How to Build a Dinosaur
Step 1: First Blood

According to Popular Science, researchers have successfully extracted 43,000 year-old mammoth DNA and replicated mammoth blood. This is the first step in bringing back an extinct species. Next stop: baby dinosaurs.

Animated on the iPad.

In other news, the latest Toy Story 3 trailer is out. It's definitely a different direction for the studio.

Frank Frazetta
February 9. 1928-May 10, 2010

News of my hero's passing is a sobering way to start the week. Frank Frazetta forged modern fantasy art and created some of the most striking images in illustrated history. To me, Frazetta is more of a genre than a name.

Like Tolkien and Harryhausen, he handled fantasy with the same reverence and care as a documentarian. I wonder if he knew of some far off region where he could go and study titans and trolls in their native environment. I can picture him astride a drawing horse, perched on the edge of a mountain precipice, carefully sketching a horde of orcs as they went about their daily routine in the valley below.

Much of my artwork (like the smiley fellow below) is inspired by Frazetta. The man stoked the creative fires of fantasy nerds all over the world and I hope that, wherever he is now, they have a large supply of acrylic and plenty of well-endowed amazonians for reference.

CHADES CHALLENGE XXVI:
DC vs. MARVEL

The votes are in! The two heroes you wanted to see square off were Batman and Wolverine, and the winner (by a mutated hair) was ol' Canuklehead. Let me know if you have any submissions and I'll post them below.

"I can smell that black rubber a mile away, bub."

Calvin Tsang

Also getting into the superhero-spirit is my buddy Mach, who rigged his own arc reactor. For info on how to make your own, check out his blog! Don't worry, you won't have to suffer a major heart injury to do so.

And in honor of The 30th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back (2nd greatest film of all-time), the next challenge is Star Wars themed:

CHADES CHALLENGE XXVII:
"WE DON'T NEED THEIR SCUM."

Not all bounty hunters can be as badass as Boba Fett and IG-88. We'll be designing the losers who got turned away by the Empire. Submissions due May 21st.

The 2011 Film Project
Part I: Shoot on the Butte

I joined a group of friends in some filmmaking hijinks over the weekend. The indefatigable Emma Coats (director of the upcoming Hitchhiker) led us to the top of a mountain, and we returned at the end of the day with shots worthy of a David Lean picture.

Against all of my animation training, I venture outside to make a film.


After an hour of hiking, we reach our location: the summit of a butte. And let me tell you, the view was a real beaut indeed.


I may only be an extra in the film, but the props make the job worthwhile.


Erick watches over the camera. Witness protection asked us to keep his face concealed in all images.

At the end of her film's first weekend of shooting, Emma takes a well-deserved breather. Okay, so she may not be completely indefatigable, but she she's pretty hardcore.

As for me, I prefer the comfort of animation. Hell, this was animated on an iPad in a bar; you'd never guess it by the grace and sophistication if the linework.

Goonies Never Say Die!
2 of 2: Skeleton in the Closet

Mouth continues to terrorize Rosalita in the days following the Goonies' adventure into One-Eyed Willy's lair.

I was looking up reference on imdb and noticed that Data's full name is Richard 'Data' Wang. Dick Wang...One-Eyed Willy...anyone sensing a theme here?

Watercolor and prisma pen 9x12

Next Friday is the due-date for Chades Challenge XXVI: DC vs. Marvel. After seeing this new production still of Chris Hemsworth as Thor, I'm pretty stoked for this theme. Thor's my favorite Marvel hero, and Kenneth Branagh is the perfect choice for a director. With his Shakespearian background, he can lend the necessary gravitas to the tale of the thunder god.

I'm guessing there will be a Thor trailer on Iron Man 2, here's hoping!

Goonies Never Say Die!
1 of 2: "Dios Mia!"

Astoria, Oregon is hosting a week-long event in June to celebrate The 25th Anniversary of The Goonies. I love this film, so when the call went out for artwork, I just had to contribute. One of my favorite characters in the film is Rosalita, so here's one of two pieces I did starring the befuddled maid.

Watercolor and prisma pen 9x12

Blast from the Past!

I found this clip on youtube today, Lots-o'-Huggin' bear was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid. I think I still have mine in storage...I wonder if he still smells like strawberries.

Apparently, they also had him in Japan.

CHADES CHALLENGE XXV:
ALTERNATE EVOLUTION

Animated evolution, by yours truly (animated on the iPad, which is apparently also handy for concert pianists)

Evolution of the Toad Dragon, by Tyler Decker

Up next is Chades Challenge XXVI: DC vs. Marvel. My most recent poll shows that you guys want to see Batman vs. Wolverine, so that's what I'll be doing, but feel free to contribute whatever match-up appeals most to you! Drawings will be posted May 7, just in time for the premiere of Iron Man 2 (I can hardly wait!)

Superman vs. Spiderman, by Alex Ross

AfterWorks Preview III
Coming to ComicCon 2010.

A project that feels like it's been 65 million years in the making. I remember Justin Wright letting me use his computer after hours to work on this comic back in 2008. For various reasons, AfterWorks III kept getting pushed back, and I'm one of those artists who needs a deadline to get anything done, so I never quite finished. My creative juices are pumping again, though, and I'm determined to have this puppy done for this year's Comic Con. Stay tuned for more previews!

iBalls
Just animated this on Ev's iPad. I'm becoming more convinced that I need to own one of these things.