May 6th Update.

Working list:
Drawing:


I drew Fractal Friction P20. A lot of fun and a ‘very’ quick job. It was inked in a single sitting- which is rare, but a tight deadline is a great motivator. Thanks to The Emperor and all the rest of the chaps at FF for asking me to take part. Visit the link to see the final page, with colour by Matt Soffe and lettering by Jim Campbell.

The Crusader: Spoonful of Honeywith Chris & Steve Denton.
Inking page 4!
The Fractal Friction page has gotten my drawing muscles moving again after being in neutral for ages- I plan on having this done- inks wise- by the end of next week.

ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll

I’ve been contacted by a rather prominent member of 2000 AD fandom with a request for a portrait in the same vein as the pic of Hi-Ex! Organisers Rich & Vicky. Still early days, but I’m looking forward to getting the photo ref and working on a likeness.

Completed this Week!
Publishing:

FutureQuake 16
Something Wicked 06
Dogbreath 23
Zarjaz 10

Lettering:

This week I’ve lettered KILLER-MEK, for Richmond Clements and Nick Dyer- this was their entry in the MILLARWORLD comp. Fingers crossed chaps.


I’ve also lettered a strip for Matthew McLaughlinand El Chivo that is due out later this year.

Average Joe for InsomniaInsomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: nowt.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission.

Angels of the Somme for Timebomb comics
Writer Alec Robertson, Art Bruce McLaren
Ongoing. This week I’ve been tinkering with a logo for them- think it is about there, some colour things to fix- which regular readers will know can cause me problems.

Red Sands for Starscape
Writer: Matthew McLaughlin, Art Bruce McLaren
Ongoing: Hopefully launching soon- watch this space.

April 23rd: St George's Day!

Working list:
Drawing:

The Crusader: Spoonful of Honeywith Chris & Steve Denton.
Page 1 complete- page 2 half inked!.

ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll

Completed this Week!

Publishing:

FutureQuake 16

Something Wicked 06

Dogbreath 23

Zarjaz 10
Slaine- A Place Of Shelter Ready for Print
Rogue Trooper- A Tale from the Trenches Ready for Print

Lettering:

Average Joe for Insomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: 3 pages.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission.

Angels of the Somme for Timebomb comics
Writer Alec Robertson, Art Bruce McLaren
Ongoing.

Red Sands for Starscape
Writer: Matthew McLaughlin, Art Bruce McLaren
Ongoing: episode 1 (8 pages) delivered to Starscape and ready for the next part.

Bruce has posted this on his blog- so I don't mind sharing; and next week I'll hopefully have something rather cool to share...

You ever have one of those days...

Don’t know why, but since getting back from Hi-Ex I’ve not been able to face any drawing. A bit worrying as I was getting into my stride with the Crusader. I am trying to get past this by getting stuck into a new piece for the 2000 AD online messageboard.

Working list:
Drawing:

The Crusader: Spoonful of Honeywith Chris & Steve Denton.
Still inking page 1. Having a bit of a crisis of confidence at the mo.

ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll

Completed this Week!

Publishing:

FutureQuake 16
The Everything Box

Something Wicked 06

Dogbreath 23

Zarjaz 10
Judge Dredd- Xtras

Average Joe Lettering for Insomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: 10 pages.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission.

Strip with Timebomb for Alec Robertson & Bruce McLaren. Titled Angels of the Somme, Bruce McLaren is going to be knocking your socks off with this.

Red Sands! I've had the first 4 pages through from Bruce, and I'm hoping to get some lettering done this weekend.

Good Friday!

Photofrom the Forbidden Planet Set.
Back from Hi-Ex and finally getting round to sorting myself out. First off the next time I’ll be at a con will be in May, at the Bristol Event. Hotel booked and everything. Check out the pic on the right hand side.

Hi-Ex was great fun, always a pleasure for me to be there as it is perhaps my favourite gig in the country. It was great to meet up with old friends and make new one’s too. I was even asked for sketches- which was nice. Maybe next time I'll remember to take photo's.


Photo from The Hi-Ex site featuring the team for Red Sands! And Leonia Carroll too.

