Amin Amat -- Artist at IDW Publishing

Geisha & Sword Sketch

2012-01-23T22:44:00.000-04:00

Wolf-Man Sketch

2012-01-11T11:41:00.000-04:00

David Lo Pan Sketch

2012-01-09T23:08:00.000-04:00

Daredevil Sketch

2012-01-05T16:50:00.000-04:00

Samurai Commission Inked & Colored (Slightly)

2011-12-08T14:39:00.000-04:00

Commission: Samurai in Action. Pen & Ink, Watercolor.

Fixed!

2011-12-08T11:24:00.002-04:00

Fixed a permissions error that was preventing the older posts to display images. It's fixed and ready for you fine viewers to enjoy!

Pass on a link, tell others, and most of all enjoy!

Bayeux Preview Art!!

2011-11-29T10:38:00.000-04:00

CODE WORD GERONIMO REVIEW @LFPRESS.COM

2011-11-23T12:22:00.000-04:00

Read review here

My favorite bit, "Code Word:Geronimo is an unabashedly pro-military book. That said, I still found it easier to digest than Frank Miller’s new release, Holy Terror. That’s because where Miller’s book is dogmatic and cartoonish, this book takes place on a relentlessly human scale."

Mission accomplished!

Commission - Samurai in Action

2011-11-17T19:08:00.000-04:00

CODE WORD GERONIMO on CNN.com!

2011-11-03T14:32:00.000-04:00

Click here to read

CODE WORD GERONIMO INKED PAGES!!!

2011-10-31T09:26:00.000-04:00

Here are some inked pages from the graphic novel CODE WORD: GERONIMO. A lot of people at NYCC got to enjoy them so I figured why not you good people too?

I'll post up more in the next few weeks. Enjoy!

LAST MINUTE PRE NYCC NEWS TO ALL IN NYC!!!:

2011-10-09T13:11:00.000-04:00

I will be at the Jim Hanley's Universe Pre-NYCC Mega Event on Wednesday, October 12 starting at 6:30PM! (4 West 33rd St., opposite The Empire State Building, (212) 268-7088 )

View Larger Map

Call ahead to reserve your copy of CODE WORD: GERONIMO to have signed and as always free sketches, and posters (while supplies last) for all ! Let everyone know!!

CODE WORD: GERONIMO BOOK SIGNINGS COMING SOON!!

2011-08-18T00:08:00.000-04:00

CodeWord: Geronimo book signings are being scheduled for Puerto Rico and the NYC area. More details to come in the next week or so!!!

Gerry Kissell (co-artist and co-partner at Hazmat Studios) already has a few lined up in the Missouri area.

Updates and then some....

2011-08-16T11:36:00.000-04:00

It's been quite a while since I've updated this here blog yet I've been posting over to my deviantart and Facebook fan pages. And then there Google+. One too many places. I'll likely consolidate everything and put it all on my website to have one central/main location for artwork. Rants I may leave for Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Deviantart..... not sure.

It's also a time factor. I spend a lot of time working so afterwards not so in the mood to create a worthwhile post for the few people that actually see this blog. Yet I don't want to neglect those few people either.

So maybe I should just do this....

If you are one of the few that read this blog, comment back on this post on what you would like to see more of. Art, rants, thoughts, etc... Perhaps if I get enough requests I'll leave this blog to be what you kind people would like for it to be. That would help in giving this blog a purpose against the other social sites.

So, asides that. Code Word: Geronimo is available for pre-order on amazon.com, at quite a bargain if I say so myself, so order a copy. Those in the NYC area should have more of an incentive as I'll be wandering the aisles of the NYCC in October but I'm also going to setup a signing or two in the city. I'll post that here once I have locations and times.

For now, I'm working on Iron Sky which should be out in early 2012 and also working on The Saint over at Moonstone Books which should also be out in 2012. Also have Bayeux coing out in 2012 and a few hush hush projects that should be in the bag to start artwork later this year.

All in all, paying my dues one book at a time.

PREORDER CODENAME: GERONIMO FROM IDW!!!

2011-07-15T10:14:00.005-04:00

The book I drew alongside Gerry Kissell is now available for pre-orders! So place yours today before it runs out!!

https://shop.idwpublishing.com/code-word-geronimo-hc.html

John Carpenter's The Thing VS. Mouse

2011-06-03T18:02:00.003-04:00

Girl with Cigar Sketch

2011-05-01T11:17:00.002-04:00

Batman Head Sketch

2011-04-30T17:48:00.001-04:00

TMNT SAMPLE ART

2011-04-27T10:48:00.002-04:00

FINAL SET OF DRAWINGS: JAMES BOND CAR COMMISSION

2011-04-22T12:16:00.003-04:00

ENJOY!

