Oct
31
2005
I have gone back, as I am drawing the first part of the continuation of BTGC, to change the story to make more sense. I am still not sure how many page it will be. Possibly the story is bigger then me.
Here are some thumbnails I have done in my sketchbook.
Oct
31
2005
Well, Halloween 2005 is here. And to celebrate I have posted the above drawing I did in my sketchbook an hour or two ago. Halloween is such a great holiday.
And if you have some free time as you stay home and pass out candy, why not make a paper model of the Haunted Mansion in Florida. (Note the site plays music, so don’t freak)
Oct
24
2005
Alexis E Fajardo, the creator of the Graphic Novel series “Kid Beowulf” in interviewed on the Pulse section of comiccon.com
Topic: KID BEOWULF & GRENDEL GLOBETROTTING
BY JENNIFER “Monster Mash” CONTINO
Comic creator Alexis Fajardo took his love of Greek myth and epic sagas to create a very different adventure for brothers Beowulf and Grendel. In Kid Beowulf, we see a globe-spanning adventure with two precocious protagonists. Fajardo told us how he’s turning the bane of high school literature students into something readers of all ages will enjoy….
Check out the ARTICLE HERE.
Oct
24
2005
Just a heads up, the FREE opening for this spooky exhibit is on October 27th. If your a fan of spooky cartoon art, and live in the Bay Area, the opening is from 7-9. I will be there, probably working as a volunteering, so come and say ‘Hi’.
Gross, Gruesome
and GothicOpening Reception
Thursday, October 27, 2005
7:00-9:00 pmFree to the Public
From the darkest depths of the cartoon vaults comes the Cartoon Art Museum’s latest exhibition, Gross, Gruesome and Gothic. Enjoy gourmet food courtesy of our festive sponsors. There will be spooky cookies, chilling sushi, rib-tickling barbeque, dastardly evil nibbles and captivating liquid refreshment.
Guests will receive bloodcurdling door prizes courtesy of Things From Another World, and special prizes will be awarded to those attending in costume.
LINK: www.cartoonart.org for more information.
Oct
20
2005
Hey all,
Ever since I read the book TRUE FACTS by Larry Young (AiT/Planet Lar) I have had all sorts of ideas flowing around my head. It is such a great book. I will have a big announcement in the next few months about BTGC #3, plus I will be posting some art next week (I know, I know, it’s been a while). Right now I have gone back to deal with some story issues that were keeping me from continuing work on the next issue.
BTW: an recent interview with Larry Young HERE
Oct
20
2005
It seems some cleaver folks found a way to get around the excellent pop-up blocking in Fire-Fox, have the pop-up activated by a plug-in like Macromedia Flash. But some smart person has found a way to stop those too.
To find out, visit here.
It’s really easy to do. (Link Via The Road Less Traveled Blog)
Oct
18
2005
One thing has always helped me with the characters in my comic book series, Beyond the Great Chimney (BTGC), is using my Character Development Worksheet. I use it to explore details of all my characters, which I can refer back to as I write or draw.
A few of the items might contradict each other, but are expressed in different ways.
I am planning on offering this as a PDF sometime in the future, and would love comments on things that should be added to the list.
Name: (This is the name they identify themselves with)
Alias: (other names they use either legally or illegally)
Age: how old are they (currently in the story)?
Nick-name(s): (names that others call them)
This can be a lovey-dove pet name or something much worse. In BTGC
Sir Tugert refers to Victor as Furry Butt
Family/Relatives: (Parents/Siblings/Grand Parents/ Aunts/ Uncles/Cousins/etc.)
Someone who is considered family is not always that way biologically,
so it would be good to note that.
Place of birth:
Friends:
Education/Training:
Where do they live?
What is their dream(s)
I want to be where the people are, I want to see them dancing, walking around on those – what do you call them – oh FEET
— Ariel, Disney’s Little Mermaid
Occupation:
This can be any job, even if they don’t get paid for it.
Experience/Talents/Special Skills or Powers:
“Faster then a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound” – Superman in Action Comics – DC Comics
What do they fear?
According to Dr. Robert Maurer, professor of psychology at UCLA, fear lies at the center of all great fiction. Every character is afraid of something – of loss, of failure, of success, of being unmasked – and drama is to be found in how each character copes with his/her fears. While one character might be afraid of growing old alone, another might be afraid that some secret of his past will be revealed, and another might harbor the fear that she will turn out to be like her mother.In order to give your characters depth and your stories dramatic tension you must determine what your characters fear and how they deal with their terror.
— from the observation deck by Naomi Epel
How do they cope with that Fear?
What makes them Angry?
“you wouldn’t like me when I am angry” — Bruce Banner – the Hulk – Marvel Comics
What is there belief/religion system?
In my comic book BTGC, Victor makes offerings to the Goddess of Luck
How is their health?
Physical and Mental
What is their body type?
Squat, Sturdy, Muscular, Agile, Lean, Gangly, Tall, Short, Rugged, Rigid, Curvy, Soft
What is there most precious possession?
How do they see themselves?
How others see them:
How do they interact/get along with others?
How do they relax?
Are they more introverted or extraverted:
What do they want from their life:
Their Passions; Who/What do they love?
Oscar the Grouch loves trash.
Clark Kent/Superman loves his wife Lois.
A arsonist loves fire.
Who/What do they hate?
People who drive and talk on a
cell-phone at the same time?
There evil uncle?
Brussels Sprouts?
The rival team?
What sacrifices have they made?
In the animated film Princess Mononoke, the hero Prince Ashitaka
makes a sacrifice to leave his village and people and to never return.
What sacrifice will they make?
Only the author knows the future.
What is their life’s goal?
I want to be Ambassador to France
Charles Guiteau – Assassins – by Stephen Sondheim.
Oct
17
2005
I can’t get over how good the book TRUE FACTS is. I posted about it recently HERE, but I am still feeling very excited and empowered.
Part of me says, “why the heck did I not read this years ago,” and another part of me says, “I am so glad I found this book.” I just finished it today while coming home on BART and so many new ideas fill my head now. I won’t go into details, but this book is one of the best things I read in a long time.
But now is the hard part, to keep the energy up so I can practice in full all that I have learned. What ever happens now, it well definitely effect what happens in the next chapter of Beyond the Great Chimney #3.
Now comic creators, go out and check out this book. (if you haven’t already)
