Doctor Who: UNDER ARREST!

(Above colors by Charlie Kirchoff)

If you follow me on Twitter or are part of the Facebook page, then you've heard me talk this to death.

But here it is again.

As you already probably know, I'm trying to raise airfare funds for Gallifrey One, so I'm auctioning off pages from my run on IDW's Doctor Who comic that I'd rather keep. But ya gotta do, etc.

From the description;

This item is a published penciled page from IDW Publishing's DOCTOR WHO ONGOING comic book series (vol. 1, issue #11, page 22, 2010) drawn artist Blair Shedd. This significant splash page depicts the TENTH DOCTOR as portrayed by actor David Tennant, MARTHA JONES (as depicted by actress Freema Agyeman), CAPTAIN ERISA MAGAMBO (as portrayed by actress Noma Dumezweni), as well as characters Emily Winter, Matthew Finnegan, and The Advocate. Nearly every major character from the "Don't Step on the Grass" arc in one dramatic splash page...

...Not every page of Blair's run was hand penciled. Some pages only had certain panels penciled like this on individual sheets of paper, while others were 100% digital. Only about four to seven pages per issue were done fully on comic board in pencil. The pages were then scanned, digitally inked, then sent off to colorist Charlie Kirchoff. Most of Blair's pages are purchased by a small number of private collectors before they ever see auction - it's a rarity for one make it to eBay.

There are currently a few watchers on it, but I'd appreciate actual bids from those who actually want the page, and aren't just morbidly curious. ;)

Click here --> [CLICKY] <-- for the auction.

Thanks!

TARDIS Crew!

Another "Gallifrey One Trip Fun(d) Part 2: After the Fall" sketch.

This was me playing around with the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory (who I still don't have a feel for yet - I'm trying really hard... maybe that's the problem).

But we all know the star of this piece is the angry alien in the upper right.

Future Past: Detail

This came up in a forum conversation about the "cleanness" of my lines today (inked in Photoshop), so I took this 100% screen grab to show that it's a bit unclean at "full" size. It wouldn't be noticeable in print, I'm pretty sure, but you can see little defects here and there. But if ever wondered how big these things are at "full size" there you go (FYI - that's an 11"x17" image file at 400 dpi in Photoshop).

Note: There is a bit of JPEG artifacting effecting the colors in this particular image above.

GERONIM-Os!

Another sketch in my "Gallifrey One Trip Fun(d) Part 2" sale (see my last previous post about what a defeat the other day was).

From last year, a warmup sketch that made me laugh... then the next day, didn't seem as funny, so I filed it (guess I was overtired the night before).

Probably will be on eBay later -- but if you'd like to make an offer, contact me - info [at] oneGemini.com.

AN AWFUL LOT OF RUNNING

So, as of two days ago, via the selling of original art, commissions, and some other stuff, I managed to raise enough cash to buy plane tickets to the Gallifrey One Convention in Los Angeles...

...well, until my internet went dead.

I'll spare you the details, but this is a CRAP ISP. That's Fairpoint Communications BTW. As you can see from this Wikipedia article I'm not the only one having problems with them. Why not change? Because they're literally the only place I can go, unless I sign up for a service that asks a $700 setup fee and $70 to $100 a month. And that doesn't even give me a phone line.

Oddly, my phone line didn't go dead.

Anyway. I was out about $200...

...until ticket prices jumped up last night by $100. Now I'm down around $320+.

So.

Back into the archives I go, selling artwork I probably would've kept otherwise.

Like the piece above.

Why? Well, it was drawn back in early 2010, when I was still working on my issue of Doctor Who for IDW. It's a page of sketches studying the Doctor running. And he does that a lot. One of these sketches (the pencil left-to-right run) was eventually scanned and digitally inked into a panel in issue #10.

I held onto this page of sketches not because of that, but because of the experimentation with line I did, inking the two of the sketches on the page with a brush pen, which I don't normally use for much of anything. Even though the pencil sketches beneath the ink was my typical work, working with quick, loose brush strokes, instead of my more careful, solid digital and regular ink lines, I came up with something that looked like my own linework, but at the same time, decidedly different.

That's why I held onto that piece.

But alas, that piece has been sold off to a private collector. I know they'll take care of it and not just resell it on eBay or glue it to their kid's wall.

But, you gotta do what you gotta do.

SHEDD HAPPENS! On IndyPlanet

For those of you who can't make it to conventions where I'll be appearing, or are able to snag a signed copy from me online, you can now buy an unsigned copy of "SHEDD HAPPENS! A Blair D. Shedd Sketchbook, Vol 1," my 2010 sketch book, from IndyPlanet.com!