BAYEUX INKS

2011-04-19T18:28:00.003-04:00

Pencils: Gerry Kisell

Inks: Me

TWILIGHT POP #3 COVER IN COLOR!!

2011-04-18T20:50:00.002-04:00

Cover art I did for Twilight Pop Anthology, which is going to be used for issue #3, colored by Paul Houston!

T-REX!!!

2011-03-24T12:35:00.000-04:00

Twilight Pop #2 Cover

2010-12-31T13:53:00.002-04:00

Due out early 2011!!

LATEST COMMISSION 12.28.2010

2010-12-28T17:57:00.000-04:00

IDW PROJECT PAGE PREVIEW!!!

2010-12-03T12:05:00.001-04:00

A one time preview of the project I pencilled for IDW Publishing. Enjoy!

On site Con Sketches

2010-11-09T20:49:00.002-04:00

Here are a couple of sketches I made on site at the Manga Criolla ComiCon, Nov. 7 2010. Enjoy!

WORKING WITH IDW :)

2010-10-06T13:05:00.002-04:00

I just agreed to a project with IDW Publishing. It's going to be a BIG project. Can't say much else really. But it's a step up ad a lot of work. So don't be surprised of 1/3 of the world's coffee is down in the next few months.

If I can get a sketch approved to show I will but can't make any promises.

More Sample Pages...

2010-10-03T20:52:00.002-04:00

New Sample Pages...

2010-09-26T14:16:00.002-04:00

Amidst a heavy workload this past week I squeezed out this 3 page sampler for a company in Texas.

Sketches from my NYC trip

2010-09-17T12:32:00.003-04:00

What's been going on...

2010-09-06T09:54:00.001-04:00

Hello all!

Been pretty hectic these past few weeks pencilling Agent G8 for Moonstone (which comes out in December!) as well as Tombstone of the Dead, a webcomic written by Dan Taylor illustrated by moi!

In terms of cons, for what remains of 2010, I'll be attending the local Manga Criolla con here in Puerto Rico. After that it's back to work.

For 2011 however I plan to hit at least 3 cons, C2E2 in Chicago, Emerald Con in Seattle and Dragon Con in Atlanta. I'd love to attend SDCC but with the way that con is, I'd have to buy plane/hotel and con tickets years beforehand. Oh well...

There's lots more to come soon and I'll be posting some sneak peeks of Agent G8 and Tombstone of the Dead in the next few weeks. So keep your eyes peeled!

Until then!

-- amin!

WEBSITE UPDATED!!

2010-08-17T17:03:00.001-04:00

Website has been updated! Pass on by and take a look!

http://aminamat.co.cc/

SKETCH CARDS!!

2010-08-14T15:10:00.004-04:00

Did a series of sketch cards to help raise money for March of Dimes. If you happen to get your hands on one, please let me know!!

NEW SKETCHES!!

2010-08-05T11:55:00.006-04:00

Psylocke Sketch:

Random Headshot:

Sketching people at Border's:

PREVIEW!

2010-08-05T11:31:00.002-04:00

Character design for an upcoming creator owned project with Dan Taylor!

New Pencilled Sample Pages

2010-07-15T10:18:00.003-04:00

These were made for Zenescope so fingers crossed!!

New piece for Twilight Pop!

2010-07-06T13:39:00.002-04:00

Was asked by all-time letterer, Bernie Le if I'd like to do a pinup for his new venture, Twilight Pop. Here's a pinup piece featuring a character named Blackthorn. Bernie wanted to use that look for it and after getting the initial sketch approved I got to work on the finished piece.

It's a pure black and white piece for now. You could easily add color if needed but otherwise it's good to go.

SUPER EARLY BIRD REMINDER: Kolchak The Night Strangler goes on sale August 2010!!

2010-04-19T10:13:00.000-04:00

SUPER EARLY BIRD REMINDER: Kolchak The Night Strangler goes on sale August 2010!!

http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/38840.htm/

Make sure to reserve your copy either at your local comicbookstore or from Amazing Fantasy (815-834-1658 ).

Tell 'em Amin sent ya!!

