Draw online with 10 Eastern!!

Hi, all!

I had a great new site passed on to me: http://www.10eastern.com/

It has an online drawing program that allows you to draw with different layers, brushes, techniques, and colors, then publish it instantly on their site just by clicking SAVE. People can then comment on your work. There are different categories like Black & White, Color, Horror, etc. and each category has a different drawing system. It's really quite addictive. I've only done a couple of quick sketches on there so far, but there are a lot of talented artists doing really in depth pieces, from pixel art, like the old nintendo games, to much more detailed work. And it's not using a Flash system, like other sites. I'm not sure what the coding is, but it's pretty awesome!

(These are .png files, so I hope you can view them okay. If not, let me know, and I'll upload some jpg's)




Here's an example of some really good work by my friend and studio mate, Brent Engstrom (who goes by "poopmustache" on there for some reason ;o):




They also have a great journal project going on where they send the sketchbook around the country and have people sketch and pass it on. Really fantastic, inventive site that I think is going to be pretty huge! I'm really impressed with the system over there. You HAVE to check it out! ;o)

http://www.10eastern.com

The Color of Nothingface...

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I've signed on to color the series "Nothingface" by Kel Nuttal and Morpheus Forge Ent. The pencils and inks are by Dan Schmidt. It also has awesome covers by Juan Ferreyra, the artist on Small Gods (and now Rex Mundi) from Image Comics!

Definitely a departure in style for me, as I use a more painterly look, even for my normal comic book work. We're trying to go simplistic and stylistic, expressing a lot with the color choices. It's definitely a fun project and I look forward to the rest of it.

For more information, visit Morpheus Forge Ent. or Kel's Blog, The Mad Alaskan! where you can also see the inks and other previews for the series.

Here's the first of the killer
covers by Juan Ferreyra:

Just HAD to draw!

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GOSH! ;o)

I've been working some much on my novel, then all the lettering projects and whatnot, that I haven't drawn in about a week! Yikes!

So, I just had to draw something. Especially after visiting John Nevarez's sketch blog. I love doing these crazy sketch pages that (generally) have nothing to do with anything. Just random drawings; whatever pops into mind. Always helps to loosen me up and remind me why I'm an artist. Most of the time, there ends up being a weird guy, a superhero (usually Wolvie), a woman, the Hulk smashing something, and a baby. ;o) Don't know why, those are just fun things to draw and the wide variety is fun.

Now, I think I can do some writing. Been so busy today I haven't had a chance to do that, either.

Oh, and last night I watched a cartoon that I loved as a kid, "Fun and Fancy Free!" It's a Disney combo of "Bongo" and "Mickey and the Beanstalk." I had forgotten how much I loved that. The "My, What a Happy Day" song is great (especially when the cow sings. that cracks me up everytime).

Goofy: Turkey. Lobster. Sweet Potater Pie. Pancakes piled up 'til they reach the sky.

Donald: Quack-quack, quack-quack, quack-quack, quack-quack, quack-quack, quack-quack, quack-quack, QUAAAAACK!!

Goofy: Oooooooooh! I wanna eat'n'eat'n'eat'n'eat and eat until I die.

Chapter 30!!

Been slacking on my bloggage lately, so here's another.

Yes, I have finally made it to Chapter 30 (31,000 words) of my new kid's fantasy novel (ooh, for those of you paying attention, that's a tad more info). As I mentioned in my Dillon Family Reunion blog, I had a very inspired day, so most of that was written yesterday, finishing up the last bit tonight. I'm really excited about the last few chapters.

They took an interesting turn -- still staying on my outline, but taking a different path from point A to point B. And that slight change in direction found me feeling very at home with what I wrote. What I mean is, it felt like a new piece of my journey as a writer fell into place; the style, the setting, the mood, everything felt very unique and very ME. Not that the rest hasn't, but this REALLY did. ;o)

So, that made me very happy and excited.

Now, if you've been paying attention, you'll know that I'm very off schedule. My plan was to be done with this novel on Oct. 15th (3 days ago) so I could begin preparations for National Novel Writing Month. I was very uninspired there for a week or so and tried to fight through it. I made it, but it put me behind. On top of that, I have some new projects starting. I'm a little worried for next month, but not crushed. I am going to try to finish up the rest soon anyway.

On the other projects side, I'm lettering Noble Causes #15 and a Noble Causes Christmas Special, which I'm very excited about. A really cute story illustrated by Gabe Bridwell.

