Andy Updates

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

"SPAAAAAAAAAACE-HEROOOOOOOESSSS!!!"

A while back I did some freelance for the newest TMNT series. It was an incredibly fun assignment (I have Ciro Nieli & Ireneo Maramba being to thank for being too busy for all the fun work!), paying homage to those old classic Dell and Gold Key STAR TREK comics from the 60s. I haven't posted any of my TMNT work before because it's either top secret, or otherwise prohibited--but since this episode already aired, I think it's safe to! If not I'll take it down.

My cover...

...and a screenshot I saw on the web!

Friday, August 23, 2013

"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.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

SAMURAI JACK: ISSUE ONE FINAL COVER & "THANKS!"

Thanks for all the positive words regarding SAMURAI JACK and my recent posts. I will start digging up other projects to post soon, maybe even some stuff from MICKEY MOUSE. TMNT? Other comic projects in the works? Let me know what you'd like to see and I'll see if I can share.

In the meantime, you might have seen my cover for the first issue, but that wasn't final--so here is the final version:

Thursday, August 01, 2013

SAMURAI JACK: PAGE FOUR PROCESS

Do these little 'behind the scenes' sneak peaks make you more or less inclined to pre-order from your local comic shop?

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

SAMURAI JACK: PAGE THREE PROCESS

I can only show a couple more pages, but here's page three.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

SAMURAI JACK: PAGE TWO PROCESS

Following up yesterday's post, here's page 2. If you like what you are seeing, PRE ORDER your copy of IDW's Samurai Jack series from your local comic book retailer.

Thumbnail for approvals...

Cleaned up "pencils".

Ink

Colored page. Not final.

Monday, July 29, 2013

SAMURAI JACK: PAGE ONE PROCESS

So how do you crank out a monthly Samurai Jack* book by adhering to the series stunning, line-less visual style?

You don't.

Well, you can, but I didn't. I really hope fans of the groundbreaking series that I worked on will appreciate what I do bring to the book I'm doing with writer Jim Zub, despite my opting for the utilization of holding lines. Yes, there are lots of traditional and digital trickery in our arsenal and at our disposal as artists, but instead of simply mimicking the series aesthetic qualities that would no doubt pale in comparison to the original and thus fail any fans of the animated series and readers expecting a seamless translation--I decided to dig deep into early inspirations for Jack and other visual, tonal reference elements we utilized doing the television show and go with a far more boiled down, traditional method. So traditional, that it might look like it predates modern comic book series and hopefully harken closer to the golden age books, MAD Magazine and Harvey Kurtzman in particular.

So, how do you handle translating a show with no holding lines? Well, in my case, you add tons and tons of lines.

Above: initial thumbnail roughs sent to Jim and Carlos (editor)

I tightened a bit more before cleaning up.

Final inks

Colored PG 1. (Not final art) But close enough to post!

*Make sure you PRE-ORDER Samurai Jack #1 from IDW Publishing NOW!!! The book will be out in October.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

(MY) CAVALCADE OF CARTOONS WEEKEND!!

Starting this Friday, June 28th at 8:30pm on The Disney Channel, you can see the brand new MICKEY MOUSE shorts I've been working on the past year--AND the very next morning you can turn on CN to watch another PLASTIC MAN short I did for DC Nation.

...then ANOTHER, all new MICKEY MOUSE short Saturday night, then another Sunday evening.

Sick of me yet?

Here's one of many great articles mentioning the MICKEY shorts:
http://comicsalliance.com/mickey-mouse-animated-shorts-preview-paul-rudish-disney-review/

Friday, June 28, 2013

"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

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

"...MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE!!!"

Because I am doing another project for IDW, I was asked to take a stab at a TRANSFORMERS cover in the animation style of SAMURAI JACK. The evolution of the cover below:

This was my initial concept sketch.

Above was the final cleanup--knowing I was just going to self-color the holding lines.

The final painted version. Had I just a little more time, I definitely would've adjusted the colors to Rodimus' feet and shoulders to read better against the backgrounds. Lazy mistake on my part. My bad.

