Atomic Bear Press

Miromi’s 24 Hour Comic Book Day comic

Brian — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:30:56 +0000

An artist I met at 24 Hour Comic Book Day 2008 is Miromi. She has a unique style that is pretty awsome. Here comic is starting to be posted on her blog. Check it out.

Tyrus Wong interview

Brian — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:21:05 +0000

A great interview from Otis alumni Tyrus Wong who designed the look for the movie Bambi. (via Cartoon Brew)

Team Sonic X - page 8

Brian — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:00:28 +0000

Next update on Dec 4, 2008

Technorati Tags: 24 hour comic book day, 24hcbd, comic, team sonic x

Team Sonic X - page 7

Brian — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:00:18 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all enjoy this page of my 24 Hour Comic Book Day comic while resting from dinner.

Next update is Dec 3, 2008

Technorati Tags: 24 hour comic book day, 24hcbd, comic, team sonic x

Team Sonic X - page 6

Brian — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:00:37 +0000

Next update on Nov 27, 2008

Technorati Tags: 24 hour comic book day, 24hcbd, comic, team sonic x

Artist process - Craig Thompson and Manuel Arenas

Brian — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:19:53 +0000

Two artist I am very fond of are posting how they draw in their comic.

First off Craig Thompson posts some behind the images from his hit comic GOOD-BYE, CHUNKY RICE which is celebrating it’s tenth anniversary.

European artist Manuel Arenas has been working on a new comic with his character YAXÍN the FAUN. The book is painted in watercolor and looks amazing. Check out his behind the scene images. Manuel has a piece in the Totoro Forest Project show at the Cartoon Art Museum.

You can pick up Craig Thompson’s book at Amazon:

Technorati Tags: artist, comic

Team Sonic X - page 5

Brian — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:12 +0000

Next update on Nov 25, 2008

Technorati Tags: 24 hour comic book day, 24hcbd, comic, team sonic x

Team Sonic X - page 4

Brian — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:59 +0000

Next Post is on Nov 20, 2008

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Team Sonic X - page 3

Brian — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:00:30 +0000

Next page post is on Nov 18, 2008

Technorati Tags: 24 hour comic book day, 24hcbd, comic, team sonic x

Carnaval of Stars artwork

Brian — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:40 +0000

This weekend I was at the CARNIVAL OF STARS! Belly Dance and Comic convention at Centennial Hall in Hayward. The dancing was great and the people wonderful. I did quite a few drawings for the conventions attendees, including some caricatures.

Some of my favorites (note some drawings have been given some color by way of Photoshop)

This next drawing is one of my favorites since I think I was “in the ZONE” at the time. I drew the following drawings with a brush dipped in ink.

Technorati Tags: art, Carnival of Stars, convention, ink, sketch

Team Sonic X - page 1 and 2

Brian — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000

Well, here it is…my 24 Hour Comic Book Day comic! I am really pleased at how the comic came out. To read more about my 24HCBD experience, check out it’s official blog catagory. Pages will be posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays and comments are always appreciated.

So. Ready. Set. GO!

page numbering on the images is from the printed book and might not match the number of the webcomic page.

Check back next Thursday, Nov 13 for the next installment!

Technorati Tags: 24 hour comic book day, 24hcbd, comic, team sonic x

APE 2008 sketches

Brian — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:20:00 +0000

Well, APE was a week ago and it was a blast. I did do some sketches for myself as well as for the Cartoon Art Museum. I sold one of them as well.

Aging glam rocker.

Fantasy gal.

Dragon.

A sexy retro girl. (This one sold! Yay!)

A strange meeting.

This picture I did at one of my teaching gigs. I thought it was a fun sketch.

Technorati Tags: APE, art, Cartoon, comic, skteches

Holiday Cartoon Boot-Camp 2008 at the Cartoon Art Museum (updated)

Brian — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:54:22 +0000

I will be teaching a NEW holiday cartoon boot camp at the Cartoon Art Museum on Dec 26,27,28,29,and 30. Yep that will be Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon and Tue! It will be for intermediate artist ages 10-14 and feature a fantasy theme. The class will included both basic skills (constructing and posing the figure, rendering and shading, drawing fabric and costumes) as well as more specific lessons (drawing Dragons, Knights in Armor). It should be a lot of fun.

Cartoon Art Museum Classes:
Winter Cartoon BOOT Camp 2008

Cartoon Art Museum Class: Daily from Friday, December 26 – Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 12:00 - 2:00pm
Cost: $100 for Cartoon Art Museum members, $125 for non-members
It’s time for the Cartoon Art Museum’s Winter Boot Camp Session for intermediate level art students ages 9-14. Young artists will enjoy 5 class sessions during a week-long camp that will help them improve their cartooning skills. The class is taught by Cartoonist Brian Kolm (Beyond the Great Chimney, www.atomicbearpress.com).