New interview!!

2010-04-12T12:14:00.001-04:00

New interview by Jeri Beitzel over on hubpages is just gotten online! Pass on by, give it a read and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/ycvp4kz

Feeler Sketch

2010-02-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

New Teaser !!!

2010-02-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

A new teaser image of my new "creator'owned" book. I'm teamed up with a very great writer that has really expanded the horizons of what I originally had. Which is good, we all need to have something to fall back on right?

I can't say much about it, what it's about, or anything. Not yet anyways. But a lot of energy and effort is going into this so hopefully it'll do well enough to be able to buy a pack of gum sometime. Soon enough I'll release the title of the book so yu guys out there can start spreading the word!

And so without further adieu....

Kolchak is Done!!!

2010-02-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

That's right. I'm done with the pencilling chores on the Kolchak book for Moonstone. There are a few images floating around the web with some of those pages however, the more recent pages really ended being on a much higher level that those older ones.

It's ok. Each book one draws will be better than last.

But it is good to be done with it.

New Stuff!!

2010-02-11T18:56:00.006-04:00

It's been a while so here's a few images to hold you over while I continue working on a few things in the creative kitchen.

This is the first of a series of drawing/colored pieces I'll be doing that has been ithcing my brain for sometime now. Caricatures ala' Amin!. And of course, this is Amy Winehouse.

This is a study I did of Hulk. Trying to get the size factor in there since I normally don't get to draw figures outside of the normal human proportion. I had fun with it and I think it shows.

Another study sketch but of The Thing. Although this time I'm doing the sketch for a set of sample pages for Marvel. It's like training for the Olympics and I get one shot to really impress. So here's good luck to me!

2009-12-16T13:02:00.002-04:00

Catwoman sketch. Used elements from both Jim Lee and Tim Burton.

Quick sketch

2009-09-29T13:09:00.002-04:00

Groundhog Day!!

2009-09-14T16:01:00.003-04:00

Long time New sketches!!!

2009-09-11T16:36:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since the last post and I stil have the NYC trip 'notes' somewhere to post so I'll see if I can get to that this weekend. In the meantime I have some new sketches for you all that I didi recently while at the day job.

I started this sketch with the figure first, trying out a new angle and seeing how it'll come together. The other elements came to me during the day to keep experimenting on how the environment would snap itself into place based off of te orignal angle of the figure. I'll get to finishing it up soon, but for now it's a good insight to how I sometimes work when pencilling.

Another sketch that started with the figure first. Going with the fllow with a rock band theme, I started with the singer and after I had him pencilled in, I decided it needed something else to punch it up a bit. Enter guitarist. It's a fast fun piece just to keep my drawing hand warm and in check. Btw, bonus to anyone who can guess what type of guitar he's playing...

Latest going ons

2009-08-01T11:16:00.002-04:00

Ok so next week I'll be in NYC and I'll (attempt) to do a daily summary of the places/eats and things seen that day. I think it'll be fun and hopefully educational. LOL

Comic news: Still working away on Kolchak. Since I'm doing pencils and inks, I've taken this opportunity to greatly improve the pencilling I did. Fixing figures, faces, adding shadows, blacks, you name it. So far my editor loves it and the colorist as well so I may be on to something. On the downside it's taking a bit longer than I'd like for it too but then again I have a day job that eats up 10 -11 hours of my day so tha fact that I'm able to get this work out at the speed I'm doing it is a feat in and of itself. Plus I have inside info that there was an artist that took 2 years to do pencils and inks for 20 pages. 2 Years!!!

Right now I have 15 pages pencilled and inked and I started in january/February with the work. I think but it's still under a year.

Yeah I may take a while with the artwork but I strive to improve each and every page and to push my talent level to the next stage. And it pays off in that I'm faster now and at a better consistency than before.

Anyhow, before I bore you guys to sleep... I'm off to get some pre-trip errands done. Until then, I'll see ya when i see ya.

Wolvi Sketch

2009-06-19T15:18:00.001-04:00

Started out as a figure studya nd ended up as a Wolverine sketch.

Latest Happenings...

2009-06-17T10:38:00.003-04:00

Alright then, since my last post here I've been head deep in inking/pencilling that now infamous Kolchak story which should be out by the fall. I'm also working on, well actually, conceptualizing one webcomic concept and scripting another. The image for the latter is the Teaser Image I posted here a few months ago.

