Inktober 2019: Day 03 - BAIT

As mentioned in my previous post, this image is coupled with my Day#2 image. Always fun to flip the roles of the characters, now having Scare D Katt in control over mindless Mouse.

The final digitally touched-up color image, due to using the wrong markers

I was having trouble scanning the color image of this drawing. Unknowingly, I used several fluorescent markers, which don't scan very well at all. Something about the luminosity of these markers doesn't register correctly on a scanner. For example, the yellow cheese looks nice and vibrant on the original artwork, but the scanner picked up a brownish-green muddy tone. So I had to import this image into Photoshop to correct those marker colors (especially that of the hanging cheese.)

The original pencil sketch

The Inked version of the pencil sketch

Testing out the grayscale values of the image

Inktober 2019: Day 02 - MINDLESS

I decided that Mouse would be the companion of Scare D throughout Inktober. You can now see the ring from Day 1 is placed on the collar and will be part of the character from now on. (So yes, these two are engaged.) 

Day 2: Final inked image with marker coloring

At first, I had the cat simply floating mindlessly, but I wanted some interaction between the characters. That's where Day #3's prompt word, BAIT, came into play. This allowed me to tie today's word with tomorrow's word, creating a fun sequential connection between the two images.

The original sketch, working out the concept. 

I switched the layout to have the mouse take control, knowing tomorrow, I will turn the tables on Mouse.

Original final sketch images before inking

For those Inktober fanatics who insist ONLY using ink during Inktober, here you go!

The Month of Ink Cometh! INKTOBER 2019!

Yes, it's that wonderful time of year again, Inktober. This will be the 5th year I will "try" to complete the daily inking challenge during the month of October. This year I will focus on using one character, Scare D. Katt, a former Inktober character created 2 years ago.

Here's my little promo for #Inktober2019 using the original illustration from 2017

I also plan to use the prompt word list which is given by Inktober's creator, the great illustrator Jake Parker. I plan to sketch in pencil, then ink using various brush pens. I don't think I will have time to color, I don't want to over commit since work and life do get in the way.

The official Jake Parker prompt list for #Inktober 2019

Cap'n Manchot: supporting character of Pirate Dreams

Cap'n Manchot is another support character for my picture book story Pirate Dreams. The story is getting bigger and bigger so I may have to change it into a chapter book.

The original artwork was created in pencil, white pen, and Copic gray markers on Strathmore Toned Tan paper.

Pirate Dreams is greatly inspired by my childhood favorite book, The Phantom Tollbooth written by Norton Juster with illustrations by Jules Feiffer. I have always felt that The Phantom Tollbooth was a boy's alternative to The Wizard of Oz. From the very beginning of that story, I was hooked, putting myself in Milo's shoes, being cast into a strange world with incredibly weird characters.

Digital touch up of Cap'n Manchot; line textured, repositioned, desaturated and text added.

Pirate Dreams is also a voyage of discovery, filled with odd characters in a whimsical pirate world setting. With each rewrite, the story keeps changing and growing.  The cast gets bigger and bigger as new ideas pop up. In a way, I'm in Milo's shoes again, discovering a whole new world.

Mermay 2018: Octo-Tail Mermaid

This is the first year I'm doing the annual #MerMay online event where artists submit daily images of mermaids. Here's this week's image, the Octo-Tail Mermaid.

Rotated the image by 90 degrees, blotted and cross-hatched the background

Original pencil sketch

Cleaned up the pencil line with digital penciling

Laying down the base colors before adding highlights, shading, and details

The original "final" image of my #MerMay2018 Octo-Tail Mermaid
I wasn't happy about her ink at that bottom - so a change was made as seen above

Daily Quick Sketch: Perry Wanna Kracker. the giant pirate parrot

Today's quick sketch in pencil, brush pen and Copic markers. It is a supporting character for a little picture book story I wrote called Pirate Dreams. Perry W. Kracker is a huge parrot, abnormally huge, and he ALWAYS wants a cracker. He is part of the ship of misfits lead by the main character.

Pirry, the Pirate Parrot from Pirate Dreams. Pirry stands about 6'2" and weighs nearly 300 lbs. 

Mermay 2018: Shark-Tail Mermaid

The second image I did for the online event MerMay2018, where artists submit their mermaid illustration during the month of May.

My final version of a Shark-Tail Mermaid with various shy neighbors

The original color background before changes to make the main character "pop" more

The original sketch in pencil

Daily Quick Sketch: Picture Book Character Mash-up

I had purchased new brushes for Photoshop last week, looking for brushes that give a more natural feel than the current brushes available in Photoshop. Grut brushes are pretty impressive because most of the brushes are not cookie cutter stamp and repeats.

Highly recommended, with over 300 brushes for just $20. The site even has a free sampler for you to try: Grut Brushes Link

Playing around with two of my picture book characters: Bladimir Blarfarg and Little Boo
And yes, Bladimir is the one going to the bathroom in the lake

Inktober 2017 • day 31 • Scare D. Kattz (Happy Halloween and a farewell to Inktober 2017!)

