SAMURAI JACK ISSUE FOUR COLOR SCRIPTS...

Josh Burcham is a beast when it comes to color, but when I have a specific idea(s) I send them along--

PEG LEG PETE WRASSLES MICKEY MOUSE THIS WEEKEND!!!

Clay Morrow directed a new Mickey Mouse short premiering this weekend, please look for it! 

After several attempts, we were finally able to get Pete into a Mickey Mouse cartoon. Some of my of my favorite designs and special poses came from this episode. See some of them below...

GHOULY GOOFY!

This episode just aired and/or is available for download, so I'm assuming I can share some of the art behind it. Directed by Aaron Springer and easily one of my favorite MICKEY MOUSE SHORTS thus far.

"GASP!"

I was touched to find out my niece had went out, bought a goldfish and named it Gubbles. So in her honor, I'm posting the most recent MICKEY MOUSE short that aired "GASP!", along with some of my designs from the episode.

"THE BAT AND THE EEL"

Tomorrow's new DC NATION short brings one of the remaining 3 Plastic Man shorts that haven't yet aired. This one features Plas and Bats very first adversarial encounter-- when Plas was Eel O'Brien, criminal safecracker!

Here's some preliminary art for the eps.

(Bat bunz)

 Color test

CHARACTER CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF A DIFFERENT COLOR

Most people are familiar with my character design work on more humorous or "cartoony" (Ahh! Bad word!) projects. I recently came across a few old files of conceptual work I did in a more serious/action tone. This was a project I worked on a year or two back that shall not be named yet, but I hope it makes it's way into your boxes soon. I really loved the concept. These designs weren't even CLOSE to the final character design--so it should be safe to post. I have more, but thought it would be fun to show two designs of the SAME character--and (CLASS, PAY ATTENTION), just by adjusting proportions, you can transform the character's personality. Personally, I would LOVE to revisit the bottom character sometime. He reminds me of a Caniff character in an old adventure strip. Anyone game?

"AVENGER TIME!"

I'm usually savvy enough to not post freelance--for a number of reasons, but I thought these were too fun and eventually revised so much they don't appear too similar to the final products, thus hopefully legally off the hook for posting.

The job required parody's of Marvel Super Heroes. Needless to say, it was probably my most favorite job--less any work Marvel wants to throw my way....? *crickets* No? Okay, moving on...

Below, a slight twist on a classic (I think the hat was a nice touch).
The HULK parody below was probably my favorite--as I have a fondness for the sort of hillbillyness of it's design.
And these two, well...
You can see the actual short here: http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/mads-marvel-superheroadventure-time-mash-up.html

COLOR SCRIPTS!

After a literal revolving door of colorists for DOC BIZARRE MD, the schedule constituted me taking back the reigns of color duties, for better or for worse. I'm hoping I'm not spoiling anything by posting my rough thumbnail color scripts here. I hid the line art so not to reveal any plot points--although, if I was more than an ounce more skillful, you could technically be able to surmise plot through "feeling" the mood of the story through it's color pallet. But looking below, I'm sorry to say the story stays safely ambiguous. Let me know what you think.

Do the colors carry you on an emotional journey or do you need an airbag?

MARKERS. SIGH.

I'm currently culling through what seems to be endless files searching for additions to do an updated portfolio (I'll be back on the job market soon!), when I came across this old freelance job I had done ages ago. It was being developed from a children's book called MOON DOG, if I'm remembering correctly. I was particularly pleased with the fact I was able to do this giant marker comp in one take (I think it was the scale of this thing that was so daunting)--I remembered being terrified I'd make a stupid mistake three quarters through. Markers are a lot less forgiving than photoshop and the convenience of a "command z"!

IT'S THE WEEKEND...ENJOY.

Here's a little treat for you sicko's. The brainchild of Titmouse's BEN KALINA and DAVE GERHARD, the incredible ERIC BAUZA provided voices and CHRIS BATTLE and myself lent the designs.

I'm sorry in advance.

BLAST FROM THE PAST...

I was at Target the other day, when I saw this 3-pack. I couldn't believe my eyes. Really!? They made NEW toys of possibly the most racist, unPC 'tokens' in the Superfriends (well, depends how you lean on Jace and Jan's sexual orientation). Foregoing my recent embargo on purchasing any more toys, I sort of used my son as justification. Plus, I loved that none of them wear pants.

I did this drawing out of pure giddiness.

"MORE DICK..."

I don't want to give too much away, but I have been pleased with how it's all coming out. It's an idea that came out with me from Detroit, that's been started, shelved and started again more times than I can count. The fun part has been coming up with a color theory and visual vocabulary that was both graphic and minimal, as well as deliver some sort of emotional evocation. Aside from my love for old(er) comic book coloring, I developed the style years ago while working on yellow post-it notes with limited markers at my disposal. Who knows, it could all be crap, but it's my crap.

"WALLS"!!!

I was super excited to see a feature on the Flash animated short I worked on on the CHARACTER DESIGN BLOG. I probably was Pete Oswald's last choice I suspect and I'm pretty sure everyone else he'd asked balked at the very aggressive, labor-intensive 4-week delivery schedule; so he needed somebody for storyboards and I needed a gig--plus have been wanting to collaborate with Pete for ages, so it worked out all around!

Pete was great to work and collaborate with. He was very open to my ideas and accepted some of my designs as well, even though he's an amazingly talented designer himself. I had forgotten how fun it was to volley creativity back and forth--and I think the end result really showcases that for everyone involved.

The project was called "WALLS" and if you are eligible to vote, it's up for an Annie Award in the Short Subject Catagory.