Ramone Cologne

Sketchy Skunk

2012-01-30T06:19:00.000-08:00

I've been inspired lately by Scottie Young, artist on Marvel's Wizard of Oz and other titles. I really enjoy the sketchy look of his artwork and the motion they seem to have. I can understand getting that look with penciling, but he maintains it during the inking stage, too. So, I've sketched out a few poses of Ramone Cologne trying to get that loose feeling while showing more motion in Ramone's poses.

Ramone Cologne Goes Digital on Kindle Fire and iPad

2012-01-26T06:12:00.000-08:00

Issues 1 & 2 are now available through Amazon.com on the Kindle Fire and the iPad. In fact, any device with the Kindle reader app has access to Ramone Cologne: A Skunk's Tale, and Skunklock Holmes!

I've read both issues on the Fire and iPad and I think they look really good. The digital format allows you to double tap to zoom in if you want a closer look at word balloons or artwork. Or you can read in full-page format. I've really been surprised by how much I've enjoyed comics on digital readers. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to books, and I have bookcases filled with them. But the digital format for comics and magazines is such a slick look and fun reading experience, I highly recommend it.

Check out the Ramone Cologne books on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ramone+cologne&x=0&y=0

If you purchase a copy, and have a few seconds to post a review on Amazon, I would really appreciate it. Enjoy!

Chickens Coming Together

2012-01-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

The work on my current Children's Book is moving right along. Several pictures are complete and I'm also working on mini-sketches and paintings to create the chickens' world. They will be combined with another environment that is totally contrary to chickens, which forms the theme of the story. I'm really enjoying this project!

New Project for 2012

2012-01-10T06:31:00.001-08:00

Here's one of the character sketch scenes I've drawn and painted for a new project I'm working on this year. Hope to have all of the drawing and initial painting done in the next few weeks. I'm experimenting with some new background ideas, so the grass and sky aren't visible in this first shot.

Rick & Ramone on Tumblr!

2011-10-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

I have a new site for my artwork via Tumblr. I'm posting quick sketches, book previews, etc. on the Tumblr site. Check it out at: rickmcgee.tumblr.com The "Rick & Ramone" page has already added some new followers and had some nice comments and reblogs of posted artwork. Join in and see new Vertically Challenged Artwork and more!

Meeting a Hero and Legend

2011-09-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

About a year ago, I posted my Influence Map, an idea I got from artist Cedric Hohnstadt. It shows the artists that have inspired and influenced me. Today, at the Cincinnati Comics Expo, I got to meet one of the greats from my map: Legendary Artist Stan Goldberg. Stan's influence on me came through his 41 years of work with Archie Comics. But he has worked with many others, including Timely Comics (Marvel before they were Marvel). I got a couple of drawings from Stan and enjoyed his stories as he drew, including some great advice to me as an artist. He was a pleasure to meet!

Below Left: Sketch of Jughead Jones, my favorite character in the Archie Comics world. Below Right: Stan Goldberg starting the sketch of Jughead.

SkunkFest 2011

2011-09-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

Great time at SkunkFest this year! Met some new friends and caught up with returning friends from last year. We introduced Ramone to new fans, and Issue 1, A Skunk's Tale, got into more people's hands. All in all, a fun weekend. Thanks to the good folks at the Skunk Haven for all their hard work in organizing the event. Looking forward to next year!

SkunkFest 2011! Celebrating 10 Years!!

2011-09-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

This year, my artwork and design is featured on a new SkunkFest poster for the 10th Annual Skunkfest. Posters will be 11x17 and will be for sale at the Ramone Cologne booth (#16). A portion of every poster sale goes to the good folks at Skunk Haven and the important work they do. Be sure and stop by for your copy of the exclusive Skunk Fest poster. See you there!

Ramone Cologne #2 Pre-Orders

2011-08-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ramone Cologne #2, Skunklock Holmes, is at the printer and pre-orders are coming in! (See the online store tab above.) In issue 2 of Ramone's adventures, Ramone uses his natural detective skills in the mystery of the vanishing friend. In the process, he meets his ultimate nemesis...Order a copy today and join in the mystery!

Ramone Cologne is: Skunklock Holmes! Issue #2

2011-08-01T06:17:00.001-07:00

At long last, issue #2 of Ramone Cologne is on the way. Penciling and inking of the comic is complete, and painting will be done this week. After that, it's off to the printer. In this issue, Ramone faces a new nemesis, who's sure to be a recurring villain in Ramone's adventures. Here's a sneak peek of an inked page. Pre-orders will be available soon, and I'll post details here and on Ramone's facebook page about how to put in your advance order for the new issue. Also, watch for previews of a few painted pages coming soon. Issues 1 and 2 will be available at SkunkFest 2011, and I'm planning on attending the 2nd Annual Kokomo Con, where I will have all Ramone items available. See you soon!

Derby City Comic Con

2011-07-19T16:52:00.001-07:00

Derby City Comic Con 2011

2011-07-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

The first Derby City Comic Con was held on Saturday, July 16, in Louisville, KY. This happens to be in my neck of the woods, so I loaded up Ramone and his books and headed to the big city.

The organizers put together an excellent convention, and it was hard to believe this was their first time running the show. Attendance was much higher than expected, and I stayed busy meeting new people, expanding Ramone's fan base, and drawing/painting until closing time. One thing I noticed was the high number of kids and families at the convention. This was definitely a family-friendly event and I enjoyed seeing new kids getting introduced to comics and new characters.

