art is dead:

wall of text some quick thoughts based on a post today by keshrt (go check out his YouTube channel, I've followed him for years on there) regarding the NEVER DRAW FOR FREE movement. it's a bigger topic than these ten images would allow, and I didn't hit every point I wanted or maybe should, but enough. everyone's road to success is different though, what works for one artist won't work for another, this is just what works for me.

Slowly coming out of semi-retirement?

My brain goes oddly sideways dyslexic when I see this poster on Netflix and I start wondering why Rob Delaney isn't pictured in the movie that has his name in the title. Just me?

Pretty nutso and amazing art installations here. I’ve been playing with the idea of getting/building a decent 3D printer for the last 2 years, but this about seals the deal for me. 

Bought some books from the homie @cheeks-74, who is always the nicest guy in comics. Wanted to give @popgunwar a hug and laugh about Pittsburgh days, but the Artist Alley situation was a bit awkward to navigate and I never found him. Met Box Brown, who is a beast. Finally met Gabriel Hardman, another beast of an artist. Told Kevin Wada I loved him, but not enough to buy any prints because he didn’t have the one I wanted. Was hoping to meet @audkoch because she draws radness and everyone should dig her stuff, but again, the layout and crowds were a bit much and never found her table.  All in all, fun day, if a little claustrophobic and a bit unorganized. It’s great seeing how the Seattle show has turned into something as big as this, with so much going on. Maybe next year I will try to do Thursday AND Friday and actually get to the show in time to catch more panels and say hi to more friends. 

Always forget how much anxiety I get at these things when I'm on the crowd side of things.

Thumbnail sketches to early pencils, lots to do still. 

Went a little apeshit on Amazon the last week or so with Xmas giftcards and tax returns, clearing out a bunch of stuff I had sitting in my shopping cart forever, or only ever had digital copies, or stuff I forgot to buy etc. Idiot me has to clear off a whole bookshelf worth of toys in the office to make room for all this newness now - how did good comics become a lose/lose sitch so quickly?! Rassum frassum 1-Click Ordering...

Bought Clip Studio Paint Pro (MANGA STUDIO ARGH) for the Mac today, had been getting more comfortable with it on the PC tablet and figured for $40USD it was worth a shot on the desktop. I’m pretty used to using Photoshop CS6 to pencil/ink/color in, and can do it mostly blindfolded by now... buuuuuut, Manga Studio has almost all the same functionality and tools, and plenty more specifically for comics. I’m definitely not ready to do a book using all Manga Studio, as evidenced by this inking test, but think I’ve decided to definitely get there sooner rather than later.

Playing with colors and shapes still, trying to get his costume just right. BECAUSE PERFECTIONIST. 

Watching a live feed of the Seattle Pxssy March while sketching up more stuff - silent supporter who is also staying productive, that’s how I roll. 

Early early eaaaaarly sketchies-colortest thingie, playing with shapes and line reduction and colors. Probs change her hairstyle a little, it’s a bit too on-the-nose just yet. 

I’m sure I saw this as a kid and barely remember it, but man how great are these posters for it? brb downloading a copy to see if the movie holds up.

Working some shits out - not there yet.