Saturday, July 29, 2006

Just some doodles






Just some doodles while working. Plus, I haven't posted here in forever. Super props to skribbl for keeping this blog alive. It's daunting to post after that awesome series con-folk.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

See Ya!


It's been fun doing all of these little drawings but it's time for me to go the San Diego Comic Con. Hope you enjoyed them and I'll do more next year when it's Con time. I might even publish a book.

In my absence, go here to my friend John Sanford's site for even funnier stuff!!

  • Chippy and Loopus


  • See ya at the Con!!

    ComicConFan: Optimus Prime-Cardboard Edition


    The formula for success: red sweatshirt, white sweat pants, cardboard, duct tape, paper towel rolls, and yellow briefs. Optimus Prime rules all costumed characters. He is the embodiment of love for the Comic Con. Come back Optimus! Come back!

    ComicConFan: Scared Granny


    Without fail somebody brings their grandmother to the Comic Con. Temporary lapse in judgment or just plain stupidity, you make the call. For nine hours the grandmothers are left between the Nintendo and SciFi Channel booths clutching their rosary and wishing for a quick death.

    ComicConFan: The Hipster


    The Hipster is too cool for school. He speaks in catchphrases that end in a finger point and a wink. If he thinks you are really cool "Super-Freak-Mack-Daddy" he might even give you a backrub. His friends and co-workers that are into the Con always have to coax him in to attending. After days of flip-flopping he agrees to go at the last moment claiming he only wants to see the "Freak Show." He vehemently denies any interest in Geek Culture but deep down inside wishes he was the Silver Surfer.

    ComicConFan: Unidentified Walking Fuzzy



    Amongst the many costumed super heroes can be found an occasional "Unidentified Fuzzy." Often measuring over eight feet in height, they have no identifying origin or booth that they belong to often miscategorized as the latest Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Neo Pet, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, or highly collectible Urban Vinyl character. Big game hunters have tried in vain to tranquilize these surly beasts only to disappointed when they find that there is no drug strong enough to bring them down. Most "Unidentified Fuzzy" enthusiasts have settled to just taking pics of the beasts as they pose and grope the "Scantily Clad Women Who Have Nothing To Do With Comic Books."

    Friday, July 14, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: Table Toad


    The curiously androdgynous Table Toad can be found around the noon hour, eating, reading or sleeping at one of the scarcely available tables near the food court. They haul their morning purchases to the table and set up their base camp leaving only to add relish/mustard/sauerkraut to their eight dollar hot dogs. Trying to communicate with this beast in hopes of sharing the table will only lead to frustration as they only reply in a series of mumbles, raspy breaths, eye rolls and the occasional bodily function. Approach at your own risk.

    Comic Con Fan: Hardcore Dad



    Hardcore Dads are a rare breed. So determined to attend the Con, they ignore conventional wisdom and take their brood, at any age, through the tightly packed convention floor aisles. Barreling through with their strollers, they stop often in the middle of any walkway to peruse the booths at their leisure. Maybe the Dads hope to instill the sense of wonder in their own children that they have experienced at the Con. My guess is that they are training their children at an early age to become their own personal pop culture scavenging bellhops. A legacy any parent would be proud of.

    Thursday, July 13, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: Security Zealot


    If you're worried about getting your #0 special foil cover issue of Jim Lee's Wildcats pinched, don't. Because the Con security is on the job. This eternal warrior's main duties include but are not exclusive to: keeping the stairways clear, expediting the autograph lines, and making sure no freaks enter the main showroom floor.

    Wednesday, July 12, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: Man-Tiger


    Fig.1

    Bob here is a computer programmer by day, and a tiger enthusiast by night. He loves tigers. He can't get enough of tigers. He dreams of tigers. And on occasion, he dreams of being a tiger.




    Fig. 2

    Bob has taken his dreams and made them a reality. He has saved up most of his programmer salary to pay for plastic surgery that has transformed him physically into a tiger. Nails extended and striped, facial/body tattoos, cat eye contact lenses, whisker implants, dental implants/teeth sharpened, ears cut and pointed and upper lip split.

    Bob is living his dream.

    You go Bob.

    Tuesday, July 11, 2006

    Comic Con Fans: Super Troopers



    What's a comic convention without Stormtroopers? Who wouldn't want to don plastic armor, march around in the heat of summer and unconvincingly look threatening? They come in many flavors. My favorite is the Elvis stormtrooper. Go ahead and Google him. You know you want to.

    Friday, July 07, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: SCWWHNTDWCB


    "Scantily Clad Woman Who Have Nothing To Do With Comic Books." Not really a fan but more of an object. The admirers line up by the thousands to have their pictures taken with them. I wonder what they'll do with the photos when they get home??

    Thursday, July 06, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: Grizzled Pro


    The "Grizzled Pro" returns year after year to sift through the millions of portfolios that are presented to him by the eager "Portfolio Lads." Why he does this, he doesn't know. Normally the GP is cloistered in his studio trying to pencil out the latest issue of "Gore Hole." The Con is his one chance to see the outside world and hopefully get some recognition for the hours of intensive work spent for little pay. His real reward is seeing and posing with the SCWWHNTDWCBs (Scantily Clad Women Who Have Nothing To Do With Comic Books).