I introduced my new "Vertically Challenged" paintings at the show and they were a hit. I enjoyed getting commissions and requests for more of these, and coming up with new ways to present the characters vertically.

The free DCCC sketch cards provided by the Con was a great idea, I also had fans come to the table with the autograph pages from the program - another good way to interact with attendees. Most of all, I appreciate the hard work that Eric Bannister and his crew put into the convention. They did tons of advertising, and I saw all kinds of coverage for the event.

I've heard some good reports from other artists, and they mirror my experience - the show was great, it was a good and steady day of sales, and we're looking forward to the next Derby City Comic Con!

Next Ramone Appearance: Summit City Comic Con

2011-05-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

June 18, 2011 marks Ramone's first appearance at the Summit City Comic Con! Last year, I attended the SCCC's debut convention as a fan. It was a great show - the most fun I've had at a convention. See my review from last year here: http://www.ramonecologne.com/2010/05/summit-city-convention-review.html This year, I'll be there promoting Ramone, with at least two books, possibly three, available for current and new skunk fans. I'll be posting preview artwork here for the upcoming title that's in the works. Of course, back-issues of "A Skunk's Tale" and "This Skunk, This Hamster!" will be available. See you there.

Happy Anniversary, Ramone Cologne! The Year of the Skunk

2011-05-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

Today is the one year anniversary of the first Ramone Cologne comic strip and Ramone's debut to the world! Thanks to everyone for reading the strip, buying the comics, and keeping up with Ramone on the website and facebook page. It has been a great first year for Ramone, filled with events and appearances. So much has happened since Ramone's introduction, I can't believe it has ONLY been a year.

Since May 9, 2010, Ramone has been to his first SkunkFest, appeared at multiple comic book conventions, library book signings, and most recently been added to a local bookstore's selection of comics and kids' books. From his humble beginnings a year ago, Ramone has gained a supportive following of fans. Ramone's quest at the start of the comic strip was respect for skunks. He has certainly achieved that in many areas.

To everyone enjoying the comic strip or comic book stories, stay tuned for more to come! There are more events coming up this summer and I'll have news and photos to share. Also, watch for changes and new characters appearing in the strip. Comparing the first strip to the most recent (see images above), I can see the progress made, artistically and in Ramone's quest. I promise more improvements for the upcoming adventures!

Book Signing for Free Comic Book Day, May 7

2011-05-05T10:57:00.001-07:00

Starting this Saturday, Ramone Cologne: A Skunk's Tale will be available for sale at Hastings bookstore. I'll be there from noon-4 p.m. signing copies of "A Skunk's Tale" and drawing/painting free mini sketches. If you're in the area, drop by and see me. The annual Free Comic Book Day event will be going on at Hastings that day, and they'll be giving away some all-ages titles. See you there!

Nemesis

2011-04-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

Over at the Ramone Cologne comic strip (www.RamoneCologne.thecomicseries.com), a new character is on the way. His appearance will forever alter the course of The Haven and its residents. Be careful what you wish for, Harry...

Library, Book Signing Event - Ramone Cologne "A Skunk's Tale"

2011-03-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

Today was the first Ramone Cologne book event of 2011! A petting zoo at the local library was the perfect event to introduce Ramone to the community. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to pick up your copy of "A Skunk's Tale" I met some new fans and took a few pictures when I could, since I was also introducing Ramone and painting mini portraits of other animals. Skunks seem to fit right in with hedgehogs, chinchillas, and rabbits :)

Thanks to the Library Team for inviting me to be a part of this fun event. It was a great time and I enjoyed seeing so many kids learning about new animals. I'm glad a certain skunk was part of the festivities.

A New Foe for Ramone Cologne?!

2011-02-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Spinning out of the current tale of Harry the hamster being turned into a skunk, the upcoming Ramone Cologne comic strips will introduce a new character that will wreak havoc in The Haven. What sinister foe will disrupt the status quo? What new rival will cause even Ramone to join in Harry's latest scheme? If you're not up-to-date on the current storyline, it all started with the strip above. Get the rest of the story at www.RamoneCologne.thecomicseries.com

Ramone Cologne 2D Mixed Media

2011-02-02T11:02:00.001-08:00

A few of the comic book backers opted for special 2D artwork, which ended up being great fun to create, as mixed media art projects with watercolor, cut-out Ramone and props, and foam 2D clouds. I felt like I was having arts and crafts time because, well, I was!

Ramone Cologne Sketch Rewards

2011-02-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

After fans funded the publication of the first Ramone Cologne comic book, I started working on the rewards that were given for the pledges. I really enjoyed doing so many different sketches and paintings of Ramone. I wanted to make each one unique as a one-of-a-kind thank you sketch to the supporters of the project. Here's a glimpse of a few of the reward pictures on my art desk.

When Life Hands You Snow, Build a SnowSkunk

2011-01-26T20:23:00.000-08:00

I couldn't pass up the perfect snow today and the chance to build a...snowskunk?! Snow, patience, and foodcoloring = Ramone Cologne snowskunk.

Ramone Cologne, Issue 1, Now Available at Indy Planet Comics!

