This week's character choice at Spitballin' is Skydoll.

I'm definitely much happier with my pencils than I am with my colouring -- I just went very simple this time. Success or fail, it's my baby and it's out there for all the world to see.

STORM at Spitballin'

My contribution to Spitballin' during Storm (from the X-Men) week.

ColErase red pencil and ink on cardboard.

BEAST BOY at Spitballin'

It's Beast Boy week at Spitballin' . I've included the original drawing which I did with a Grand & Toy ball point pen -- I just wanted to see what would happen and was pleasantly surprised.

Spitballin' Art Dump Part Deux

Meanwhile, over at Spitballin' , things have been piling up!

Just a sample of recent characters we've tackled over the past weeks.

Come visit the site, say hi, sit a spell and add your comments;

we'd love to hear from you!

Dr. Strange

Betty Page, dressed in her boyfriend's (Cliff Secord) Rocketeer outfit

Apocalypse

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, classic movie monsters for Hallowe'en

My Ah-Kong

Here are a couple of spot illustrations I did for a short story that'll be appearing in REAL: The Canadian Kids Magazine.

Still not happy with my colouring skills but with more time and practice I'm hoping to get to some level where I don't cringe when I look at my own handiwork.

Batman Commission

A Batman commission from this past FanExpo. She wanted a crouching Batman, I said no problem, come back in a bit and I'll have it for you. She never made it back and the piece sat there waiting. This is actually the second version because the first one I rushed and the numerous mistakes just stared back, taunting me to do better.

I really should've gone darker with the markers. Still, I like how it turned out.

Spitballin' Art Dump

Just a few pieces from past Spitballin' weeks -- I've contributed here and there depending on deadlines with other projects. Just noticed that I tend to use a lot of purple in my works. Huh.

Princess Butterfly- REAL Canadian Kids' Magazine

Here's a couple of spot illustrations I've just completed for REAL: The Canadian Kids' Magazine. The story is called "Princess Butterfly"; it's about a princess who learns a hard lesson about graciousness and not taking anyone for granted.

I'm still in the early stages of learning Photoshop; I realize the colour choices are quite primary, but since the magazine's target audience is Kindergarten to Grade 8, I don't think the kids will mind at all.

MISS MARTIAN by Gerard de la Costa

This past week was Miss Martian week at Spitballin' courtesy of Selena Goulding. The only things I really know about her I learned from the Young Justice cartoon which didn't really amount to much: she has an annoying catchphrase (Helllooo Megan!) and she has the hots for Superboy. Also, she has powers similar to the Martian Manhunter.

I wanted to try something different with this: instead of using the inks to pull everything together, I wanted the colour to define the shapes. To me it looks very "construction paper cutouts" but I think it still works. Getting more comfortable with Photoshop, so that's a plus.

BLACKSAD at Spitballin'

Last week was Blacksad week at Spitballin' courtesy of yours truly (it was my pick I'm proud to say). There isn't anyone I've met that doesn't just gush over Blacksad - yes, it's that awesome and you'd only be doing your eyes a favour by going out and getting yourself a copy. Do it RIGHT NOW!

Still getting the hang of digital colouring and I'm really happy on how this one turned out. At the risk of stating the obvious, I really have to work on my backgrounds! Lots of different takes on the character by many talented artists at Spitballin' - I'm simultaneously honoured and terrified to be in the group!

True story.

HARLEY QUINN at Spitballin'

This week's character choice at Spitballin' is Harley Quinn from the Batman family. I figured everyone would be drawing the red and black costume so I thought I'd change it up and sketch out her costume from the video game Batman: Arkham Asylum.

I was really impressed with the character designs they did for the game and hate to admit that, even though I've owned the game for a couple of years now, I still haven't beaten it.

Everyone either loves or hates Harley (I fall into the "loves" camp) and you have to admit, it's pretty impressive that a character that was created for Batman: The Animated Series made it into comics continuity.

KRAVEN at Spitballin'

Last week was Kraven the Hunter week over at Spitballin'. I got an anatomy assist from Marcus To, current artist on DC's Red Robin, which made the pose so much sweeter. Thanks Marcus!

SPACEBOY at Spitballin'

This week is Umbrella Academy week at Spitballin' and we all did a little something different courtesy of Selena, a fellow Spitballer. Since this was her pick, she assigned a character for each of us to tackle. Needless to say, I was more than happy with her choice of Spaceboy for me since he's the one character who, I feel, really suits my art style.

Do yourself a big favour and check out everyone else's awesome renditions... you won't be disappointed!

STARFIRE at Spitballin'

We're on the last day of Starfire week at Spitballin' . This was a special week for me since I had the honour of choosing the character we'd all be drawing; and it was the first female character to boot!

With all of our varying styles, I think everyone did a great job.

Go see for yourself.

HELLBOY at Spitballin'

Last week's featured character was Hellboy over at Spitballin'. Not really sure why I went for the long-horned version of Big Red - just wanted to do something different.

Hope you enjoy.

