Inktober 2017: Day13
The Lumpy Bumpy Monster
When pressed for time, but you still want to do a daily image for Inktober -- go with what you know. I've been drawing this character for decades now, so it is easy for me to quickly sketch one of my oldest characters, Lumpy Bumpy Monster.
Jim Romer’s blog: character designs, writing picture books, and random thoughts!
Friday, October 13, 2017
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 12 • The Pumpkinhead Kid
Inktober 2017: Day12
The Pumpkinhead Kid
I've created a rough draft of a picture book story featuring this character. This is the 6th Halloween picturebook story I have written. I think I'm obsessed with Halloween!
I was so busy around the time I was drawing this character. I didn't have time to post it and I left it laying on the scanner. It was weeks before I realized I never finished posting the drawing.
This is the one that almost got away . . .
The Pumpkinhead Kid
I've created a rough draft of a picture book story featuring this character. This is the 6th Halloween picturebook story I have written. I think I'm obsessed with Halloween!
Inked version of the Pumpkinhead Kid
This is the one that almost got away . . .
Original pencil sketch |
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 11 • Halloween Broom Ride
Inktober 2017: Day11
Halloween Broom Ride
Okay, so Inktober is over, but the work for this blog is not. Most of my images were sent daily to Instagram this year. Due to my workload and how time-consuming posting to this blog has become - updating here had to take a back seat.
Halloween Broom Ride
Okay, so Inktober is over, but the work for this blog is not. Most of my images were sent daily to Instagram this year. Due to my workload and how time-consuming posting to this blog has become - updating here had to take a back seat.
#Inktober Day 11: Little witch getting ready for Trick or Treating on Halloween |
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 10 • Deadie Bear
Inktober 2017: Day10
Deadie Bear
Did a similar character last year for a Trick or Treat Bag, (no one purchased the design.)
For this image, I thought of playing around doing sketchy lines. Actually, after finishing the image, I added even more scratchy lines to make have a rougher edge.
Deadie Bear
Did a similar character last year for a Trick or Treat Bag, (no one purchased the design.)
For this image, I thought of playing around doing sketchy lines. Actually, after finishing the image, I added even more scratchy lines to make have a rougher edge.
#Inktober Day 10: Awww, Deadie Bear is coming to you for a hug . . . |
Monday, October 9, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 9 • Vampire's First Flight
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 7 • Helium Ghosts
Inktober 2017: Day #7
Ever wonder what would happen if ghosts played around with helium?
Found a harder tipped version of my favorite Tombow brush pen (WS-BH 150).
I find it's better for my heavy hand, allowing me to add more pressure to get the line thickness I want. This allows me to draw thinner lines than if I used the soft tipped version (WS-BS 150). Because of this, it feels more comfortable. Overall, I think it produces a cleaner image, allowing me to add more lines and detail.
Ever wonder what would happen if ghosts played around with helium?
#Inktober Day 6: Ghosts discover helium |
Found a harder tipped version of my favorite Tombow brush pen (WS-BH 150).
I find it's better for my heavy hand, allowing me to add more pressure to get the line thickness I want. This allows me to draw thinner lines than if I used the soft tipped version (WS-BS 150). Because of this, it feels more comfortable. Overall, I think it produces a cleaner image, allowing me to add more lines and detail.
UPDATE: Inktober 2017 • day 6 • Pumpkin King
UPDATE: Decided to do a complete inked version of #inktober day 6's sketchy gel pen image of the Pumpkin King.
Inktober 2017: Day #6
Greetings from the Pumpkin King!
Did a very sketchy drawing this time using two gel pens instead of the brush pen.
Updated version of the gel pen sketch using brush pen and markers |
Greetings from the Pumpkin King!
Did a very sketchy drawing this time using two gel pens instead of the brush pen.
#Inktober Day 6: The jolly ol' Pumpkin King! |
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 5 • Zombie Canary
Inktober 2017: Day #5
The not much discussed, but just as dangerous: Zombie Canary!
We worry about big wild beasts becoming zombies; I think I'm more fearful of the little cute things becoming zombies. #watchoutthereisazombiecanarybehindyou
The not much discussed, but just as dangerous: Zombie Canary!
We worry about big wild beasts becoming zombies; I think I'm more fearful of the little cute things becoming zombies. #watchoutthereisazombiecanarybehindyou
|
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 4 • Uncle Skullipus (Underwater)
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 3 • Bat (aka Guanoloopie)
#Inktober: In 2009, Jake Parker created Inktober, where every October, artists everywhere draw one ink drawing per day for the entire month.
