Hello Stranger

A Tribute to King Kirby

My parents pup, Kirby, that is.

Trappers

Inks.
Pencils.
Digital roughs.

Inked Wraiths

For the past several months I have been primarily working digitally, drawing in Photoshop via a Wacom Cintiq tablet monitor. It has been an interesting period of trial and mostly error as I've attempted to find a style and working method that I was pleased with. I've worked 100% digital when doing storyboards, as well as on several finished illustrations recently, which has worked out well. However, when it came to comic book inking, it hasn't quite clicked yet. I enjoy penciling and layout in the digital realm because of just how easy the art is to manipulate. Trying different layouts is quick and easy. However, when it comes to finishing the art, I hit a snag. I think there's something to be said about the permanence of ink. So I grabbed myself a pack of Strathmore 500 series comic boards over the weekend, printed out my digital designs and comic pages, and started to warm-back-up my old Windsor-Newton brush. I started with these monstrous Wraiths. What do you think?

Ezekiel Stane

Here's a warm-up sketch to practice some roughs and inks featuring villain, Ezekiel Stane, from Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca's Invincible Iron Man.

Plant Life

Some warm-up sketches of plant life. Loosening up for BG design.

Snarl

Here's a panel layout for the new book. Just a tease, I can't post too much from the book just yet.

Monotony

Some days are just monotonous. Inks for some sample pages.

Scott, Cyke, Slim

Here's a quick sketch I did somewhere around midnight last night, as a coo-ldown from the work day. Nearly all my sketching is dedicated to my current project, which is still mostly under wraps, so I'm trying to make time to do a few more things for this blog in the meantime. Thanks to my pal Mike Zagari, Who's Cyclops sketch got me thinking about drawing "Slim".
Have a good Easter,
Jon

Teaser

Here's a sneak peak teaser at some concept art for the new project. I've been working away for months, and this is just a tiny hint at what we've been building. I'm not going to be giving too much more away before the project is ready, but check back periodically for a few more hints.
-Jon

T-shirts anyone?

I'm thinking of having a few t-shirts made. I made a few mock-ups, and would like to know which one you all like best, as well as what colors you'd like to see it in. Also, If anyone has any advice about where to have these shirts made up, I'd be greatly appreciated.

Tattoo

I received a nice surprise today when this picture arrived in my email. Turns out that a wonderful fan liked my work so much, that she had it tattooed. While its always great to hear from fans, it is especially flattering knowing that my work has touched someone enough that they were moved to have it tattooed. Way to go! The text reads "...it's a beautiful morning, the sky is black as ink.." which I'm told is from the song "The Other Shoe" by The Eels.
Here's the original image as well..

Mighty Avengers

Here are a few drawings done in the sketchbook over the weekend. Hercules, The Wasp (Hank Pym), Batman, and my own version of The Martian Manhunter.

Digital Inking

More playing around with digital inks.

Blacked out

Digital Inks

Experimenting with some digital techniques for an "inked" look

Tree

Reaching Hands

Bleargh!

Something for something

Character Design for something I'm trying out.

the Fool at Devil Hand Comics

Here's my one page contribution to the Webcomics Anthology Project "The Devil &Idle Hands"
Check out all the talent artist involved at http://devilhandcomics.blogspot.com/

Storyboarding warm-ups

The morning's warm-ups for thumbnailing layout and storyboarding. Nothing specific, Just images floating around my mind's eye.

Warm Up

Just a warm-up page for a small project.

Wolverine In Winter

The Great White North is always a great setting for Logan to strike

Web Slinging

Spider-Man

Rhino

Spider-man's villain, The Rhino.

Wolverine

I'm getting excited for the new movie.

CYCLOPS

A cover sketch, along with a character study.

Skaar Son of hulk

Coming to getcha!