2011-01-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

"A Skunk's Tale" - the first issue of Ramone's adventures - is now available at the Indy Planet comics shop. Through the fan-funded publication of "Skunk's Tale", and the partnership with Indy Planet, Ramone's story will reach a larger audience. Thanks to everyone who has supported the project!

http://www.indyplanet.com/index.php?id=4609

Ramone Cologne, Year Two

2011-01-03T06:38:00.001-08:00

2010 was an amazing first year for Ramone! Thanks to all of the new fans that joined in the adventure. In Ramone's first year, he appeared at the 10th Annual SkunkFest, the 30th Annual Mid-Ohio Con and the Kokomo Con. The first Ramone comic strip appeared online in May 2010, with new strips appearing daily through July! In August, work on the first issue of the Ramone Cologne comic book began. The comic was completed in October and publication was funded by fans through the Kickstarter project in November!

The first issue, "A Skunk's Tale" is now available for order at: http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4609

The first comic strip collection issue, "This Skunk, This Hamster!" was published last year and is now available for order at: http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4531

Woohoo! What a year! So, how do we top all of that in 2011?
First of all, time to get back on schedule for the comic strip. The first strip of the New Year is already posted at: www.RamoneCologne.thecomicseries.com Harry has some interesting resolutions...

Ramone Cologne, Issue 2, "Skunklock Holmes" is in the works. And an educational book featuring Ramone will be out this year! Ramone is already signed up to appear at a couple of conventions, including the Summit City Con in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Ramone's looking forward to a fresh start in 2011 and to having an entire year to get some love and respect. Come along for the adventure, part 2!

Now It Can Be Told - Ramone's Story Set for Publication

2010-11-16T10:20:00.001-08:00

If you've been tracking the Kickstarter funding progress for Ramone's first comic book (see progress tracker at right), you know we've met and surpassed our pledge goal! This week in the Ramone comic strip series, Harry shares the big news with Ramone...and we get a glimpse at how Harry pitched the story. Over the next few weeks there's going to be a flurry of activity as I create and send out special rewards for the supporters, and get the comic ready to print and deliver. As soon as the book is printed and in-hand, updates will be posted here and at RamoneCologne.thecomicseries.com

Ramone Convention Appearance

2010-11-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

Mid-Ohio Con was last Saturday, and Ramone made an appearance and made new fans. It was a great time, where I also got to meet some really talented artists. A couple of highlights of the show: Kids who came to get Ramone Cologne drawings in their sketchbooks; and meeting legendary cartoonist Sergio Aragones, who was incredibly friendly and had some helpful suggestions for promoting Ramone. I also got to paint some watercolors of other characters. That's it for my convention schedule for 2010, and now I'll have some time to start promoting the new book locally. In his first year, Ramone has been to three conventions across Ohio and Indiana. Good times!

Ramone Cologne Collection 1 now available

2010-11-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, the Ramone Cologne comic strip collection, issue 1, will be available at the 30th Anniversary Mid-Ohio Convention in Columbus. Also, the first issue of the new Ramone comic, "A Skunk's Tale" will be on display promoting the soon-to-be published comic debut of Ramone and friends. If you won't be at the Mid-Ohio Con this weekend, you can order the first comic strip collection "This Skunk, This Hamster!" from the online store (see tab at top of this page).

The Skin Map book review

2010-10-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead is the first book in the new Bright Empires Trilogy. Imagine Narnia merged with Hitchhiker’s Guide, and you have a starting point for the adventures of Kit Livingstone. Lawhead’s writing expertise shines in this story. Great characterization at a good pace make the book an enjoyable read with the only downside being the abrupt ending (expected in the first act of a trilogy, but still sudden).
One of the high points of the book includes the excellent language used in the different time periods. Lawhead does a great job of showing the acclimation process as characters move across settings. Another bonus is the best descriptive writing I can recall reading from any author. When the setting changes, Lawhead sets the scene with perfection. The settings are vivid with the right amount of detail. The reader feels transported to the location, not just through descriptions of the scenery but also through depictions of smells and sounds surrounding the characters.
The Skin Map is published by Thomas Nelson and for that reason I expected a more direct Christian theme or allegory. Instead, it avoids the transparent messages. If you’re looking for a Biblical allegory, I think it’s there under the surface, but the characters don’t extrapolate on it. If you’re looking for an entertaining, well-crafted story, I recommend The Skin Map.
A complimentary copy of The Skin Map was provided through BookSneeze for the purpose of review. BookSneeze.com the book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.

Ramone Cologne's First Comic Con Appearance

2010-10-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

The first annual Kokomo Con was a good time, and I met some great new people. And they met Ramone for the first time! It was nice to see other creators' works as well, and Ramone's table was right next to a young lady who did a couple of amazing paintings during the convention. You can visit Ashleigh Noelle's page here: www.anoelle.com Her portfolio isn't online yet, but she's working on updating it soon.

Skunkified - Ramone Cologne Style

2010-10-21T13:25:00.001-07:00

The Kokomo Con is this Saturday and I've been working on mini-painting collector cards for the convention. "Iconic Characters - Skunkified" is the theme I'm working with, and I've discovered that almost any character can be turned into a skunk, with fun results. Here's one example. If you're at the convention be sure and stop by the Ramone Cologne table and pick up skunk-versions of your favorite characters. There are plenty of surprises and custom paintings available. See you there!

