Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Iron Giant lives! 10 year anniversary reunion.


Got to see Brad Bird and the other top artists that brought this great film to life.
This blurred picture is my only decent snapshot of some of the crew that was there that night. Trying to avoid being a total fan-boy, I let the younger fans and animation students get autographs and pictures taken with Brad Bird. Almost near the end, I was able to shake his hand, but Brad was distracted, and Warner Security was trying to herd us towards the exits. They also turned out the lights, so Brad couldn't see who I was. I tried using the flashlight in my cell phone, but that was not effective.

I'm still disappointed, but not surprised, when big corporations have to cajoled into producing gems like the Iron Giant. Some have complained that the animation isn't on a Disney level, or that the scenes are too talky. I say look at "Home on the Range" or "Treasure Planet", and ask which of their worlds draws us in.

Still, it was a privilege to be there, and I got to speak a bit with some of the other artists, especially the one who developed the cel-shaders for the Iron Giant in Maya. He gave the CG a more hand drawn look, and he was working with one of the early beta-versions of Maya. Gotta tip my hat to him!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Over the Mountain comics sold in the Los Angeles area

I would like to thank these shops for carrying my Over the Mountain mini comics!

http://hidehocomics.com/

http://www.meltcomics.com/

http://www.artoffiction.com/HOS_index.html

Hope you can check it out.

Thank you to all the shop owners for giving shelf space to Herman Bear.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Will Eisner Halloween Spirit


Herman Bear as Will Eisner's "Spirit". Someone at the union thought he was dressed up as "Indiana Jones". Well, that works too.

This is still a rough sketch; tried laying in the "ink" using the lasso tool in Photoshop. Still not satisfied.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Halloween 2009 Ruff Cover


They won't stay buried!