Whilst there though I had a bit of a revelation. I’m a bit of a soft touch on the whole- I’m a fairly easy going kind of guy, so I tend to bend over a bit more than I should as far as strips are concerned. When it comes to scripts it is much easier to be tough- as there are a team of script readers who will all be aiming for the highest level of quality, after all entire strips will stand or fall on the quality of the scripts. I like to think that the team at FQP, as well as Dogbreath & Zarjaz, is pretty hot at sorting strong scripts.

It is the Artists that I need to push more. Most of the artists involved in the titles I produce are of a level where they are polishing their craft ready to approach publishers (I’m not going to put any names in this, just not fair) but there are some that need to be pushed a little harder. This is not a judgement on their drawing ability, not at all- it is mainly to apply the same harsh standards we use for scripts to art. I’m going to start asking for more re-working of panels, and where possible I would like to be able to get hold of a set of pencilled pages for strips so that I can pass judgement before ink is put to paper.

After all, the artists providing the work want to reach a standard where they can approach professional editors and gain paid work- so if I let them submit art that I feel needs work I am letting them down.

Therefore if you are an artist working on a strip for me and I tell you that there is something I want you to change- I’m not being awkward for the sake of it- I genuinely want you to submit artwork that knocks me out. I may be called SMALL PRESS, but that doesn’t mean we have to have small standards.

Working list:
Drawing:

The Crusader: Spoonful of Honeywith Chris & Steve Denton.
Still inking page 1.

ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll

Completed this Week!

Publishing:

FutureQuake 16
Strip Lettering: Bargain hunter- Completed
Strip Lettering: B.O.O.B.I.E. trap- Completed

Something Wicked 06

Dogbreath 23
Bit soon to talk about this…

Zarjaz 10
Judge Dredd- Red In Toothe & Claw Completed.
Judge Dredd- Xtras- Art received and lettered. Awaiting final approval

Average Joe Lettering for Insomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: 0 pages.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission. However- I’ve just sorted the files for a set of pages that will hopefully be appearing at the Bristol expo!

Angels of the somme is a strip with Timebomb for Alec Robertson & Bruce McLaren. Ink is still wet on this, but I’m doing this as a thanks to these guys for all they have done for me.

I’m also part of the team for the sequel to Red Sands- Writer Matt McLauglin and Artist Bruce McLaren have asked me to join in the fun of crafting the follow-up to the original by Alex Ronald!

Friday 12/03/2010

Working list:
Drawing:

The Crusader: Spoonful of Honeywith Chris & Steve Denton.
5 pages pencilled, and page 6 started. This is giving me grief.

ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll

Completed this Week!

Publishing:
Walking Wounded 03 Lettering.
Finished and away to the Denton Bros- Looking forward to this, and I’m hoping to be able to take some copies to Hi Ex with me.


Hi-Ex 03 Convention Programme
DONE. At the Printers!

FutureQuake 15
DONE. At the Printers!

FutureQuake 16
Strip Lettering: Bargain hunter- Ready for Print!
Strip Lettering: B.O.O.B.I.E. trap- Art received and prepped for lettering

Something Wicked 06

Dogbreath 22
DONE. At the Printers!

Zarjaz 09
DONE. At the Printers!

Zarjaz 10
Judge Dredd- Red in Tooth & Claw- Awaiting amended art files
Judge Dredd- Xtras- Art received and prepared for lettering.

Average Joe Lettering for Insomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: 0 pages.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission.

Froday March 05

This was the entry for a comp that I joined in with Matt McLaughin on. We didn't win, but I had a blast drawing it.

Working list:
Drawing:

The Crusader: Spoonful of Honeywith Chris & Steve Denton.
5 pages pencilled, and page 6 started.

ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll

Completed this Week!

Publishing:
Walking Wounded 03 Lettering.
Death on the rock part 3. Art & Script arrived- Here we go!

Hi-Ex 03 Convention Programme
Deadline early March.
Nearly there….

FutureQuake 15
At The Printers!

FutureQuake 16
Strip Lettering: Bargain hunter- Awaiting Final Approval from full editorial.

Something Wicked 06

Dogbreath 22
Waiting for all sorts! Deadline 1st March.
Almost ready- And you will love the result!

Zarjaz 09
Waiting for all sorts! Deadline 1st March.
Soo close!

Average Joe Lettering for Insomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: 0 pages.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission.

26/02/2010: Update Time

Three in a row! Hat trick.

Whilst clearing out some old paperwork at home, Mrs Bolt has uncovered this from waay back in the day. Makes me smile now, but at the time I was very disheartened.