KickStarting Ramone Cologne Comic, Issue 1

2010-10-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

The creative folks over at Kickstarter.com have approved Ramone's proposal to share his biography with the world. If the pledge goal is reached, Ramone Cologne, Issue 1 - A Skunk's Tale, will be published, and skunks will get some much-needed respect.

In the process, you can get cool rewards for your pledges, including having your name in the comic, a character named after you in the Ramone comic strip, and exclusive paintings and pages. Check out the Ramone project site at: http://kck.st/dtpP6G
Even if you're unable to make a pledge, you can see some of the finished pages at the site. Stay tuned as every day brings Ramone closer to his goal. Thanks!

Ramone Cologne @ KokomoCon 2010

2010-10-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

This month, Ramone Cologne will appear at his first convention, the Kokomo Con in Indiana! If you're attending the convention, be sure and stop by the Ramone table for comic strip collections, original paintings and sketches, not just of Ramone, but some of your other favorite characters, too. The big event is Saturday, October 23. See you there.

http://www.kokomocon.com/

Celebration

2010-09-15T13:02:00.001-07:00

Original watercolor painted for SkunkFest 2010.

More Festive!

2010-09-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

Great times at SkunkFest 2010! Thanks for everyone who stopped by and bought copies of the comic strip collection, Ramone coloring book, and custom SkunkFest and Ramone paintings and mini-cards. I met so many skunk fans and enjoyed learning more about skunks. The contests and vendors were excellent and the appreciation shown toward Ramone was really encouraging. I'm already looking forward to next year's Fest! Enjoy a few pictures of some of the attendees who stopped by to visit Ramone's table.

Festive!

2010-09-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

SkunkFest Anticipation

2010-09-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

There are so many little things to get ready for this weekend's SkunkFest, I know I'm going to forget something. I've got Ramone books and art supplies ready for the trip. Lots of promotional goodies. What's that one thing I'll wish I had on Saturday that I can't think of right now?

Ramone is thrilled at the thought of attending a convention filled with Skunk lovers from all over the world. He didn't sleep at all yesterday...

Skunk Fest 2010

2010-09-10T06:17:00.001-07:00

Ramone is packing his bags for his first trip to Ohio, for the 10th Annual SkunkFest! If you're in the area, stop by and pick up a copy of the Ramone Cologne comic strip collection, Issue 1, also, the exclusive SkunkFest Ramone Cologne coloring book, and drawings/paintings of random skunkiness. It's going to be a time of "merriment and mirth." Next week, the daily strip is sure to feature reports of Ramone's experiences at the SkunkFest...

Bringing Brilliant Techni-Color to Ramone Cologne

2010-09-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

Paint is flying as Ramone Cologne, Issue 1, gets its watercolor treatment this week! I've done older Ramone artwork with digital coloring, but I have to say watercolor painting is my new favorite. The options are endless, the mixing process is fun, and the final look of watercolor is why I chose it in the first place. I lay out all the pages with common elements and paint all the recurring characters and scenery in one sitting, so I don't have to remix colors later. This also makes me feel like I'm getting more done - "almost four pages painted tonight!"

SkunkFest 2010

2010-08-31T12:17:00.001-07:00

Ramone's public debut will happen in the midst of "merriment and mirth" at the 10th Annual SkunkFest, in North Ridgeville, Ohio in a couple of weeks! Sponsored by Skunk Haven, the Skunk Fest has added Ramone to the official guest list. A Skunk Fest exclusive issue will be available at the festival, as well as Ramone coloring books and sketches and paintings for attendees. If you're following Ramone's journal of the big news on his Facebook page, you already know how excited he is.

Influence Map

2010-08-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Cedric Hohnstadt, an artist who regularly influences me, for promoting this project. The Influence Map is a way of paying tribute to those who have inspired you in your art. The idea is Matt Laskowski's. Matt's thought is that we can go back to the map when we're not feeling artistically motivated, and possibly be reminded of all that inspires us.

When I saw the announcement of this project, some of my inspirations came instantly to mind. As I think primarily about the style of Ramone Cologne, a few of these artists have really influenced Ramone's development. The others whose works are pictured here are influences that started me drawing or kept me drawing through the years. I see a strong comic book connection, and an unsettling influence from MAD magazine, which I remember reading when I was 9-10 years old. :)

As outlined in Matt's guide, the larger the influence, the more real estate the image gets. Starting in the top left corner, from left to right: Bill Watterson, Sergio Aragones, Mike Wieringo, David Mack, Rick Burchett, Don Martin, Stan Goldberg, Carl Barks, Jack Kirby, Ralph McQuarrie, Walt Kelly, Jeff Smith.

Cover Concepts

2010-08-20T11:18:00.001-07:00

Here's an older concept sketch for a Ramone Cologne book cover. It was just a quick sketch, but I really liked the way Daze (the lizard) turned out. Something about the pose gives an impression of motion. Sometimes it's tough to recapture the images you get from a doodle or sketch!

Pencils for Ramone Cologne comic, Issue 1

2010-08-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

Preview of penciled artwork for page 4 of the Ramone Cologne comic, out this Fall and being released first at the Kokomo Con! More preview art and painted pages coming soon. Thanks to those of you who have asked about purchasing copies through an online store. Yes, this option will be available if you are unable to attend Kokomo Con and Mid-Ohio Con. An online store and ordering information will be available soon.