Ages: Intermediate level artists from 9-14 years old.
Time: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm each day the class is in session
Number of students: The class size is limited to no more than 14 students. The class is filled on a first come, first served basis.
Cost*: $100 for CAM members, $125 non-members - per student. Fees must be paid in full to secure a seat in the class.
Supplies: Basic Drawing Materials will be provided. Students are welcome to bring in their personal sketchbooks and materials.

For Registration and Information, Contact: (415) CAR-TOON (227-8666) ext. 303 or education@cartoonart.org

*Cancellation: Full refund for cancellation one week before the class start date.

Artist Quest: Fantasy Characters and Beyond

Session 1: Friday, December 26: “3D Shapes, Figures, and Faces” Using basic shapes, we will learn how to construct cartoon and fantasy characters. We will also study cartoon facial features and expressions.

Session 2: Saturday, December 27: “Knights in Shining Armor” Learn how to create armor for your characters. Explore warriors, weapons, and the art of drawing armor.

Session 3: Sunday, December 28: “Mythological Beasts: The Art of Drawing Dragons” Every good fantasy story must have a dragon. Learn how to draw the dragon of your dreams.

Session 4: Monday, December 29: “Clothed Figures and Costumes” You can learn a lot about a character’s personality through his clothing and costume. In this lesson, you will learn to draw cloaks, capes and other fantasy-specific costume elements.

Session 5: Tuesday, December 30: “Light, Shade, and Color” Add light, shadow, dimension, color, and the finishing touches to your fantasy world!

The application is available at the Cartoon Art Museum’s website. Please mail or hand deliver the application to:

Cartoon Art Museum
655 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
or Fax the application to: 415-243-8666
Questions? Call: 415-227-8666, ext. 303 or education@cartoonart.org

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Cartoon Art Museum • 655 Mission Street • San Francisco, CA 94105 • 415-CAR-TOON • www.cartoonart.org
Hours: Tues. - Sun. 11:00 - 5:00, Closed Monday
General Admission: $6.00 • Student/Senior: $4.00 • Children 6-12: $2.00 • Members & Children under 6: Free

The Cartoon Art Museum is a tax-exempt, non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the collection,
preservation, study and exhibition of original cartoon art in all forms.

Here are the graphics I created to promote the class.

Technorati Tags: art, cam, Cartoon Art Museum, cartoon boot camp, class, Holiday, intermediate, kids

A new president of the USA

Brian — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:38:14 +0000

I normally do not talk politics on my blog, but I feel inclined to do so today. Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States of America. I just watched his speech and am feeling excited for our future as a nation. The future is still uncertain, but maybe all of us (red and blue states both) can truly work together for the betterment of all. But for that to happen we will have to embrace all our fellow citizens no matter their economic status, background or orientation. But I have hope we can do it.

Drawing With Water: Making the Art for ALAN’S WAR

Brian — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:26:12 +0000

First:Second has a great making of video from their book Alan’s War. I think I am going to give it a try.

Technorati Tags: art, how too, ink, watercolor

Sunday Thoughts - 11-2-08

Brian — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:55:51 +0000

Well, I am back from APE and had a great time. Time for some cool links, or what I like to call Sunday Thoughts.

Artist Michael Cho has a great art piece on his blog: http://chodrawings.blogspot.com/2008/11/toronto-back-alleys-pt-15.html

Zander Cannon’s 24 Hour Comic Book Day comic: http://www.bigtimeattic.com/blog/2008/10/zanders-2008-24-hour-comic-is-online.html

Keven Cannon’s (no relationship to Zander) 24 Hour Comic Book Day comic (spoof of watchmen): http://www.bigtimeattic.com/blog/2008/10/blotchmen.html

An interview with John Hodgman at the AV club: http://www.avclub.com/content/interview/john_hodgman

Disney themepark Halloween Fun

Brian — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:19:30 +0000

- Window to the Magic audio podcast’s Halloween episode. Includes rocking mash-ups that uses audio from theme park rides, animation soundtracks, etc. as well as audio from classic kids records. GIVE A LISTEN HERE.

- Every year Tokyo Disneyland has elaborate parade, here a few of my favorite:

2005’s Pumpkin Party

2007’s Haunted Mansion themed Happy Haunts parade. As anyone who had ridden the ride knows that “There are 999 happy haunted, but there is all ways room for 1000, any volunteers?” which is why the peppy song is “Just one more ghost!”:

Technorati Tags: Disney, disneyland, halloween, tokyo

APE is this WEEKEND, November 1-2, 2008

Brian — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 07:25:16 +0000

APE: the Alternative Press Expo in it’s new time and date in November (great for holiday gifts) is in one week. It’s the day after Halloween! The convention has become not only about self made and small press comics, but of handy crafts and original art.

