Weekend Wayback: McSPIDEY 1992

This week is the eleventh installment of Weekend Wayback, where I gaze back into the archives, trying to keep an eye on where I was, in appreciation of where I am, and where I could go.

Another piece from 1992, the year that seems to have the most surviving artwork, or, the year where I increased my artwork output greatly.

Obviously this is Spider-man, and obviously this is a very McFarlane-inspired piece (specifically around the time of his first few issues of "dark n' gritty" Spider-man). I swear I had swiped it at the time, but looking through my collection, I can't find a panel exactly like this. So it's not a swipe per se -- just a very McFarlane-esque pose; bunched up, twisted, creepy-Spidey, with copious webbing. They yellow rim-lightling was highly experimental for me at the time, and I obviously didn't totally understand how it behaved as I did that.

I also don't draw so many tiny webs on Spidey anymore.

One thing that was a break-away from McFarlane's take was the glove seam. At the time, I was very insistent on making it look like Spidey was wearing gloves. This stayed with me until art school, where I event went as far as indicating the bulk of Spidey's web-shooter beneath the glove (I think I got that from Alex Ross's work).

Anyway, a fun old piece that I hope one day will be prophetic...

STEAMPUNK!TEN and NYCC

The ESCAPE TO NEW YORK (comic con) SALE! is still going on. From the original post;


As you may or may not know, I'll be in Artist Alley at New York Comic Con in October (don't ask me what table - that hasn't been assigned yet). Everything seemed pretty on track to go, but...

...first there was some credit card fraud that hit us, that took a chunk of what we needed to reserve travel down to NYC. Then, the person who was supposed to room with us had to duck out, so now we need to make up that chunk of change as well.

I can't cancel the whole thing, as I've already put money into getting a half-table with a friend and things that go along with that (power, internet) are extra. Plus there's the printing of a certain sketchbook I'll be bringing with me...

...as it stands, I can't go to the con without some emergency cash influx. I'm not looking for donations -- I'm gonna give you some art for your green papers.

If you head on over to my commission page --> HERE <-- you'll see I'm having a sale on my cel-shaded, color commissions. Hardcopy or digital delivery, both are on sale.


I've had a few people take me up on this, and have produced some kick ass art for it, including this, based on a fanfic by mtemplar on Twitter -- Steampunk!Ten, a Steampunk take on the Tenth Doctor (there's more to it than that, but if you have questions, you can ask her);



Like what you see? Want in on it? There's still time left. For those of you attending NYCC, if you want one of these commissions, and and would like to pick up your print at the show, I can do that.

We're only a few hundred away from being able to afford our hotel room - so please, if you're interested. Don't wait. As soon as I leave for the convention, the sale is done!

Thanks again to all those who have purchased artwork recently. I greatly appreciate your interest in my work and your assistance in getting me to New York Comic Con. I make it there, and I can just about guarantee big things a'comin' next year.

THANKS!

SAPPHIRE & STEEL HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED... TO THE DOCTOR?

Another commission completed, this time in grays.

Here we have the Fourth Doctor looking into the "legend" of the Pandorica, and who should he run into by Sapphire and Steel (look them up on the Googles if you're not familiar).

This was a fun piece to put together, and I like how it turned out.

Hey, you! Like what you see above? Want a commissioned piece of artwork for your very own? Well, you can still get it cheap, cos my ESCAPE TO NEW YORK (comic con) SALE! is still running! Click here --> CLICKY <-- for more info. Thanks!

Sneak Peek Week(s): Peek 11

This is just a small snippet from a commission I'm currently working on.

What could the Fourth Doctor be examining with his trusty sonic screwdriver?

Hey, you! Want a commissioned piece of artwork for your very own? Well, you can still get it cheap, cos my ESCAPE TO NEW YORK (comic con) SALE! is still running! Click here --> CLICKY <-- for more info. Thanks!

Weekend Wayback: THE CROW 1994

This week is the tenth installment of Weekend Wayback, where I gaze back into the archives, trying to keep an eye on where I was, in appreciation of where I am, and where I could go.

A piece from November 9th, 1994 -- Eric, the Crow.

