One! Hundred! Sketches!

103 actually, but who's counting?

I do a lot of artwork. Between finished drawings, paintings and digital media... concept sketches, stick doodles, and brainstorm thumbnails... personal projects and one-offs for loved ones... I did a quick estimate recently and thought it was fair to say that I probably produce something slightly shy of 1,000 drawings every year. That might be a bit high, but, then, drawing isn't just what I love to do, it also pays the mortgage.

Don't get me wrong, not every drawing is creative bliss. It's still work. Not to break out the violins, but I've found myself icing my hand on a few late afternoons. It ain't all roses Living the Dream.

In August, my company decided to switch to paper timesheets for the artists to track our time and projects for billing purposes (the digital method was wonky and fragile). So, I made a commitment to myself: I'd do a quick drawing on every timesheet, every day. Nothing elaborate, just something to remind me that, doggone it, I love to draw.

I was That Kid in high school. The one doodling while the more responsible kids were taking notes. Fortunately, I had encouraging teachers and parents, but there was something kind of sneaky about honing my craft while others were trying to be responsible. I miss those days.

So, anymore, Timesheet Art is the next best thing.

Yeah, it's pretty self-indulgent, but I decided that it was time for something new on the homepage (I think we're all finished with Christmas 2004, aren't we?). So, I've scanned my dumb little sketches for all to see. It's One! Hundred! Sketches! Go have a look if you like.

And yeah, the drawings aren't great. I like a few of them, but a lot of them are horrid. But, I don't know, I dig work that's rough and unpolished. It's kind of a chance to peek under the hood and see the inner workings.

Whatever. Hope you like.

posted by Jeremy Bear 9:30 PM

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Monday, January 31, 2005

An Original Zulli

Received a gorgeous item in the post over the weekend - an original page of painted comic art from "Creatures of the Night", published by Dark Horse last month. Written by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Michael Zulli.

Ever since I saw Zulli's work in Sandman (most famously from "The Wake" storyline"), I've been awed by the talents of this gentleman. Beautiful, elegant linework seldom found in contemporary comics. Normally these types of pieces go for hundreds and, in some cases, thousands. I managed to snag it on eBay for... er... a lot less than that, put it that way. In fact, the seller wrote me a personal email two minutes after I'd won: "Congratulations: you REALLY don't know how lucky you are to have this piece at this price. REALLY."

Anyhow, I've been kicking around the idea of purchasing original art for years, actually, and I'm thrilled that my first-ever piece is a painted Zulli.

And Neil Gaiman wrote it. I mean come on.

So, it's off to the framing store with me.

Thanks for listening to me burble.

Oh and, as always, click to enlarge.

posted by Jeremy Bear 8:42 AM

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