Sunday Sketches

After a mango and banana feast (and thanks to the rising heat) Flynn took a time out on the couch inspiring me to quickly capture the pose:

I was also compelled to sketch Grady’s concentration whilst playing the Wii (it’s the only time he stays till long enough!):

Whacky McWhack Whack - the new book starts here

This is where it all begins!

I’ve decided to start working on a children’s illustration book titled: ‘Whacky McWhack Whack.’

I’ve made some sketches over the weekend in an attempt to nut out the details of the character:

The story is about a four year old boy who via his over active imagination is always ‘whacking’ members of his family.

Until he whacks someone very important and decides to change his ways.

I don’t want him to be an evil kid, just a very ‘active’ kid - that’s why I changed his eyes from droopy/malevolent to rounded, open, bright eyed.

I’m writing the text at the same time as I draw so that I can keep the process as organic as possible. I’m thinking of the different scenarios and costumes ‘Whacky’ (Bruce to his mum) can be wearing as he wreaks unintentional havoc.

At the moment the book will be about 22 pages in length.

Stay tuned!

Promo Art - Racketeers logo and figure

Mocked up this promo art for my comic last night in Illustrator...

2011 Novels - Visual List

Here's a visual list of the books I've read this year, you can read my reviews of them here

Bamboo Fun from WACOM

This is what I use to create my arty stuff:

A Bamboo Fun from Wacom. I bought it from Dick Smith. It’s compact, cheap, and easy to use. I would recommend it for an absolute beginner because even Paris Hilton could operate it. Use it with Illustrator 10 and you too could be creating digital comics!

Bill Plympton - 'Horn Dog' and 'Guard Dog'

I have admired Bill Plympton for many years. His animated short '25 Ways To Quit Smoking' (1989)  is a classic, but here are some lesser known shorts of his that capture the nuances of his animation so well....

Trippy!

I've finally found this!
An excellent example of animation!
I saw this on SBS one night in the 90's and have never forgotten it....enjoy!