CAPTAIN AMERICA at Spitballin'

I've been away on a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate my father's birthday; the whole fam was there including my sister who flew down from Sweden to Barcelona with my two nieces and her husband. Needless to say, it was quite exhausting (travelling by air should only be done if you have access to unlimited funds and can book first class if only to enjoy the extra elbow and legroom) and I was looking forward to just taking it easy once I got back.

Upon opening the Spitballin' website , it became painfully obvious that rest would elude me still - the character choice for the week was Captain America! For some reason, as much as I love living in my home and native land of Canada, I've always had a place in my heart for the good old Captain A and would not pass up the chance to put my version down on paper, jet lag be damned! In the end, I was quite happy with how it all turned out and can only hope that you, dear viewer, will feel the same.

Spitballin': Adventures in a sketch group

I've recently been asked to join a sketchgroup called Spitballin' and the inaugural character was Spawn. I've never drawn him before - honest! - and had a lot of fun doing so. The only downside was when it came time to colour I still haven't gotten over my fear of Photoshop, hence the old school marker rendering. And I better get over this fear soon because, judging from the caliber of work presented by the other members of the group, I'll be eclipsed by the awesomeness of their art if don't do so post haste. I look forward to what characters everyone will think up of to draw.

Here's my Spawn and the lineart before I destroyed it with markers. Do your eyes a favour and check out the site; you won't be disappointed!

Poison Ivy

Here's a second painting in a series that I've titled (in my head) "Bad Girls of Gotham" -- how original, right? This Poison Ivy print made its debut at the recent Fan Appreciation comic convention in Toronto.

The first was Harley Quinn and the last one will be of Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. I plan to have the Catwoman print for FanExpo in late August. Also toying with the idea of making a print of all three prints put together.

I'm thinking after this is done I should go back to drawing muscleheads in spandex -- just to show the people that I can draw other things besides T & A. It just won't be as fun.

Wizard World Toronto 2011

The Wizard World Convention was a three-day affair that happened here in Toronto on March 18-20. As per usual, I sat with the fine gentlemen from Spent Pencils Studios. It was off to a slow start Friday night but come Saturday and Sunday our booth was all abuzz with print sales and lots of commissions (this was the first time I actually had to do some commissions once I got home Saturday night to ensure pickups for Sunday. Homework from a convention! Go figure.)

Quite honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this con considering all the bad buzz Wizard World had been getting from the Internet. If you love meeting former pro wrestlers, actors that have been in sci-fi and horror films, some of the cast from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", and buying "original art" from "legitomite artist" Rob Granito, then this convention was tailor made for you!

On the plus side, you could really talk to the many artists present (so happy that Sanya Anwar, who I had the pleasure of sitting beside during FanExpo last year, made the trip from Montreal) without having to fight for elbow room and the general public was really supportive with their kind words in regards to my artwork. So I guess the surprise was on me that I had a great time after all!

Here are some of the commissions from the show. Enjoy!

First commission of the show: Wonder Woman

The Comedian

Black Cat

Wolverine (ColErase pencil, ink w/watercolour wash)

Thor

Non specific Ninja Turtle

Harley Quinn Print

On February 6, I attended the Toronto Comicon one day convention sitting with the fine gentlemen of

Spent Pencils Studios.

I had got it in my head to come up with some art that would make its debut at the show -- but which character?

Choosing the subject is always so hit and miss but this is how I approach it: the target demographic at cons are mostly guys and they like seeing female characters in sexy costumes;

not all, but most

(if I'm lying or my logic is flawed then someone

please correct me).

Despite her popularity I've never drawn Harley Quinn before and before you get your panties in a bunch, yes, I know that's not her regular costume; just thought I'd have some fun with a

slight redesign.

If I've done my job properly, something in the artwork catches the conventioneer's eye, draws them in and fills them with an overwhelming urge to peruse my portfolio. I dazzle them with some witty repartee and a few minutes later they're the proud owner of one of my prints or a sketch...

at least that's the theory.

My drawing table - watercolours and

correction fluid pen at the ready

Lineart in blue ColErase pencil

Lately, I've been getting a kick out of the female conventioneer who sees my art, runs up to my table and tells me that's the character they dressed up for on Hallowe'en and they really like how I drew her. I can find no greater compliment than when a woman tells me that, essentially, I've drawn all

the lady parts correctly.

All Right... Let's Do This!

My first post of 2011 and it's long overdue. As I recall, I made a promise to update this blog once a week in the hopes that I could kick my own ass to get it in gear and produce something- ANYTHING!- as long as I was at my table drawing, erasing and creating!

I even put it out there to the world wide interweb to call "shenanigans!" if I faltered and, a quick look at the date of my last post, no one took me up on the offer. [ typical me: looking to lay blame somewhere else other than my own front door.]

Honestly, I just got caught up working crazy hours in retail during Christmas time, coming home frustrated from rude, inconsiderate and MESSY shoppers (how'd you like it if I messed up your closet and then just walked away?!!) and enjoying the company of family and friends. I did, however, find time to do a couple of illustrations for a story in REAL: The Canadian Kids' Magazine entitled "The Magic of Christmas".

If I make a resolution to post more often I know I'll only end up breaking it. So instead, how about I say I'll just try harder and leave it at that.