For this year's Inktober, I'm just doing quick doodles of characters related to Halloween.
No pencils for this guy, just going straight to doodling with ink.
#Inktober Day 3: Bat named Guanoloopie |
Monday, October 2, 2017
Inktober 2017 • day 2 • Grim Reaper
#Inktober: In 2009, Jake Parker created Inktober, where every October, artists everywhere draw one ink drawing per day for the entire month.
For this year's Inktober, I'm just doing quick doodles of characters related to Halloween. No pencils for his sketch, just started doodling with ink pens and markers.
#Inktober Day 2: "Smoke 'em if ya got 'em . . . I'll see you sooner than later!" |
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Starting Inktober 2017 • day 1 • Owl
Well, it's October again . . . (I can't believe it!)
Time for celebrating creativity with daily ink sketches.In 2009, Jake Parker created Inktober, where every October, artists everywhere draw one ink drawing per day for the entire month.
For this year's Inktober, I'm just doing quick doodles of characters related to Halloween. No pencils this time, just doodling with ink.
#Inktober Day 1: Night Owl frightened by the night |
Saturday, September 30, 2017
NOTE: Inktober 2017 is about to begin!
Tomorrow is the first day of October, and that can only mean Inktober 2017 is about to begin. In 2009, Jake Parker* created Inktober, where during the month of October, artists everywhere draw one ink drawing per day for the entire month. (*Jake Parker is one of my favorite illustrators out there.)
The ongoing theme for the month will be Halloween-related characters, similar to the image above. So, join me in this monthlong journey of creativity, (and hopefully fun.) Hazzah!
Sacko: "Let the inking commence for Inktober 2017!" |
Several years ago, I decided to give Inktober a try. It really is a good exercise not just for drawing, but for thinking of creative new ideas and characters. Unfortunately, this time of the year is very busy for my work. Last year, I struggled to complete the entire month due to the workload. So this year, I just doing character doodles, quick and done; using just a brush pen and 1 or 2 gray markers for toning. (And a white gel pen for highlights.)
The ongoing theme for the month will be Halloween-related characters, similar to the image above. So, join me in this monthlong journey of creativity, (and hopefully fun.) Hazzah!
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Daily Quick Sketch: Baby Elephant
Today's quick sketch is another character design for a children's storybook idea. I've been on and off with this character for some time. This is the closest I feel to what i want the character to look like. It still needs tweaking, but it's getting there.
Final inked and gray toned Baby Elephant image. |
Original pencil sketch |
Inked version sans the gray tones |
Friday, July 28, 2017
Special thanks to Erin for taking the time to read my children's book, Bobby's Biggest Bubble!
Check out Erin's YouTube page here: Story Time with Erin
Erin posts a new picture book video every weekday, 5 times a week.
I find her site to be a great resource for inspiration and reference to the books that are out there. Please help support her site by sharing it with others.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Daily Quick Sketch: Even More Monstas and Bunnies sketch stuff
I've been sketching this image on and off for a few months now. Another image for my grouping of Monstas and Bunnies, (I'm thinking of switching to Monstas & Bunny instead, since I've been using the same bunny in all the images.)
Pencil sketch for GO FISH, another image for my collection of Monstas and Bunnies images. |
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Looking Back 2000-2001: Bobby's Biggest Bubble supporting characters
Way before the book was printed, I would often come back to work on Bobby's Biggest Bubble, in over a 2 decade span. My career made it too difficult to focus on making the story, especially with so much travel. While I did have a laptop with me when travelling, I found it difficult to really work/design under those conditions.
I was an animator/web designer back in 2000 and most of our computer design department was let go after the Internet market bubble broke. Only my friends John Biank, John Kowalczyk, and I remained. I stayed on for about 7-8 months, but the work wasn't the same. Our work room was empty and depressing and the projects became too corporate with less and less design needed. Eventually, I left and started freelancing again in early 2001.
Freelance work was good. I first got many small projects from eLance.com. This led to several companies finding and hiring me to animated their websites. I was animating for several Japanese online English teaching courses. The pay was decent, tno deadline pressures and they pretty much let me direct my own work (and others.) This provided me with some spare time and I started to go back to doing the book. Above is the image that I pulled over 11 years later to help create my picture book.
