If you like the cute, and let’s face it – if you’re reading Ellie, you must – then head over to see Katie Cook’s weekly comic Gronk. I just did some fan art for her and you can see that there too!
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From the sketchbook, here are some caterslinks that aren’t among the twenty-one indigenous to the Jungle Oasis.
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Here’s another website I thought had ended years ago, but when I checked it out today on a whim, I discovered that it had updated as recent as May. Boring 3D is a strange collection of computer generated images by graphic artist and animator Jimmy Maidens.
Each picture has a caption that might have something to do with what is going on in the scene, or might not. And while most stand on their own, others are part of a larger narrative.
I don’t know what it is I like about Maidens’ scenes. They all look as if they’ve been constructed from Play-Doh and then photographed like toys: up close with a short depth of field. The grass appears to be made of Koosh Balls. Dogs glow for no apparent reason. Clouds have the consistency of Scrubbing Bubbles. Maybe it’s all of these things along with the plain weirdness of it all.
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Cartoonist Matt Feazell has been creating his comic strip, The Amazing Cynicalman, America’s Laid Off Superhero, since 1980. Now he’s in the process of finishing up a live action film of his comic creation! It has an all-star local cast, and even yours truly makes a couple of brief appearances. Plus it’s got the great Scott McCloud as the voice of Boardman. How cool is that?
Matt asked me to do some matte (Matt?) paintings for him, as well as an animated Powerpoint-like presentation that the evil Dr. Pweent screens to explain his dastardly plot. Here’s some screen grabs:
The first is looking up at Dr. Pweent’s lair. I constructed the model of the tower and added the smoke. Matt added the lettering on the side of the building.
This is one of the slides in the presentation with Dr. Pweent laughing maniacally.
Finally, here’s our heroes, Cynicalman, Lizard Girl, and that might be me standing in for Sean Bieri as Loan Shark!
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Whatever happened to Rustboy?
I was filling my new bookshelf a few weeks ago and, as what always happens, I start wasting time by leafing through a book I hadn’t looked at in a while. In this case it was Brian Taylor’s Rustboy: Re-animating a Lifelong Dream.
Brian had started his Rustboy short film project some years ago (ten maybe?), and created beautiful looking animation with what was the available software of the day, all on his own. He published his progress on a slick website where he featured preliminary drawings, storyboards, test animations, and even specially composed music. It naturally garnered him quite a lot of attention.
Though the project was never finished, Brian still produced his “making-of” book, as well as some really cool Rustboy vinyl toys (which make me want an Ellie vinyl toy so much. One that has a green light in her torso). I had heard that there was even a children’s book in the works (haven’t seen one yet though).
Here’s some animation from Brian Taylor’s Rustboy for you to enjoy:
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While on a web-surfing expedition some time ago, we here at Mission Control happened across the website of imaginary xeno-naturalist Brynn Metheney. Her project, titled The Morae River, is her personal exploration of an invented world, populated by strange, but strangely familiar plants and animals.
From her site:
“The Morae River Project started out as an exercise in world building but has grown into a personal exploration in writing, drawing, and evolution. . . I’ve constructed a river and the ecosystems that might exist along it and have begun to make it my own. My effort is to represent the more notable of species to give you an understanding of . . . flora, and fauna; to perhaps feel that these organisms are thought out, organized, and studied.”
This personal project has managed to bring Brynn quite a lot of attention and the opportunity to do some creature creation for clients as well. Sadly, she has decided that she’s gone as far as she can with The Morae River, but has a new project starting this fall entitled The Red Valley. We’re looking forward to more interesting flora and fauna to come!
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This year is the 50th anniversary of the very first Fantastic Four comic book. To celebrate, Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, Michigan decided to honor this auspicious occasion in a special way. They’ve invited 26 different artists to each re-imagine a single page from the comic in whatever way they choose. Here’s my interpretation of page 21:
My favorite part, for whatever reason, is the Invisible Girl running.
And here’s a video treat for you: Norm MacDonald tells the real story of how the FF got their name. There’s a teeny bit of adult language (the three letter variety, but that’s all), just so you know.
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It’s craft time everybody! Get out your scissors and glue (and glitter too, if you must) and you too can have your very own Ellie on Planet X Papercraft Figurine of Action!
Just download the pdf file of the pattern and directions (right HERE), print it out (preferably on card stock, although regular paper will work too), and follow the instructions to make your very own Ellie. You’ll be exploring extra-solar planets in no time!
A special shout out goes to Diana Stoneman, creator of the web comic Sweet and Sour Grapes.She developed the amazing papercraft pattern we used for our Ellie version. Go and visit her beautifully drawn, fantastically colored, and wonderfully written comic and tell her how awesome she is. Thanks Diana!
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While surfing ’round the internet I happened upon this story from the land of my Viking ancestors by illustrator Emily Ryan.
The Story of the Bad Egg revolves around a prince who makes the attempt at raising four young dragon girls who are orphaned when he slays their mother. The story meanders a bit, but ultimately finds its message in the power of words over the forces of destruction.
The illustrations are beautiful in black and white and have an art deco inspired look that reminds me of the artist Erté. Go have a look. It’s free!
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