st assignment for "Project Jose". Raul Aguirre Jr, fine artist, and human art dynamo, is graciously providing me with counsel, tips, and lessons on how to improve my art. His incredible podcast, Man Vs Art, has been a great source of inspiration and art fuel for me. I am extremely grateful!

Character 9, The Great Gordini, is a quick study on how to create a character. Check out more process details in the official Man Vs Art post (and podcast). The biggest lesson for me was in staging, and character presentation.  The assignment was to draw a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, focusing on character. Gordini obviously has a drinking problem, but it doesn't stop him from performing. The poor rabbit is just about fed up with the prestidigitator's shenanigans. I used a few devices to show a "backstory", such as bottles, bubbles, the rabbit's expression, and mainly, the magician's pose.

I had lots of fun drawing this individual, and following Raul's directions (video) on how to improve the piece. I had received this assignment some time ago, but other things got in the way for both Raul, and myself. I was very surprised how taking it back on recently fell like I saved a "favorite piece of candy for later". It was very pleasurable for me to get back and draw this piece.

For more characters, all through this month, drop by the 30 Character Challenge web site, or visit some of my great creator friends. You'll fllip over characters by such great artists as Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, and the irrepressible "Jahhdog". Many colleagues are officially, and unofficially participating. I think this is a great way to explore creative potential and possibilities, and an awesome practice effort.

Thanks for visiting, and watch for more. I've got 5 characters to create to catch up at this  time, but I'm sure this week I'll get back in rhythm. Have a great art time!

30Char #8 - Dr Daisake

Doctor Daisake Serizawa. Character #8 for the 30 Character Challenge, underground edition.
This rogue scientist, finding himself exiled once again, ponders his next move. Living in the shadow of his brother, Daisuke, he dreams of running around a far away Tokyo, testing his schemes on unsuspecting giant monsters. These days he's got to be happy with the "zero fat" gamma irradiated hormones he plans to unleash on unsuspecting late-night TV compulsive consumers.
For more characters, all through this month, drop by the 30 Character Challenge web site, or visit some of our rag-tag band of creators. Such great artists as Kevin Cross, Bob Learned, Christopher Tupa, and the irrepressible "Jahhdog".
A little quiz then: Who can, without researching, tell me what the Doctor's brother is famous for? (It's an easy one).  Hope you enjoyed this one. More dailies to be posted, so don't forget to check back. Thanks for dropping by, and have a great art time!

30Char #7 - America Love

Continuing the 30 Character Challenge mission, Here's #7, soft leads on sketchbook paper (that sounds classy right?) Not as classy as this dame used to be. Her stage name was America Love, back in the 50-60s. This is from one of her rare publicity runs. She had dubious connections from the start, mixing intrigue, danger, and show time. She literally sang like a bird, until one night she sang the wrong song. She left with a bag full of scientific toys, con money, and guns that matched her outfits. Further rumors claim she moved to a secluded place, near the Island of the Bee Women, somewhere in the Caribbean Sea, where she conducts private scientific research. Others say that she joined the "Black Mamba" organization. These last rumours claim she's been sighted in major cities. These last sighting reports could be dismissed  seeing as today, our records place Mrs. Love at 75 to 80 years of age, at least, and visual records show a young lady of 25 years of age, or so. - Please be well adviced to stear away from this person while on international hob-knobbing secret-spy things, ok? So if you get in trouble, you are on your own.
Have a great art day!
Don't forget to visit Kevin Cross, Bob Learned and JahhDog (Aroooooooo!) at their respective blogging spots for 30 characters ON and OFF the real 30 Character Challenge !!! Check out their #7s!!!! there's more to come! 23 characters to create? Do we have it? Sure we do!
Laser Beams - Kevin
Oxymoron Press - Bob
Howling Room - JahhDog

30Char #6 - "You don't say?"

Character number 6 for the 30 Character Challenge was done last night, I promise you. But I wanted to give it an ink pass, to see what it looks like.  Here's Inspector Nigel E. Cuddlington, from the Yard. Despite his welcoming name, his a "by-the-book" kind of chap. In this take he could be saying, "Hmmm, you don't say..." or "What's all this?..." or "Did I put on my son's toy helmet on again?" Bly-me! Here you can see the pencils, and the inks. There will be another character today (#7), and it will post, whether its just a scratch on the page, or not.

So, I liked the expression on the face, even though his head is shallow (too vertically elongated). I was going for the comics look, but I wehttp://www.oxymoronpress.blogspot.com/nt too far. Trying to pick up caricature "memes" for face-elements. Using this character time to experiment as well. Hope you liked them. Don't forget to visit the other character challengers at their 30 Character Challenge haunts. There's Kevin Cross ( @KevinCross ) at Laser Beams Go! and Bob Learned ( @BobLearned ) at Oxymoron Press or his 30Char place! We also have Jahhdog ( @Jahhdog ) at his Howling Room. I'll try to keep a better list for next post, because there are more of us in this party.
Have a great art time!