I'm also about to start coloring a hardcover graphic novel of mythology for a kid's publishing company. The key word is hardcover, because that will be my first. Graphic Novels don't often get a hardcover treatment.

And some various other stuff, but I need to get to bed, so I can get my days and nights flipped back around ... again.

As always, thanks for stoppin' by and keeping me inspired. Have a splendiferous day! ;o)

Cold ...

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From the prompt "Cold" for Illustration Friday.

This is actually a piece I did a while back for my short story, "Dad's Boots." I was hoping I could do something original for this one, because the prompt "Cold" really inspires me, but I don't see the time coming this week. I'm still hoping, but just in case ... This particular image was done up pretty quickly, just to have a display piece on the site. I think the expressions are kinda neat, though.

And here is an excerpt from that story:

I still heard his boots when I woke up. No smell of pancakes. No morning news. Just squeaking and creaking, old leather boots.

I don't want to give any more away, because I'm afraid it would ruin the payoff of the story. But, please, take the time to read it and give me your feedback. html version | pdf version

Thanks for lookin'! ;o)

Dillon Family Reunion

Today was the second annual Dillon family reunion since we used to have them over ten years ago. After moving from Smith Center, KS, we all kinda lost touch and weren't really looking to find it again, but last year, my Aunt tracked us all down and invited us to a reunion. It's been really great getting to know everyone again. The last time I spoke with many of them (before last year, anyway) was when I was in 6th grade, so a LOT has changed since then.

It was a really great time, too. Less awkward reintroductions than last year, more time for just chatting and playing with the youngin's. That's always fun, because I can still remember being about the youngest at those things.

Now, my point for posting it, besides just to let you know what I've been up to, is that I was incredibly inspired by this. I've been having a bumpy time lately with my writing, and even tried writing a bit on the way up there (2 or 3 hour drive), but was uncomfortable and uninspired so I didn't get a lot done. But, after seeing my family, playing around all day, and visiting places from my childhood, I was on FIYAH! ;o)

I've been writing like a madman since.

I still really want to take a trip all by my lonesome sometime and stay in a hotel for a week or so, then just ride my bike around all over and check everything out. It's so bizarre to see how small everything is. Seriously, I remember my house (which was torn down and is now just an empty yard) being SO far away from the highway, but it turns out, it's two tiny little blocks. So weird. There's just so many memories and stories there. As much as I hated living there when I was a kid, I always loved the town itself. It helps me get back to my childhood, which, as a children's writer, really helps inspire me.

If you haven't already, I recommend going back to places you spent time (or town's you lived in) when you were young. It'll spark you more than you realize.

Anyone have stories like that?

Finished "Donuthead"

I finished reading "Donuthead" by Sue Stauffacher. Love that cover by C. F. Payne! This is a fantastic book. Really unique characters who really come to life. The strange bond between Franklin Delano Donuthead, a nervous, parnoid kid with an obsession with safety, and Sarah Kervick, a rough and tough bully from a trailer park, is brilliant and sweet. They help each other through a tough time and a little growing up. Beautiful ending. Really sweet.

I can't emphasize enough how alive these characters feel. All of them. From the school bully, to Donuthead's mom, to his younger, tag-along neighbor kid, to Sarah's dad, and on. I would love to see this made into a movie, or a cartoon series, or anything. I think kids (and adults) could really enjoy the adventures of Donuthead and Sarah.

I'm now reading "Shattered Mirror" by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. She's 21 or 22 and already on her 7th novel. So far, this book is really fast paced and exciting. I like the concep a lot. For more info, check out her site (with blog), and her Random House Site.

I also picked up "Colorado Kid," the new Stephen King mystery from Hard Case Crime, which I'm excited about.

And, I got "Hatchet," the classic by Gary Paulsen. I fell in love with that book as a kid and have been itching to read it again.

Now, back to writing. Only a few more days before I'm supposed to be done with my current novel and begin the preparation and outlining for my NaNoWriMo Novel. Eek!!

Dark, But Shining...

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The horror blog, "Dark, But Shining," is having a contest to win some free horror comics. These are a couple of quick entries I worked up. The prompt was a "visual representation of their name." I guess mine are more of a "dark, but glowing" style, but whatever. That's what popped into my head and it was just for fun.

So, go check that out. But, even cooler is their coverage of all things horror for All Hallow's Month. From movies to comics to books and more, they've got some really good content going everyday of this month. Halloween is probably my favorite holiday (maybe tied with Christmas), and this site has helped get me in the mood. I sound like an infomercial. ;o)

Okay, back to writing. I just needed a little break. Have a good day!