Unfortunately, 9-11 changed my career, as it did with so many other people. The freelance work dried up. I was not getting paid for work completed. I was forced to leave freelancing and go back to working under a steady full-time job.
I was an animator/web designer back in 2000 and most of our computer design department was let go after the Internet market bubble broke. Only my friends John Biank, John Kowalczyk, and I remained. I stayed on for about 7-8 months, but the work wasn't the same. Our work room was empty and depressing and the projects became too corporate with less and less design needed. Eventually, I left and started freelancing again in early 2001.
Character sheet of the townspeople for Bobby's Biggest Bubble |
Unfortunately, 9-11 changed my career, as it did with so many other people. The freelance work dried up. I was not getting paid for work completed. I was forced to leave freelancing and go back to working under a steady full-time job.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Bobby's Biggest Bubble: about 5 years ago
The start of Bobby's picture book began about 5 years ago, but his story is decades old. |
I had no idea how much work was involved. I spent every weekend working around the clock to make the deadline. Learning the process of creating a hardcover book was surprising too. At time's I felt overwhelmed, and I became my own worst critic when the work hit a few snags. When all the work was finished, the proofs were approved, and the order to go to print was confirmed, it was the highpoint of my career.
Today, the books still sell online, though at a far, far slower pace than it did in 2012. I still donate books to schools, libraries, and charities whenever I can. I'm down to the last few boxes of the books of the original 1st print.
I'm also trying to get more of my stories published, but this time I'm going the traditional route. Many of my stories are currently in submissions to various agents and publishers. Time will tell . . .
Friday, May 12, 2017
Daily Quick Sketch: Zombie Kitty
Monday, May 8, 2017
Daily Quick Sketch: Perched Owl
Today I was trying out some new brush settings I created in Photoshop. I have been looking for a good inking brush for Photoshop, but I still find other programs do a better job of the line control and point tapering when creating an inked image.
As I was playing around, I found a waxy crayon setting I really enjoyed and decided to do a quick image using this and several other brush settings. To do this, I started with a scribbled image of an owl that I had drawn some time ago. I decided to not create the outline like I usually do, but to paint and build up on the highlights, shadows, and textures.
Here's a little step-by-step shown below:
Here's a little step-by-step shown below:
The scribbled image of a barn owl on a branch |
I quickly brushed on a tree trunk, branches, and leaves on a black background. |
I filled in the gaps with a neutral shade of green and blurred the image to create depth |
Finally, the owl character is drawn on a layer over the branch layer. (While the tail is drawn on a layer under the branch layer.) |
Monday, March 27, 2017
Daily Quick Sketch: Three Lilttle Kittens
During the weekends, I've been playing around with developing characters for a story idea I've had for the past few years. In this tale, I use characters from the classic Nursery Rhyme the Three Little Kittens. I want to develop a unique style.
I wanted the kittens to look like triplets, with slight variations. This was simple to do via scanning the colored image (seen far below) into Photoshop. In Photoshop, the character was duplicated twice onto separate layers, then each layer was altered with size, shape, and color.
I wanted the kittens to look like triplets, with slight variations. This was simple to do via scanning the colored image (seen far below) into Photoshop. In Photoshop, the character was duplicated twice onto separate layers, then each layer was altered with size, shape, and color.
The final compilation of all three kittens crying ('cause they lost their mittens!) |
First I wanted very simple features, to make a minimalized version of a cat. This version lacked character, |
The is a marker/ink sketch, which was scanned into Photoshop. Then duplicated/altered to create two more variations |
Original pencil sketches of kittens |
UPDATE: Cowabunga Donatello!
Originally posted on 6-12-2012
Still testing out the digital inks and color styles that I will use for my kid's book, Bobby's Biggest Bubble. So I thought I'd do a cartoon with my version of one of the Ninja Turtles, Donatello.
(He was always my favorite, mostly because of his nerdy persona and I like that bo stick.)
As far as digital painting programs go -- I'm leaning more towards ArtRage Pro again.
Painter is powerful, but its interface is just too #$%* clunky.
Photoshop doesn't provide the line and palette control I want.
Sketchbook is nice, but it just doesn't have the extra bells and whistles I need.
UPDATE
Found the original pencil sketches which I thought I lost. This reminds me, I should do the two remaining turtles I haven't drawn yet, then compile them into one scene together. You can see my version of Raph here.