30Char Numbah 5 - Emily "Slippery" O'Dole

Back with Day 5 of the underground edition of the 30 Character Challenge, going on all through November.
Underground because we didn't make it to register in time (and we're not sanctioned in any way by the great and original guys at http://30characters.com, but we love their idea and their bunch so much, we're doing the daily drawing ourselves. Other underground 30char-ac-tersss.... guys drawing out of fun? Kevin Cross (Char5 at Laser Beams), also Bob Learned (Char5 at Oxymoron Press).
Check out #5. Emily "Slippery" O'Dole. Don't let her innocent face fool you, she's another con artist from the character factory line. I'll get to good guys soon enough.
Emily can con anyone into anything with those eyes. She claims she's royalty, or so all the embassies that hold her dossier have to note. She fancies pearl jewelry, and has been known to use her signature trick to get them. The old slippery banana peel, at the right place and the right time, will give her plenty of time to steal away. She's also known as "Emily of the Yukon", "Mississippi Emy", and more to our surprise, "Bubbles". She may be found on Steamboat Willie's boat in the afternoon, and in the evening she may be placing bets in Monaco, next to 007. You never know.

Enough on-the-fly, un-prepared, off-the-cuff, character background creation. Here's some more junk. I found this fragment of a photograph in some old government laboratory surplus. It had "SM" on the back, and the apparent company name: Bananatech Laboratories.
It may interest someone.
Enough extra nonsense. Thanks for dropping by. Come back tomorrow for more, and as always, have a great art time!

30CC-4! 30 Character Challenge Underground Groove Edition

Hey! Here we have another character entry for the underground edition of the 30 Character Challenge, in celebration of the event, of course. Check them out at http://30characters.com.
Follow some of the "underground" 30char-warriors. Here's one: Kevin Cross!  Rad! Catch his daily creations here: http://laserbeamsgo.blogspot.com/
I wrote up a bit about the character, but I'm sure its not convenient to read (I'll work on presentation, I promise). What it does say is something like this: This is Fang-Li! Rumored cousin to Mushu the Dragon from Mulan fame. Forgotten by most, he spends his time in gaming parlors,and casinos, trying to get his con act going. Delights i30characterchallenge 30cc character-a-day Flarg pencil character, 30characterchallenge 30cc character-a-day pollo-loco buhi, chinese-dragon, 30characterchallenge 30cc character-a-day Flarg pencil character, n tricking humans into poverty (especially bad people, which may win him a little hero follo30characterchallenge 30cc character-a-day Flarg pencil character, 30characterchallenge 30cc character-a-day pollo-loco buhi, chinese-dragon, 30characterchallenge 30cc character-a-day Flarg pencil character, wing). Quite a lady's man, he tries to traditionally kidnap fair maidens in hopes to score, but is never lucky himself. His luck powers never work for him, just for others. I can go on making up history for this guy, whether you buy it or not, that's another matter.
Really, I wanted to try to  draw a dragon today. I promise I'll work up to inks, so it looks nicer and cleaner than graphite (which I love). I will draw and possibly paint a chinese dragon, so this is a good shot at practice too. Thanks for dropping by, and watch out tomorrow for another character, right here! Have a great art time!

30Char Number 3

Meet Captain Flarg. This is my entry #3, in my own homage to the 30 Character Challenge. This impulse of joining the effort seems to have taken with other artists. I'll share some of them soon, as the "30char underground" develops.
Now, Captain Flarg is a name that may be established already, somewhere, but not in my context. The captain is caught "red-handed" trying to pass for a socialite at a cocktail party, when his holographic disguise breaks down. He's not aware of the problem, and is handing out a very polite and welcoming tentacle.
This was done on breaks at work, and finished at home. I started with a non-specific garble on the page, annd concentrated on the alien face. From there, the body, and some rendering. I think I probably took too long on it, just to make it "shiny". I'll try and trim down the process next time, and see if I can actually ink a couple of them.

Thanks for dropping by, and stay tuned for one of these, daily, until November 30th. Have a great art time!

30 Character Challenge (1,2).

I realized I wanted to join this challenge a bit late. I'm talking about the 30 Character Challenge. Every day, through the month of November, we are to create a brand new character. Why? Because its fun, and the world nee!) g are the sole .ds more characters. Registered artists will post their characters at the 30 Characters Blog. It's an artist's party! Since I "missed the bus", I will shadow my friend's activities with a daily character of my own, right here, in this blog. I also get to write whatever I want, so I have to warn you, the views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author (me), and do not reflect those of the above mentioned site, and the great guys that run it.

"Pollo Loco" and friend "Buhito" are my #1 and #2 entries. "Buhito" is prononunced "boo-ee-toh". Buho = owl. They were "born" as part of a little "storyboard-comic-hybrid" experiment I'm running during storytime with my daughter. Pollo Loco in a "jock" look (someone tipped off about an acting talent scout). PL thinks he could be a star, but he's a wacky character, very much like the "Cocoa Puffs" cereal bird from the tv ads. These two images are from yesterday's session. Pollo Loco sort of looks like Big Bird, and that tiny guy went through changes to look like an owl. In fact, the first panel shows an attempt at a Donald Duck look, and the fourth panel looks more like a duck-like bird. In the end, we've got what you see above.

Hope you liked these. Looks like I'm committed to a daily post here, so expect ones with lots of talk, and others with crazy, rushed pencil drawings. If you get colored ones, it will count as a "leveling-up" on my skill set. I will try for that as well.  Thanks for dropping by, and have a great art time!