Sketching again

EDIT: Extended Sketchbook Giveaway offer at the Art Squared Blog!
CLICK!

Sketching is so important. I feel like I have no clue what I'm doing sometimes. But after a few warmup doodles or sketches, it hits me and it feels natural again. Here are a few recent drawings from my sketchbook.

These are just quick observational sketches from photos, just to pass time and keep 'limber.' They are done with Prismacolor markers, fine-liner pens and Faber-Castell PITT brush pens on a simple white sketchbook from Barnes & Noble (good prices on sketchbooks).

Please excuse the lack of posts here, recently. I have been traveling a lot, and it's been quite hectic, however both New York Comic Con and Orlando MegaCon went far better than I had hoped. Thanks to everyone who dropped by, I'll have more photos and stories very soon.

detail

A comic drawn in Orlando

I'm at my buddy's desk in Orlando, FL in the middle of the night because I've been toiling away at this top-secret comic, while MegaCon approaches quickly in the morning (Friday through Sunday - drop by!) and I am getting closer and closer to being finished. The good news is, I was just given enough time to make sure it turns out how I want it. I can't share the work here, but I'll present this half-finished glimpse:

CARICATURE on the brain

There's a great two-minute video and short analysis posted over at Tom Richmond's blog. I hope Tom doesn't mind three more people reading his drivel (hyuk hyuk!), so check it out. VERY cool take on caricature and the human face...

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PS: I still have a couple weeks 'til the warehouse receives the bulk shipment of my new book, so preorder while you still can.

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MegaCon - Orlando, FL

I'll be in Orlando, FL next weekend (Feb 27 - Mar 1) for MegaCon at the Orlando County Convention Center. This is a photo from my table last year-- this year I'll have several more (NEW) books for you to peruse and purchase, and I'll be drawing caricatures of YOU! So drop in and say hi, I'll be at the Joe Bluhm/ Art Squared Publishing table, in the Indy Press section -- Blue 16.

Sorry for the lack of art here - I'm doing a LOT, I promise... I'll post some new art soon.
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'09 Prismacolor Art Competiton

Once again, Prismacolor is hosting an art competition. The prizes are kind of big, so head over to the website for details!

Last day for book special...

Today is the LAST day for the special offer on pre-orders for my new book, SKETCH INFECTUS. See the Art Squared Publishing blog for details, and get your copy today... the pre-order period will extend for a couple more weeks, but this special offer is only available until the end of TODAY!

Check it out, and I'll see you at booth 2341 at the Javitz center here in New York this weekend, at New York Comic Con. :)

NY comic con

On February 6, 7, and 8th I'll be hosting at the Art Squared Publishing / Joe Bluhm booth at the New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javitz center in Manhatten, at 11th Ave. & 34th St. You can find me near Alberto Ruiz and other publisher/illustrators at booth# 2341, on the aisle.

Anyone who brings me a can of sugar free RedBull gets a free quick-sketch caricature, and anyone buying two or more books will get a quick sketch as well! I'm debuting my new book, SKETCH INFECTUS (preorder now, to get an even more amazing gift) as well as carrying others that you may recognize. I'll be doing caricatures, hanging out, showing art and books and having a general good ruckus-like time, so stop by. There are a lot of great artists in this area, like Alberto (and I hear Shane Glines!!!), so swing on by the aisle of fun!

See you there!

Art Squared on Trendhunter Magazine

I was recently mentioned on TrendHunter Magazine's website as part of a micro-trend! TrendHunter is the "largest collection of cutting-edge ideas" as well as an online community of those noting interesting, hip trends. Along with BrandStudio Press, I was mentioned under a new topic of Do-It-Yourself Art Publishing. This is something that I did not pioneer, but rather learned from greats like Michel Gagne and Stephen Silver (among others).

Check it out, if for no other reason that you will find other very interesting reads and links.
I think you'll dig it...

Get Your Sketchbook!

I decided to give the art away:

Sketch Infectus contains nearly 400 drawings... It's been set at the modest price of $20. It's a hardcover book. I've been told by friends that this value is insane, but that's the point. Now let's break it down in mere terms of art:

The book contains about 390 drawings and costs $20.00 (US). That comes to less than 20¢ ($0.20) per drawing. As silly as that already is, you get advice from the likes of Steve Brodner, Phillip Burke, John Kascht, Steve Silver and dozens of other amazing artists.

BUT I'M NOT DONE (infomercial voice)...

Anyone who pre-orders by February 5th (happens to be a good friend's birthday!) will get an original sketch. And by sketch, I don't mean I'll draw a little 5 second scribble... I mean I'll actually be cutting out the sketches from these and other sketchbooks and giving them to you! You might get something IN the book and you might get something else! Your sketch might have a doodle on the back. Who knows!

But this is reserved ONLY for pre-orders on or before February 5th.

Because of the shipment date of the books, the pre-order will extend to mid-late February, (actual date TBD) however this special is ONLY good until the 5th (books will be shipped late February or early March).

Anyway, go on over and buy 2 or 3 copies (don't forget your friends!), and here are some more low-res previews from my upcoming sketchbook collection, SKETCH INFECTUS:

Go get it!
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Life Drawing

Last week I attended another life drawing session at the Society of Illustrators here in New York city. It's a great event, held twice weekly, featuring two models, a bar, snacks, live music, and great socialization (not to mention the practice).

Anyway, the models were very cool this time- very different builds and looks, different pose styles, and they were wearing great vaudevillian clown costumes. It was a neat opportunity to draw clothing, folds, and interesting shapes. It also inspired a new style of poses for them, which made it interesting for the artists. There were also some great new faces to draw at the event.

If you're in or near New York, you should drop by on a Tuesday or a Thursday. The Society is on East 63rd St. near Lexington Avenue, and I'd love to see you there.

You can also take a peek at my friend Arkady's "Nude of the Day" blog. He moderates the life drawing session and his impressionistic renderings are incredibly inspiring to see in-person!

I'll share some more of these sketches next week. Oh, and I've got some great news coming up on Friday morning, so check back!

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