    Wednesday, July 05, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: Goth Girl



    For those who've always wondered:

    Goth is a contemporary subculture prevalent in many countries around the globe. It began in the United Kingdom during the late 1970s to early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture is remarkable for its longevity compared with others of the same era. Its imagery and cultural proclivities show influences from nineteenth century Gothic literature, mainly by way of horror movies.
    The goth subculture has associated "gothic" tastes in music and fashion. Gothic music encompasses a number of different styles. Common to all is a tendency towards a “dark” sound and outlook. Styles of dress within the subculture range from death rock, punk, Victorian, androgynous, some Renaissance style clothes, or combinations of the above, most often with lots of black attire, makeup and hair.

    Saturday, July 01, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: Portfolio Lad


    Ah the ubiquitous portfolio lad. As you see them walk down they aisle they emanate an energy that is so pure. So raw. So innocent. They line up by the dozens to have their portfolios reviewed in hopes of being discovered, handed their own comic title, and eventually heading up their own artist driven company with toy, feature film, television, videogame, and internet divisions. Although few make it, most are chewed up and spit out by the grizzled industry veterans who flip through their portfolios nonchalantly. If they aren't broken the first year, they may try again the next. And the next, and the next, and the next....

    Friday, June 30, 2006

    Comic Con Fans: Klingon Family of Lemon Grove


    I noticed at last couple of Cons that the abundance of Klingons have been replaced by legions of Hobbits. They must be getting older and attending time share weekends. I guess they found the real meaning of "Q'apla!"

    Wednesday, June 28, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: The Ravenous Reader


    Look out for this one near any bathroom entrance or waste recepticle. Instead of waiting to get home to read their latest purchase, they plop themselves down at the highest traffic walkway intersection and begin reading.

    Tuesday, June 27, 2006

    ComicConFans: Pierced Couple



    Every Con you see new levels of piercing. I tried piercing once. I almost died. Always let a professional do the piercing. Lesson learned.

    Monday, June 26, 2006

    Comic Con Fan: Furry Unicorn Man with Guitar


    I actually saw this guy walking around. I was videotaping the wacky characters and he did a perfectly timed take reaction of a woman (I think it was Lady Death) walking by. Priceless

    Friday, June 23, 2006

    Comic Con Fan:The Classic Trekker


    Since the San Diego Comic-Con is looming on the horizon, I thought I'd take some time every day to do a drawing of some of the types of fans that attend. I've been attending the Con regularly since 1979 so I've seen a few characters in my day. This is the Classic Trekker.

    Thursday, June 08, 2006

    Drawings from the same meeting but not as funny




    So here are a few from the same meeting that Robo was talking about. Not too much drawing because I was looking at what Robo was drawing and giggling too much. He was a man posessed! I guess when executives feed you the lines your mind starts to go to "those" places. By that I mean fish that have "needs".

    Wednesday, May 24, 2006

    Lunch time Meeeting Fun!!!

    We had a big story artist/vis. dev lunch meeting today. For some reason, I couldn't stop drawing. Here are some of the sketches. The two with the little fish was inspired by something an exectutive said concerning movies and the audiences. The quote was something like " We would never do a movie about a fish who lives in a house and drives a car because it would skew too young and wouln't attract that older audience." This is my attempt to prove her wrong. It's a movie about a little fish taha likes blowjobs and lap dances. Coming soon to a theater near you. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll care.
    -John





    Monday, May 15, 2006

    My Other Business








    So I haven't posted in a long time, but I have a good reason. Well actually I don't, but I've been busy working at my other job, Wedding Art. It all started when I was unemployed and broke and I didn't have the funds to buy my friend anything on her registry. Instead I made a Warhol print of her and her husband to be. Suddenly it was a thing as my friends got married they all demanded art. So I've continued to duplicate pop art added a personal twist incorporating the couple. I just finished the Lichtenstein for the wedding I attended last Saturday.

    It has been fun to study the works of great artists I admire and make a weak attempt to duplicate their style. Since I am only repeated what has already been mastered I am not earning a cent. My next task will be to create my own signature style. But actually I can't wait for the day I get to buy a toaster like everyone else.

    Thursday, May 11, 2006

    Hilighter Love



    Caricatures drawn with a eye-numbing pink hilighter pen.

    Friday, May 05, 2006

    FishPool and Happy Cinco De Mayo


    Here's another meeting sketch. Don't know if these are Mudskippers or what but they're definitely up to no good. Playing pool and smoking lead to ________________________. (insert violent headline here)

    For those of you in North America and Mexico, "Happy Cinco De Mayo!" For our other foreign friends...Have a good weekend!

