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Long Lost Friend Studio is my self-publishing imprint, the studio space where we work, and a YouTube channel featuring videos about art and creativity. This blog covers everything happening with me and Long Lost Friend Studio.
Giving Monsters A Bad Name
The ghosts and monsters in the early seasons of Scooby Doo sent chills up my childhood spine. They still do if I’m being completely honest. Who could listen to the maniacal laughter of the Space Kook without tensing up? But those ghouls, as creepy as they could be, were infinitely more endearing — and enduring — than the criminal goons inside those spooky costumes.
When The Apes Take Over, My Loyalty Will Be Rewarded
Anyone who’s watched The Planet of the Apes saga unfold (either the original franchise or the reboot) knows that one day, in all likelihood, the earth will be ruled by hyper-intelligent primates while increasingly less-capable humans fall from their position at the top of the food chain. In preparation for this, I’ve begun honoring our future ape overlords by respectfully illustrating a portrait of their leader, Proximus Caesar. Here’s a breakdown of my process.
Studying the Way of the Samurai
Preparing to work on an upcoming Usagi Yojimbo commission, Michelle and I realized we knew little to nothing about the character. So, this past week we’ve been researching the Stan Sakai comic, doing some sketches, and, in this week’s video, a full ink, wash, and watercolor study of the samurai rabbit.
Holly Jolly Hoodlums
Put one foot in front of the other. Bumbles bounce. Mind your blood pressure, Hotcakes. Never trust a magician. These lessons, among others, were drilled into my head annually by the Rankin/Bass holiday specials when I was a kid. For our holiday card this year, I wanted to honor those stop-motion extravaganzas from my childhood by painting an assortment of some of the biggest creeps and goons Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass ever created.
Muppetober Was Chaos And I Loved It
It’s October 31st and that’s significant for two reasons. One, of course, it’s Halloween. Look out for spooks. And two, it marks the end of Muppetober, our self-imposed, Muppet-a-day, illustration/video challenge for the month. It was grueling, and we just made it by the skin of our teeth. Now we can collapse like a puppet after you take your hand out.
Pitting My New Brushes Against Spider-Man’s Deadliest Enemies
Much like Peter Parker is always tweaking his web shooters so they respond efficiently during life-threatening battles with his super-powered foes, I, too, am constantly tweaking my art tools in an effort to produce better results. Not quite as life-threatening, but important nonetheless.
Brushing Off Work With Spider-Man
After weeks of what felt like putting on major production numbers in the workshop to create elaborate dioramas, I decided this week would be a low-pressure stroll through some illustration fundamentals. Specifically, brush inking and watercolor work using Spider-Man and Kraven as inspiration. Nice to have a lazy week now and then.
The Red Death: Party Like It’s 1399!
Remember that time a deadly plague swept through the land, and many cynics felt they were untouchable? And remember how death, arbitrary and brutal, took even those that mocked it in its cold embrace? That’s the kind of poetic justice Edgar Allan Poe reveled (and excelled) in. You knew I was talking about Poe, right?
Rocket Had Come Equipped With A Gun
If you’ve seen the latest Guardians of the Galaxy flick, you understand that raccoons don’t like being in cages. And while anyone would assume that to be true, I’d faced that very situation not too long ago and the experience still stresses me out. So I thought I’d work through my issues by doing a quick ink and watercolor sketch of my favorite Guardian, Rocket Raccoon.
The Immortal Elephant in the Room
As a member of the Long Lost Friend Studio Patreon, after a year at the BFF tier, a supporter can request either an illustration from me, or a felted sculpture from Michelle. This time, my ticket got punched and I was tasked to draw Manmoth, an elephantine immortal in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe.
Looks Like A Cold, Cold Winter
Bit nippy out there, isn’t it? Hope everyone’s keeping warm in 2023. Michelle and I spent the last couple days of the year shivering in our sub-zero studio and painting Rankin/Bass snow monsters for fun.
That Witch Does Not Kill Us
That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger. That’s the theory, anyway. That’s why I stumble through watercolor illustrations every so often, like a bull in a china shop, trying to smash out something decent. This week, it’s a storybook witch and her two familiars. Maybe it’ll be easier to find my path through this familiar territory.
Process: Kermit the Frog Thank You Note
I ran across some snapshots I took while working on a thank you card for a client. I haven’t posted in a few weeks, so I figured I could turn these pics into a quick, informal, process post.