Inking Experiments

2010-08-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty proud of how this panel turned out. I like the darker effect, and the prison-look matches how Harry views his cage, (he does tend to dramatize his situation). Most of the Ramone Cologne strips are short on solid, inked areas and seem lighter. But every now and then, more ink in the strips really helps set it apart.

Ramone Cologne Book Preview

2010-07-23T11:39:00.001-07:00

This Fall, Ramone will make his debut in print, in Issue 1 of the Ramone Cologne comic book. Here's a sneak peek of page 1, created with pencil, brushpen, and watercolor.

Look What the Tides Washed In

2010-07-07T12:33:00.001-07:00

Captain Jack, the newest addition to The Haven, makes his debut this week. Full of tales from his epic days as a pirate goldfish, Jack fits right in with the imaginative characters surrounding him. His interaction with one particular Haven resident will not follow the norm...

Dung Beetle vs. Skunk, Pending Lawsuit

2010-06-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

The roller coaster ride that is Ramone's life continues this week as a lawsuit is filed for defamation of character. The prosecuting attorney takes issue with the claim that skunks are better than dung beetles. Follow the new "trial of the century" at ramonecologne.thecomicseries.com

New Characters Appear

2010-06-17T13:48:00.001-07:00

This week, Crazy Cal makes his debut over in the Ramone comic strip. Cal will appear again in other Ramone adventures coming out later this summer. Check him out at: ramonecologne.thecomicseries.com

Skunknapped!

2010-06-10T10:32:00.001-07:00

Oh no! Ramone has been kidnapped under cover of darkness during a power outage at The Haven! A simple case of mistaken identity leads the innocent skunk to the woods with a couple of characters who have strange plans for the "cat" they think they stole. Hmmm, those two guys look vaguely familiar...Check it out this week at ramonecologne.thecomicseries.com

Concept Colors for RC Origins: Daze

2010-06-04T08:25:00.001-07:00

The characters' looks have changed a bit since these early concept coloring boards were done, but it did give me the opportunity to test the layout designs and see quick sketches in color before I started painting.

Benjamin Grimm in Brilliant KatieCookColor!

2010-06-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

P.S. Here's another art card of the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing.

Gronk Creator's Version of Ramone

2010-06-03T09:53:00.001-07:00

We now continue with the promised postings from the Summit City Con which I attended a few weeks ago. One of the highlights of the show was meeting Katie Cook - artist, illustrator, cartoonist, nerd. Katie has worked on some major projects (Star Wars, Fraggle Rock, Star Wars Kids, Marvel cards, etc.), and her own projects including the recent Gronk online comic are equally impressive. She is totally approachable, encouraging and friendly. This was really helpful on the panel where Katie discussed online comics, and especially welcome at her table as she gave suggestions on art, painting, etc. All the while, she painted and drew a non-stop supply of custom art cards to fulfill the requests for a line of waiting fans.

Katie's Gronk comic doesn't need my promotion, it's already a success with a growing fan-base, but I'm going to promote it anyway. Check out www.Gronkcomic.com for an absolutely great Web comic. And see Katie's site, Katiecandraw.com for her blog and updates of projects and illustrations she's working on.

I purchased a couple of mini-card paintings from Katie, and the one featured here is Katie's version of Ramone Cologne. Thanks, Katie!

Ramone Broadens His Horizons

2010-06-01T07:23:00.001-07:00

Ramone is now also hosted at ComicSpace! You can link to the strips at comicspace.com/ramonecologne or follow this link to the gallery http://www.comicspace.com/ramonecologne/comics.php?action=gallery&comic_id=28202

Three weeks' worth of strips are currently available, and with the larger audience on ComicSpace, Ramone should expand his readership. Thanks for checking out the strip, and for your feedback, comments, and emails at ramonecologne.thecomicseries.com

So far, it has been a fun ride!

Ramone Cologne Comic Strip

2010-05-26T07:41:00.001-07:00

Over at RamoneCologne.thecomicseries.com Ramone is headed toward Week 4 of his daily online strip. The big question this week: Are skunks cool?

Origins

2010-05-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

I'm planning to have the first issue of Ramone Cologne: Origins published in time for Mid-Ohio Con. Harry's background, and Daze's early days, are both ironed out and preliminary layouts and sketches have begun!

Summit City Convention Review

2010-05-24T11:01:00.001-07:00

Well, SCCC turned out to be one of the best shows I've attended. And I've attended the biggies. But this gathering in Ft. Wayne, Indiana had a great focus on indie-artists, self-publishers, and Web comics, so it was perfectly timed with my launch of the Ramone Web comic strip. I got a chance to promote Ramone and his sites to several great artists and writers at the show, and got some encouraging responses from some successful experts in the business. It's nice to get good feedback from people who know what it takes to make it.

Two of the panels I attended - All-Ages Comics Panel, and Web-Comic/Indie-comic Publishing - made the trip to the con totally worth the drive (and I drove several hours round trip that day). Lots of good advice, again, from people who know the industry.

The vendors were excellent, but not so overpopulated that it was overwhelming, and one helped me fill a gap in my Fantastic Four collection that I didn't think I would fill for many years. At a convention this size, you really do get more time at each booth. Seems like that can translate into a better experience for the creators/vendors and the attendees.

