I often remember some aspect of each cartoon pinup I sketch. A glimse of an alternate reality as distorted by my own mundane perception, a sight, a smell, the sound of thunder and the might of lightning splitting a tree in the backyard. With this one, however, there’s nothing? No peripheral memories are connecting with the drawing. But yet, it is in my archive. And here it is, again. I will title it “Memento!” Love Matt
I created these four panels with a story in mind. But If I look at them now, I conduct the following internal dialogue: “Cool, seems legit? But still … what the hell was I thinking?” Imagine handing this over to a committee and telling them to create storylines for the drawings. Sometimes a committee can produce staid results, but boy, imagine a committee of passionate weirdos – They might just produce the next big cinematic blockbuster based on strange obscure cartoons. But rest assured, one day when I’m swimming in international fame, I’ll remember all those awesome dedicated people who […]
This site has always showcased my cartoon pinups, but it’s more than that. There’s the component of exploration, pushing a personal envelope. Experimenting with styles, colours, self-proclaimed-creative-misfires, and failures. But in the spirit of Yin & Yang, and good old duality, how would one know that some creative endeavours are “ok” if it weren’t for a vast vault of utter crud for comparison. And yes, comparison is important, and inevitable, no matter what they tell you. Regardless. It’s time I restored some of my older pinup cartoons. They serve as reminders that “I was there. I lived. I created!” I’m […]
For the previous post I sketched Marceline’s rough draft and finally completed it today. It wasn’t just point and click and copy and paste! Then you still see online articles proclaiming, “Digital art is not valid!” Check out this discussion: REDDIT Well, I can say this, regardless of validity, which is an arbitrary construct, nothing about finishing this drawing was easy. I even have three different iterations. 1. Marceline, alone in the desert. 2. Marceline and a massive abandoned rocket in the background featuring brighter colours. 3. Marceline and a massive derelict rocket in the background with different, more […]
Years ago, between acknowledging burnout and accepting despair, I met up with a colleague who found a process for healing in sanding down, and cutting up wood. In essence, he created tabletops. “I can’t tell you how many times I get asked what I will do with the wood,” he said. He added that he would, or could make complete coffee-tables at some point, but there, within the confines of his workshop, handling the wood, and staying busy, saved his life. Creative output does not need to be “anything.” Your output does not need to be recognizable as anything specific. […]
“You can’t draw hair like that! What keeps it up?” By now I’m fairly accustomed to connoisseurs of fine art who tell me what I can’t do, and what can’t be done in art. Well, you know, maybe near-invisible levitating nanobots are attached to each strand of hair! Or is it dark magic? You say, “I can’t, or shouldn’t draw it like that,” but it seems I did. There’s no Gravity-Failure Police Force that I’m aware of. By the way, which pose is best — Marceline’s yoga pose, or Klord’s effort? To the critics, and those offended by illogical drawings […]
“What does this say to me,” Vern asked. This was years ago. He was looking over my shoulder while I was doodling. “It’s like a cartoon-pinup, you know, think Vargas, but without the planes and bombs!” Now, a few lifetimes later, I can reply with, “I’m not sure, Vern. I can’t tell you what the drawing says to you. I can’t read your mind. You can tell me what you hear!” But even that’s often too lengthy. Simplicity is divine. Interpret art in your own way. It’s not a trick-question on a test. See what you want to see in […]
This started as a rudimentary outline. I then realized I had to remove the hand holding the phone, create a full face, even though most of it would be obscured, and only then reposition the arm…Copy and paste… Attempting to create a partial feature around a component is a common mistake, ie. trying to draw the semi-hidden face and the phone in one go. It invariably looks disproportionate.
