Currently Working On…
…a new main image for the front of the site, then I’ll work on the rest of the site. These are the ‘pencils’:
The TV project is in the final stages of editing so hopefully I’ll have something to show very soon!
Embargo?
So anyway, despite a very shaky end to 2011 and tremulous beginning to 2012, I’m knee deep in a very exciting art project with ties to tv and magazines, and if it takes off….?
I’m bursting to say more about it, and display the work done so far, but this would spoil the party, hence the title of this post.
But perhaps I can give you an obscure hint as to one of the protagonists (who I’ve drawn in comics style) of the project…Very posh jumper-wearer in charge of the dictionary.
Nope? Trust me, youll not have seen him depicted quite like this before 
And the supernatural world he and his compatriots inhabit is utterly brilliant, and exactly what I love to draw. Hope to have some beans to spill soon!
Developments
Lots of them on horizon. Some huge, some top secret. One way or another 2012 is shaping up to be one hell of a year.
To be continued…
Dang…missed November. This is December’s.
Quick one:
Angel Papers webcomic: Momentarily (I hope) I’ve lost my mojo on that one, after my iPad fucked up — thanks to the now infamous iOS5 update. The bloody thing backed up to iTunes, then couldn’t restore from said backup. I lost a page I’d been working really hard on, scripts, plus a shed load of sketches drawn since August. I now view my iPad with the same baleful suspicion I view any of my Windows powered PCs. Shame. Apple, you bloody twats, wiping your devices every time they update. Perhaps I’ll get back into it again soon? I dunno.
I’m still drawing skateboard deck designs. I’ve had another commission, and yet another one lined up, plus the Demon Xtreme skate shop are interested in one of my designs which I drew especially for them as a trial. Might be doing some business with them…so, that makes up for the Angel Papers inconvenience!
Band stuff. I’m now a member of Dizziyak. Did my first gig with them last Saturday in Felixstowe. Went really well considering the amount of songs I’d had to learn (28). Great band, lovely bunch of guys, and they’re going to provide me with loads of gigs. Busy, busy, busy….especially in 2012.
I put the Chrimbo tree up today (no decorations yet though) so am feeling mildly triumphant. Hope to do a more detailed post before the New Year, so….TTFN.
October Post (in the nick of time)
Wow, I very nearly let a whole month go by without boring you silly
Anyway, The Angel Papers carries on, slowly but surely, still being produced (mostly) on iPad:
I say ‘mostly’ because I’ve found the best solution is to sketch/ draw on iPad, so it feels like I’m still dashing down the line-art, but, with the best will in the world, colouring and lettering on iPad is a royal pain in the arse. So I basically finish off the fully drawn page in Photoshop (I now have CS5…Heaven) which speeds things up significantly. I’m now on chapter 8, and I’m really happy with the way it’s going…HERE.
The other thing that’s kept me busy (other than loads of day job work) is my newest project, Jacoboard Design, which is a company I’ve created devoted to the design of quality custom skateboard art. Here’s my first 8 deck designs:
You can find out more about it…HERE.
iPad Interview @ Pipe Dream Comics
Heres an interview with yours truly about drawing comics on the iPad (The Angel Papers has become an iPad-only web comic) with the people over at Pipe Dream Comics: HERE.
DC Day at Red Sun Comics & Collectables
I spent yesterday sketching and signing at the awesome Red Sun Comics and Collectables shop in High Chelmer, Chelmsford. Alongside me were Lee Townsend and Jack Lawrence, both excellent professional comics artists, and well versed in sketching commissions for eager comics con’ crowds. I felt a little intimidated to begin with, seeing as this was my first convention-style event where I was sketching (and not just trying to sell my latest comic), but I needn’t have worried. Both were very helpful and gave me some handy tips, which brought me up to speed with what is required, and also will have me better prepared if there is (hopefully) a next time.
I spent my time drawing nearly non-stop, talking to lots of local comics fans and helping to judge the Red Sun art competition which had an exceptionally high standard in both age-groups…Very tricky to pick a winner in both! I sold 4 sketches in total…a Dredd, a Captain America, a Chickenhead (never thought I’d be asked to draw Frank again 4 years after the event!) and a re-imagining of young lady’s original Manga-esque characters. That one was fun!
My sketching ability improved during the day, but there’s a few things I need to do to make them a more attractive prospect beyond the obvious (draw better)…presentation is all. Nice Bristol Board type paper, use of colour, and possibly inks. I also need to get another banner-stand made up to advertise my presence. Jack and Lee both had their art and presentation sorted, and they deserved the attention they got throughout the day. Sketching at cons is something I tended to avoid, being a digital artist, but after yesterday I aim to develop this skill for future events…Here’s a collage of what I did yesterday:
Thanks to everyone at Red Sun Comics for making yesterday as much fun as any of the big comics cons I’ve been to, and for keeping me fed and watered…great hospitality guys! Also thanks to everyone who dropped by and showed an interest in my work…it’s great to know there is a healthy comics community in Chelmsford, and to be made to feel a part of it. Finally, thanks to Jack for the excellent Venom sketch he drew for my son. He was really chuffed with it, and will be eager to get more original pieces at the next event!
Red Sun Comics and Collectables – Signing and Sketching Preview
This Saturday 3rd I’ll be sketching at my local comics shop, Red Sun Comics and Collectables on its DC Day. This is to usher in DC Comics’ brand new 52 series.
People will be dressing up as their favourite DC heroes, and a panel of artists, including your’s truly, will be sketching from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Other artists include Red Sun’s own Holly Ringsell, plus Lee Townsend, and Jack Lawrence.
For anyone wondering what I have to contribute on the day and who doesn’t want to dig too deeply around this website (and all the many sites it links to) here are a couple of image collages which hopefully sum me up as an artist:
Hope to see you there!
Board, Board, Board!
My youngest son isn’t the only one getting into skateboarding. When I take him to the various parks and shops dotted arounded Essex I’m always struck by the design of the decks, as in the artwork that graces the base of the boards.
His birthday is coming soon, and he wanted a custom deck, so we’ve collaborated on his deck design. It should be arriving from the USA in just under a month, and here is what we came up with between the pair of us:
I’m going to work on a few more designs, some fantasy based, with a cartoony/ comics art flavour, and will see if I can get a brand going perhaps :0)
The Angel Papers Goes iPad
I’ve decided to shift all creative processes to iPad for my webcomic ‘The Angel Papers’. I might as well…scripts are already written in ‘Notes’, pages worked up in ‘Artstudio’, and I’ve recently got to grips with that particular app to the point where it’s a real Photoshop contender (well, as far as drawing goes).
I should have the first iPad-only page ready for consumption soon. It’s actually looking pretty good, and they can only get better, as I get to grips with it with time. Hope it doesn’t go too well though…that might necessitate the purchase of an iPad 2 to help things along a bit! 