Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Moving the last of the Studio Equipment

Finally got around to moving the last of the major equipment to the Studio in Kearny, NJ. I decided to bring in my large scanner rather than relying on the portable Canon scanner which I've been using for my powerbook (it was just too slow). Sketches for the Manga for Dummies Art Set have been approved (yay). Beautiful day here in Jersey City. Really wished I could just take my painting stuff and go outside to paint instead of doing thumbnails.

I'm finding it's going to be a very busy fall this year. Another possible large project may come out. I'll keep the blog posted.

Oh, I'm putting my digital SLR camera (Canon 20D) on e bay for sale. Any one interested can follow the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290154747265

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Ungh - Tired!

Spent a loong day yesterday at the studio working on the "Dysfunction" book. I'll be working all day on the MFD (Manga for Dummies Art Set today. On a recreational note, I'm going to see the Mets play against the San Diego Padres tonight! Can't wait to get out of work.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Transparent Gesso?

I've been meaning to try out this transparent gesso and use it instead of the matte medium to seal my drawings before painting over it for my illustrations. Haven't been in the city lately to drop by the local art stores yet.

Storyboards for the "Dysfunctions" book is moving along. The page count is probably coming close to 200 pages (the maximum limit). It's going to be a blast trying to trim out the "fat" pages.

Hey - I rented out and saw TNMT. Nothing to scream about, but it's definitely a fun watch. Recommend it!

Friday, August 17, 2007

Contract for Project with Loew-Cornell Signed

I've just signed a contract with Loew-Cornell to do some illustrations for their Manga for Dummies Art Set. Deadline is set for next month. I'm not sure if I'll be able to post the images, but if they say I can, I will do so. Weather is turning out to be quite nice out here. Starting to cool down from the hot summer days. I haven't been out to the studio much this week (I'll see if I can haul myself out there today). Still need to post pictures - sorry for the delay.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Wiley / Asia - Book Deal Signed


Finally signed a book deal with Wiley/Asia (Singapore). It's been in the works for a long time, but it's finally official. The title is called "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Manga Edition" based off of New York Times Bestseller book written by Patrick Lencioni. I'm currently doing the thumbnails of the 150 page graphic novel. It's a challenge in the sense that the original book is twice the number of pages jam packed with dialog. Condensing everything is going to be a challenge!

Friday, August 10, 2007

First day in new studio

Today's my first day working in my new off-location studio! Things are great and going well.

I've been approached with a project contract from an art materials company. Can't reveal the details yet since I have yet to negotiate the details. Once everything is finalized, I will make the posting.

Busy first day at my new studio. Trying to get my daily 10 pages of thumbnails done for the new Wiley book project.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

New Studio Space

Back from San Diego and fully recovered. This past weekend, I've decided to move into a separate studio space with my colleague and friend, Mark Smylie, of Archaia Studios. I've already moved my painting and some drafting supplies along with basic digital equipment. I'm very excited about this move. Mark and I have been talking about this for some time (since last year to be exact). It's a very large place in Kearny, NJ. I'll be posting pictures shortly.

Had another rough deadline come up last night. Had to knock out frames for Sam's Club which were due at midnight. It wouldn't have been that hard to do had they not called me right before my comic book art class started. I had to cut the class fifteen minutes short so that I could go back to my studio and crank it out. Aaaahh, the freelance world - some things just never change.