November of '94 would've been the first half of my sophomore year of high school. Almost certainly I had just been introduced to The Crow via the move at this time, but the design of Eric in this image and the Rose Fyleman poem indicate I had already read the original comics (well, the TPB anyway).

While this looks somewhat digital, it was blended color pencil. The obvious digital bits come from my friend's scanner. I had no scanner at the time (not many people did) so he did these for me. I believe he had a hand scanner (the kind you had to place on the image and then move across it yourself), and it probably only did 256 colors, hence the odd blotches.

Not sure where the original of this is - but it's a nice peek into the Crow fanatic I was back then.

Sneak Peek Week(s): Peek 10

A sneak peek at the Cintiq desktop.

Points if you recognize these two (which also means points for me, because they're recognizable). This is only half the image. There's another character on the left hand side - currently hidden.

EVERYTHING MUST ESCAPE!

Assisting in the ESCAPE TO NEW YORK (comic con) SALE --> CLICKY <-- I've put up a couple of items from my portfolio up on eBay for a lot less than I'd like. The first couple (including the pencils to this printed page) are up already, with more non-Doctor Who pieces to follow soon.

Check them out at this link here --> CLICKY.

Spread the word, and thanks!

SHEDD HAPPENS!

Here it is, a peek at the cover of "SHEDD HAPPENS! A Blair D. Shedd Sketchbook, Vol 1. (2010)."

The young lady featured is a character of my by the name of Labête Delalune, the heroine from a currently limbo-stuck story called "Bad Wolf." I may get back to her someday.

Anyway, details on the sketchbook; it's 28 black and white (grayscale) pages long, with a full color cover (and back, and inside covers). The majority of the pieces are high-quality versions of my Daily Sketches, though there are a good handful of unseen sketches and mid-process drawings. Also one brand new piece, which was show partially during a "no frills" streaming show.

And of course a bio on the back page.

I may make this available for general purchase at some point, but I'm not sure. Right now, it'll be limited to 30 copies, and those 30 are going with me to New York Comic Con. They'll sell for around $10 each.

I really like how this turned out, and if you're any kind of fan of my art, I think you'll enjoy it as well.

Thanks for looking!

DOCTOR W-WHAT? :(

A recent commission, where the Tenth Doctor has found someone ate his last banana. In my mind, this happens just before his regeneration, cos it's fun to kick someone when they're down (or at least, that's my experience, being on the receiving end so many times -- f*#k you very much, world).

ESCAPE TO NEW YORK (comic con) SALE!

UPDATE:We're entering our last week here of the sale -- it ends on Wednesday, October 6th, the last day before the con proper. We're still a few hundred short of affording the hotel room we've been stuck with, to say nothing of incidentals like food and things of that nature.

Many thanks to those who have commissioned me. I greatly appreciate it. The rest of you, if you want in on this sale, better buy soon. And if you're not looking for artwork on sale, at least spread the word. Thanks!

Original post follows;

As you may or may not know, I'll be in Artist Alley at New York Comic Con in October (don't ask me what table - that hasn't been assigned yet). Everything seemed pretty on track to go, but...

...first there was some credit card fraud that hit us, that took a chunk of what we needed to reserve travel down to NYC. Then, the person who was supposed to room with us had to duck out, so now we need to make up that chunk of change as well.

I can't cancel the whole thing, as I've already put money into getting a half-table with a friend and things that go along with that (power, internet) are extra. Plus there's the printing of a certain sketchbook I'll be bringing with me...

...as it stands, I can't go to the con without some emergency cash influx. I'm not looking for donations -- I'm gonna give you some art for your green papers.

If you head on over to my commission page --> HERE <-- you'll see I'm having a sale on my cel-shaded, color commissions. Hardcopy or digital delivery, both are on sale.

Before you ask, I may offer pre-orders on con sketches (for delivery in person at the con only), but that won't be for a week or two. Right now, the above is what I'm offering. The other commission options shown at that page are available as well, but not on sale like the color pieces.

Those have been my most popular commission choices to date, so those are the ones I'm offering the discount on.

However, if you plan on being at NYCC, and wish to pick your print up in person, I will do that. Just specify this when you contact me.

PLEASE READ THE DETAILS, TERMS, AND DISCLAIMER as they have changed slightly.