Now that is going on track and is getting somewhere. For now it's going to be the equivalent of a 3 issue mini series (maybe 4) so it'll have a beginning and end.

Asides that, i have some sample pages that I need to pencil to present alongside some ideas conjured up with Paul Storrie and another set of sample pages for another publisher.

On the Moonstone front, some interesting things are going on but of course I cannot say, but if it does come through, well let's just say that a lot of people will love it and a handful envious.

And on the continued education side, I'm re-re-re-re-re-reading...

Progression...

2009-05-24T12:57:00.005-04:00

Well the facebook fan page just hit 100 fans and growing. Not bad and I have Kolchak in the final stages right now. Working with an ex-Vertigo colorist which will be fun, and starting a new pencilling stint next month with a company half way around the world. Should be excited and challenging. Have a somewhat 'commissioned' sketch I'm doing which I'll get online probably on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

I also have inks for Kolchak that are going out. Can't show them just yet however, I can show the pencils for the first 3 pages. That is once the changes/edits have been finalized.

Also have plans to attend the Wizard Con again this year and after that a week in NYC. Have a few beers and many thank yous to distribute. I'll see if maybe a Buckaroo Banzai signing can be pulled off and take advantage of my stay in the Big Apple and who knows, maybe I might 'bump' into an editor or two.

You never can tell...

FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!!

2009-05-14T22:44:00.002-04:00

I have a fan page up on Facebook with exclusive artwork, discussion board and more...

Check it out and Join up!

CLICK HERE

Guitarist Sketch

2009-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Random Sketch

2009-05-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Thor Sketch

2009-05-11T19:19:00.002-04:00

Thor sketch that I unknowingly tried to fit all in the 8.5" x 11" size.

TEASER -- NEW PROJECT IN THE WORKS!!!

2009-05-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

More info on this top-secret, new project coming in the next few days! Keep your eyes posted!

Look at an older post and you'll see a character design for this same project.

Tattooed & Pierced

2009-04-08T13:05:00.001-04:00

First Review of Buckaroo Banzai: Origins#1!!!

2009-04-06T12:45:00.003-04:00

First review of the book came in over the weekend at majorspoilers.com.

Click here to read.

Of course, the bigest payoff for me and inspiration/fuel to make Kolchak even better is:

"As a story by itself, Origins is a really good read and would earn 4 Stars easily. The art is also really well done for an indie title, and Amin Amat deserves 4 Stars for delivering here."

Someday Joe Q. and C.B. will call.
Someday Joe Q. and C.B. will call.
Someday Joe Q. and C.B. will call......

Fast Sketch

2009-04-03T18:04:00.003-04:00

GET YOUR COPY OF BB: Origins #1 TODAY!!

2009-04-03T14:04:00.003-04:00

Here 's a 5 page preview if you're not sure.

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=2330&disp=table

Still not convinced? Buy a copy now and another at Moonstone Books' booth at the Wizard Chicago Con in August and I'll personally provide you with an on-the-spot sketch! For free!!!

NEW INTERVIEW!!!

2009-04-02T13:29:00.001-04:00

Have a new interview up at

Click here to view.

Many thanks to the great Jennifer Contino.
Your free copy is on its way!

BUCKAROO BANZAI ORIGINS #!

2009-03-31T09:34:00.004-04:00

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!
And if you can't get a copy from your local comicbook store then let me
recommend Midtown Comics.

I virtually shop there since they offer a greats selection of items, prices and books. Every comic comes with a bag and board and the shipping is fast. Trust me I live in Puerto Rico and some things take longer to get here than others.

Order your copy today! Click here to order.

Jungle Girl

2009-03-30T13:32:00.001-04:00

Fast sketch I did at the office. I'm about 1/2 way throgh the Kolchak book I'm doing. So far all pages have been approved so I'm just pencilling away. I'll post up some pages in a few weeks once I've reached the last 6 pages. Maybe I'll up a teaser panel tonight?

ok..saw Juno

2009-03-27T09:41:00.004-04:00

So I finally got around to watching the film

First Thoughts: It was OK. Not really getting the whole shenanigans of a 16 year old girl that is pregnant in a microworld bubble that clearly showed no racial or cultural diversity. Sorry I may be bias, but there was more of a racial diversity in Return of the Jedi than Juno.

And the funny part is, from experience, that there many a place like this in the U.S. And of course, its counterparts in other parts of the world. Guess I may be spoiled from having lived and currently living in cities that had a fair share of everything, everyone and learning new cultural traditions/practices. Hmmm, I would die to hit that Indian buffet restaurant on 28th and Lexington. Damn that was good food.