The special guest this year are: Jessica Abel, Paige Braddock, Megan Kelso, Matt Madden, Ethan Nicolle, and Chris Ware

- I will be at the Cartoon Art Museum table #364 both days and will be selling my wares.

- Jam Comics I have worked on with the Cartoonist Conspiracy can be found at: Fine Print Press/San Francisco Cartoonist Conspiracy 250 251

You can also find some of my favorite artist peeps: Alexis Fajardo-Kid Beowulf #428, Amy Martin Comics #273B, Art of Ben Walker #446, Richard Becker/Black Swan Press #345, Bob The Angry Flower #336, Bumperboy #354, Page Braddock Jane’s World #339, Keith Knight #337, Lark Pien-Little Bird Books #439, Leadpoint Comics #525, Melaina Comics #534B, Pewfell: The Epic Fantasy Sitcom #513, Scott Mores/Red Window, Inc/ASFA #315 316 317 318,

I also got a flyer that says the Center for Cartoon Studies says they have a panel on using color as well as giving away a limited edition Jeff (Bone) Smith poster. They are booth #523.

To see who else is exhibiting, follow this LINK.

The Cartoon Art Museum will have a closing reception on Nov 1st, 2008 for Keith Knight with a sliding scale of $2-$22. A great time to see Keith’s work as well as the Totoro Forest Project. I will be there, will you?

The Cartoon Art Museum, Dark Horse Comics and Sparkplug Comic Books proudly present The Cartoon Art Museum’s Alternative Press Expo Party on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Join special guest Keith Knight as we host the closing reception for The Knight Life: Bay Area Spotlight on Keith Knight. Additional guests include Jesse Reklaw, celebrating the release of The Night of Your Life, published by Dark Horse Comics, collecting the Ignatz Award-nominated webcomic Slow Wave; Trevor Alixopolous, creator of the Ignatz Award-nominated graphic novel The Hot Breath of War; Hellen Jo; Olga Volozova; David King; and Julia Wertz. Hellen Jo and Olga Volozova will be signing copies of their own newly-released graphic novels, published by Sparkplug Comic Books.

Technorati Tags: APE, art, comic, convention

Sketch Crawl San Francisco is tomorrow Oct 25, 2008

Brian — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 06:52:14 +0000

The 20th Sketch Crawl is tomorrow in the Mission District from 11 am to 5 pm. Find out more here: http://www.sketchcrawl.com/blog/?p=79

From the official site:

…The basic idea: to record nonstop everything I could around me with my pencil and watercolors. A drawn journal filled with details ranging from the all the coffee I drank to the different buses I took. After a whole day of drawing and walking around the city the name seemed quite fitting: â€œSketchCrawlâ€ - a drawing marathon. The crawl was more tiring than I imagined but also more fun and exciting than I had thought. Giving yourself this kind of mandate for a full day changes the way you look around you. It makes you stop and see things just a tad longer, just a bit deeper … needless to say I loved it.

Technorati Tags: sketch crawl

Dr. Sketchys San Francisco - October life drawings session with Bombshell Betty

Brian — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:51:02 +0000

Last night I attended my first Dr. Sketchy’s San Francisco session. If you like to draw from interesting models then this is the place for you. Dr. Sketchy’s was started in New York city to provide drawing models that were different then what you would find in art school.

From the official site:

Dr. Sketchy’s is the little Brooklyn event that became a movement. Founded in 2005 by artist Molly Crabapple, Dr. Sketchy’s asked a simple question. Why can’t drawing naked people be sexy?

Here’s our attempt at an answer.

We combed New York to find the most beautiful burlesque dancers, the most bizarre circus freaks, and the most rippling hunks of man. Then, every other Saturday, we let you draw them for three hours. Interspersed with posing are comedy skits and ridiculous drawing contests (best left handed drawing? Best incorporation of a woodland animal?) where you can win booze or prizes.

The evening was a blast with the lovely Bombshell Betty who was sexy and spunky all at the same time. There was even a contest to draw Betty with a cartoon or comic character. I drew the recently deceased Martian Manhunter, but no one knew who he was in the original un-colored drawing. The evening ended with Betty giving us her humorous burlesque dance routine as she twirled her pasties and patted her head and rubber her stomach at the same time.

I am definitely going back next month if it fits my schedule.

Here is what I created:

1 min poses

2 min poses

5 min poses

10 min poses

another 5 min pose

A 5 min pose by our hostess Tink (aka Jessica Whiteside)

There are lots of Dr. Sketchy’s all over the world, including 35 US cities. Check out the official site’s link page to find one near you.

Technorati Tags: Dr Sketchys, Drawing, life drawing