Right now, this is open -- no limit to people coming in and asking for commissions. If it gets to be too much for some reason, I'll cut it off. But for now, have at me. If you're interested in commissioning a piece, or just have more questions, contact me via --> this link here.

And if you need some samples of what you could possibly get, take a look below;













Spread the word!

THANKS!

24-Hour Comic Challenge VT!

Here's the final image that I had been working on during a few of my initial streaming drawing sessions over at USTREAM (see the link over the righthand column). This piece was obviously drawn for the people behind the 24-Hour Comic Challenge in Montpelier, VT.

Like I mentioned on the show, the base idea (which I admit isn't the most original in the world -- but fun) was to have our artist (who is not me, obviously, but is supposed to be someone -- see if you can guess who), surrounded by some comic book archetypes; the superhero, the webcomic, the funny animal, the manga character, the noir character, the pulp sci-fi hero, etc. Not everyone is represented, but I wanted to put as much as I can without spending a solid month on the image.

So there you have it. If you're local to VT, and would like to get in on the action, the poster has most of the info right there, but there's also a full bit of info at this link here --> CLICKY!

If you're not local to VT, most states have 24-Hour Comic Challenges. Follow the link above to follow another link to find yours. ;)

I most likely won't participate in VT's event, but I may stop by for a visit. Lotsa things going on to see and do.

Hope you can make it there!

Weekend Wayback: DARK WARRIOR 1993

A long week of regular work, plus prep and panic for New York Comic Con, blog posts have been scarce. But I still have a moment for a this;

This week is the ninth installment of Weekend Wayback, where I gaze back into the archives, trying to keep an eye on where I was, in appreciation of where I am, and where I could go.

This would be Dark Warrior Duck, Darkwing Duck from a "The Dark Knight Returns" alternate-future episode of Darkwing Duck (look it up if you're curious).

I probably drew this image not too long after I saw it (whether I saw it "new" or not, I can't be sure) in 1993. March fourth, as you can see, plus that agrees with the file date.

As you may have guessed, this is a digital drawing, mouse-drawn, most likely on our Macintosh IIvx, in a program called color it.

Of course, not the last time I'd mess around with digital art...

Sneak Peek Week(s): Peek 9

The piece from the other night is complete. I'll show that off in full as soon as I get approval.

For now, here's a lil' snippet of it.

Sneak Peek Week(s): Peek 8

Continuing on with the Sneak Peek Week(s), above is a snippet of the progress since the live show's inking the other night.

A bit of what you missed out on...

For my Stateside friends, I hope you're all having a pleasant long weekend.

Anyway, above is a screencap from my second USTREAM show. Follow this link here --> CLICKY <-- to check out the video of what you missed.

I have another show coming up tomorrow night (Tuesday the 7th), at 7pm EST. The link above will take you to the show page as well, so you can get ready for the live broadcast around that time.

I did have some initial troubles with USTREAM's official "Producer" app, as no matter what I did, I couldn't get the frame rate as smooth as the more low-tech browser-based method, so I plan to use the older method.

Also, for those who have trouble chatting via USTREAM's chat, I'll make available during the broadcast my iChat/AIM username if you have any questions or comments.

Not sure exactly what I'll be working on, be it drawing, inking, or coloring, but I have some ideas.

Tune in then to find out!

Saturday Night Live

Didja see me? Didja? No? Well, you missed out.

The image above was my first live-streamed drawing via Ustream, and "Holding Lines Live: The oneGemini Studios Streaming Show."

Over the course of about two hours I chatted with folks and drew the Spidey above from sketch to color.

Want to see me draw in the future? Well, keep an eye on this link right here or find the Ustream link over on the right-hand column.

Many thanks to those who watched this first time out, and special thanks to those who chatted with me. Maybe next time, I'll have a AIM/iChat window open as well for those who aren't signed up on Ustream for chatting.

Thanks!

Daily Sketch BONUS: 3 RAT TALE

Guys-guys-guys! I know I don't usually do anything but a Weekend Wayback on Saturdays, but I was just at the gas station, and noticed a pickup truck pulling away from the pump. Behind the wheel was this dude above, with yes, THREE RAT TAILS.

I might've exaggerated only on his girth - but the hair is 100% true.