Highlights of the movie however:

J.K. Simmons:

Always dig his work and as always his acting was sharp, witty and funny. Nothing like his work in OZ though. The $h!t that went on there..... opps, I may have given away a spoiler there.

Jason Bateman:

Sorry. But he doesn't get any better than his role of Pepper Brooks in Dodgeball. Just kidding. Arrested Development was superb.

Fast Sketch - Kolchak & Co.

2009-03-25T15:17:00.001-04:00

Random

2009-03-25T11:40:00.000-04:00

Character Design - Deeley

2009-03-24T13:48:00.003-04:00

Character design concept for a character named Deeley for a webcomic concept I'm 'building'. I have other drawings of characters that I hope to use in it but I need to color them first before giving you lucky few out there a sneak peek. Hope you enjoy!

Past couple of weeks....

2009-03-23T20:14:00.005-04:00

Ok so the past couple of weeks have been quite a challenge to juggle. As some of you know, I juggle a full-time job, a blossoming freelance career in both comicbook art and graphic /web design as well as the normal duties of husband/provider/insert noun. It's not easy. At times I wish I had that watch from Trancers.

I could set it in the morning get a page or two done. Freshen up and off to the day job. Come back. Set it again to get some rest and do some more pages. Then back to normal time to get a night's sleep. Figuratively, I'm thinking that a 36 hour day would be perfect to do it all.

But that's not reality.

So balancing it all is quite a challenge and very tiresome. Maybe it's the pressure I put on myself to do much more than those that are doing it full-time. Maybe it's just my own level of standards that is so out of whack, and that's why I work as much as I do. Or maybe it's just a sense of major responsibility to keep chuggin' along till I finally can do comicbooks full-time.

I'm not naive, nor dumb to just go for broke risking everything else that I've worked so hard for. But it would be nice.

And that reminds me of the old saying about the grass being greener on the other side. I guess for me it's just taking into account what I should be expecting to occur (bad and good) and thus doing my best to build up enough to be able to stand on my two feet regardless of what could be happening.

Am I too conservative in thinking like this?

Warming up

2009-03-23T15:28:00.004-04:00

Usually when I'm about to get into the regime of weeks of just pencilling I like to do both fast and lengthy sketches. Of course having a full-time job means that I also have to fast and to the point with what I want to draw and how I want it to be viewed.

Essentially this method of thinking has in a way honed me to do work that's fast with the information I want to convey without getting stuck with mundane details. Although if there's something that ultimately is bugging me, I'll just redraw the element to make it work. In rare circumstances do I do a full redo of a page/drawing, but I have been known to do so.

Channeling Anger

2009-03-10T22:57:00.002-04:00

Sketch I did channeling my ager over the fact that my car yet again has crapped out.

TOP 10 COMICBOOK CREATOR TO WATCH OUT FOR!!

2009-02-19T20:26:00.001-04:00

FAST KOLCHAK SKETCH

2009-01-16T16:05:00.002-04:00

Fast sketch done at the "day job". Just keeping the hand/eye/brain in check since I have to draw Kolchak for some time to come. Taking advantage of downtimes.

End of year thoughts....

2008-12-29T20:36:00.004-04:00

Ok since it has been a longggg time since I have actually made some sort of an effort to update this blog let's see if this new year I can actually make a better effort to post more often and with new art.

Past couple of months have been odd to say the least and also been both good and bad. Good in that I have been able to keep the boat afloat with all of the crap going on in this economy and bad in that I have been pencilling Kolchak but am struggling with my own insecurities and perfectionism in pushing myself (really hard) to make this book one of the best I have drawn as well as one of the better Kolchak books out there. That alone causes a lot of stress but more so in that I'll stop and look everything over and question/analyze the shit out of it. And in some cases I have torn up fully pencilled pages because it just doesn't work. Although as much as I seem to torture myself with this I also know that this is a learning process and probably one that may be a lifelong process. As is art in general.

While I'm working on Kolchak I'm also doing some DIY grassroots type of promotion for the Buckaroo Banzai book coming out next month. From what has been shown around, the reaction has been good. Which in turn is the major why for me to do an even better task on Kolchak.

I'll be posting up pencils soon enough. Just have a few adjusts to make.