I met some super-talented-friendly artists and creators, and I'll be posting some of their work on here the next few days with links to their sites. Special thanks to Katie Cook, whose on-line Gronk comic is how I found out about the con in the first place. And thanks to Dave Losso, whose painting and art have inspired me to double my efforts to get the Ramone Cologne comic book ready in time for Mid-Ohio Comic Con!

The image here is the custom Ben Grimm watercolor Dave did for me at the show this weekend. If you haven't already, go check out Dave's "Drawing Staches" site and Issue 1 of the Great Sandwich Detective comic series. You won't be disappointed. http://davelossoart.blogspot.com/

Great show all-in-all, and I'm looking forward to next year's.

Sneak Peek: New Ramone Comic Strip

2010-05-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

Starting Monday, May 10, the new Ramone Cologne Web comic strip will be featured daily at http://ramonecologne.thecomicseries.com/ Check it out and subscribe for free to get your daily dose of Skunky-goodness! Join Ramone on his quest and meet the quirky, imaginative characters of The Haven as they begin The Great Skunk Promotion.

Page 100 Project - Glen David Gold - Carter Beats the Devil

2010-04-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

Check out Jason Turner's interesting Page 100 Project over at his site: http://jasonturner.livejournal.com/224544.html

As soon as I saw the idea I wanted to get involved, and Jason gives an open invitation to artists. So, I went to the bookshelf and discovered to my dismay that some of my favorite novels do not have very compelling 100th pages. I flipped through a few of the top novels in my library and didn't find anything that I thought would effectively transfer to comic book format. A favorite John Grisham book had no dialogue on page 100! Not a word. I could've done a page of captions, but kept flipping to other books. Gold's Carter Beats the Devil was a great fictional novel, with some true history woven in to the story. Page 100 of this book seemed like it would work and the image at left is the result. Wish I had more time to give to the artwork, and I would have hand lettered the dialogue. Jason, this project was a great idea. Thanks!

New Quick Sketch of the Day

2010-04-22T13:03:00.001-07:00

Prisoner: Early Inks and Colors

2010-02-25T12:05:00.000-08:00

Working on a children's book with characters that will also be featured in an online comic strip. This is some early coloring I did to get ideas for how the characters looked when together on the same page. I think this expression sums up the hamster's personality pretty well.

Old Art Books

2010-02-24T12:22:00.000-08:00

I found an old oversized art book by Jack Hamm that I bought at a flea market a few years ago, so I worked on some warm-up sketches from it. The character featured here is not the kind of person I would want to enter a business deal with, but he looks like he could direct an interesting circus sideshow exhibit or medicine-man show. Shady, but big and boisterous. Had fun inking this in a moleskin notebook, and Inkscape for the final version.

Elements of Cover Art

2010-02-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

I sketched and inked the complete cover for the book I'm working on, then scanned the elements separately. This allowed me to move the characters around on the cover and experiment with the layout. I was really happy with the final look.

Mind On Parenting

2009-12-16T12:51:00.000-08:00

About a month ago I found out I am going to be a dad for the first time. My wife and I are excited and I suspect I'll be doing more sketches like this as my mind dwells on the topic a little more than it used to.

Workshop Sketch

2009-12-16T11:44:00.001-08:00

Birdy Response Rough

2009-12-01T06:33:00.001-08:00

Quick sketch of a panel that will be repeated three times on one page, with slight changes in each panel. I finished the final pencils of this last week and it turned out really well. This rough helped with layouts and saved me some time.

IF: Unbalanced

2009-11-16T06:32:00.001-08:00

Dragon Nugget of Truth #14

Beard and Brush Pen Practice

2009-11-10T09:53:00.000-08:00

I found a great cartooning book by Jack Hamm, from the '60s, for a few bucks at a used bookstore the other day. It's filled with pages and pages of exercises for cartoonists and illustrators and it was perfect timing to practice with my newest brush pen. This is one of the best books I've read. And I've learned quite a bit more already about how personality can be conveyed with a brush and a minimum amount of lines. The beards I drew in my Moleskin mini suggested some characters right away and proved Professor Hamm correct.

New Brush Pen Experiment

2009-11-06T11:14:00.001-08:00

Heard some good things about the Pentel Brush Pen, which I have to order. But I got a nice fill-in brush until the Pentel arrives, and thought I would ink some existing sketches.

Little "Dragon" Revived

2009-10-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Draft inks and colors on a revived character from a previous comic strip. He refused to stay in his own genre and has now worked his way into an in-progress children's book. I'm still experimenting with layers and coloring in Inkscape, but I'm getting the hang of it and tutorials are helpful.

Moving FAST for the Checkered...Flag? (Illustration Friday)

2009-10-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

Finally got around to inking and coloring an old sketch. Thanks again to the illustrator who pointed me toward Inkscape. It's the program I've been searching for and has all the features I wanted and needed.

The Fish Race is my submission for this week's Illustration Friday topic - FAST.

Skunk Work Continues

2009-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Prelim sketch of a panel starring The Skunk of Skunk Works and his Female Friend. (Names have been omitted to protect the innocent.) I've started sketching further panels and pages in my Moleskin and something about that inspirational black book and the manageable page size has increased my art output. Maybe there's a reason Picasso and others used the little book so often.

Further Inking

2009-09-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

Tried a shade of gray here, to let the edge of his head stand out a little more.