    Rabbits and Wolves

    A few weeks ago, I was looking through some old stuff and found these drawings. The funny thing is that they pre-figure "Chippy and Loopus" by a year or two. Here I thought I came up with those characters out of thin air when in reality they were in the back of my head the whole time.
    This first group of sketches is from a comic I was drawing called "Rabbit Zero". It's about a little rabbit who gets into mudane yet frustrating problems like being stuck in the line at a supermarket and then resorting to extreme violence to rectify the situation. Kind of a proto-Chippy. The big difference is he didn't talk and worked alone.



    This is a page from my sketch book. The little girl bunny on the top left was the result of a dream my wife Sara had. She awoke one morning and said "get a pencil and a pad of paper". Then she preceded to describe this little rabbit character. I decided to to draw a little comic strip for her starring this little girl rabbit and her boyfriend (the rabbit on the right). I began to form a cast of characters to support them. For a number of reasons, I never drew the strip. Notice the wolf directly below the little boy rabbit. Look familiar?

    Sunday, April 30, 2006

    Amos Moses


    I'm working at home on this fine sunny Sunday, and listening to some favorite 70's jams. On came the classic "Amos Moses" by Jerry Reed. Oh yes, that's right, I said classic. Anyway, as Iistened, I started picturing old Amos. Here's what I saw. Enjoy!

    Really Rough!


    This might look familiar to the folks who read Chippy and Loopus. I was sitting in a meeting and my mind was wandering. I scribbled this out very quickly with a brush pen. I added the dialogue when I transfered the panels to a 2x8 strip. Until then, I had a general idea of what they were saying, but I didn't get specific until the drawings were done. The total time for this particular strip start to finish was 30 minutes. The finished strip is over at http://phloo.blogspot.com/.

    Friday, April 28, 2006

    Lost in Renderland



    I was supposed to be boarding a scene but I got caught up in rendering this guy. When you pump out sequences too fast your brain turns to mush. That's were mine is. So I decided to slow down and just take the time to render something. Prismacolor.

    Friday, April 21, 2006

    Post screening sketch: Frumple


    I like to draw during meetings. Here's an ugly dude for ya. I've been a big fan of Dave Cooper. He really pushes his designs in a grotesque manner but somehow (for me) they're still appealing. I also like his storytelling. Pick up 'Ripple' if you get a chance. So I guess what I'm saying is that I was inspired by him. BTW this was done with a Colors-In-Motion Twist up Crayon. Love those things! They have a waxy feel when you draw with them and they layer beautifully. The best for coloring your storyboards. Really. I got mine from Staples. Go buy some now (get the 25 pack).

    Tuesday, April 18, 2006

    Doodle E Doo



    Sometimes when you follow a talented fellow like Walleye, occasionally you need to humble yourself and just post for posting sake. These sketches aren't the best but they are what they are, pieces of paper plucked from a recycling bin.

    sketch one: Caricature study. Trying to simplify with shapes.

    sketch two: When the director gets a craving for donuts, you get him his FutherMucking donuts!! This is the after drawing. I'll have to see if I can find the before drawing.

    EDIT: Found it!!! Here's the before drawing. He reallly wasn't like this. Just an exaggeration.

    Thursday, April 13, 2006

    A moment for Anger


    Been a while since I've posted any of these. Lost some momentum with tight deadlines and too much real work with a dangling paycheck. Stupid work.
    Anyhow, I wanted to bring Anger back. Sorry for the language to anyone easily offended. I firmly believe in the heart of every "Nice" human being, is a raging, ball of fury just waiting to break loose. This one is a bit of a rant...I hope blogger blows it up enough to actually read it. If not, I'm sure you'll get the drift.
    To the Count, I apologize in advance for the body fluid in this strip. That's where my head went when I thought up the idea. Funny thing, the idea of the head blowing up came from watching this crazy religious show where these muscle guys lift and break shit for Jesus. This one meaty neckless born again steroid sucker, took this run of the mill pink water bottle and using his veiny lungs, blew the thing up until it was the size of a tire and then kept going until it exploded. Between each breath he would thank Jesus for giving him the strength to pop that little piece of rubber that was probably manufactured in China for less than a nickel. The passions that drive people fascinate and terrify me. So that got me thinking about my tendency to rant and how my deep seeded nut of fury is probably the same passion that the muscle dude used to pop the unsuspecting waterbottle. What better way to pay homage to that than to blow up Anger's head. What can I say, I'm not that original. If the brow be low, then let it drag.
    I love peanut butter....let's keep it clean, folks.
    Happy sailing.

    Wednesday, April 12, 2006

    Kagematch Is Moving!


    Hey Folks, the Count here, hijacking the site again to announce your favorite political rantfest, Kartoon Kagematch is moving, and has a new name. So come join me at my new home for political and social commentary at:

    COUNTFUNKULA'S POLITICAL CARTOON CARNIVAL !


    It's the same nutty political points of view and drawings, with a new website. Also, more videos and articles. Kind of whatever is on my mind on any given day, usually with my healthy dose of liberalism. But please know. all political points of view are welcome! I just got tired of server problems here on blogger. So once again come on over. The CARNIVAL'S in town! Wheeeeeee!

    Monday, April 10, 2006

    Fat Supes


    He's Superman and he's fat.