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Underwater

| Aaron McConnell

I’ve been busy with the some projects that have non-disclosure agreements attached, so I haven’t been posting much beyond the sketch challenge pieces.  I am still at work on the Gettysburg Address graphic adaptation.  In fact, Jonathan Hennessey sent me the completed script about a month ago, and it looks as though I’m slated to have the artwork done by June 2012 with a release date in 2013.  I’ll post some of the artwork in the coming months for those who have been patiently awaiting news about the development of this project.  And for the casual reader, let me tease you with the possibility of a Batman drawing in the not too distant future.  According to my site stats, most of my views are related to Batman.  Let me assure you, I understand the appeal.  I can confess to years of Batman idolatry.

As for today, let me offer you the following image.  It was rejected for the inclusion of the ECCC Monsters and Dames 2012 book, but don’t weep for me, dear readers, now it’s free to swim the ocean of the internet.  I’m going to look into the possibility of getting this made into a print, and if/when it’s available I’ll give the details on this blog.

And here are the inks:

Thanks for viewing!

Last month of Sketch Challenge 2011 starts now!

| Aaron McConnell

Yeah, I’ve taken this Sketch Challenge seriously.  It’s been a terrible distraction, but also a great inspiration and I’ve really enjoyed playing in the sandboxes of my peers.  This week we’re celebrating Jonthan Hickman and Dustin Weaver’s S.H.I.E.L.D: Architects of Forever.  Dustin works at Periscope, and he’s almost always down there when I make my rare appearances.  I do most of my work from home, but I rely heavily on the studio in other ways, and picking Dustin’s brain and looking over his shoulder as he plows through page after page of dynamic drawing has really helped me out with my own efforts.  So, anyway, I wanted to do a SHIELD piece and I knew I couldn’t get away with doing it the “Weaver-Way,” so I took liberties with the Tesla character and his muse?/guardian?/dove woman.  I drew her sort of morphing into her dove form.  Something about it reminds me of Osamu Tezuka’s  Phoenix, and that has to be my subconscious at work because I know Dustin is a huge Tezuka fan.  HUGE.

If you can make out the signature at the bottom right of the drawing you’ll see that I credit Dustin as well as the legendary Jim Steranko.  This is my lack of willpower at work, Dear Reader.  I told myself I wasn’t doing a Steranko send-up when I went into this, but as you can see, I failed miserably.  The conversation with myself sounds quite a bit like the conversation that Tom Waits has with himself on Nighthawks at the Diner, you might know the one, he ends up “taking advantage of himself” or “making the scene with a magazine.”  For me it started with, “Why don’t I just put a little op art behind Tesla?” and before I knew it I’m drawing clocks and shadow dudes.  But in my own defense, I realized I had to put the shadow dudes in because… well, let me put this little diagram together for you.  Take a look…

See?!  Am I crazy or does it seem that we may find out who Steranko’s shadow men are after all these years.  I guess that still doesn’t explain the bike wheels, but Hickman and Weaver’s SHIELD isn’t over yet.  And I’m enjoying it, if you can’t tell.

Here’s the thumbnail of my drawing (pre-Steranko brain seed).  There was something that I liked about this little Tesla sketch so I ended up scanning/enlarging it to the 11×17″ board.

Now, it’s time for you to be wowed by Dustin Weaver artwork.  Go here:  http://dustinweaver.blogspot.com/ or here: http://dustinweaver.tumblr.com/ .  Lucky you! 😀

 

Archie in PDX

| Aaron McConnell

A past due Periscope Sketch Challenge celebrating some of the bizarre supporting cast of Jeff Parker and Erika Moen’s webcomic Bucko.  Enter at your own risk.  Take care not to wander blindly into an unfortunate predicament like our friend Archie here…

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

| Aaron McConnell

Shirking responsiblities last night at the movie house led to shirking the morning away with some fan art for Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  I’ve wanted to see it since it opened and good reviews had my expectations peaked, but I was not prepared for the emotional tour de force that was in store.  Go apes go!  Conquer!  (Wait, something seems to be wrong with this line of thinking…?)

Anyway, on an unrelated note, here’s my contribution to Occupy Wall Street:

Case’s Creature

| Aaron McConnell

As promised (*see previous post), a drawing of Jonathan Case’s Dear Creature.  Preorder the graphic novel from Jonathan here, and if you’re in Portland on October 14th attend the book release party, details here.

Watercolor and gouache on paper with some Photoshop manipulation.  Original size 7×11″.

The [Dear] Creature Emerges…

| Aaron McConnell

Periscope Studio is sketching to the tune of Jonathan Case’s Dear Creature this week.  Want to know more about Dear Creature?  Want to preorder a signed copy of the graphic novel from Jonathan?  Go here!

I met Jonathan Case back in 2006 when I first moved to Portland and attended the Stumptown Comic Fest for the first time. I bought the mini he was selling, which was the first handful of Dear Creature pages (known at the time as Sea Freak), and I’ve watched him develop it with assured persistence over the years at Periscope. His drawing/storytelling skills and his confidence in his work are an inspiration to me. I think people will be blown away when they discover this book.

Here are some preliminary sketches for the piece I’m working on. Tune in tomorrow to see the finished art.

Check the Periscope Tumblr for interpretations of Jonathan’s Dear Creature.

Trekker in the 21st Century

| Aaron McConnell

Ron Randall’s Trekker is the theme of the Periscope Sketch Challenge this week.  I’ve been behind pretty much all month and I haven’t had time to make blog posts, but I had to make time for this sketch.  We’re promoting Ron’s revival of his creator-owned series Trekker, now available in weekly installments at http://trekkercomic.com .

For now here’s my tribute to Trekker, let’s call it Trekker in the Sky with Diamond…knee pads.