Inktober 2017: Day31 • Scare D. Kattz sleeps
Ending the month-long Inktober challenge with a tired Scared D. Kattz. Definitely how I was feeling after so many children showing up at the door. Personally, I do not like how this image turned out. Did not finish Inktober on a high note in my opinion. Special thanks to Jake Parker for creating Inktober!!

RE: Halloween this year, so MANY Batgirl costumes!! Wonder why?

#Inktober Day 31: Halloween night, Inktober ends and Thank You Jake Parker!!!

Original Inked version, using a brush pen and a white gel pen for highlights

Inktober 2017 • day 30 • Scare D. Kattz's First Broom Ride

Inktober 2017: Day30
Scare D. Kattz's First Broom Ride

Added this little nod to the Harry Potter books/movies.

#Inktober Day 30: Nimbus 4000, much faster than the 2000 version.

Original Ink image

Inktober 2017 • day 29 • Scare D. Kattz meets Skullbottom

Inktober 2017: Day29
Scare D. Kattz meets Skullbottom

Combining two characters I have drawn in the past. This time Scare D. meets Skullbottom, who was ironically named after he lost his entire body (and jawbone.)

#Inktober Day 29: Scare D. Kat meets the unfortunate Skullbottom

Inktober 2017 • day 28 • Scare D. Kattz & The Witch's Hat

Inktober 2017: Day28
Scare D. Kattz & The Witch's Hat

I was getting kind comments from others online and email, so I decided to wrap this year's Inktober with Scare D. Kat images. 

#Inktober Day 28: Continuing the remaining Inktober days with images of Scare D. Kat

Inktober 2017 • day 27 • Scare D. Kat & Pumpkin Head

Inktober 2017: Day27
Scare D. Kat & Pumpkin Head

Heading to the end of Inktober, I thought I'd get a little more colorful in the final days. This one was drawn with a black brush pen and colored with Copic markers.

#Inktober Day 27: Bring back the kitten character I created several years ago.

(Side note: We actually had to use this sign for Halloween at around 9PM this year.)

Inktober 2017 • day 26 • Trick or Treatin' Monster

Inktober 2017: Day26
Trick or Treatin' Monsta

I felt like doing a big goofy monster trick or treating on Halloween day.

I have to admit, I think a lot of this goofy walking stance (and definitely its feet) is inspired by Mad Magazine's Don Martin. Don Martin was the king of goofy drawing when I was a kid. It was Martin's cartoons, Sergio Aragonés randomly gutter placed doodles, and Antonio Prohías' Spy vs. Spy that were the must-read pages whenever I bought Mad Magazine.

#Inktober Day 26: Wrong Toes, the friendly neighborhood gremlin.

Inktober 2017 • day 25 • Little Vampire

Inktober 2017: Day25
Little Vampire

Did a similar version of this character for a trick or treat bag several years ago. I liked the pose and decided to add a top hat. I have always admired the idea of creating Tiny Monsters, this little guy would probably be the leader.

#Inktober Day 25: Happy little vampire excited for the approaching Halloween Day!

Inktober 2017 • day 23 • Candy Corn Goblins

Inktober 2017: Day23
Candy Corn Goblins

The only thing that haunted me as a child was getting a bag of candy corn on Halloween. It has to be to most awful candy out there, far surpassing Easter Peeps and white chocolate. So it makes sense, something must be taking these triangular nightmares . . . Cause I certainly wasn't eating them!

#Inktober Day 29: Inspired by my sheer hatred of this novelty garbage candy. BLEH!

Original Ink image

Inktober 2017 • day 22 • Morburt, the Mossman

Inktober 2017: Day22
Morburt, the Mossman

This character is one of the guardians of the Moss Fields. Not a real warrior; basically they try to look intimidating . . . But are often way too friendly to ever be in a fight.

#Inktober Day 22: Good Ol' mellow Morburt, the Mossman

#Inktober Day 22: The original inked image without the tones

Inktober 2017 • day 19 • Ghost Doodles

Inktober 2017: Day19
Halloween Ghost Doodles

Today's Inktober is just a bunch of ghost doodles (with a pumpkin basket thrown in.)
I used a very soft pen brush, hence the more shaky, sketchy and varying lines.

Inktober Day 19: Various Ghost and pumpkin basket doodles

Inktober 2017 • day 18 • Teen Wolf

Inktober 2017: Day18Teen Wolf
This little guy was a concept design for a Trick or Treat bag. Basically, he's rising from the bag's base. I'll need to simplify this design because TOT bags are generally very graphic and iconic in today's market.

Inktober Day #18: Teen Wolf Surprise!

Inktober 2017 • day 17 • Go Fish! (Bunnies and Monstas)

Inktober 2017: Day17
Go Fish (Bunnies and Monstas)

Those who follow my artwork will probably recognize this image. I've been working on variations of this concept for quite some time. This is part of a calendar idea I've had for the last few years.

#Inktober Day 17: Yet another version of Go Fish from my Bunnies and Monstas collection