Still testing out the digital inks and color styles that I will use for my kid's book, Bobby's Biggest Bubble. So I thought I'd do a cartoon with my version of one of the Ninja Turtles, Donatello.
(He was always my favorite, mostly because of his nerdy persona and I like that bo stick.)
The digital ink + colored version of Donatello created in ArtRage Pro |
Painter is powerful, but its interface is just too #$%* clunky.
Photoshop doesn't provide the line and palette control I want.
Sketchbook is nice, but it just doesn't have the extra bells and whistles I need.
UPDATE
Found the original pencil sketches which I thought I lost. This reminds me, I should do the two remaining turtles I haven't drawn yet, then compile them into one scene together. You can see my version of Raph here.
The recovered pencil sketch of TMNT's Donatello |
Friday, March 24, 2017
Ramblin' On: Digital Artwork vs Physical Artwork (Image: Pirate Dreams)
Ah, the conflicts between digitally and physically drawing.
Personally, I never liked to paint. Painting is punishing when you are unsure of your finished image. This is the reason I think most paintings are portraits, landscapes or still life; they are usually based on reality and what the artist physically sees.
Growing up, I was always more driven toward things that weren't real. The mysteries and unknown. Imagining what could be out there but never found. When I started drawing, a pencil and eraser were the only way I could explore my imagination; So much more forgiving to changes than using crayons, ink or paints. Because of this, I became an Illustrator/Cartoonist and not a Painter.
Then came the digital world. Programs like Photoshop/Painter allowed one to paint with an eraser. Layers allowed one to experiment. As time went on, these programs became more and more expressive at mimicking mediums with Wacom tablets and other technological advances.
Today, I find myself mostly creating pencil sketches and then finishing digitally. (If I need physical coloring, I always go to alcohol based markers because they provided great color blends and control.) I strive to change my heavy cartoony line style to something more painterly and loose, to better fit the picture book market. When painting digitally today, I still struggle to "see" what that final image will be. (Oh, it's easier to paint now, but my traditional methods still get in the way.)
One thing I'm sure of: a physical piece is more challenging, a better representation of an artist's process and therefore more rewarding since there is an actual finished piece of artwork. The same can not be said of digital art.
Personally, I never liked to paint. Painting is punishing when you are unsure of your finished image. This is the reason I think most paintings are portraits, landscapes or still life; they are usually based on reality and what the artist physically sees.
Pirate Dreams: Originally created with color pencils + watercolors, then I digitally recolored the night sky |
Growing up, I was always more driven toward things that weren't real. The mysteries and unknown. Imagining what could be out there but never found. When I started drawing, a pencil and eraser were the only way I could explore my imagination; So much more forgiving to changes than using crayons, ink or paints. Because of this, I became an Illustrator/Cartoonist and not a Painter.
Then came the digital world. Programs like Photoshop/Painter allowed one to paint with an eraser. Layers allowed one to experiment. As time went on, these programs became more and more expressive at mimicking mediums with Wacom tablets and other technological advances.
Pirate Dreams: The original pencil sketch |
Today, I find myself mostly creating pencil sketches and then finishing digitally. (If I need physical coloring, I always go to alcohol based markers because they provided great color blends and control.) I strive to change my heavy cartoony line style to something more painterly and loose, to better fit the picture book market. When painting digitally today, I still struggle to "see" what that final image will be. (Oh, it's easier to paint now, but my traditional methods still get in the way.)
One thing I'm sure of: a physical piece is more challenging, a better representation of an artist's process and therefore more rewarding since there is an actual finished piece of artwork. The same can not be said of digital art.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Touching up my Batman cartoon for a shirt.
This is an image I did in black & white for Inktober awhile ago. I started to color it and adjusted the image so that it can be printed on several different colored t-shirts.
I already had this available on RedBubble as a t-shirt, but after ordering a dark t-shirt version, I found several areas that needed to be corrected (or backed by a white background.) Hopefully, I can make the shirt available in about a week or two.
Colored version of one of my favorite Inktober cartoons - soon to be a shirt on RedBubble.com |
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Daily Quick Sketch: Old LB pencil sketch found, redrawn and colored
Did a quick color comp of one of my oldest characters, LB, based on an old sketch that fell out of a sketchbook. I don't remember why I drew LB in this pose, but I enjoyed doing a quick image of the character again. It's been awhile since I drew LB. Still one of my favorites.
