Latest Posts by richdannys - Page 2

Was surprised to see this animated gif from the “Jim Lee’s WildC.A.T.S” cartoon series.. This was an old Nelvana show I did design work on, back in 1994 or so. All of the pre-production was done in-studio. With the animation work farmed out overseas.. I remember being disappointed that the production schedule and budget were roughly half the size of the “Cadillacs & Dinosaurs” cartoon, we’d all worked on a year earlier. Small surprise that it didn’t get past it’s initial season of 13 shows!

I recognize a lot of these images from episodes that I’ve worked on.. But it’s been so long, that I can’t really remember anymore. Part of getting old, I guess?.. I have a bunch of Layout lists stored downstairs somewhere, and one of these days I’m gonna catalog what I did and where!

1990 Beetlejuice Valentines

Last month, we held a “Post-Its Art Show” at work.. All the artists in the studio were invited to participate. The organizer asked me to do a series of promotional ones, to help get things started.. Sharp-eyed comic nerds will recognize my riffs on the art styles of: Dan Clowes, Jack Davis, and Wally Wood?.. These were a lot of fun to do, and the show turned out really great!

A friend at work is vacationing in Cape Cod, this week.. But before he left, he had asked if I might contribute artwork to his "TIKI"-themed sketchbook? I was flattered, of course. But what to draw? When in doubt,-- always go with Kirby!! So here is:   "As old as the stars, and as powerful as the sun.. He is the immortal BOMBU!!"    And yes, he IS an Oobagonian, apparently..

I was up ‘til about 3am coloring an OLD pen-and-ink drawing for the upcoming “Summer Art Show”, held at the studio I work at.. Today, I’m physically wiped, as a result. I tried to use a color palette that conjures up the feeling of an old 50′s-era comic-book cover.. Perhaps a nod to the ‘MARS ATTACKS’ cards, too? It still feels rushed, but I do like the way his leather boots turned out!

Recently, I’ve been enjoying the nostalgia of a Facebook page dedicated to 'The Drawing Board' message board: an original Internet meeting place that is long gone. At the time, it was a great place to post your artwork, learn drawing tips, or just talk shop with like-minded creatives.. The long-running monthly “Drawing Jam” has been recreated on the FB page, though. And this was my most recent effort, working from a photo of actress: Chloe Sevigny.. Tried to work in a kind of Robert McGinnis approach to her legs and feet. Not sure how successful I was.. But it certainly was fun to try drawing it!

Haven’t posted anything for a very long time.. But I felt like everyone should be aware of this ultra-fine poster that Charles Burns recently did, for the upcoming TCAF show in early May 2015.. Hope to catch him at the show and score myself some “Free Shit”!!

A Belated HAPPY HALLOWE’EN !!

They recently staged a "Hallowe'en" -themed Art Show at the studio I work at.. I decided to contribute a couple of old EC Fanzine illustrations that I did many years ago.. Sadly, I no longer own the pen-and-ink originals.. But I'd always wanted to color these; and the Art Show finally gave me the chance to do so!  Both images feature all 3 of EC Comics' famed "GhouLunatics" characters, along with a lot of other creepy and gory stuff!

About 6 months ago, I had the good fortune to work Layout over at 'Yowza Digital' on a webcartoon for Nickelodeon, entitled: "Welcome To The Wayne".. Because I'm an old-timer, I had to be eased into working in a purely digital way, using Photoshop on a Cintiq.. I think I adapted pretty quickly. But early on, I was still drawing my Layouts traditionally. And I'm posting a couple examples here.. Doing the warped-anamorphic BG's was challenging, but a lot of fun!

Just saw that Lauren Bacall passed away at the age of 89.. One of the grand dames of Cinema, and a genuine favorite of mine! Back when I published my sketchbook in 2003, I included an illo featuring Ms. Bacall that was intended as an homage to Milt Caniff's late-great "MISS LACE" comic-strip.. Seeing as Lauren was a legitimate Pin-Up Queen back during WW2, it seemed completely appropriate?..

Lookee what I was able to snag at last weekend's 'Toronto Comic Show'.. A copy of "GAMUT #3"!!  This was a fanzine produced by Sheridan College's now-defunct 'Comic and Cartooning Course' in Oakville.. It was designed to showcase talent attending the school..

Apart from the rare (and funny) Berni Wrightson cover art,-- the main reason I bought it was for a comic story inside by: Bob Smith.. A very talented guy I once worked with at Nelvana, on a number of their action-adventure cartoon shows.. Later on, he went on to do storyboards for Bruce Timm on the WB cartoons..

This is a logo design that I did for a family friend living out in Strathmore, Alberta.. I was asked to try and incorporate a Warthog (their club mascot) into the artwork.. So I thought the project would be a perfect opportunity for creating a kind-of Hank Porter -esque emblem, along the lines of his amazing WW2 Squadron insignia? I'm still not entirely sure about all of my color choices. But I'm pretty happy with the overall result..

