Skeleton Kid

Here's the original pencil which is about 5x7":

My comic failed me

So the comic strip I submitted to my local newspaper's contest didn't win. I wasn't even one of the top 11 finalists. This guy won the contest. I'm not going to bag on his art or anything, but it feels more like a comic book than a comic strip, although I haven't seen the strip he entered which may be in a totally different style.
His winning strip is called "Mission: San Diego", which sounds horribly on the nose. See, the contest said priority would be given to strips that had a local setting. I wanted the local setting in my strip to be a bit more subtle. "Mission: San Diego" doesn't exactly sound subtle. But again, I haven't seen it yet.

Anyways, since I didn't win, here are the strips I submitted:

Update: Here's the article the paper published last week about the winner with a sample of his comic: Click

Now that I've seen his comic, I don't think it's as bad as what I linked to above. It's definitely better drawn than mine, although I was trying to strike a precarious balance between being effective and not spending too much time for just $25 per comic.
Not included in the online article but in the print edition was a sample of the top 11 finalists. The last strip of mine I posted is better than a few of the finalist strips printed. It should have been included. Damn you, Union Tribune!

Rhythm of Youth

Gouache on watercolor paper 5.5x8"

These are the main characters of a comic strip I submitted to my local newspaper. They had a competition to have a new Sunday comic published from a local artist. $25 per comic is medieval, but I'm not in it for the money. It's just a fun side project. Even if I'm not chosen I'll keep making these comics because I like these characters.

This is also the first time I've ever used gouache. I like it.

Kyle's Christmas Present: 2010

Every year I make my best friend Kyle a comic for Christmas. Here's this year's, based on a true story:





This is my favorite frame:


Here's some of the planning my sketchbook:


I've heard that during the layout process in animation the storyboards are often toned down. I usually work the other way with the storyboards being kind of bland and the final product being crazier. The storyboards are more about a general placement of things and basic poses to me.

Based on a true story (unfortunately):

New Comic

New Comic

New Comic

Free Hugs

Blood Malt