Warm-Up Drawing OTD: The Lizard

Slashfilm posted some concept art of The Lizard from Marc Webb's upcoming Amazing Spider-Man, which got me thinking about how I would design the creature.

The design needs work, but I think it's heading in the right direction. I posted the warm-up challenge on Twitter, here's what folks came up with:

Everett Downing

Chris Fraser

Dr. Connors???

Maggie Gevers

He's just lonely is all.

Luke Baker

25 days...

The PIA Mook: 25 Years of Pixar Animation

Every year, the Japanese magazine PIA Mook invites us to contribute art to a special Pixar issue.

Last year's issue was an inside look at Toy Story 3. This year is an all-inclusive 25th Anniversary Issue, featuring interviews with Dice Tsutsumi and Sonoko Konishi (who makes the world's most amazing Halloween costumes!).

I'm not sure what they wrote above my name. My friend Mach says it's either the phonetic spelling of my name, "O-sutin Madison", or "man with very odd obsessions".

Unfortunately, the issue is only available in Japan. So write to your local congressman and demand cooler industry mags here in the states!

26 days...

Earl Grey

My doppleganger, Zack Keller (co-creator of Dick Figures), informed me that my Dick Figures character, Earl Grey, has his own wikipage. I noticed the trivia section on this character is a little sparse, so let me shed some light on this monochromatic mastermind:

-He spells "grey" with an "E" for the same reason he spells "colour" with a "U": because he's not a knuckle-dragging commoner.

-Earl Grey is the mixed-race sire of two royal families, Black and White.

-This supervillain does not move objects through telekinesis. Rather, he "elevates" objects from their working class to a higher station in space/time.

-Aside from high concentrations of colour, Earl Grey's one other vulnerability is a weakness for Twiglets and Pickle.

-Earl Grey has a similar affliction as his cousin and fellow land-holding title-bearer, Lord Tourettes. He suffers from narcolepsy, and must constantly imbibe tea or else pass into a deep REM state.

-And finally: in Season Four, Earl Grey may or may not make an appearance in a Christmas episode entitled "Dickens Figures."

I hope that slakes the wiki admins' thirst for Earl Grey.

27 days...

Chades Challenge LXII: Muppet Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!...it certainly will be for Gonzo the Great if he seals the deal with his lovely turkey friend. If you have any Thanksgiving Muppet designs, let me know and I'll post them below. Otherwise, you can join us December 9th for... 

Chades Challenge LXIII: Explosive Stockings!

Jeff "Gravy Boat" McGuire



Colleen "Mahna Mahna" Madden

Tim "Brought To You By The Letters J and H" Luecke

Sean "Ain't Easy Being Jolly Green" Taylor

32 days...

Whiteboard Drawings

I teach an animation class at the Academy of Art University. At the end of each class, I like to leave a drawing up on the white board, under the projection screen for the next class that uses our room.

The unsuspecting professor goes to raise his projector screen...

...when he is met by a dry-erase masterpiece!

I always expect a thank you written on the white board, or at least a return drawing. So far, no dice.

0 days...The Muppets Are Here!!!

The Electrician

A card for my brother, Andy, who just graduated from electrician school. He now has complete mastery over electricity!!! Or at least, that's how I understand it.

In case you haven't met him, this is my brother, Andy. This year was his first Comic Con/Trickster. He took something like 300 pictures. Mostly of cosplay girls. Goooood times.

Congraduations, bra!

2 days...

Alba gu bràth

The new trailer's out for another little film I'm working on...

This is why we wear kilts every Friday.

While I'm on the subject, remember not to miss Angus MacLane's Small Fry, which will premiers next Wednesday in front of The Muppets.

7 days...

Hawaiian Vacation

Aloha!

Last week I went to Hawaii for a friend's wedding. The trip also turned out to be a bit of a research trip for a new film of mine. Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my tropical skullduggery.

The first step in any Hawaiian vacation is to find the proper attire. I elected the "Official Magnum PI" route.

My friends Kai and Ross pause for a moment to reflect on the importance of pyrotechnics at any wedding.

I also found time for some quality beach-front sketching.

You see a lot of "towel prepping" poses on the beach.

This chick was talking her boyfriend's ear off at a local Starbucks. I did my best to capture her manic bi-polarness.

The beach is a great place to study different body parts, because it's all out there in full view.

You also see a lot of unique poses due to the lack of chairs.

Remember, always wear sunscreen.

There are good beach views...

...and not-so-good beach views.

 

But you really can't complain when every day ends with one of these...

9 days...

CHADES CHALLENGE LXI: WICKED TREES

Sorry for the delay, I had a tough time uprooting this fella from my sketchbook.

Stubborn little shrub! If you have any "Wicked Trees", let me know and I'll post them below. Otherwise, you can join in November 23rd for...

CHADES CHALLENGE LXII: A MUPPET THANKSGIVING

 John "Bad Seed" Dusenberry

Colleen "Weirwood" Madden

Rami "The Bough that Breaks" Kasim

Austin "Roots of All Evil" Reinkens

11 days...

The Heroes of Sandpoint, Part II

Last night was the conclusion to our first Pathfinder adventure, DM'd by Everett. Good nerd times were had by all! Accept Erick, who played the hapless halfling rogue, Hob, who nearly drowned...

...was nearly eaten...

...and nearly coughed up his hobbit balls.

Chris, who played our barbarian warrior princess, Zorba, faired better against the undead

And scored the victory blow against Black Fang, a local dragon pest.

 

 Here's Zorba, celebrating her victory with quiet dignity and grace.

 

And finally my character, the dwarven cleric Baz, glaring jealously at Zorba and all her new experience points.

More adventures to come! For all you gamers struggling with 4th edition D&D, I'd highly recommend the Pathfinder system. Much classier.

13 days...

Post-it-mation

Man, I haven't posted in a while. I better make this next post profound...




...oh well.

14 days...

The Heroes of Sandpoint

Our motley bunch of adventurers from last night's game: Bazir, the dwarven cleric; Xavier, the human wizard; Zorba, the human barbarian; and Hob, the halfling rogue. Last night's session was all about taking care of a nasty brood of goblins who had been bothering our local village.

At the end of our encounter, we learned that darker threats may be looming deep in the goblins' cave. The game ended with a crab/eel creature springing at us from a placid, black cavern lake. I didn't have any time to sketch the monster last night, but rest assured: art is coming!


20 days...

Big Bazir

Getting in the mood for DnD tonight with a sketch of my dwarven cleric, Baz. He killed a dire wolf once, and as you can see, he's very proud of it.

21 days...