Commission time!

About a month ago, I took on a small batch of commissions. I had set aside an entire weekend to work on them, and had planned to stick to the drawing board until they were done -- and then get back to my regular comic book and illustration work when Monday rolled around.

Of course, things do not always go as planned. About an hour into working on these I felt a tickle in my throat -- started to cough a little -- and an hour later was suffering one of the worst colds (or flu bugs -- or allergy attacks -- who knows?) I'd ever had. I spent the rest of the weekend curled up under a blanket on the couch, hoping I'd die soon and get it over with. The cough hung on for weeks.

So -- the commissions lingered, as I had to get back to my regular work. But I'd find a little time here or there to work on them -- and finally finished these today. Now of course, I have to make time to pack them up and send them -- and as busy as I am, that's trickier than it sounds.

And then I need tackle the last one -- which I haven't started yet! I will draw it, Richard -- I will!

But let's have a look at the ones that are finished -- starting with Daredevil and the Black Widow.

Here's a more elaborate piece than usual -- as the client wanted the character running through a swamp at night -- it's Marvel monster Werewolf by Night.

The Golden Age Phantom Lady and her flowing locks! How much time does she spending curling her hair, I wonder?

I've often been commissioned to draw Golden Age DC characters -- particularly members of the Justice Society of America -- so here, one more time, are Dr. Mid-Nite and Hourman.

I do enjoy doing these -- and wish my schedule allowed for more right now -- but I need to spend the rest of this month finishing up (as much as possible) my pages for Return to Perdition. So if seeing these has you wanting to hire me to draw your favorite character(s) -- I'm happy to do so (for my standard fee) -- but it'll be a little while before I can take any orders. So hold that thought and get back to me in 30 days or so, OK? Thanks!

More commissions!

Though my schedule is crammed full of comic book work, I managed to sneak a few more commissions in this week.  My recent Orion Vs. Darkseid piece must have caught the eye of the client who requested I draw a Jack Kirby-style Orion.  I tried to push the Kirby look a little more this time -- using more of his patented "squiggles."  I wasn't completely happy with the pose in my initial pencil sketch, thinking it a little stiff -- so when I transfered it to bristol, I reworked the legs.

I think this gives the figure a stronger line of motion, and makes for a better drawing -- judge for yourself -- the inked version is shown below, followed by the full color finished piece.

I'd drawn Golden Age comic book hero Doctor Mid-Nite for a previous client -- but this this time I was asked to add a new element.  Doc now has a sidekick based on the original (pre-Barbara Gordon) Bat Girl - dropping the (few) Bat-elements of her costume.  From initial sketch to finished piece, I moved Mid-Nite Girl (?) over a bit, so the figures weren't touching.  I'm quite pleased with Doc's jaunty running pose!

New Commissions -- in progress pics

I'm busy plowing through a long list of commissions that I want to get done before the holidays -- well, actually, before the 20th, since that's the day the lovely Miss Erika Loen and I are getting married.  (See how I snuck that news in there without any fanfare?  Clever, huh?)  With Christmas, a honeymoon and New Year's (and her birthday!) all mixed up in there, I don't figure I'll get a whole lot done from the 20th until a little bit into January!  So until then, I'm drawing up a storm, selling art on eBay, promoting my carnival sideshow figures (available now!) and crossing my fingers all our wedding plans go smoothly.

Now -- here's the newest batch of drawings.  Since some have expressed an interest in my process, here are a couple in progress pics of Crystal and Lockjaw.  After digging up character/costume reference on the web and from my bookshelves, I start with a 5.5 x 8.5 sketchbook and work up a fairly tight pencil prelim (first pic).  I then scan that, enlarge it, print it out at 11 x14 and tighten the image up a bit on the printout -- still in pencil (pic #2).  I then lightbox the pencils onto bristol board (not shown) and go on to ink and color (#3).  I'm not charging enough for these, am I?  

And yes -- as a private joke, I scribbled Kirby's cigar into Lockjaw's mouth.  Just in the prelims.  Yeah -- dogs shouldn't oughta smoke -- but damnit, it's funny how much he looks like Jack....

Then, in descending order, we have Doctor Mid-Nite, Aquaman and Aqualad, Golden Age Flash and Green Arrow.  Couldn't resist the boxing glove arrow.  More posted soon -- keep checking back -- and please leave a comment or two.  I like to know someone's out there!