LAST BLOG ENTRY OF THE YEAR!!

Well, this is it folks. A great year it's been with full of surprises. Finished off a tighter draft of 8 or so pages for the Dysfunction of Leadership for Wiley. Gearing up for another upcoming book project as well (hopefully I'll be able to make the announcement within the next month or so). I hope everyone drives safely and doesn't forget to keep drawing into the brand new year. Till then, Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm working on the cover edits for the Five Dysfunctions Book.

Week in Crazy Piggy Back Studios

Literally swamped since last Friday. Just when I thought that the Dragon Ball Z illustrations were finally done, got slammed with an overnight illustration project for Rebook. 8 color comp illustrations in literally 24 hours! Each one was pretty complex. For example, it was like "7 female joggers being chased by 50 puppies in a park with one falling down in the background. Behind the fence there's two male cheerleaders." That times 8?! Got that done and today I was at Cement Works Advertising working with art directors on their new medical product campaign.

Rainy rainy day today in NYC. On a bright note, I did find my scarf that I thought I lost at restaurant. I went back there and they had it in the office. Simple pleasures make the day go easier.

Anime Festival and Dragon Ball Zzzzzzz

Busy weekend at the New York Anime Festival. I had the pleasure of having a table next to my former classmate from SVA, Steve Uy. The table locations could have been better, but sometimes you have to just deal with what they give you. Although, I do recommend anyone stuck in the similar situation to at least complain to the convention office. They may be able to relocate you to an empty table.

The kicker was I was working on illustrations for the Dragon Ball Z video game for the Nintendo Wii throughout the weekend. Finally got it done after pulling an all-nighter on Sunday. It's done! Yayyy!!!! Get to sleep!!!! Yaaaaayyyy!!!!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Reorganized my Kearny Studio

I think I'm getting used to getting up at 7 am (thanks to my girlfriend's wake up call.) It's amazing what a girl can get you to do for a week.

Anyways, here's another experiment I did using painter. I also finished an outline for a project proposal for one of my publishers which took a bit longer than I anticipated. I'm really trying to get into the habit of attacking the projects quickly. One of my reps called this afternoon - possible onsite location assignment with our good friends at Agent 16. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to get my colleague to print out a batch of figure drawing booklets. It looks like I'll have to do it the old fashion way like I've been doing in the past for all the conventions - printing the darn thing on my printer. Obviously won't be able to print it out in mass quantities.

Key Chains!

Just got some promo material from Wiley to hand out at the New York Anime Festival. Key Chains galore! I've never seen so many in my life (bear in mind there's a bunch more stacked underneath the top stack which you see above!)

Weekend relief

So happy it's the weekend! Man, it went by too fast. Gearing up for next week's New York Anime Convention. Wiley sent a bunch of promo stuff to put on the table. Key chains of the Manga for Dummies included!

Lecture at Mercer County College, NJ - Tomorrow

Back from Thanksgiving break... And it's raining Cats and Dogs here in Jersey City! I've been finishing up on the final version of the cover for Wiley. The title of the book has been modified slightly to A Manga Guide to The Five Dysfunctions of a Leadership: A Leadership Fable. Yes, it's a mouthful and I certainly had a heck of a time trying to design the composition. I'd love to post the cover draft, but need to keep it under the covers.

NEWS: I'LL BE GIVING A LECTURE AT MERCER COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY TOMORROW FROM 12 - 1 PM. I WILL ALSO BE SIGNING BOOKS AS WELL. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

Dessiner les mangas pour les nuls!

The French translation of Manga for Dummies is now on sale in France!

All nighter at the studio

First time in a new location is always going to be tough as they say. I'm working at my Kearney Studio and plan to do an all nighter. Not because I want to by the way! I'm working on the final cover for the Dysfunction book which has to get done tres vite. I'm the process of working up a proposal for another book for a major publisher which I cannot describe or discuss except to say I am very excited.

There are some major changes which are about to take place in my freelance career. While nothing is set in stone yet, I've been busy since this morning with emails and phone messages. I will let everyone know once the dust is settled (which maybe as soon as next month). I'm both excited and anxious which is all I can for now.

I'll be cooking up some ramen noodles at the studio! Here's to you other freelancers doing the same thing this evening!

Manga for Dummies in German!

Manga for Dummies (the German translation) has been released. Here's the cover translated in German.

Photoshop and Painter

Here's a recent character design I did in Painter and then finished up in Photoshop.

Figure Drawing at Spring Street Studios

It's been a while, but I got around to drawing at the figure drawing session @ Spring Street Studios in Soho, New York City. I gotta admit, I get a bit shaky after not drawing from life for such a long time.

Happy Birthday to Meeeee

Oh, boy. These birthdays are coming waaay to fast. I've been told I'm a creepy kid. I now know why.

Freelancers Union

Finally got around to becoming a part of the Freelancers Union of New York City. Part in fact they offer affordable benefits.

Got more Magic Cards to be signed in the mail - the fan from Canada was really sweet. She sent me two thank you cards along with the cards. Never had that happen before.

A Fall Soiree

I'm attending a Client Banquet at my reps office tonight. Looking forward to meeting the art directors and art buyers (the two most powerful people in the advertising illustration business). Overall, it's been a very quiet two quarters this summer and fall. Hope I can finish off as much of the book projects before the industry gets back into full gear.

Getting colder all of a sudden, here in Jersey City. Gotta bundle up and dust off the portable heaters soon!

SVA Journal Interview

I've been asked to give an interview about the influence of Manga on art students. More details to follow.

My new business cards came in this week. I can't believe how long it's been the last time I had new cards made. Too long!

In the meanwhile...
GO BOSTON RED SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Q and A

I recently got a good question from an attendee from Manga NEXT. With his permission, I thought it would be a good idea to share his question and my response.

Hello Mr.Okabayashi,
My question is how would one go about drawing blurred images in manga? I
apologize for taking up your time with this since I know you
must be busy, but I'd be grateful if you can give me a reply.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and hope to hear from
you soon.

-Carlos

P.S. I read your current entry on your blog and Death Note is a great manga work. Just as you keep progressing in the story be sure to know when to draw the line between supporting cleverness and true justice o_o

Hi Carlos,

Great meeting you at the convention.

To answer your question, I would say do the coolest thing and use the Gaussian blur tool or motion blur tool in photoshop. Just keep the setting fairly low.

Kensuke

Redesigning the Cover

Currently redesigning the cover for the Wiley Project. They're eight characters that need to be squeeezed on to a 6 by 9 inch space. Just think how many different character types the author had to come up with.

Rainy day in Jersey City with an overdose of humidity. These gloomy days make me remind myself how freelancing is never easy. Not for the faint of heart you guys out there who are thinking about doing it!

Finished the pencils for DS #1

Finally finishing off the pencils for the first issue of Deep Salvage. Not completely satisfied with the results - I'm still trying to get a better idea of all of the characters.