Working list:
Drawing:

The Crusader: Spoonful of Honeywith Chris & Steve Denton.
3 pages pencilled, and page 4 started.

ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll

Completed this Week!
Harry Potter commission, had the colours back from Mel Cookand all handed over.


Publishing:
Walking Wounded 03 Lettering.
Death on the rock part 2 Lettered and Completed. Absolutely superb work from the Denton Bros.

Hi-Ex 03 Convention Programme
Deadline early March.

FutureQuake 15
Deadline 1st March.
Final strip arrived and being lettered!

FutureQuake 16
Strip Lettering: Bargain hunter- Awaiting Final Approval from full editorial.

Something Wicked 06
Strip Lettered & Completed: Mirage

Dogbreath 22
Waiting for all sorts! Deadline 1st March.
Strip Lettering: From Below Pt2- 5 Pages Lettered. One page awaiting
Case File 23 Assembled and sent for approval

Preparation underway for possibly the coolest thing we’ve ever done in Dogbreath- and we’ve done some cool stuff!

Zarjaz 09
Waiting for all sorts! Deadline 1st March.
Review 01 & 02 Completed.

Average Joe Lettering for Insomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: 0 pages. 2 new pages available, but I've not been able to get to them.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission.

Weekly update: 14/02/2010

Working list:
Drawing:

The Crusader: Spoonful of Honeywith Chris & Steve Denton.
3 pages pencilled, and page 4 started.

ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll

Completed this Week!
Harry Potter commission, handed over the original- awaiting the coloured version back from Mel Cook.

Lobster Random- Entry for the 2000ad Art comp. I’ve not entered the last few, so I’m determined to get something good done for this. You be the judge.

Publishing:
Walking Wounded 03 Lettering.
One strip down, more to come apparently. Deadline early March.

Hi-Ex 03 Convention Programme
Deadline early March.

FutureQuake 15
Just waiting for 1 strip. Deadline 1st March.

FutureQuake 16
Strip Lettered & Completed: The Last Laugh
Strip Lettered & Completed: Mr Robinson
Strip Lettering: Bargain hunter- Awaiting Final Approval from full editorial.

Something Wicked 06
Strip Lettering: Mirage- Awaiting Final Approval from full editorial.

Dogbreath 22
Waiting for all sorts! Deadline 1st March.

Zarjaz 09
Waiting for all sorts! Deadline 1st March.
Strip Completed: FLESH – Extinctionville. Promo page to appear in Zarjaz 09.

Average Joe Lettering for Insomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: 11 pages.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission.

Regular Updates begin here!

I am hereby going to get back into the habit of posting weekly updates for the purpose of keeping a record of what I'm doing.

Working list:
Drawing:

Harry Potter commission
Inks completed, and I’ve sorted for it to be coloured as well. Very pleased with this.


The Crusader: Spoonful of Honey with Chris & Steve Denton.
3 pages pencilled, taking a break from this to work on the Potter commission, sorry Chris.


ABC Warriors: Mongrol- Blogging with David Withers & Mike Carroll (Links)
Mike has done a lovely template for this.

Completed this Week!
Thing From another planet Comp Entry with Matt McLaughlin
Submission confirmed- so fingers crossed. Matt has posted about it here.


Publishing:
Walking Wounded 03 Lettering.
One strip down, more to come apparently. Deadline early March.

Hi-Ex 03 Convention Programme
Deadline early March.
Approx 5 pages complete, with more to come. The Auction alone is worth the effort!

FutureQuake 15
Just waiting for 1 strip. Deadline 1st March.

Dogbreath 22
Waiting for all sorts! Deadline 1st March.

Zarjaz 09
Waiting for all sorts! Deadline 1st March.

Average Joe Lettering for Insomnia Publishing.
Ongoing. This week lettered: 6 pages.
Unfortunately I can't really show anything from this yet- I don't have permission.

There. A decent update to be sure.

The Bridge!

The BRIDGE is the school magazine for Handsworth Grammar, in Birmingham, which is the school that the mighty Mini-Bolt went to till earlier this year. Why am I posting about this- well it is because for the second year running, I out it together for them. The editor; Mrs Elaine Brown, was one of Mini-Bolts teachers and after she learned about my small-press activities they asked me to help out. I was only too pleased to accept- especially when they offered to pay me!