Combining Sketch and Ink Elements for Page Layout

2009-09-23T08:02:00.001-07:00

After sketching out the roughs in a moleskin, the images are uploaded and preliminary inks are done quickly to get a feel for layout. From there, page composition starts taking shape. This helps contrast shading and inks in mutiple panels on the same page. An image that stands alone well in a sketchbook might need to be tweaked when it's placed next to other panels on a page.

Rough Inks

2009-09-22T07:59:00.001-07:00

Preliminary digital inks on a layout page to determine blacks and whites and dialogue space needs.

Thumbnail and Rough Pencils for Project

2009-09-22T07:00:00.001-07:00

Working on layouts and panels in my Moleskin sketchbook. I actually prefer working on these small page sizes and I'm getting more pages done this way. From here, I do loose inks in CS4.

"Magnify" Illustration Friday

2009-09-04T06:11:00.001-07:00

DragonBird Training, New Coloring Program

2009-08-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

I added this image earlier on the blog as a rough sketch. Now, I'm experimenting with coloring in a new program. I really like the flames of the middle dragonbird the best, so I need to thin the lines on the other two. This coloring process was so much faster than my old techniques!

Yes I Doodle

2009-08-18T10:35:00.001-07:00

If there's a pencil and any available clean surface when I'm on the phone, I am probably doodling. This image is a prime example. Someone told me that recent research showed this was not a sign of inattention, but a way that brains multitask to help them stay focused (?) Whatever. I didn't need justification for my free-style art outbursts, but it's nice to know someone out there is thinking of doodlers as they conduct their scientific experiments.

Scanned Textures for Skins

2009-07-30T04:52:00.000-07:00

Experimenting with scanned textures from random objects, I ended up using this scaly texture for a quick color sketch of the snake. I usually save these textures in a file, with no idea what they will be used for until I drop them on my drawing screen and start experimenting. Some of them present an obvious idea right away (like this one), others are more subtle (see Tango illustration below).

The Death and Life of a Tree

2009-07-27T07:38:00.001-07:00

DragonBird Training

2009-07-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

Tango - Illustration Friday

2009-07-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Quick mixed media - I scanned some random glass objects and came up with the gray/black shapes that I used for the dancers' bodies, then built the rest of the quick sketch and colors around the glass scans. This ended up being a Rorschach image and different people will see different things, but the curves and lines reminded me of a dance...especially the curve of the female dancer's back. Submitted for Illustration Friday's "Tango" topic.

Checkered Flag

2009-07-10T10:29:00.001-07:00

Portrait with Color Pen

2009-05-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Still need to finish this, but it was a good exercise in using color marker for flesh tones. The scanner didn't pick up the color as well as the original shows it.

Where Are You?

2009-03-26T11:13:00.001-07:00

IF: Hatched

2009-03-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

A stealthy fox got to the eggs before they even hatched. Scribble Art. I think many people did this kind of art as a kid. I just never outgrew it! I colored in some random lines and scribbles and the colors and shapes started suggesting a theme. Voila! Fox in the hen house :)

Tiburon

2009-03-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

Tiburon. Not my favorite ocean-dweller, but I like the car quite a bit. You can definitely tell that Hyundai took the lines and curves of the shark and translated them into the design of their car.

I don't usually do realistic animal artwork, but I liked the fins and shape of the shark enough that I thought I'd give it a try.

Japan-Inspired

2009-03-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

I drew this sketch in an art pad my wife bought me while we were in Japan. I loved being in a country where art is so obviously important to the people. Everywhere you go you see cartoon artwork used for marketing, advertising, subway signs, safety notices... It's a great place to find art supplies, too! I bought brushpens for $1.00 at the DiSo (dollar store). They're much more expensive in the states, so I got a few.

Poise - Illustration Friday

2009-01-07T12:29:00.001-08:00

Can you maintain your poise under pressure? My submission for Illustration Friday's challenge.

Shaky and Slow

2008-12-05T13:14:00.000-08:00

Just for kicks, a turtle on a whim. It's fun (while simultaneously frustrating) to go back to older programs and see what can be accomplished. How spoiled we are with all our new programs and digital painting palettes!

Rambunctious - I.F.

2008-12-04T23:54:00.000-08:00

A previously-posted sketch, now fully colored with my favorite program, ArtRage! I started with the grainy sand and tried to capture the texture, then went from there. Fun!

Thumbnail for new book

2008-12-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a book that will feature several characters I've been developing for about three years. After finally deciding the format they will appear in, I've started doing thumbnail sketches and layouts to put the book together. "Thumbnail" is an appropriate term: this sketch of the first two pages is the size of two postage stamps placed side-by-side. Avoiding detail too early in the process allows an artist to experiment with all the possibilities before committing to the final artwork on expensive paper.

I've really had to study and learn from other books in the marketplace to get an idea of the potential visual impact this kind of book can have. Merging several mediums and formats presents a challenge, but it also opens new possibilities. I'm excited to see this project starting to develop into something more than endless character sketches and poses! I hope to post more artwork as it progresses, and I think it will be interesting to see how the final work matches up to these early sketches.

Old School

2008-12-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

A roller mouse and MS Paint (old school) equals a very shaky drawing. So I made this guy old school, too, with his 7o's hair and mustache. What do you think of when you see him?

a) Car salesman

b) Insurance salesman

c) Con man

d) All of the above

I'll be back to the ArtRage program soon, and regain my control.