* Update: Hey, I won! *

Lost ...

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The latest entry to Illustration Friday from the prompt "Lost." I was inspired by an anti-marijuana commercial (something along the lines of, "just tell your mom you forgot about her because you were stoned). I was originally going to have a city street corner background with a lot of very large people walking past her, but I decided to go more simple (mainly because that would have taken forever).

The idea of a kid lost in such a busy, jungle of people really terrifies me. So, in a sense, this is a horror piece to me. So, I will have to add on to the story for this piece and make it a happy ending. She is scooped up moments later by her mother who (she didn't realize) was just right behind her getting ice cream. ;o)

I was also going to use Painter, but I just feel so awkward in there, still. For example, I try to select and move a small area of my drawing, and it created a new "floating" layer, and couldn't merge it.

So, I copped out and used Photoshop. ;o)

Hope ya like!

NaNoWriMo!

The National Novel Writing Month website is now open for registration! This is the contest where a whole buncha writers start writing on Novemeber 1st and attempt to write a 50,000 word manuscript. Lotsa writing goin' on. ;o)

The first cool thing I noticed after registering was that I could select a regional group that allowed me to post in a Kansas forum and meet other Kansans. That's pretty neat. Didn't even think about more locals working on this.

Now, the only problem is that I'm not on schedule with my current novel. I still plan on getting it done by the middle of this month, so I can plan for the next one. Gonna be tough, though. I have some other projects coming due soon and I've been fighting off writer's block (and a bit of procrastination, I suppose).

So, the registration reminder gave me a good kick in the tukus (how the heck do you spell that?). Hope some of you will join me next month. Let me know if you're in there, too.

Float ...

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The latest entry to Illustration Friday from the prompt "Float." I was originally going to do a root beer float, because that was my favorite treat when I was a kid. Then I thought of a parade float. But decided to go with this piece, even if it's a little more obvious. It's based off of a dream I had recently. I wasn't able to fly, but only float, and it was really difficult. I decided to keep with the kids theme by making it me as a chunky little kid (I really did love those root beer floats ;o)

This is also my first real piece created using the program Painter. I definitely don't feel comfortable with it yet, and really I could have done this faster (and less messy) in Photoshop, BUT, I can tell that there is something there worth pursuing. I've seen the results people get with Painter, so I know that it is a good program. Just different from what I'm used to. I messed around with the oil brushes, pencils, blenders. Maybe I'll keep up my practice with these Illo Fridays.

Let me know what you think! And if you have any Painter tips or tutorials, let me know.

Read "Nightwing: Fundamentals" online now!

You can now read the fully illustrated and lettered story online here and let us know what you think!.

Nightwing: Fundamentals complete!

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Finally done! This project has been in the works for quite a while now. It's written by John Robert Johnson and fully illustrated (that's pencils, inks, and colors) by me using a Wacom tablet and Photoshop 7. We'll have a lettered version up soon.

And to see the rest of the art for this, go to the Art Gallery on my website, or visit the Golden Goat Studios message boards, where it's been documented.

Let me know what you think!!

Chapter 22!!

20,000 words in at Chapter 20, and that puts me a few chapters from the halfway point. Yippee!! Excuse the cryptic photo. Couldn't find anything with stairs that worked for the mood of my novel except for this one with the words across it. It's a great reference photo, though. ;o)

Went to a book sell at the libary Sunday and picked up a bunch of new books for $1 a bag!!

"Poppy" by Avi, who also wrote "Crispin and the Cross of Lead." That was a pretty good book. I wandered through the other books he's written and liked the variety, so I thought I'd start with this one.

"Witches, Wit, and a Werewolf," retold by Jeanne B. Hardendorff and illustrated b Laszlo Kubinyi. Really, the title and the pencil renderings sold me on this one.

"The Inch Boy" by Junko Morimoto. It looks to be a great little story a fearless boy who wants to become a famous Samurai. Beautiful illustrations with thick brush strokes.

"Going Hollywood: A Dinosaur's Dream" by Hudson Talbot. This one is close to me. This Dino goes out to Hollywood and loses himself (and almost his friends) then makes his way back home and to who he was. Really cool illustrations in this one, too.

"Teacher's Treasury of Stories for Every Occasion." This is a book from 1958 that is set up like an encyclopedia, alphabetically by subject. Each listing has a few stories and quotes that relate to it.