As a reminder;

The book is 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 [from 2010], though there are a good handful of unseen sketches and mid-process drawings. Also one brand new, exclusive to the sketchbook piece, which was show partially during a "no frills" streaming show.

I've adjusted the price to be a bit cheaper than the signed copy, as 1) it's not signed and can't be signed unless you bring it to me and 2) because IndyPlanet shipping can be kind of steep depending on factors.

If you'd like to pick one up, just click the link below;

SHEDD HAPPENS A Blair D. Shedd Sketchbook, Vol. 1 (2010) on Indyplanet!

Thanks!

THE CROW: FORESHADOW

Something NOT Doctor Who related (quit yer whining ;)~ )!

This was a huge experiment from late in December, using Photoshop to create something that looks like watercolor over pencil on various paper types. The last panel, though, was a test of some Photoshop duoshade.

If you hadn't guessed/figured it out, this is my take one of those more surreal scenes from the original THE CROW comics by James O'Barr. I was very loosely following a script I wrote back at the Kubert School for an assignment.

Twas a fun experiment, but I think that's as far as I'll go with this.

DOCTOR WHO: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

Let me open by saying that THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL/REAL COMIC BOOK COVER. IT IS FAN ART. I have been an illustrator for IDW Publishing's Doctor Who comic book, but this has nothing to do with them. No, this is all about the story below. Please read before asking questions or spreading false information on your websites.

Also, I appreciate all the offers to buy prints of this image. Due to the legal ramifications of such (as in, it's illegal to sell mechanical reproductions, ie prints, of copyrighted characters without a license from the copyright holder), that's not going to happen. I may give away prints for free in the future via contests or with paid original (ie, not prints) artwork, but right now I have no plans to. What I was selling was the original penciled artwork for the two fore-figures, and that has already been sold.

Thanks.

Here it is, the final to what was DOCTOR WHO: PARADOX, now called (very appropriately) DOCTOR WHO: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.

From my previous posts;

As I mentioned previously, I'm saving up for a trip to Gallifrey One, the biggest Doctor Who convention in North America. We're still far short of airfare, and unfortunately, it's getting more expensive by the day.

So I'm doing what's a pretty big piece for me.

Do to time constraints, I've only been doing fully-digital commissions as of late. However, I've put in the extra hours, finding extra time between existing commissions and contract projects (these extra time periods where I'm not doing anything are known as "lunch," "dinner," and "sleep"). Here's the piece that's come of it.

I digitally inked the pencil piece of the two figures. Noticing the completely random setup of the figures reminded me of the cover to Uncanny X-Men #141, the beginning of the "Days of Future Past" storyline, I went and used that as direct inspiration for this two Doctors piece.

Originally illustrated by John Byrne and Terry Austin, I went to work trying to figure out how to incorporate the X-men "wanted" sign into the background. It became obvious, though it would take a little bit of work; I needed to illustrate all the Doctors.

Some of these are reworked sketches from my Ten Doctors piece (Two, Three, and Five), but most are completely redrawn.

If you're asking for the "story" of this comic, I really have no idea. Howabout... a being (not the Master) is going through time eliminating all of the Doctor's previous incarnations (using the Cybermen and Daleks, natch). Ten and Eleven are the last two left.

Originally I called the pencil drawing "Paradox" (as many of you caught, a very obvious play on "Pair o' Docs"), but as I started to use the X-men cover for inspiration, I realized that "Days of Future Past" is a very Doctor Who kind of title-concept. Since this was an homage anyway, might as well take it that extra step.

If you're wondering about my logo and cornerbox choices, they're actually inspired by the 80s Marvel Comics reprints of Doctor Who Magazine comic strips. Those Marvel reprints used this logo (in various color combos) and that cornerbox (here redrawn from the ground up with the current TARDIS). Why "MASTER" as a company name? It began with M, and I wanted to keep that M shape in the cornerbox.

For the comparison, you can see the cover to Uncanny X-men #141 here;

[link]

And the cover to a typical Marvel Doctor Who here;

[link]

So what's next for this image? The pencils will be going on eBay. They'll hopefully fund partial airfare to Gallifrey One. The winner might also get a FREE (no, I'm not selling those) 11"x17" print of this image. I'll of course link that here when the time comes. The original pencils have been sold. Thanks everyone for your interest.

Thanks for following along with the creation of this image. T'was fun.

Cheers!

DOCTOR WHO: PARADOX - Inks

From my last post;

As I mentioned previously, I'm saving up for a trip to Gallifrey One, the biggest Doctor Who convention in North America. We're still far short of airfare, and unfortunately, it's getting more expensive by the day.