Note: this is a new color scheme I'm using for the character. The major difference is that the bumps on his nose are no longer blue. I'm thinking the bumps look better all the same color, even though doing this ruins one of the story ideas I had roughed out years ago.
LB color comped using a black pen brush, markers, and Signo white pen for highlights |
Note: this is a new color scheme I'm using for the character. The major difference is that the bumps on his nose are no longer blue. I'm thinking the bumps look better all the same color, even though doing this ruins one of the story ideas I had roughed out years ago.
Original pencil sketch found in sketchbook - estimated circa 2011 |
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Daily Quick Sketch: Mouse with Cheese
Here's a quick 5-minute sketch using pen and markers. Again, no rhyme or reason for why I did this, just feeling around for a character. Once I fleshed him out as a mouse, I added the cheese in hand - 'cuz - mice like cheese?
Very fast sketch of a mouse holding cheese, made with brush pen and markers |
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Sketching process: Football Player (and a lil' turtle)
Had this sketch on my tablet for some time, never finished it until now. Why I drew this image is beyond me. Sketching is often just exploring new ideas. Looking for new ways to draw things. Perhaps this picture was inspired by the last Superbowl game . . . Though there's really no direct connection.
Sketching is a form of meditation for me: It usually starts with random lines and scribbles until something clicks, where the lines start to look like something to me . . . I then start to refine the shapes/image. From there it's trial and error, adding or deleting until I end with someone that satisfies me. Once the image is clearly defined, details are added: shading, lines on his outfit, his arm hairs and skin blemishes.
Since this is a sketch, I see things that should be corrected. His back leg is too short and its foot too large, and it's not positioned correctly. His head should tilt forward to show motion, and it should be placed more to the right. To constantly change and correct an image like this is just wasting time. This sketch has accomplished what I wanted from it, practice for creating a new idea and image.
And who knows, this image could inspire a new story or another idea one day . . .
A digital pencil sketch from my Surface Pro tablet |
Since this is a sketch, I see things that should be corrected. His back leg is too short and its foot too large, and it's not positioned correctly. His head should tilt forward to show motion, and it should be placed more to the right. To constantly change and correct an image like this is just wasting time. This sketch has accomplished what I wanted from it, practice for creating a new idea and image.
And who knows, this image could inspire a new story or another idea one day . . .
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Concept Design: Furry Pet Costumes 2016
So here are a few pet costumes I designed for PetSmart Halloween 2016. PetSmart was looking for furry creature costumes. That made me think of doing something similar to the way that Muppet-like monsters are made.
This is an excellent example of how a product is actually created from design. Above you see my original concept art. It gives enough detail and specifics to create the items our client, PetSmart, is looking for. But as you will see below, the details are altered to reach the price point that the customer wants. So small details are eliminated, colors are modified, and the final product is usually a simplified version of the concept art.
Original concept designs submitted for creating a trio of furry pet costumes for PetSmart Halloween 2016 |
Many designers I have worked with in the past, would take such changes personally because they'd get too personal with their work. That not the right frame of mind in this business. Your job as a designer is to bring forth ideas to help improve business and sales. If your design is too expensive to produce, at least you can provide the manufacturer enough details to work with - so that a final product can be created for the right price. It's far better to over design with more details to allow the manufacturing department to figure out how the item can be produced, shipped and sold.
I noticed these costumes weren't selling in many local PetSmart stores. These items looked great with these dog images, but PetSmart decided not to put these photos on the costumes' hangtags. Overall, these costumes looked like furry balls on hangers, which were hard to figure out how they'd look on dogs. It's a shame that they had these photos made for posters in front of the store, but decided to save a minuscule amount of money by not printing the hangtags with these same pictures. It would have been far more efficient and cost effective to do the hangtags with photos and simply drop the cost of the promotional posters in the storefront windows.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Daily Sketch Challenge: Mr Freeze
Those familiar with this blog know I often do daily sketches for sites like Illustration Friday or events like Inktober and Goblin Week. On DeviantArt.com, there is a group of artists that draw 30-minute images based on the topics of the day. The purpose is just to exercise the creative muscles and share images for amusement.
I'm not going to do an image every day, but I will try to get involved to help hone my drawing skills. Jumping into something new and different every once in awhile can help break the normal repetitive cycle of artwork I do for a living.Daily Sketch Challange: Mr. Freeze (42 min.) |
The original pencil sketch for Mr. Freeze |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)