"Secret of the Samurai Sword" by Phyllis A. Whitney. A story about a couple who visit their grandmother in Japan and find her garden haunted by a Samurai.

I also checked out some books to read:

"Shattered Mirrors" by Amelia Atwater Rhodes. That's her third published by the time she was like 19.

"Mostly Ghostly #1: Who Let the Ghosts Out?" by R. L. Stine. Always been a fan. ;o)

"The Keys to the Kingdom #1: Mister Monday" by Garth Nix (I kept thinking the title was Garth Nix. ;o) Looks really interesting. Makes me think of King and Straub's "The Black House."

And, finally:
"Donuthead" by Sue Stauffacher. Only a few chapters in, but, so far, it's an hilarious (and actually touching) book about a paranoid boy named Franklin Delano Donuthead. I'm really excited about the rest. Plus, it has that great cover by C. F. Payne.

Plus, I plan on reading "Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" the collection (with an introduction by Stephen King) for Halloween.

So, I've got reading material coming out of my ears for the next few months. Yikes!! ;o)

If you've read any of these, let me know your thoughts on them.

Fresh Baby!

Click for larger versionHere's another one for Illustration Friday. Running a little late with it, but tharr it be!

The prompt was "Fresh" and what's better than a freshborn baby! (or newborn for people who like "real" words) This guy's pretty giggly and googly, which is how I like my babies. Some big 'ol ears and a squiggly mouth. ;o)

I had to kick this one out faster than last weeks, because I didn't have the time, so it's more of a sketch painting.

As always, this was created with Photoshop 7 and a Wacom Tablet. Thanks for stoppin' by and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Goofing Off!!

So, I barely ever do this, but yesterday, I spent the entire day off the phone and internet and even away from work, and just relaxed, read, watched, and played. I guess the stuff I was doing was slightly related to work, but was done for fun. Just an impromptu day of remembering why I do what I do. Kinda recharges me.

I watched "The Secret of NIMH," which was a childhood favorite. Such a great story about a mother trying to protect her son. Don Bluth = genius! Love the work that went into it. Found out it was based off of a book titled "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." I'll have to track that down. The DVD I've linked to for that has a crappy new cover on it. Don't know why they did that. Makes it look all cheesy when it's a pretty dark and serious film (like the one to the left kinda portrays).

Finished reading "The Chronicles of Narnia." This was a milestone in my life. I was lucky enough to catch the BBC Movie of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" on tv when I was home sick one day in about third or fourth grade. I fell in love. But, for over a decade, I couldn't find anything about them, and no one seemed to know what I was talking about. So, this is my first time reading the series all the way through. Love the way it ended. Great, great storytelling. Oh, and the collection had a really cool essay by Lewis in the back about Writing for Children. Here's an awesome quote, "When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up." I love that, and I'm totally going to use it when people pick no me for my tastes.

... Went for a bike ride. ;o)

Played a couple of games on my new Sega Plug and Play. Not much of a gamer anymore, in fact, this and the Gameboy Advance that I never use are the only game systems I have any more. But, I was a game fanatic as a kid, which is why I got this. It has one of my all-time favorites on it. "Altered Beast!" a game that the local C-Mart had the Arcade machine of back in Smith Center when I was a youngin'. I'd ride my bike clear across town everyday (just about) and play, eat mini-pizzas, candy, and suicide slushies. Fond childhood memories. Anywho, it also has 5 other games, including Sonic, Kid Chameleon, a tetris-like game, Golden Axe, and a weird one called Flicky. Pretty amazing that they can get 6 awesome games on one little box now. Times'a changin'.

Watched a Jack and the Beanstalk cartoon by Michael Palin (Monty Python). Actually, it was more like a children's book that's narrated to music, because nothing was animated, it just moved around on illustrations. Which was great. It was a suprisingly well done production. Loved the sketchy pen drawings by Edward Sorel. Fun stuff and pretty inspirational. I even drew an ogre in that sketchy style. I'll have to scan that sometime.

Watched a Goosebumps DVD. Episode: "The Werewolf of Fever Swamp." I've always been a big fan of R. L. Stine's (and I'll site that C. S. Lewis quote once more, naysayers. ;o) He tells fun stories in interesting locations with unique characters. Yeah, they're a bit formulaic, but they're also surprising. Anyway, I loved the TV show after school when I was a kid. Plus, I'm getting into the Halloween mood.

... Ate a cheese and chicken quesadilla lean pocket. That was tasty.