I'm quite pleased with how the mag looks, though there are things I want to sort for next year- making the interior pages tidier, fixing some nasty formatting shortcuts I got lumbered with due to the school's inexperience (ohh, hark at me!) with print techniques and generally giving it a bit more polish. That's if they ask me, after all...

Oh, and because I did the layout work I was able to push it to my usual printer for comics, which has hopefully given them a lovely x-mas bonus as well.

Friday 4th december.

My Entry for the 2000ad online message board Advent Calendar. Quite pleased with this.

Friday 27 November 2009

This week I have been recovering from Leeds and sorting stuff ready to start on the new Crusader strip. thumbnails are all done, but I've got to put it on the back burner for the Bridge- which is going to need a lot of work to get ready for printers.

I've also done some lettering for another member of the 2000ad message board hive. A strip that is for the board advent calender that starts on Tuesday.

Sam Slade!

This started out as a 'You have 15 minutes to draw Robo-Hunter entry on the 2000ad online message board, but I got carried away.

The pencils took 15 min, inks approx 40 min, then I scanned it and started playing. I really enjoyed this.

Back from the depths- TIME TOURS

Time for a little light pimpery.

A couple of months ago I drew a single page strip for the BACK FROM THE DEPTHS Fan publication headed by Malcolm Kirk.

The full issue is now available to download and I heartily recommend it. There are some cracking strips and some lovely artwork- including pieces by Johnny McMonagle and Matthew Soffe

Really must get back into this...

I can't believe it has been nearly a year since I posted here!

Sheesh!

Okay- Working on:-

Mostly promoting the new comics, getting more Zarjaz made and amending the cover for the latest Dogbreath. Got a lot of ppost to deal with as the comp copies need to be organised.

Drawing wise I'm not up to much. I've a terrible cold at the mo, which is leaving me feeling really fucking horrible, and has majorly affected my concentration. However I have managed to ink the first two pages of the second half of the SD strip I'm working on.

I'm going to be getitng some lettering work from Insomnia comics apparently. I need to drop them a line and say sorry for not speaking at BICS last weekend.

Afternthe SD strip I am going to begin work either on a new Dreddheads- or more likely the next Crusader strip- and I'm going to try to ink that digitally. I reckon that I should be able to finally overcome my hand-eye issues with the stylus and hopefully get a greater level of detail into my work. If nothing else it will make for an interesting experiment.

For next time I'm going to try to get a picture to post as well- Surely I can do THAT...

Hi-Ex2 and more

Since I last blogged here all sorts of stuff has been going on. I've done the full graphic design package for a school mag (and sorted the printing) and finished the pencils on the next installment of Whistler for Dogbreath.

Then I did this:

Which I'm pretty pleased about as it is in the current end of year 2000ad. Cue big, silly grin on my mush. Of course I didn't draw it, that was Declan Shalvey who did that bit. I just put the words on.

Next up I'm taking a couple of days before leaping into the inks for Whistler to work on the FQP X-mas card for the year and to do some sketches for a script I'll be starting soon for Mike Carroll that is possibly one of the most bittersweet farewells to a comic character I've ever read.

Strontium Dog vs Iron Man

Strontium dog C Rebellion. Iron Man C Marvel.

Happy Halloween

A larger version of the entry in this months 2000ad message board compo

Harvest!

It’s almost time to start pimping the new comics. Last night saw the final CD burned of the current crop. Phew!

Working on:
The last Whistler story! There is anew episode in the new Dogbreath, and next issue will see the whole thing wrap up an leave the character in… well that would be telling.

Latest from FQP:

FutureQuake
Being Printed!

Something Wicked
Being Printed! Thanks to the efforts of Brett Buckle for getting the last strip in at the last moment.

DogBreath & Zarjaz
Being Printed!

Oh- remember those Kingdom Pics I did earlier this year? Well, Richmond has coloured them and they look lovely.




Dave

Crusader test & more.

I'm FREE! Only joking. I've been drawing the Crusader strip since May this year, and it is only six pages. Mental I know, but It has taken me that long. I'm hoping the next couple of strips are going to be a LOT quicker.

Anyhow- this is a pic I did as a test for Richmond to see what his colouring would look like. Pretty impressive to my eyes is the answer.



These are also the latest crop of sketches I've worked on recently.

Colossus of the X-men.

A rather tired looking mutie.