Wednesday, March 26, 2008

70's artifact


Another band picture from the glorious days of disco and shiny shirts.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

More new old stuff



Conan sketch from 90's and layout from presentation about monkeys and a dog groomer.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Gig


Cover image for the new and farewell cd which will be finished in May. The title has been changed to Head First, get it? We will be playing Friday April 25 in Duarte at the City of Hope, time still not set. and we will be at Mr. T's Bowl in Highland Park Saturday the 26th. Saturday May 3 we are at Taix on Sunset in Echo Park, starting at approx. 10pm. Also I will be at Wizard Con March 14 and 15 at the downtown convention center to promote the Chestaclese comic book. Stay tuned for more updates.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Animation International






From 2003, magazine article written by my good friend Nick Cuti, all-around artist/filmaker. Nick worked at Warren doing art for Creepy, Eerie and other horror publications. He has just finished direction a movie based on his character Captain Cosmos. This is the closest thing to a biography and there are a few typos so have fun. Apologies to Eddie Fitzgerald, I told Nick to get the name right.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Art for DVD


Poster and dvd art for documentary about Tommy Chong's bust a few years ago.This is one section of a wide piece. Marker and pen on animation paper.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Custom Job


New commission - Ripping Friends art.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Ripping Friends Art




Ripping Friends






From 1999, art from the tv show, including bg models, storyboards, layout and dvd art.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Storyboards



1990 pilot for Ren & Stimpy.

Comic Splash Page


First installment of Chestaclese comic to be released this spring.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Production cel


This is from a Japanese pizza tv commercial from late nineties signed by John K. and now for sale on e-bay. Go to e-bay link to the right.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Toys


1965 ads were tantalizing.

20th century



Fine example of why the world loves America. Only 10 cents in 1952.
I'm getting to the age where I need a Chevalier.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

David P. Smith corner


Happy New Year! This is where we separate the transexuals from the transvestites. Anybody can dress like a woman. It takes a real man to cut off his kiwi fruit. I feel so good, that if I felt any better I'd be someone else.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Spumco Storyboards


1993-94 storyboard for proposed short cartoon featuring Jimmy the handicapped boy. The color in panel 3 was added recently. If you want to see what happens next just go to the donate button and put a nickel in the jukebox. The popcorn is extra.

Darwin’s Pâté Launches on YouTube



DARWIN'S PÂTÉ, A DARK SOUTHERN GOTHIC TALE OF SECRETS, BETRAYAL AND REVENGE, LAUNCHES ON YOUTUBE

This ain't a cartoon, but it's a damn good play produced by my pal Frank Forte. Check it out. It updates ev'ry Monday.

Monday, January 21, 2008

E-bay Art


Original layout drawings "Stimpy's Inventions" are now on sale at e-bay. Go to Jim Smith Ren & Stimpy art and throw your money away! The above piece is a display item only.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Famous Bigshots


Hey kids and Dads! Match the name with the picture 1. John Wayne 2. Edward the III
3. Queen Latifa
The first person to match the names wins this picture.
If you would like to own a drawing of your favorite celebrity send e-mail to:

jimsmithcartoons@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Candy Hoover


Another piece for lonely nights.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Chestaclese promotional art


Image to be printed on trading cards for promoting the upcoming comic.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Where's Waldo the Barbarian?



Another example of not leaving well enough alone. This painting haunted me from the day I first saw it on a Conan paperback cover. It has a Da Vinci or Rembrandt look, mostly in the foreground figures. It is almost biblical, like the paintings in the old Testament bibles we had in Sunday school. In the book "Testament, the Life and Art of Frank Frazetta" he says the painting was completely redone. I always thought it was just the Conan part that was changed but closer examination makes it clear.
Another reason to sell your artwork gives you less temptation to go back and fix it. I would rather see the original vision even if not perfect. You can always make the next one better. I learned this the hard way on some of the cartoons we did back in the day. Still it is the artist's choice, so what do I know?
And yet a third version I never noticed before from the Testament book. The difference seems to be mainly in Conan's head and helmet. Am I going senile?

Monday, January 07, 2008

Frazetta


A curious example of artist who tries to improve a finished painting. The original is on the left, a paperback cover bought in the mid-70s and the later one to the right, which has no signature. You can see where the original signature was painted out. I don't know why Frank did that but he improved the painting as far as the woman but the original centaur looks better, more simian-like.
On a another subject, recently I have been trying to sell my old work and it is painful but it has slowly dawned on me that it is for the best, not just the need for money but the art should be spread around and not hoarded for some imaginary day of reckoning. Also it prods the artist to do more work. Just be sure to get a copy for the scrapbook. I don't consider myself an artist, but I like the term cartoonist. It sounds better and not too many people like using it. They seem to prefer animator, painter or artist. The term cartoonist somehow became derogatory for unknown reasons.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Comic Book art


A drawing for a friend, based on a panel from upcoming Ripping Friend comic book.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Art for the new year

The drawing below is a layout from the Ren & Stimpy episode "The Boy who Cried Rat", season one. And hey kids! The final art for the "Girls & Corpses" piece will be released in the march issue, so look for it at your local website. Date of release to be posted here soon.

NEW ART ON EBAY



EBAY LINK:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZasylumpress

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Idea Sketch


The first rough sketch made for the client's approval.

Exploratory doodles

Marker Color applied to bluline layout


After explore sketches a blueline layout is drawed.

Beautiful Crap

For those out of town the previous post was a bit of comedy about coming to your house. I send drawings all over the world by mail. Just send a check or money order, unless you prefer to use the donate button. E-mail me at the address shown above and below to get more info. Samples of previous commissions are posted above and below.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Crap fror sale

I will come to your house and do marker drawings on demand. Unless you live out of town. Any beloved cartoon character that I know how to draw is available at a low, low price. Act now! Contact the e-mail:

jimsmithcartoons@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

More new old stuff



Conan marker drawing from early 80s. My scanner is too small so it was pieced together unskillfully, hence the differences in size and contrast. The rough color comp. looks better in some ways, color, composition, but I always like roughs for some reason. Maybe it's the feeling and energy that is lost in the finish. Or maybe I'm talking out of my petard.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Marker Fun


Recent drawing for a friend.

Monday, December 03, 2007

New old stuff


Found some old art while in Houston at Dad's house.