I read a short story in "The Best Horror Stories from the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction Vol. 1" by Brian W. Aldiss, titled "Poor Little Warrior!" Very weird, but really interesting style of writing. Very flowery and loaded with metaphors, but it works.

Watched a little cartoonage and went to bed.

All in all, a really great day that helped inspire and recharge me. Don't get to do that often, so I enjoyed it immensely.

Today, I'm back to writing, working out, drawing, emailing, blogging, calling, etc. Though, I think I'm also going to watch "The Silver Chair" DVD from the Chronicles of Narnia collection. And tomorrow, I'm going to see "Corpse Bride," which I'm really excited about. But, then on Monday, I'm back to full-fledged workin' like a dog (who works from home ... and doesn't actually do any manual labor).

Peace out, Napoleon. ;o)

Chapter 16!!

Hey, alright! Made it to Chapter 16 today (been writing everyday, but I figure I'd only yak about where I'm at every four chapters or so). That's about 15,600 words in. It's shaping up quite nicely and moving along smoothly. If I'm half as original as I think I am, I might have something special here. ;o) Hooves crossed.

It's funny how sometimes something huge can take place in just a few sentences or words. I was in the middle of a huge, exciting scene today, then scrolled back up and realized it was only a paragraph. 'But, it seemed so BIG!,' I thought. It sort of jolted me to realize that. Reminded me of something the director of the new movie version of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" said at the San Diego Comic Con. He talked about reading the battle between the Narnians and the White Witch's minions, and how massive that seemed, and really, it's only a page long. Also makes me think of "The Never-Ending Story," because I was totally into the story, feeling it as really happening, then saw a few words on the screen and was brought back to reality. Kinda cool ... kinda sad. ;o)

I have jury duty tomorrow morning. This will be about the fourth time I've been served, and (if they don't cancel tonight), the second time I've actually had to go. Last time, I went into it as an eager writer, thinking I'd pick up life experience and material for stories, and maybe I did (though I haven't found it yet), but all that happened was, they gave me a ten dollar bill, sat me down, and had me wait for like five hours while nothing happened. Horrible waste of time. This time, I'm a little less eager ... unless they started paying better. Definitely going to screw up my day. So, I'm glad I did a bit extra today.

But, I did have to cancel an appointment with my accountant and that's kind of a pain, because that was the only time either of us could do it this week. So, next week, I guess. But, that's all boring stuff.

Hey, did you read that Stephen King is going to be writing some Marvel Comics. That makes my millenium.

Dig that abstract hint to my novel. Lips are sealed. ;o)

Finished the Escape!

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Okay, got it done. Man, I'm a slow painter. ;o) Maybe not compared to other painters, I don't know, but compared to other techniques I use, it takes forever. Contour lines just speed things up sooo much.

I think for future Illustration Friday entries, I'll have to go with sketches and whatnot. I can't NOT finish a piece like this, but I can't really devote this much time to extra, just-for-fun projects.

Let me know what you think!

Chapter 12!!

Whoo!! Had a great writing day today. Wrote four chapters in my new novel that took me to Chapter 12 at about 11,400 words. Yippee!!

I was talking to a fellow Goat just yesterday about writing speed, because he brought up Stephen King writing 10,000 words a day. That droped my jaw for sure. I'm sure he only writes for a small portion of the day, because he spends a lot of time with family and other stuff, so he just must be so fast nowadays that he burns through it. He could write one of his books in about 10 days keeping up with that schedule!

Most days, I write about 400-1,000 words. Today, I wrote about 4,000, but it took me a good 6-8 hours. I don't think I could go much faster than that.

And, yes, I'm well aware that faster isn't better, but it's fun to have some kind of quantification while you write or draw or whatever. Getting faster and keeping the quality is a sign of improvement.

Oh, and dig that crazy-vague hint at the story. Doesn't help a bit. ;o)

"Escape" - Work in Progress

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Well, it's not done, but I started this for Illustration Friday! for 9.16.2005. The title and prompt was "escape." Made it complicated by turning it into a painting, so I didn't get it done. But, I will be finishing it soon.

My favorite form of escape is in creation, so that is my subject. "There are" after all "Worlds to be Created." (Man, I'm clever!) And, this little fella is doing just that.

You can see from this, since I'm using Photoshop 7 with a Wacom tablet, I'm working in layers. I have my sketch layer on top, so I can see form as I work in the "paint." I can click that on and off as I need to.

Let me know what you think so far and make sure to come back so you can see the final.

I'm tired and going to bed. ;o)