So I'm doing what's a pretty big piece for me.

Do to time constraints, I've only been doing fully-digital commissions as of late. However, I've put in the extra hours, finding extra time between existing commissions and contract projects (these extra time periods where I'm not doing anything are known as "lunch," "dinner," and "sleep"). Here's the piece that's come of it.

Somewhat jokingly called "Doctor Who: Paradox," (nyuk, nyuk), it features the Tenth Doctor and Eleventh Doctors together.

Here are the digital inks to the two figures. I moved them around a bit, and tweaked some facial bits (most notably, Eleven's expression). Might do a few more minor tweaks.

I came up with a concept for this image last night, deviating from my original "surrounded by Daleks" idea (which has been done quite a bit anyway). I still have a background and some minor foreground elements to add, but when this is done, this'll be an homage to a famous comic book cover.

Let's see if you can guess which.

Next step is to add those background pieces. Then color. And then?

eBay.

So if you want in on this, keep an eye on here, my Facebook page, and/or my Twitter feed.

I'm really proud of this piece so far, and I hope y'all like it as well.

DOCTOR WHO: PARADOX - Pencils

As I mentioned previously, I'm saving up for a trip to Gallifrey One, the biggest Doctor Who convention in North America. We're still far short of airfare, and unfortunately, it's getting more expensive by the day.

So I'm doing what's a pretty big piece for me.

Do to time constraints, I've only been doing fully-digital commissions as of late. However, I've put in the extra hours, finding extra time between existing commissions and contract projects (these extra time periods where I'm not doing anything are known as "lunch," "dinner," and "sleep"). Here's the piece that's come of it.

Somewhat jokingly called "Doctor Who: Paradox," (nyuk, nyuk), it features the Tenth Doctor and Eleventh Doctors together. The scan is lousy cos I had to stick both sides in my 8 1/2" scanner. I did this with many pages that I penciled on my run on Doctor Who, but of course you don't see that ugly marrying line, as I digitally inked the final.

So you get to see a bit of the ugliness this time.

Those who follow me on Twitter saw me post a few works in progress images from this piece. For those that missed them;

Next thing to do is to digitally ink this piece, and add the unseen threat; a few Daleks.

I'll probably do another WiP update after the inks are done. And then?

eBay.

So if you want in on this, keep an eye on here, my Facebook page, and/or my Twitter feed.

I'm really proud of this piece so far, and I hope y'all like it as well.

BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL

I don't usually post warmup sketches on Sunday... which is fine. This isn't a warmup sketch.

Some of you may recognize this as my He-man Daily Sketch from last year.

It was black, white, and gray back then.

I felt like coloring something, and this was one of the first files I came across.

I went with the palette from the show, but with my normal level of shadow and highlight work.

DOCTOR WHO on eBay!

I'm saving up for a trip to Gallifrey One, the biggest Doctor Who convention in North America. We still don't quite have the funds for airfare, and it'd be a bummer if I had to miss out, as I'm an invited guest. Okay, more than a bummer, it'd be a crushing disappointment.

So with that in mind I'm going through the portfolio once again selling a few sketches that I didn't want to part with before, and creating new sketches in the process.

One of those new sketches is Mr. [Matt] Smith above. One of the first few Eleventh Doctors I've drawn.

At any rate, four are up on eBay right now, with more to come most likely. Also, if you use eBay's "Buy It Now" you can pick out a FREE 11"x17" print from the four Who-related selections seen in the auction.

Even if you don't plan to bid, spreading the word would be great.

Here's the link; http://j.mp/jPwNQ

Any help I could get on this would be spectacular.

I'm even opening my doors to a couple of commissions if anyone is interested.

Bid early, bid often.

Thanks!

UNICORN FORCE!! MANE-MAN!

While I have created new art since the new year began, this is the first art I've posted on my blog.

I don't know what this says of the year ahead.

Anyway.

UK Jersey Gods (artist), Doctor Who Magazine (artist/writer), and general all-around nice guy Dan McDaid woke up this morning remembering a dream. As he said on Twitter;

Had a ton of comic ideas in my sleep, all of them useless. The most useless/ awesome by far: UNICORN FORCE.

Then;

After some trepidation, I think I am going to do UNICORN FORCE!! in one form or another. Let me know if you want in.

(If you want to find this on Twitter, it's under the hashtag #UNICORNFORCE!! No, the double exclamation points don't count... but they do.)

Anyhoo, people contributed comments ruminating on the origin or purpose of such a team. Some contributed sketches.

Mine is above. Just a quick jobbie based on the first idea I had.

So... there you go.

Here we go, 2011.