A commission that I did back in 2004, for a Gordon K. (from San Diego).. He had a very unique request for a trapped Animé-style Mermaid.. Thankfully, he also provided me with a good deal of reference material..  I tried my best to incorporate everything he'd asked for.. Hopefully, he enjoyed the result?

I'm not a particularly big Life Drawing fan.. But awhile back, I was fortunate to be gifted with a bunch of at-size color photocopies, done by none other than my fave artist: Frank Frazetta!! He drew this sometime around March of 1957.. Wouldn't it be great to have an entire book of these published someday?

Happy Holidays to all my Internet friends!!  Here's what this year's version of the Christmas card ended up looking like.. It was my meager attempt to ape the stylings of Eyvind Earle.. I had plans to model more shadows onto the limbs of the foreground tree,-- but I simply ran outta creative steam before the deadline crashed down onto me..

"TOILET HUMOUR" In The Literal Sense..

I was cleaning up my studio room, when I unearthed a large manila envelope. It contained folders of some Spümco-related artwork that I'd purchased from an eBay Seller, back in 2005.. One folder contained rough layouts from a comic-book story, featuring: "NUTTY the Friendly Dump" ! This past year, I finally got to see the finished-version of the story, when it was included in IDW Publishing's 'John K. Presents COMIC BOOK' collection..

I recently bought the new book on Maurice Noble: "The Noble Approach", covering his thoughts on Animation Design & Layout.. It's an excellent read! Put me in a nostalgic mood,-- so I thought I'd post up an old 'BEETLEJUICE' Layout of mine..  Back in January of '91, I did 14 scenes for the episode entitled: "Fast Food".. Can't recall too much about it. But I'm amused that I felt the need to use a half-size Field for this specific shot!

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN !!

A commission that I did back in 2004, for a Josh S. (from Ottawa).. He wanted me to draw "The Old Witch" from EC Comics' 'HAUNT OF FEAR' title,-- for which I was only too happy to oblige!  I tried to incorporate all of my favorite "Ghastly" Graham Ingels bits, into my own version..

Sorry,-- this is another pen and ink illo that I did from a few years ago.. While browsing my Tumblr dash, I stumbled across the photo reference I'd based this (see sidebar) on.. Kinda surprised me! hah  It was an "illustration friday" based on the word: "Launch", if I recall..

An 'IRON MAN' illo I did back in 2002.. Based (of course) on the beautiful renderings of this character by genius comic-book artist: Jack Kirby! A man who never said "No!" to foreshortening!!

A pen-and-ink Pinup of Dixie Evans "The Marilyn Monroe Of Burlesque", that I did back ‘95.. In the early 1990's, I corresponded with her a bit. She was running the "Exotic World" museum in Helendale, California. Sadly, she passed away this month. She was a sweet old lady..

More on Dixie can be found here..

Li’l Hot Stuff

A lovely 50’s-style Showgirl pin-up, by my favorite artist & dearly-missed friend: Dave Stevens..

Back in 2007, I had the inclination to try drawing a Don Martin -type character.. I was digging thru some old issues of MAD Magazine and found a series of 'SPIDER-MAN' spoofs he'd done. Invented a new pose and (of course) hadda add one of his signature "SHPLORT" sound effects, too!

A rough 'SUPERMAN' prelim from 2004 that was part of a commission; complete with anatomy revision notes to myself.. I lost something in the final inks on this one, which is often the case.. Deciding what to keep and what to throw out at the end, is always the hardest part.. Frustrating!

Dunno how or where I found this image, but I've always loved it!.. Wally Wood was a genuine Master at combining cartoony poses with solid construction.. My best guess would be that this was a back cover to one of his 'WITZEND' fanzine issues?..

This is the first sketch I ever commissioned a comic-book artist to do for me.. Back in '85, Mark Askwith invited me to see Mike Kaluta at the Hamilton 'SILVER SNAIL'.. A genuine thrill when one of your favorite artists impresses you even more as a person! He loved drawing this 'ROCKETEER' pinup too, and I think it shows..

‘Doctor Strange’ illo that I did, back in 2008.. Colored it later on, using colored pencils, felt markers, and a bit of digital.. My hope was to give it a very Kevin Nowlan -esque quality. As I think his interpretation of the character has always been the best!

A much more recent Sketchbook page.. These were Frazetta studies (from his 'JOHNNY COMET' strip), analyzing how he handled seated women. But about halfway thru, I decided I wanted to convert them into poses for a snake charmer.. A fun exercise, indeed!   

'HELLBOY' illo that I did for a charity auction, back in 2004.. Parts of it look wonky to me now. But I liked how the coloring came out. Especially, the swamp scum details..

Lookee what I got in today's mail.. My copy of 'EC Fan-Addict' #2!! Great articles on the comic art careers of Frazetta and Sid Check.. Plus, an interview with Al Feldstein?! Not available in any stores, folks.. To get your own copy, contact: ecfanaddicts_at_yahoo.com