Comic Character Sketches

Its a new year and time to get back on track. Here are some sketches for 2 comic characters I am developing. These characters have gone through many versions and I think I may finally have a clear idea of what I want. They still need some work. The biggest challenge for me is consistency in my drawings. I want to get a solid style guide done and start putting together some short comic strips before moving on to the full length comic.

The last few months have been pretty hectic with my new job and all. I had to put this comic on the back burner. I am determined to get the comic completed by the end of the year, then look into getting it published. For now look out for Forever Freshman comic strips coming to a blog near you.

Happy New year

-Neil

Forever Freshman?

Hello everybody this is the first of what will hopefully be many blog postings about my new comic book venture. My good friend and partner in crime Ray Mendivel and I are in the process of creating a comic book, based on our high school years in unincorporated Whittier. The story takes place in the mid 90's during the summer before starting high school. The Characters interests include rocking out, girls, and tacos. Unfortunately they lack the skills and money to achieve any of these goals. It's sorta Tenacious D meets the Peanuts.

The working title right now is "Forever Freshmen", which may or may not change. We have the script pretty much done, I will be working on the art for the next couple months and I if all goes well I would like to have it self published by next summer. For now you can subscribe to this blog for regular updates.

Thanks for reading.
See you soon.

Gig Flyer

A flyer I did for an upcoming show at the rhythm lounge in downtown long beach

Life Drawings

Some recent life drawings using pen and ink and some watercolors. Freshening up on my drawing skills.

More Caricatures and Profiles

Another Caricature

My friend Jennie and her fiance Pedro. I'm doing a few of these for Valentines day, if you'd like one for yourself let me know.

Wedding Caricature

In My Room

This Illustration was inspired by my favorite beach boys song.
As a child my room was my sanctuary, it wasn't very big but it was mine. Weather I was writing crappy songs, drawing or watching movies it was a judge free zone. I think everyone can relate to that, we all had our private place. Rivers Cuomo had his garage, Brian Wilson and I had our rooms.

Horror Show

Did some dark drawings last night. Just using shapes, white on black.

Barack the Builder

After watching Obama's inauguration I was inspired. For the first time in a long time I felt proud to be an American. His speech set the bar super high, and I admire his ambition. This illustration is my America under construction sign. Because I feel we all need to step back and take a good look at the state of our country and do some major reconstruction. Time to get to work.

FOTC

This illustration was inspired by the show Flight of the Conchords on HBO. A very funny show with two talented musicians from new zealand (Jermain and Bret). This is a design for their new poster.

Who You Gonna Call?

I wanted to do a car illustration, but I'm not really into that kinda stuff. Then I came across a list on the top 10 movie cars, and I knew what I must do.

Top 10 signs you may be charging too little

As a freelancer I had to find this out the hard way.

Number 10:
Your client mistakes your daily rate for an hourly one.

Number 9:
You’ve won every job you’ve ever pitched for.

Number 8:
Even though you work 80 hour weeks your income level qualifies you for welfare payments.

Number 7:
New clients are always asking what “the catch” is.

Number 6:
Clients pay your invoices in cash from their wallet.

Number 5:
Other freelancers regularly send you hatemail.

Number 4:
Your old clients don’t even bother asking you how much something is going to cost.

Number 3:
You never run out of work, yet you are subsisting on baked beans and 2 minute noodles.

Number 2:
Your 12 year old brother earns more spending cash than you flipping burgers.

…. And the number one sign you may be charging too little


Companies have been calling from India wanting to outsource their work to you.

That's Life

A few things I work on in 08. I have been messing with this character for years which is based on a younger version of me. Sporting a fro and his acoustic guitar, he is an insecure, chubby little mexican kid. Who, with the company of his equally awkward, long haired, glasses wearing friend, find themselves in all kinds of wacky shinanigans. Uh oh, what will these two think of next! I know painfully cheesy. Ha ha.

All I can say about 08 is that it was a hectic year. I'm hoping I learned something from it and will better decisions next time around. The year ended fantastically with my wedding and honeymoon to hawaii. But, artistically it was a pretty bum year. I did not manage to do much creatively, I was so caught up in work and the wedding that I let this whole year just fly by. Now that its over and I have time to reflect Im starting to realize I'm going to have to take charge of my career in order to be where I want. This year has put a lot of uncertainty and doubt in my head, as far as job security and if I can ever feel secure, while working for someone else. I am optimistic about the future though. I got some experience under my belt and feel I have grown as a multi-tasking designer/illustrator/production artist thingy, and I am going into 09 swinging!

Palatinate Beard Club

I found a picture of this amazing beard/mustache, the guy was from a beard club in Palatinate Germany. I wanted to dedicate a design to his awesomeness.

Life Drawings!

Ive finally got around to doing some life drawing. Its been a while so I'm a little rusty. Using pen and ink, trying to stay loose. I'm going to try and attend thursday nights at the drawing club and sundays at CSULB.

Postcard

This is somthing I did as a promo piece. I'll be passing these out everywhere I go so if you see me expect to get one.

Logo Designs

Here are two designs I did for a Landscape company. They wanted a tropical theme. The first one I tried to create a tropical scene, but still simple enough to be rcognizable when small. The second design is more conservative. I wanted to give them the option of being an uptight, corporate, professional looking company.

Sumo Wrestler

Fast Freddies

This is a liquor store around the corner from where I grew up, there was also a sex shop a few stores down. I was interested in the clutter of the signs and windows. It's a dirty run down place with patches of different colored paint covering up graphitti. I'm still not sure of the look I want for this series. I like the fact that this painting is more of a scene and I think I'll keep the sky as blank and let the grey paper show. I'll do a few more and try to work it out.