Comic art in Manga Studio

Dexter and Dinger is a comic about a boy and his dog that love baseball. They are either late for practice, playing against their arch rivals, collecting baseball cards or pitching with an oven mitt instead of a pitchers mitt. Lucky for Dexter he has a Dinger. Dinger is to Dexter what Spot the cat is to Hong Kong Phooey. Dinger usually watches all that goes on with great amusement but helps Dexter keep his head on straight.

The comic has evolved over the years in it's look. Like most of my work it started out in vector form, but I wanted the look of a traditional comic strip or comic book. I recently found that in SmithMicro's software Manga Studio. MS allows you to create a comic from the blue pencil sketches to the panels all the way to an inked color piece. Best of all it allows you to draw with varying widths using a thick thin brush.

Out of the box the software was pretty easy to use especially when armed with illustrator Eric Merced's MS tutorials. If you purchase the software I highly recommend Eric's tutorial. It got me up and running in no time and helped me finished the piece very quickly. 

The best news of all was the email from the client that said they loved the new look of the comic. 

Flourish. Banner. Frame.

I am a featured artist in Von Glitschka's new book Flourish. Banner. Frame. which is now available in bookstores and amazon.com. Like his previous two books this one is sure to become a go to for creative professionals. But wait there's more! Included in the book is a cd with the patterns on them so that you too can create beautiful artwork in the comfort of your own home! And as an added bonus you also get this once in a life time chance to draw a handlebar mustache on yours truly. Don't delay order yours today!

Handle bar Mustache not included if you are unable to draw a handle bar mustache a Super Mario Mustache will suffice.

SCBWI Illustrators Day

Friday I attended SCBWI Illustrator Day in Decatur Georgia.

This was the 2nd one I've attended and I'm already looking forward to next year. It's a great way to meet other illustrators and I left the conference with great information, tips and a better understanding of the publishing industry.

We started off the day with illustrator Mike Lowry and writer Laura Murray discussing the entire processes of creating a children's book from writing to final art.

We then heard from Kristen Nobles, Art Director from Candlewick Press and Robert Agis, Editor from Sterling Children's Books. Both came armed with valuable info from what art directors are looking for and what they expect, to the editors role in illustrator selection and thinking beyond the picture book.

The day continued by reviewing art from 12 artist that had taken the opportunity to do a mentorship with illustrator Michael Allen Austin. Michael worked with each artist for about a month to help them improve concept, composition and narrative quailty of their work.

The final part of the day was reserved for each artist to have a 5 minute portfolio review from the panel of speakers and mentor. It was an incredible opportunity to have your work reviewed by the decision makers in the publishing industry. I think all who attended would agree that Illustrator's Day was a huge success and an event that needs to be marked on the calendar for next year.

Football icon design

My sons playing football for the first time this year. I wanted to create a t-shirt design with his number on it that I could wear to the games. He thinks it's cheesy and maybe he's right but since I can't play at least I can wear the shirt.

I finally joined flickr

Something I have been meaning to do for awhile is start showing work and photos on flickr.

I've had a page for awhile but just haven't embraced it until now.

I post illustration work, work in progress,  sketches,  photos for inspiration and vintage art that I stumble on.

Check out my photo stream and follow me. http://www.flickr.com/photos/seerobdraw. 

Year in review

I count it a blessing to work with great clients on great projects. These are just a few of the fun jobs that I got to work on in 2010

Mattel/Pixar toy packaging

Marks and Spencer cake box

Camelbak packaging art

Laundry Jumble Game

Cowboy Pop-up Birthday card

Kids Travel Guide

Snow much fun!

It's been years since we have seen this much snow in Georgia.

I wanted to build a giant 10 foot snow man but everyone else wanted to build an igloo.

I have to say this was the better of the two ideas.

It surprisingly warm on the inside, if you consider a refrigerator that keeps your milk kinda cold, warm.