Outside of comics, everything is going ok. Keeping everything afloat, in check while I'm working on the comics. But it is scary seeing friends and reading news on the amount of people being laid off while the execs get bonuses and such. Beyond unfair, however if nothing is done to change this or make a stance now, it'll be much worse in the near future.

And now we have yet another display of force in the Israel/Gaza/Palestinian area. I'll have to do some historical research on that to be able to not just understand it but to be able to comprehend exactly what the hell is going on over there.

Oh and for the record, the only thing arabic about me is the name and not even. My name can be traced back to the country of France and it originated sometime during/after(?) the Crusades. Although for some odd reason I do have the traits as defined in the meaning of both my first and last name. Go figure, the only past I know about my family is that, past my father it's a mystery.

On a lighter note, finally saw Dr. Horrible's Sing -a-long-blog. That was good and funny. My wife sings most of the songs now while we're in the house doing chores. Then again she loves Neil Patrick Harris.

Well another year has passed and some goals achieved, others still in queue but it's getting there. As my dad would say, Rome wasn't built in a day.

NEW Interview at PULSE

2008-11-28T12:19:00.004-04:00

Just got a new interview posted over at Pulse.

CLICK HERE FOR INTERVIEW

Many thanks to the great Jennifer Contino. I consider her to be the backbone of that fine comicbook news site.

Tribute to High Moon!!

2008-11-19T09:15:00.002-04:00

Hats off to High Moon, one of the, if not the best webcomic out there right now. Haven't seen it? Go to zudacomics.com right now and check it out.

Fast Sketch

2008-11-18T15:10:00.003-04:00

To compensate for not having posted in a long while..

2008-11-05T19:48:00.005-04:00

It's been a while since my last post and well it's due to various reasons, been busy pencilling, been busy with the dayjob, been busy with life and also been very tired as of late. My need to start taking vitamins since I do feel more exhausted at the end of the day than usual. Although a good cup of coffee usually gives me the extra pep I need to pencil at night. So for those of you that have been checking the blog patiently waiting for something new I give you something long over due...... photos of my new studio layout. Well new to you now old to me but I hope you enjoy!

Here you'll see a pencilled Kolchak page, script and references as well as tools of the trade and lots of dried ink!

From left to right: Bass and Fender Guitar, Fender Princeton 65 amp, Real power of the DC Universe poster, pencilled Kolchak pages completed, Assorted toy figures and such, my frankenstein guitar, floor fan for the humidity and heat, drawing table, another pencilled Kolchak page, script, references, tools, Batman/Punisher art and a print of a Nagel piece I feel in love with a long time ago and have kept since.

I hope you enjoy the photo tour and I'll see if this week I can get myself to write up a few things that have been going on as well as letting you all know how the Kolchak book is going and of course when the Buckaroo Banzai book finally gets into stores! More to come!

NEW INTERVIEW!!!

2008-10-24T14:11:00.001-04:00

Got an interview up over at jazmaonline.com Enjoy!!

CLICK HERE!

BUCKAROO BANZAI IN JANUARY 2009!!!!

2008-10-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/6519.htm/

Comes out in January, so feel free to make those pre-orders at your local comicbook store or send an email to Moonstone Books if you can't find one near you. Make sure to purchase a good amount. Why? For those of you living in Puerto Rico, NYC and Chicago, I'll be at the following cons, bring your copy, I'll sign it and as always sketches will be free!

NYC Comicon Feb. 6-8 2009

Puerto Rico Pop Culture Expo May May 2-3 2009

Wizard World Chicago August 6-9 2009

P.S. For those living in PR, if you spot me I'll do a quick sketch for ya free of charge.

Album Cover - Inks

2008-09-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here is the inked version of the album cover I posted here sometime ago. Enjoy!

Kolchak Sketches!

2008-09-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here are some sketches, of many, toying and getting familiar with my next project, Kolchak The NIght Stalker!!

In a major rut...block, bog....

2008-09-18T21:32:00.003-04:00

Ok, haven't posted anything here in the last couple of weeks due to a major artist's block, couple that with a lack of motivation and I think you'll get the picture. I'm doing sketches but nothing up to par with what I want and what I need to create. That maybe the most frustrating part of it. Now why would I do that? Well let's say that eyes are looking upon me and what I produce may help me get that much closer to being a full-time freelancer. However, with this current state of blah that I'm in, it seems like it may take some time for me to get out of this to then get back to full penciller mode.

