Michael Lohan

I feel weird that I'm even posting a sketch of this guy. I did the drawing because I wanted to study the shadows on his face. I'm only dimly aware that he's a celebrity, and I kind of feel like if I'm going to feature someone, it should at least be somebody whose work I admire. I guess being the biological creator of Lindsay Lohan's tits is something, but I dunno.

Danielle Staub without makeup

Okay, to be honest I'm not trying to be insulting to this woman--I actually find her kind of attractive--I just couldn't resist fucking around.

Dannielle Staub

Lucas, Ford & Spielberg

A bit of silliness inspired by the news that a fifth "Indiana Jones" film is heading into production--for some reason--and by the photo below of George Lucas, Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg celebrating the premiere of the godawful Indy 4 in 2008.

It's an article of faith at this point that everything bad, pointless, or desperately unfunny about "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is attributable to George Lucas' influence. As with his Star Wars franchise he insists on playing big daddy, despite the decades' worth of evidence that he's lost the thread and should really leave it to more capable hands.

Once I started doodling the faces in the photograph, the scenario in the cartoon suggested itself right away--George as a big, goitered boulder rolling over the other two. (That's supposed to be Spielberg dressed in Connery's duds from Indy 3). The face in the crystal skull is that of Frank Darabont, who is said to have written a brilliant early screenplay for Indy 4, beloved by Ford and Spielberg, that is until Lucas got his hands on it and had his Lucasy way with it.

Undertaker

Louis CK

Some sketches I did while watching a recent episode of Louis CK's new show "Louie" on FX. A show I identify with strongly, despite the fact that it's about a fat, bald, depressed 42-year-old New York City dad who wears a lot of black t-shirts. I mean, maybe there's something on that list that resonates with me for some reason, but I dunno. The t-shirts I guess.

What's up, Anthony.

How's it going, man? Thanks for checking in. You said you check this page all the time, so I thought I'd just write you back here. I've been a little demoralized about blogging lately, or more accurately, I'm frustrated with my drawing. I started this blog as a way to strengthen my drawing muscles and I'm annoyed that it's not happening faster.

Lately I spend my extracurricular time sketching people on the street. I've noticed that one of my big areas of weakness is that I don't pay enough attention to how people wear clothes or do their hair, and in my business they really want characters that look hip and happening, so I'm trying to address that. Also I enjoy sketching passers-by because I have to get a snapshot of them in my head and interpret it quick. I don't have time to fret over every eyelash or nostril highlight like I often do when I sketch from photos. I usually prefer not to post sketchbook doodles, plus I always feel like if I'm going to post something online there should be a point to it, like it should be somehow topical or pop-culture related. But perhaps I should just post stuff and not worry about it.

Anyway, here's a sketch I did today of Jenifer Lopez. Not something I'd usually post because it's not much of a likeness, it's just an exercise. But it's topical, right? I read that they were looking at her to be a judge American Idol, but she wanted too much money and makeup people and stuff. In her defense I have heard that she's a mess without makeup--I know a guy who works as a retoucher for a celebrity magazine--so maybe she needs all that stuff. But she looked okay to me in this photo.

Anyway, sorry for rambling like this, Anthony. I really appreciate the support and comments. I still have those comics you asked me to sign, I gotta get to that. Later bud. -Kevin

Woodcut Style

This was a sample illustration done in an attempt to land a TV gig. If I'd gotten it I would have done a series of these which would have been used in a documentary. I was told that the producers liked my sample, but for whatever reason the job went to someone else.

Boy did I enjoy doing the sample though. They asked for an 18th Century woodcut style and gave me not much else in the way of direction, so I immersed myself in the work of Gustave Dore and just went for it. (BTW where has Dore been all my life. He makes every comic artist I ever admired look like a total pussy.)

The upshot is that I was able to use this as a sample for a t-shirt illustration job that looks like it is going to happen, so it wasn't all in vain.

Chuck Liddell

I don't know anything about UFC, I just really liked this video. I always dug those Lipton Brisk ads where they'd do an animated version of Rocky or whatever. They came up with a funny/disturbing way to extend that campaign into the age of viral video.

Wonder Woman

So when DC Comics unveiled this new design for Wonder Woman's costume yesterday, a bunch of us took to facebook with howls of feeble, pointless protest. In all the excitement I may have even said unkind things about the costume's designer, Jim Lee, who is by all accounts a prince of a guy and certainly never did anything to me (actually he was very gracious the one time I spoke with him in a professional capacity). I really hate when I catch myself being a snotty internet nerd-troll. I then decided that the only way to right the karmic scales was to post my own attempt and let people tear it apart if they wanted to.

Actually this is my second attempt. My first is below. Apart from the tweaks I made to the costume, witness how stiff and lifeless it is by comparison. I haven't drawn superheroes professionally in a long time, and when I try to now the strangest thing happens: I revert to my skill set from 15 years ago. I actually forget that I draw better now. It's so weird.