Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Art from the Hyaena gallery show

The show opening was a hoot, and this was sold. We played music and shook a leg out front of the gallery.

Wednesday, December 09, 2015

PunishNoir




Heyya folks! Here's a noir style Punisher. The top image is my sketch, second is the inked version and the third is the inked version all techno-enhanced.

Let me know what you think in the comments!

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Hey kids! Saturday morning cartoons are back!


Come on down and visit, there will be pony rides, balloons, and sing-along with Jim on the geetar.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Beany & Cecil 27th anniversary - give or take



The top image is the title card for one of the first and only episodes to make it on the air. Illustration, I seem to remember, by Bruce Timm. John K really did most of the directing I was more of an assistant director, though he was kind enough to give me credit.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

1 on 1 Animation


Iff'n you recall, my pal's Mike Polvani and Wayne Carlisi kickstarted a school called 1 on 1 Animation a little while ago.

Well, they're up and running now. So if you're in Los Angeles and want some in person learning come on down to Crazy Al's Cartoon Emporium!!! Err...I mean 1 on 1 Animation. Everything must go!

And for all you folks who don't live in the City of Angels, don't fret. Word on the street is their lessons are coming to an Internet near you really soon.

If you have any questions or want to sign up drop em a line at 1on1animation@gmail.com won't ya?

I mean, these guys are the real deal! Just look at these reels:

Mike Polvani

Wayne Carlisi

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Back to the Future: Toothyness and Stupidness

These were done for Back to the Future Day. Illustration board with markers.

Update: "Back to the Stupid" has SOLD. "Teeth 19" is still available for $175. Email me at jimsmithcartoons@gmail.com if your interested.

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Ren & Stimpy: New Old Cartoons


Take a look-see at Teen Nickelodeon's new block The Splat, Weeknights at 10pm. They will be running all the 90's cartoons including your pals Ren and Stimpy.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Over the Garden Wall Background Designs




Drawn on actual paper with an actual pencil. I love a good smudge in the morning.

Illustration Process for a Movie Poster















Found some development art for an independent movie poster I worked on a while ago and thought I'd share some of the old process with ya.

No idea if it ever saw the light a day but as I recall it was called It Takes Two to Mangle by Josh Something-er-nother (Sorry for the brain fart iff'n yer out there pal.) If ya know anything about it kindly pass it along to me in the comments.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Star Trek Marker Cosplay


This is a commission done for a friend. Star Trek cosplay in magic marker form. Set your phasers to stun.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Kill Bill Go-Go


These are the rough preliminary sketches for an illustration requested by a prevert.

Go-Go with Bo-Lo

 The final drawings rendered with markers. The adorable assassin from Kill Bill.


Monday, September 21, 2015

Updated Surfer Dude


Took another pass at this Silver Guy. Redrawn and recomposed. Which'n you like best?

Popeye and Milt Gross, when cartoons were solid


The Popeye page is from a vintage mini children's book. Artist unknown.

The Milt Gross is from a post by Steve Worth.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Ferry Man guitar whale angler devil

This is a new piece done as a commision, marker on illustration board. Thanks to Wade and Derek for the concept, you guys are sick!

Wednesday, June 03, 2015

The Silver Surfer

The Silver Surfer is very powerful yet always bemoaning his servitude to Galactus. This was done in photoshop, drawn directly on the cintiq.

Friday, May 29, 2015

Animation class

There is a kickstarter for a new animation class starting up soon. It will be conducted by Mike Polvani and Wayne Carlisi. They worked for Disney and Chuck Jones productions and many others. For info, the link is:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1439554785/1-on-1-animation-school?ref=nav

Creating a finished illustration for a client

This a an illustration done recently for a comic book to be released later this year by a company called www.thevagabondcomic.com in Australia. It will be used as a splash page type poster to go along with a story called "Wrestlers in Space"






 When asked to do an illustration for hire, the first step is a rough pencil sketch from the client's reference material (if provided).
 When the rough pencil is approved by the client, I will do the finished drawing and get that approved.
 Next, a rough color comp is done using markers. This can be a small thumbnail size sketch indicating the basic color scheme.  
 After getting approval of the rough color, the finished drawing is scanned into the computer and transferred into photoshop. Using the Cintiq, I trace over the scan on a new layer with a brush tip that tapers giving the thick and thin look, much like old comic book style.
 Then on a new layer under the ink layer, the flat colors are painted. As you can see, I mistakenly started shading on the flat color layer. It wasn't a problem so I left it instead of doing that part over.
 After the flat color is done, the background is drawn with color brush and paint is filled in. As a final touch, I used a marker brush in photoshop to shade the characters and when all the layers are put together, the result is the finished piece you see at the top.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Loki Cap revised

This piece was done as a birthday card for a friend of a friend, same set up in a slightly different drawing style.
 Happy birthday Tawny!

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Comic book style illustration

 This is the thumbnail sketch for a character combining Loki and Captain America.
Then a drawing was done in a sorta Jack Kirby style.
This is the final art done with markers on Bristol heavy smooth board. Thanks to Derek and Wade for the idea.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

Ren & Stimpy Stories Never Made






The top 2 are story sketches for another Untamed World episode. 3 & 4 are for another army story. Next is a doodle of Mr. Horse and the idiots. At bottom Sgt. Hoek and private Stimpy ride into hell.