Drawn to Drawing

  Hey there, world. Long time no post. I've been going through a large creative block recently. But I think things are on the up and up. Emmalee bought me an amazing book for an anniversary gift. It's called 'Kirby, King of Comics,' and it chronicles the life and career of comic book legend Jack Kirby. The book is fantastic, and has revitalized my passion for drawing comics.
  I've realized something about myself, and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or bad. I'm somewhat of an artistic chameleon. When I'm reading a comic book or a book about comics, I want so badly to pencil comics myself, and apply all my effort in that direction. Then I read a good book and want so badly to be a storybook illustrator. Then I watch an animated film and I want to animate, or storyboard, or design animated characters.
  I think what it all comes down to is this: I want to be part of a collaborative effort, telling stories through drawing. It doesn't matter the medium or the industry. I just want to draw for an audience, and share something. Hopefully it'll happen someday.

Ben Ben

So many gorillas. Just couldn't seem to find the right look for Ben Ben. He's the all-brawn, few-brains character in our comic idea. So I just kept drawing...

and drawing...

and drawing...

Then suddenly, BAM! I stumbled upon one I like. (below, on the right)

I did a few trial panels....

Not too bad, but still needs some tweaking. I've been told he should look a bit more stupid.

Character Development

  Some character development for a webcomic idea I'm working on with a friend. Vaguely, the concept deals with a world full of slightly anthropomorphic animals. The protagonists, a goat named Cud and a gorilla named Ben Ben embark on epic, fantasy-filled quests with little experience.

Cud. I found what I was looking for fairly quickly here.

Ben Ben, on the other hand, is a bit harder. Can't seem to find a gorilla concept I like. (pardon the poor scan)

Bakshi Love

  I'm back into my 'Wizards' phase. I watch this damn movie every night, and can't get sick of it.  I love watching the included featurette, "Ralph Bakshi, the Wizard of Animation," and I've pretty much memorized his entire commentary. I don't know what it is about this movie that I love so much. It's not the greatest film out there, by any means, but it's almost become a part of me. I just love it. And I love Ralph Bakshi.

  The man really is my hero. He embodies everything I want to be as an artist. He didn't care what others thought of his work. If they liked it, great! If not, who needs 'em? He didn't worry about offending audiences or sharing unpopular messages. He just did what he wanted to do with his films. No study groups, no merchandising goals, just pure Bakshi heart poured into a film and sent out to the world. Such an inspiration.

Flour Sack

 If you've checked this blog recently you've probably assumed one of two things: 1. I've died. or 2. I'm alive, but haven't posted in a while. After making either of these assumptions you then probably wondered why I talk so much about animation but only post still drawings, and very little actual animation. You are right in your questioning, oh wise, judgemental one. But alas, I bring to you a gift. A moving picture. 

 See? I do animate on occasion. And shame on me for not having done so in so long. 

Anyway, I got a nifty new scanner which scans pencil tests very quickly and makes things a lot easier. Voila.

   Also, I'm giving ToonBoom a try, hence the watermark on the video. I like it so far, mainly because I can actually find help with problems I'm having with it, unlike Flipbook.

   That's all for tonight. I really am trying to stop focusing so heavily on other things and get back to doodling and animating. Damn life just keeps getting in the way.