Working

I'm drawing Philadelphia's Italian market which is terribly fun to do.

Bugs. Bugs. Bugs.

And the strongest ladybug on earth.

I drew this on a scrap piece of paper while I was making dinner over the past two nights. They aren't the most accurate bugs but some are recognizable, such as the dung beetles holding out on the ball of poo at the bottom. All bugs like poo, right? For the sake of this sketch they all do, okay? Good.

Click here for a larger view. This blogger preview thing is terrible for artwork. Hear that blogger? Fix it.

Christmas Card 2012

I forgot to post my Christmas card after I sent them out. The inside read, "Come, let us adore him."

I didn't send out many this year since I only finished it a few days before Christmas.

It's funny, I have no problem drawing a snow scene in the heat of the summer (and vice versa) but I find it very difficult to work on my card until the joy of Christmas sets in.

I need your help.

A friend of mine is in need of your votes! Vote for her group, The Dolls by scrolling down this linked page. I would really appreciate it. Please vote daily until January 30th. AJ (the girl in the blue shirt) has been a friend of mine for years. Her Father and her performed at my wedding.

After you vote come on back and check out some sneak peeks of stuff I've been working on. Thanks so much!

Doodles...

I was pretty bored tonight.

Downton Abbey.

My wife, a friend and I have been watching Downton Abbey. Aside from all of the annoying pompous characters it's a uh.... um...

Here are some sketches I do while watching the show (it's terribly hard for me to sit still for more than fifteen minutes without drawing).

IF: Snow

It has been a long time since I submitted anything to Illustration Friday so I thought I'd post these three Highlights illustrations for the snow theme this week. Have fun finding all of the Silly/Wrong things!

Crayons.

I'm coloring with my daughter. It's fun.

Sketching with my students.

This afternoon I took my students down to the Bourse food court to draw some strangers. They were to focus on drawing realistic three quarter view heads. Drawing strangers also teaches them to be fast in order to get everything down before the character moves on or gets ticked off.

What's Wrong? Mush! Mush, I say!

This is my latest What's Wrong? for Highlights' December issue which is available now. I had terrible fun with this piece in doing the research and in drawing it (see the first sketch below). The Iditarod Sled Dog Race ends in Nome, Alaska so I was able to use Google maps street view to view the finish line and even some of the buildings. The man winning the race is Dick Wilmarth, the first winner of the Iditarod in 1973. The woman pictured is Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod in 1985. The drums dispersed throughout the crowd are Eskimo (or Inuit) drums used to celebrate. Just for fun, here is a delightful video by the Inuit singing group, PAMYUA.

Please subscribe to Highlights Magazine for the important children in your life.

PS: They're all important.