So in the meantime I'll be laying low and attempting various methods of trying to get motivated again. This happens from time to time, I was hoping that it would blow over soon. Very soon. But it doesn't seem like it will.

Some sketches to come soon in the meanwhile!

Fast Random Sketch

2008-08-30T13:14:00.002-04:00

Well maybe not so random, it's a sketch from memory of 23rd and Lexington Ave in NYC.

extended warranties part 2

2008-08-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

After having my car returned last week, after only a few days it began to make a terrible noise from the front end driver's side and the engine now has a very loud hum noise when accelerating, which is mostly heard during traffic and stop/go scenarios. So my wife and I return to the dealership (Chrysler 65 de Infantería) and explain tot he service advisor what is going on. This time around there's a loaner available. So we take the loaner and let them do the job they should have fixed last time around.

Fast forward 2 days....we get a call that the front end noise was do to some bolts that were loose and the hum noise is due to motor mounts that need to be replaced. I tell the service advisor that I highly doubt that the noise is due to the motor mounts that it's a transmission problem.

Ok, remember that I took the car in for 2 reasons.

A: The car was overheating for no reason.
B: To have the A/C evaporator replaced under warranty.

Now explain to me just how the hell does the transmission get all screwy due to the two above mentioned items? It doesn't, just like any car dealership in the world, the dealership most likely did something to cause a future problem so they can have a return customer not because they want to but because they have to. Now what sucks yet again is that sure I could take my car to some tried and true transmission shop however the factory warranty wouldn't compensate the shop nor myself for that repair. Add to the fatc that I would have to rent a car and make a hell of a coordination in dropping if off and getting the car back, etc, etc, headache, headache.

So my only option is to wait a while take it to another dealership and then see if they can hear what is obvious and get it fixed under warranty. Would I trust this other dealership? More so than the other, however I may just start taking some sort of car mechanics class to leanr all of this on my own and when some service advisor tells me this and that I can just slap him upside the head and say " You're a fucking moron and a thief. Apparently you're not good at either. Which is why you work here."

And then save myself money on a repair that otherwise would have cost me a lot of time and money. Note for future purchase, make sure warranties can be applicable to good shops outside of dealerships.

Random Sketch

2008-08-27T20:36:00.002-04:00

Album Cover - Pencils

2008-08-21T20:55:00.002-04:00

Just finished this up last night and waiting for any changes/approval before I ink it. This is the album cover for a band called Pit Fight Demolition and the album is called Into the Bottomless Pit. Had a lot of fun with this and still more to come once I start inking it.

extended warranties...

2008-08-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

So I got my car back after a week and a half of it being at the Chrysler dealership having warranty based repairs made to it. What made this past week a real suck fest was that for the first 2 1/2 days the dealership did not want to recognize the extended warranty on it and only after I told "here's the number call for yourself", did they finally get the clue. And they were also adamant to rent me a car even though my extended warranty covers it. So I had to pay for the rental myself which has both my wife and I in dire straits until payday comes around. No watch us delicately balance paying the bills while still maintaining everything afloat.

Good part is that my extended warranty will reimburse for the car rental..... in 10 freaking days!!! Oh well win some lose some. Oh did I mention that I still had to pay almost $900 in repairs for items NOT covered by the standard or extended warranty? Yes, the suckfest party left one hell of a tab for me to pay.

Now I have to wonder....could you imagine if a warranty was offered on comics..... that would be strange but alas it's called insurance. That was a stupid thought.

So my week now has me doing an album cover, 2 commissions and then to Moonstone land to finish up a story before starting a new one. Hmmm, need to see how to pull that off in this god awful humid heat. Also need to experiment with a new style too. That should be fun.

breeders last splash demo

2008-08-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Found a wesbite for fans of The Breeders and The Pixies and low and behold they actually copies of the demo to The Breeders' Last Splash album.

So of course I downloaded it.

It was actually pretty refreshing hearing the raw state of the songs and to get into the creative building process for the songs. Some sounded a bit funny since Kim Deal was just saying some of the lyrics on one song instead of singing it but I think that she was just making a lyric marker for her to sing to when they came around to doing the final vocals. All in all it was pretty cool.