Artworking with Limited Resources

2008-12-01T12:57:00.001-08:00

I am posting from a secret location where I have no art programs, digital drawing tools, etc. But I still wanted to post a picture and give it some variety. This is a sketch that I uploaded and colored using Microsoft Office Picture Manager! By adjusting the hue and saturation of my original sketch, I added some variety (which I hear is the spice of life) and created a tile drawing. It only took a few minutes, and all I used was a pencil, MS Picture Manager, and MS Word.

I usually hesitate to post things until I can get them exactly as I want them, which now leads to months between posts. I'd rather produce something on a more regular basis even if it's limited in its scope.

Temporary Post to Pick On My Sister

2008-08-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

Mel, here's a start: the ultimate Japanese style! If you did this I would buy an orange jacket and spike my hair. We'd be a huge hit!!

Doing My Part...You're Welcome.

2008-08-01T23:42:00.001-07:00

My new job is 35 minutes closer to home (a five-minute drive versus the previous 40 at the old job). To celebrate this new job and to make a dent in the profits of gas companies, I purchased a scooter/moped that gets approx. 100 miles per gallon. Not to mention it's fun! And it's a cooler ride than my truck, which has no A/C.
Ironically, the $4.15 per gallon gasoline went down right after I bought my new wheels! Now it's at a still-gouging, but slightly-less-antagonizing $3.69. So I'm blogging to take credit for the price drop. Supply and demand! My scooter caused the demand to be less (I never go get gas anymore) and the oil barons took notice. In fear, they "dropped" the prices. It's not back to the good old days, but if scooter riders will unite, we can make a difference.
You're welcome :)

Slightly Irritated Scientist

2008-07-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

You know, you hear about mad scientists all the time. But the lesser-known, slightly irritated scientists of the world sometimes get pushed to the back burner. These underappreciated laborers deserve attention, too. Where are the movies about them? Where are the novels and comic books that herald their achievements? They have complaints and issues, too. In fact, they relate to us more than the mad scientists. How many times have you been mad, really mad this week? Now, how many times have you been slightly irritated? Chances are it takes you all ten fingers to count the slight irritations. And that's just today! Think about that the next time you watch a movie about mad scientists and their insane creations, and take a moment to honor those who live life outside the spotlight. Thanks!

How to Make it Through the Day

2008-06-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

I stopped for Sonic's awesome Hazelnut Java Chiller on the way to work and had a mental image of myself with a more enduring supply to get me through the workday. It's a short drive from Sonic to my office and the large drink doesn't survive the journey. With an IV connection to an infinite supply of breakfast milkshake, all would be right in my world!

IF: Fierce!

2008-06-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

This started out as a drawing of a tire. From there, I decided to fill the whole page as quickly as possible. Using sketchy line work, I covered the entire page with this scene of mousy plotting and planning. Do you ever wonder what's going on in their world as you mow "your" yard. Maybe I'll use this as my excuse not to mow. I know my neighbor won't fall for it, though. She's a hater :)

Heated

2008-06-11T08:46:00.001-07:00

I like to do a warm-up sketch some mornings to get me thinking creatively before I get bogged down in the daily work load. It's nice to do a drawing that's not linked to a project or assignment. I'm not creating for a marketing piece; just letting my mind wonder and seeing what I come up with off the top of my head. It starts as a very loose scribble because I have no goals or prerequisites demanding that I know where I'm going. It reminds me of being a kid and drawing what I loved because I loved to draw, not creating within someone else's box in order to pay the bills.

Summer Summer Time!

2008-06-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

It was 94 degrees yesterday (around here, anyway). Although the calendar says the first official day of summer is not here yet, when warm weather sets in and I am reminded that my truck AC doesn't work, it is officially summer for me. Plus, we went swimming over the weekend, so that helps set the tone.

If I had someone to take care of a pool for me, I would seriously consider turning my entire backyard into a swimming pool so I could snorkel more!

Do You Share Our Rage?

2008-06-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

I work in marketing and I understand one of the last things a company wants is to have their "top-of-mind" image be something negative or derogatory. Sometimes, though, the consumer brands a company in a way that is not flattering, but is still accurate. Case in point:

My wife and I have created a new term that relates to one of the largest brands (Wal-mart). We call it "Wally-Rage." We frequently experience Wally-rage when we brave the crazy masses shopping at the only option our city has. I can't count the number of times I've spent several minutes picking up stuff I need, only to set it back down and flee the store as Wally-rage sets in. Wally-rage also rears its ugly head when Wal-mart employees nearly run us over while pushing skids of boxes around the aisles, or leave them blocking the aisle we need to access. This happens way too much for my taste, and Wally-rage is starting to leave scars.

Initially, Wally-rage only had post-encounter symptoms. Now, however, I notice a feverish attack of anxiety before we even arrive at Wal-mart. We've driven around the parking lot, our shopping list in hand, only to race away from the store as the sharp claws of Wally-rage grasped for us from the store entrance.

There is hope: Meijer and Target are both planning stores for our city. Going there will probably feel like therapy after years of fighting the rage. Perhaps they can help pull us back from the darkness...

-Rick

(If you haven't heard of or seen Noah Brier's innovative-branding concept called "Brand Tag Clouds," you must check it out to get a good idea of what I mean by consumer branding. It's a lot of fun to see what people have in mind for certain brands.) http://www.noahbrier.com/archives/2008/05/brand_tags.php