That's all she wrote!

16 of the 17 pieces done for my October Art-a-Thon.

Hey everyone, thank you for watching my blog this past month. I am almost at 4k views, so I know many stopped by to check it out. Here is the finished art (sans Rich's Scary Fairy piece...which is already in his hands):

I am now going on to prepping for a few conferences in the spring. Attending both SCBWI conferences in Austin (February) and Houston (April).

Halloween #17: Nephew and Nieces

One of my old high school friends, Elexis asked that I show her nieces and nephew in Halloween costume. So here they are!

Elexis and the kids

Pen/Ink in Bristol

Halloween #16: Thing 1 & Thing 2!

I know what you are thinking: "Wait. October is over!" ... but NO! Not by a long shot! I still have a few more! (and thanks for being patient. My computer has been getting me lately. Hey Computer! I promise I will let you rest. Just a little more!)

My elementary school friend Michelle (St. Joseph's Catholic School REPRESENT!), wanted me to draw her sons in their Halloween costumes as Thing #1 and Thing #2.

I decided to use Sumi ink again, just because I think it's pretty cool.

Sumi ink/Brush on Bristol

Halloween #15: Skeletons in a Rowboat

Michael Moses requested someone in a boat being rowed by skeletons.

For a change of pace, I used Brush and Sumi ink on this one.

Below is a video of how Sumi ink is used (you have to grind a stone to use it), and it is used by one of favorite illustrators, Doug TenNapel (who created Earthworm Jim and other characters).

And here is video of Doug TenNapel working.. The man knows how to use a brush!

Sumi Ink/Brush on Bristol

Halloween #14: Evil Dummy

One of my old college friends, Craig suggested an evil ventriloquist dummy.

For some reason, the colors seem faded, and the dummy turned more orange (he is actually a brown)... I don't know if it's my scanner or the result of the color choices I made, but it looks a lot better in person. Guess you will have to take my word for it :/

Ink/Gouache on Bristol.

Halloween #13: Zombie Bentley and Diesel

One of my old high school classmates, Chris requested his daughter, Bentley and Rottweiler, Diesel be "zombified."

Here is the pair, who are a LOT cuter in this picture:

Inks on Bristol

Halloween #12: Eliot and Yoda

Teresa Conley requested that I do an illustration of her grandson, Eliot... It turns out his parents are Star Wars fans (I like them already), and Eliot dressed up as Yoda last year for Halloween. He also makes this great face that they labeled "The Stinkface"... So I put Eliot in the role of a Jedi in training, doing his best Stinkface. I originally intended to do this in color, but I really liked the quality of the inks, and the nice lines I was getting, using a mix of pen/brush. I decided to add just a touch of an ink wash for some values.

Here is Eliot's original Stinkface:




Brush/pen and Ink on Bristol

Halloween #11: Frankenstein and Bride

My friend Candace and her boyfriend, Todd requested Frankenstein and his bride nervously entering a haunted attraction.

Ink/Paint on Bristol.

Halloween #10: Scary Fairies

My teacher co-worker, Rich Davidson... requested Scary Fairies.

Inks on w/c paper.

(Didn't plan on the fairy in the foreground to have a watery eye... but thats what happens when you lift up the work to show your wife your progress, when the ink is still wet... I guess it was just a happy accident...)

Halloween #9: Pinhead

My old high school classmate, Melissa, requested Hellraiser's Pinhead as an infant.

Ink on w/c paper 

Halloween #8: Self-portrait as a Vampire

One of my former teacher co-workers, Ms. (Sarah) Moses requested myself as a vampire.... some might say this is an improvement :/

Inks on Bristol

Halloween # 7: Monster teaching middle school

Janelle Mikulas wanted a monster nervously teaching 7th-grade children. I would be nervous too: I remember middle school... I have no idea how my father taught them for so long.

Inks/paint on Bristol

Halloween #6 : Ichabod Crane

Susan Moses,  requested that I do Ichabod Crane with candy treats. I thought of his reaction to the Headless Horseman when he was trick-or-treating.

Inks on Bristol

Halloween #5 : Scary German Guy

My pal Rob really loves Monster Squad. There is a Scary German Guy in it. This is my version of said scary guy.

Inks/Paint on Bristol

Halloween #4 : Davy Jones

My fraternity brother Dan, and his wife Becky requested Davy Jones from the Pirates of the Caribbean for their son, Josh.

Inks on Bristol

Halloween #3: A Couple of Crows Conspiring...

Vonna Carter requested this. She wanted 2 conspiring crows, whom are up to no good.

You can visit her site here.

Ink on Bristol

Halloween #2: Wolfman's got Nards!

My friend Rob enjoys the movie Monster Squad. He wanted the Wolfman who gets kicked in the nards.

Don't know what nards are? Click on the video below to see the scene from Monster Squad:

Inks on Bristol.

Halloween #1: Lucie as an Alligator

My good friend Kate (who is in Dubai right now) requested her Daschund, Lucie,  as an alligator.

Inks on Bristol