Full disclosure - I once had a rat tail (a single one)... but it was 5 or 6, and it was the early 80s.

This... this is just... well...

There are barely any words. They should've sent a poet.

Weekend Wayback: HOBGOBLIN 1994

This week is the ninth installment of Weekend Wayback, where I gaze back into the archives, trying to keep an eye on where I was, in appreciation of where I am, and where I could go.

What we have here today is a piece from high school, 1994 to be exact. The first page of about four that I drew to have as sample pages for a comic book convention I planned to attend in Boston (or somewhere near there).

The story was written by myself, and was sort of a bridging story for Hobgoblin comics happening at the time.

As you can see, I had SOOOOO many editors. I basically wrote down the name of everyone I let look at it while I was drawing, including a gal I had a huge high school crush on at the time (before you ask, no, it was never reciprocated... but that's a whole 'nuther barrel of bitter, bitter fish, and a motivation for why I do what I do now).

Anyhoo, I did end up taking the four pages to that con, and and met comic book artist Bart Sears (ironically, a former Kubert student himself). He mentioned the company he was working for (who's name escapes me at the moment) was reviewing portfolios. Full of gusto, I brought it to them.

His editor tore these pages to shreds.

Amongst his critiques -- unclean lines (scratchy lines and haphazard crosshatching). No spaces between panels. Pages the wrong size. Anatomy needed work. Perspective needed work. And on, and on.

He said I showed promise, but I walked away feeling more than a bit defeated.

Waiting in line later to get an autograph from Spawn artist Greg Capullo, the guy in front of me, probably in his early 20s, said he was going to be a comic artist someday. I mentioned that he could go talk to that same editor if he had samples with him. The guy then asked to see my portfolio, so he could "check out [the] competition."

He was disappointed to see that 16 year old me was blowing the doors off of 20-something him.

Big crush followed by a little buildup, and I kept on going.

And just for complete embarrassment's sake (mine, not his) here's a photo from hat very con of me with Greg Capullo (who looks almost nothing like this nowadays);



Look at me. What a dork - thinner, but a dork. And no, I don't have a bowl-cut (not then, anyway), I just have a backwards ballcap. Not that it excuses the dorkiness.

No wonder I was single for the entirety of high school. Sigh.

Sneak Peek Week(s): Peek 7

All you get here today is a teeny tiny picture -- but there is more.

This is the final of the piece I hinted at during Sneak Peek Week(s): Peek 2.

This is a pinup for my friend Ian Struckhoff's Black Label Comics. Specifically, this depicts one of his major characters, Anne.

For a bigger version of the image, more info on the project, and to donate to the project (to offset the printing costs - and hey, you get free comics for certain donations), click here --> CLICKY.

VLOG: Episode 2

What (some of) you have been waiting for -- the second oneGemini Studios Video Blog (aka VLOG) and a brand new TimeLapse video all in one!

I answer two questions from my Formspring account (www.formspring.me/oneGemini), share a little art from my childhood, show off how the zombie pic below (y'know, this one) was made, and trip over my words on camera.

Oh, and there just might be a bit of greenery in this episode. Ribbit.

Push play - and spread the word! Thanks!

QUICK NOTE

When I initially set up this blog, I set comments so that anyone, whether they had a blogger account or not, could make a comment. Apparently this changed while I wasn't looking. I've set it back to what it was before.

While you can post anonymously, I'd prefer you stand behind your comments like an adult, good or bad, and put in a name and email (or your website). I don't mind critiques, but abusive comments will be deleted, and I will report repeat offenders to their ISP (and of course if that doesn't work, I will switch this to "registered users only" again).

Thanks, and let's hear what you have to say.

Daily Sketch*: SCREAM OF THE UNDEAD

Today's image is something a little bit more than a sketch, but not a full-color piece: full of tones, hard shadows, and a bit of cel-shade filtering.

This poor fellow was actually drawn early this morning as my next oneGemini TimeLapse Video. I have yet to post the video, as my TimeLapse videos will become part of my video blogs from here on out.

I hope to find time to make the full video blog (and mix it down) tonight, and upload tomorrow.

So if you want to see how this ravenous beastie was put together, stay tuned.