Here's the final printed version that's been released.

Monday, June 03, 2013

SKETCH FOR A FRIEND

I've so much I want to post, but too many projects in too infantile of states to feel comfortable--and all those other ones I'm not allowed to show. So, until then, please enjoy this sketch I did for Joe Keatinge.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

MY WORKSPACE PART TWO

Part two of my art studio breakdown...

1. More post-it notes reminding me of looming deadlines or oft-forgotten logins.

2. Art/mail ready for the post office (delivered today!).

3. My dog's pillow when he comes to visit (he opts for the couch instead).

4. Surviving memento from past job.

5. The books that were saved from storage: top top shelf are Marvel Universes and "kids" comics, manga and 2 Parker's that need to be read. Top shelf are books about comics and comics pioneer cartoonists. Top Middle shelf are some essential collections. Bottom Middle shelf are European books I can't actually read, but enjoy making up my own stories to the art.

6. The bottom shelf reserved for oversized books, Kirby Collectors and IDW Artist's Editions that are currently getting all my $$.

7. The Swiffer that only comes out of the corner when my 3 year old wants to play/clean my office.

8. Pics of my dad and the reason I do what I do.

9. Storage shelf housing painting supplies.

10. My jams!

11. My painting alcove.

12. Primed canvases ready and waiting for me to get over my cold feet.

13. Acrylics pulled from the shelf (used for priming).

14. Picture of one of the strangest variety performance groups I encountered on my travels.

15. Picture of the Royal Family of Monaco (whom I also encountered on my travels).

16. 4-color printer proofs from two of my favorite NEW GODS issues.

17. My shirt discarded due to stuffy, poorly ventilated room.

18. The additional bookshelf I had to erect to house more books.

19. Sometimes my bed.

Monday, May 27, 2013

MY WORKSPACE PART ONE

I'm a big fan of seeing other people's workspaces. Fellow artists especially. Below are unstaged panoramic views of mine, in it's current state. Below I have attempted to breakdown some of it's more distinct features to note.

View #1:

1. That's my shirt slung over the chair. It can get pretty stuffy in the studio, so chances are I will be in various stages of undress. (I'm currently writing this sans pants).

2. That's a bin where I keep all of my CALARTS handouts and extra lesson plans. I don't know where else to put it.

3. Supply drawer that houses my most used/favorite tools. The top of this drawer is currently being taken over by 3 year old and his "art projects".

4. Huckleberry Hound, Darkseid and Doctor Orpheus standing vigil over ancient answering machine and long past mail that required my immediate attention.

5. Stacks of movies and comics awaiting me to look at.

6. My "on deck" folders of current work that usually travels with me throughout the week.

7. Some inspirational Denis Bodart drawings.

8. 4 color printer proofs from my favorite NEW GODS issue(s).

9. PAPER!!!

10. Project folders of current projects/jobs in development.

11. Reference books.

12. Old, used up pens...but not used up enough to throw out. Good for inking hair texture or drybrush.

13. Kamandi custom figure figure given to me as a gift from Deane Aikins.

14. Kirby essentials within reach.

15. Reference materials: buildings, inking techniques and color.

16. Markers!!! (those that haven't dried up yet). Cools on top, Warms shelf below.

17. Kirby pages to stare at and be inspired/intimidated by.

18. Post it notes reminding me which job(s) are due immediately.

19. A stool for my short, muppet-like legs.

20. An envelope on deck for post office.

21. Memories/Night Terrors.

22. My (comic related) books that made the cut and not storage bound (yet).

23. IDW Artist's Editions where all my paychecks go.

24. My broken Herman Miller Aeron chair I can't afford to replace.

25. My work satchel AKA "Go Bag" (just like Jack Bauer from 24).

26. I guess I forgot a 26

27. Pillow for when my dog keeps me company (he usually opts for the couch though).

28. TMNT reference I was using (of my own drawings).

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS GLIMPSE INTO MY SPACE.

THE SECOND PANORAMIC AND BREAKDOWN COMING TOMORROW!!