doodles

Just some random doodles.  You can tell I just read Scott Pilgrim.

If you haven't been checking the blog recently I would recommend hitting that older post button.  I have been updating a lot this past week.

Later this week there will be some more exciting news for those fans of MSJAR.

-Aaron

stupid, stupid rat creatures

Friday Favorite #7
Bone

This is the third Friday Favorite in a row that has something to do with rats.  Two weeks ago was the Portal 2 comic, Lab Rat, and the week after that was Ratfist, a superhero that dresses up as a rat.  This week however it is more of a stretch. 

This week I want to bring your attention to Jeff Smith's epic graphic novel series Bone.  I bought the first Bone book for my little brothers earlier in the term and immediately fell in the love with the comic.  And I just recently finished the last book in the 9 book epic and couldn't help and have it be the subject for this week's Friday Favorite.

A quick note, this is not a free online comic, so you have to either check out them out or go and spend money on them (if you want something free this week skip down to the bottom).  I read the most recent reprinting of them put out by graphix, an imprint of Scholastic.  The only difference between this version and past printings is that the graphix printing is in color.  I recommend reading them in color. 

I don't want to give too much away of the story, in fact I don't want to give any of the story away, it is that good!  But I will say this book series is apportaite for any age group.  The series starts out with a lot of humor, but by the thrid book it pulls you into this huge underlying storyline that you would think to find in a Lord of the Rings book.  There is a perfect blend of humor and drama. 

There is no foul language in this comic, neither is there anything sexual or inappropriate.  Towards the end there are some battle scenes but other than that it is completely appropriate for all ages. 

If you are reading this blogpost you have NO excuse not to go read Bone right now!

Time named Bone one of the 10 best graphic novels ever written (English).  Bone has also won ten Eisner Awards and 11 Harvey Awards.  These are really superior books. 

Order of the books:
1. Out from Boneville
2. The Great Cow Race
3. Eye of the Storm
4. The Dragonslayer
5. Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border
6.Old Man's Cave
7. Ghost Circles
8. Treasure Hunters
9. Crown of Horns

-Aaron


I forgot to mention last week that Ratfist is colored by Katherine Garner.

A Friday Favorite wouldn't be a Friday Favorite without me sharing something with you guys that was FREE!   Valve just released a free download of the Portal 2 soundtrack called Songs to Test By.  You can get it by clicking on this link- > http://www.thinkwithportals.com/music.php

If you are a fan of  the Tron Legacy soundtrack, anything Daft Punk or Justice, then this album is worth a listen.  Oh, and you can download some of the songs as ring tones.  Hey mom, you should have 'Science is Fun' as the ringtone when I call!  

I just read the third Scott Pilgrim book: Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness.  It wasn't as well written as the second book and there wasn't enough of Kim Pine in it, but it was still good.  I did enjoy the flash backs and back story.  It made it seem more real, verse Scott just beating up one of Ramona's random ex-boyfriends. 

Finally, the reason there wasn't any comics this week was because I am working on a new secret project.  But don't worry, there will be some comics next week.  My Skinny Jeans are Red will start being my warmup drawing for this secret project.  So there should be more updates more often. 

-Aaron (again)

Learning from other artists

At the end of last semester I finally got around to watching Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.  The movie is based off of a six book comic book series by artist Bryan Lee O'Malley.  I loved the movie's visuals, and soundtrack, but it is a PG-13 movie.  So it isn't for kids. . .sorry.  The comics combine the video game world with comics.  For example, whenever Scott defeats one of Ramona's evil ex's they explode into quarters.   The movie combines the video game world, comic world and movie world all in one.

I just recently finished the second comic in the series: Scott Pilgrim verse the World.  This comic has my favorite few pages in comics.  When Evny (one of Scott's evil ex's) calls Scott, Bryan Lee O'Malley uses the same panel format for at least four pages, but it is the most captivating few pages in comics. 

I can relate to Scott because I have dated someone like Ramona Flowers and also someone like Kim Pine.  It drives me crazy reading these comics because I want Scott to end up with Kim not Ramona.  In my own life I was stupid enough to leave Kim Pine.  I guess you don't know what you have till its gone. 

Anyways, I'll rant more about this later.  All of the artwork in this post are studies I did experimenting with O'Malley's style. 

just the line art

added digital colors

I really enjoy drawing in this style.  I usually use small pens but for these I got to break out my thick, bold pens and I even busted out some ink and brush (not pictured).

-Aaron

Update: Tomorrow there will be a new vlog posted and I just finished writing a third LA comic so hopefully I will have time next sunday to draw it.  I am thinking of starting up My Skinny Jeans are Red again as a daily strip, let me know what you guys think.