Illustrators of the Future

Blog entry
Hello people!
I recently came back from a trip to Los Angeles, after I was one of the writer's and illustrators of the future vol. 28 winners.  I really enjoyed my time there, and to anyone thinking about it, I would highly suggest entering.  It was a great opportunity to get advise from industry professionals and meet a lot of really cool people. 

(Here I am!)


They flew us all to Hollywood and we had a week of artist seminars addressing everything from composition to tips on how to establish yourself in the art market.  Plus at the end we had a fancy awards ceremony and i got a very attractive award:

You can view the entire ceremony at: http://www.writersofthefuture.com/

Tree Rock

Hi guys!  Happy Tuesdays!

I was in woods last week and my cousin found this super cool tree that had grown around a rock, and inevitably lifted this giant rock off the ground.  I took a photo and drew it for my web-design.

Here's a play-by-play of my drawing process and the original photo:

Anyway, I just thought this was the coolest tree ever!

Oh me oh my!

Wow, I've been a blog slacker!  I've been working super hard so so so many projects, and neglected to tell anyone about them.

Firstly, I took a bit of an art siesta last summer/fall.  I moved and wasn't getting many bites on my art work, so I took break to re-evaluate my plans.  So I got a non-art job as a sales manager and put art on the back-burner.

But then, just as I started to feel the art itch kick in, I got a call saying I was an Illustrator's of the Future winner!  What a great kick in the ass!  Now I get to go strut my stuff in L.A, and have a one week crash course in illustration.

So thanks, because there's no better way to feel all pumped and excited about art!


Since January I've done six new portfolio pieces and tweaked two others.


I'm on roll to make 2012 the very best illustration year yet.  So wish me luck!

I can't think of anything good right now.

I thought I'd take the time to post a comic pages I did a last week.

Pigment Liner Pen Guide

Here's my collection of pigment liner pens.  It's a bit of an obsession.  I think they get a bad wrap from some artists, who poo poo them for not being hardcore enough (because drawing isn't hard enough?!?).  Not me.  I've tried using traditional nib pens, but I'm far too impatient to let things dry properly and I don't like cleaning-up after myself. I also like the freedom of being able to ink anywhere I go.

Here are my favorite brands and why I love them:

Staedtler Pigment Liner
The reason I love Staedtler is because they're cheap, everywhere, and pretty great.  I haven't tried the professional series, they tend to be more money then I'm willing to spend on pigment liners, but the regular Staedtler pens are great, they don't get runny, and if you leave then around for a few years they won't dry-up.  The only thing I don't like about these pens is that they will run if you use markers overtop.  All and all they make inking easier, faster, and are very reliable.

Copic Multiliner SP
If you can get these they're pretty sweet.  I like the SP liner over the regular pens because they're refillable.  They cost about $7-8 Canadian (I suppose American as well), and have an aluminum body.  If you treat them well they will last years.  Again, they're reliable, don't dry-out, and you can use markers overtop.  If your working on paper, virtually nothing will make them bleed.  I've had my set for years, and I've never broken a tip.  If I did brake a tip I also buy a replacement.  Furthermore, the BS tip brush is the best painterly brush I've ever used (even better then the Sakura Micron BR brush).  Not too shabby huh?

Sakura Micron
Here's the industry favorite.  Sakura microns are great.  Out of the three they have the best ink.  If you use microns with acid free paper you will have art the lasts a really REALLY long time.  Like the other two they never get runny, and like copic ink you can use markers overtop.  Furthermore, they're about half the price of the copic sp pens.  Whucha!  The only problem I've ever had with them ruining the tips.  If your not gentle you can push nibby bit back into the pen, making it impossible to write with.  Also, I recently found the Sakura Microperm pens, which as far as I can tell are the same as micron's but have different packaging.

So go get inking!

Happy new year : )

I always love the new year. It's such a good time to think about what you want, and make the changes you need to make that dream happen. This year, I've decided to finally push myself to do my own comic/graphic novel. I've started writing, drawing, and brainstorming. I don't think I've ever been quite so exited about my own projects before, so wish me luck.

I've really been thinking about story construction, and what I love most about my favorite stories. Virtually everyone's familiar with Campbell's work on the hero's quest, but the aspect I appreciate most is the transformation of the hero. Often what falls flat in a story is when the character doesn't really transform. The hero must make a sacrifice, make a change that will prove his or her worth as a hero.

Anyway, happy new years!!!!

arts arts arts! (27-41)

Time to update my sketches!!

Wow! Day 26 already?!? (20-26)

Yarrr Me Maties

More sketches.

100 Pictures in 100 Days

I've really been trying to work my portfolio the last few weeks, as well as some personal projects.  I have so much I want to get done!