I also managed to get a demo version of In Rainbows by Radiohead as well as their original demo tape, Dave Grohl's pre-Foo Fighters demo tape and a mix of demo songs from Rage Against the Machine. The latter is my favorite only because there is a song with no lyrics just the guys playing and it rocks. I wonder if that was pre or post Zach DeLaRocha leaving the band? I also got a copy of the demo tape for Coldplay as well. If you can manage to find a copy of any band's demo it's great to hear what their raw sound before being polished. Man would I love to have the demo tapes for....

all that jazz...

2008-08-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

I need some new jazz music to listen to... I got on my ipod/itunes Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Loius Armstrong, Cowboy Bepop Soundtrack, Billie Holiday, Carli Munîz, Dizzy Gillespie and some other random stuff. Although I would like to hear something like maybe french based jazz or italian. Something different. Anyone have any suggestions?

Catching up...

2008-08-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts last week. Been swamped with both the day job and freelance at home that I really haven't had the time to post anything, really. However some really great things did pop up that will see the light of day eventually and there are exciting and do involve Moonstone.

I made some adjusts to the last pages of the Buckaroo Banzai story due to some items bugging the hell out of me. Which also contributed to the lack of posts. Hopefully this week will be better since the major pain in my ass last week was due to my car being fixed at the car dealer and not having transportation for a few days sucked. Although the dealer's attitude in getting my car fixed under warranty was more of a pain than anything else, hell if the warranty company is subtlety saying that the dealership is an idiot I think that says a lot. My main concerns in respect to my car is for it to stop overheating and to have a sub artic cold A/C functioning again. Hell if I could get my studio to magically have a constant temp of say 65 degrees, I would be very happy and productive.

Oh which reminds me that I promised I would post up photos of the new studio area and setup. Let me do that this week once I clean it up a bit :)

Anyways, let me get back to getting my plate cleaned off since I have a lot to do.

what's next....

2008-07-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

With Buckaroo done, I'm now off to Kolchak land to do a very big project with Moonstone. I'm very excited about it and cannot wait for you guy to see it and learn more about it. But alas all I can say is that I'm doing a Kolchak story for Moonstone Books and it is big... for you fans! However, I'll post up a sketch or two that I conjure up during the pre-pencilling stage for you guys to enjoy.

Oh have I mentioned how nice the Moonstone people are? Yes they are that great and nice.

BUCKAROO STORY IS DONE!!!!!!

2008-07-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

Yes!!! I can now officially say that all pencilling and inking chores for the Buckaroo Banzai story are completely done. Andrew Elder, should be half way done with the colors by now so once I hear from my editor at Moonstone on when the ship date will be I'll let you guys here know as well.

Oh and to commemorate this fabulous occasion.......... anyone want a sketch?

Cool freelance tips/advice..

2008-07-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

Found this site the other day and thought I'd share it with you guys.

It's called freelanceswitch.com and covers all sorts of items for the freelancing community. Great tips and advice. Spent some time reading what they had and it's pretty solid stuff. Read very good posts on marketing, negotiating and making the sale. It's sounds easier than what it is but it does give you some great pointers. Hell. I'll be using most of it during the phase in my professional life of being a web designer by day, comicbook artist at night!

Got asked to do a sketch for a big Buckaroo fan. I'll be doing roughs tonight and should have a final piece by Friday to deliver. Once it's done I'll post it on here for you guys to enjoy!

Anyone else want one?

Waiting...

2008-07-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

So I finished all of the pencil work and low and behold...no nibs. I'm out of nibs, Used them all last time I inked. And I've been waiting for a week and a half for the specific nib I use to show up at any of the art stores here in Pr. And you know what?? Nothing. Had to go with the ever reliable dick blick art store online and ordered a batch. Now I have to wait 5 business days to get them.

Oh, I also decided to try out the Canson FanboyPaper comicbook art boards. I'll post more about once they arrive and I put them to the test. If there are anything like the 100lb. bristol paper then my work will be gold! Sorry Strathmore, but you bristol paper no longer cuts it in a humid tropical island.

Random Sketch

2008-07-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sketch I made one day before heading over to the Wizard Con in Chicago.

BUCKAROO BANZAI PREVIEW #9

2008-07-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Random Image

2008-07-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Portion of a cover I did for a book several years ago, prior to my sabbatical.

BUCKAROO BANZAI PREVIEW #8

2008-07-24T20:15:00.001-04:00

something happened....

2008-07-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

well i tried something a few days ago that I wasn't sure would work and it did. By email no less. So now I got something new that I did not have ever. Eventually soon I'll be able to talk about it but it's good to know that my luck has changed for the better. ABOUT TIME!!