Sandman & Delirium on eBay

I'll be posting this and a few other pieces on eBay later today. Gotta drum up some cash. The holidays really kicked my a$$! So check 'em out. My eBay sellername is: arstudios

http://tinyurl.com/y7kglj

I did this piece as a commission and after getting to this point I realized I completely missed the mark (after reviewing several emails) so I put it aside and started another from scratch. It's pencil on standard 11"x17" board.

Oh yeah, Happy New Year! I've been slacking off and relaxing but pretty busy at the same time, now I'm playing catch-up on a few projects. Today I'm continuing work on a Sandman commission based on #19 "Midsummer Nights Dream". It will be on 13"x19" board. This peice will have Sandman holding court in front of one of the travelling troupes wagons with Lady Titania and a bunch of little winged things and creatures that you see thruout the story some hidden in tall grass and in and around the edge of a forest so we'll have lots of plants, grass, trees, flowers etc completely around the entire piece, little glowing things, tiny fairies and the like, full blown watercolor.

I'll also be playing catch-up with a few post holiday posts. As soon as I can get it together. I've been juggling several complex jobs and I'm confused at the moment.

Storm (Dave Cockrum Tribute)

I was asked to contribute to the Dave Cockrum Tribute that's going into another printing with more pages and in hardcover. The only parameters were the character would have to be one of Dave's creations. My initial thought was Storm with a crazy mohawk but I went back & forth with some other ideas but kept thinking about a Storm piece. So when I sat down to do it I messed around and messed around and was not happy so I scrapped everything and started in on a Storm piece. It took several tries (I've never drawn her before) but when this one started taking shape (the shape that had been in my head the whole time) I ripped thru it and was verry happy. So I sent it off and got the nod and here it is. The piece will be sold and all proceeds to go to Dave's wife Paty. I felt honored to be involved and I hope Dave would have been proud. Read more details about the book and how to order one here. I'll have 11"x14" signed prints, on nice strathmore bristol, available for $25 each, all proceeds (minus shipping) will also be donated so email me if interested at tombofdracula@yahoo.com

Merry Christmas!

Nathaniel Dusk (Framed)

I worked on these pieces several months ago & just recieved an email with these pics attached of the frame job. I think they look great, well done. I also think the fun credit/info plate is a great touch & makes an awesome presentation.

Gene Colan - Spidey Inks

Here's a cool Spider-Man by Gene. You dont see many of these!

Goodbye, Dave (Cockrum) – A Final Deluxe Tribute

Dave Cockrum, the best friend that Aardwolf ever had, has passed away at the young age of 63. We already miss him deeply. Aardwolf previously announced a special reprint of The Uncanny Dave Cockrum Tribute in hardcover, but over the past six months we’ve worked with Dave to complete the project. Edited by Clifford Meth, this beautifully bound new book will contains over 20 pages of new, original Cockrum artwork as well as art contributions from Dave’s many peers, including Neal Adams, George Perez, Walt Simonson, John Romita, Marie Severin, Joe Kubert, Will Eisner, Travest Charest, Joe Quesada, Jim Lee, Dave Gibbons, and many more; written tributes to Dave by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, Harlan Ellison, Marv Wolfman, Len Wein, Chris Claremont, and Peter David. 200 Special Editions will include unique, ORIGINAL Dave Cockrum drawings bound into the book. This book is being published in cooperation with the Dave Cockrum Estate. Order yours now.

http://www.aardwolfpublishing.com/

Iron Man Comments

"Good morning Dave,

Sorry I didn't get back to you last night, we had to go to Seattle for the night to see a specialist concerning my wifes pregnancy. Its cool though. But before we left yesterday, the fedex truck pulled up while we were getting ready to leave. Actually caught us in our driveway. I looked at my watch and we had plenty of time so we went back into the house and I started carefully cutting up the box. Seriously, I was so nervous I think it took 6 or 7 minutes for me to surgically cut all the tape. Didn't want to touch the art. Thanks for the bomb proof packing job! Then I was greeted to the coolest cardboard sketch of Iron Man on the box (which I'm keeping as well) and opened it up. My wife could see I went from a 36 year old man to a ten year old reading his first comic book again. My mouth was slightly agape and then it just turned into a shit eating grin (if there is such a thing) for the next ten minutes as I just stared at your colors. I'm not making this up to be dramatic at all man, this thing is awesome for lack of a better adjective. My wife was actually in amazement as well but she seemed more impressed with the size as to the art. I think she was expecting something actually comic book sized. I think not. Genes pencils are of course incredible as well but I kept going back to your colors. Man, this is my first work of art in any medium and it is stunning and gorgeous. I hated putting it back into the box so we could run out. I am going back to Seattle in a few days to take it to a high end art gallery to have it professional framed. Take care Dave, and thank you for the Christmas card. Is that your artwork by the way?

Talk with you soon,

Charlie"

Delirium Commission

Just finished this one, came out cool. Just in time, it's a holiday gift for someone. (Here's a better scan.)

"This is going to be the perfect housewarming/X-mas gift for my friends. Thanks again Dave!, Adam"

Next one is a watercolored garden illo, another gift so i'll grab a coffee and another pack of cigs and get cranking.

Just heard from my buddy Jason, who just got back home to Australia after a few years living in Florida. He's got another page of McBlack done and ready to ink and plans on pencilling some more.

Finished my Christmas shopping yesterday, it's been fucking killing me but it's done & done. I better get some good shit this year.

Last thing. I got a great email from my buddy Charlie, who commissioned the inking & coloring of the Colan Iron Man #1 recreation and it was incredible. He got the pieces yesterday and was blown away. I'll post that later or tomorrow.

Richard Sala

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1uqB7hUEkc

Gene Colan Iron Man #1 Color

Gene Colan Iron Man #1 Inks

Busy finishing off this Iron Man #1 piece (and a few others). I'm about 90% done withe the coloring. Just a few more little touches and this will be ready to ship. Lots of commissions behind it. People anxious to get their gifts in time for the holidays. I'll post the in progress color pic next. It's a huge peice measuring 19"x24"

On deck are 2 inking commissions, a Black Widow and a Dracula vs. The Shadow. After that are 2 more commissions. A watercolor garden illustration & a Delirium. I've got the ideas in my head, just have to get them out and on paper. Looking fwd to it.

Drawing The Line Article

http://www.benefitcomic.com

Sleep All Day

I think i'm gonna sleep all day. Yesterday was SHIT and today is not shaping up and better.

Gene Colan Daredevil Inks

Finished inking this today, added the starry sky.

You can see the pencils here: http://tinyurl.com/yfpgye

Gene Colan Dr Strange Inks

Finished inking this one today, added a few stars, otherwise pretty straightforward. Daredevil next. See the pencils here:

http://tinyurl.com/ylstst

Listening to: Ramones "End of the Century" & Dictators "Manifest Destiny"

Gene Colan Zatanna Cover

Finished this today. I added the logo, trade dress, stars, curtains and stage, as requested. You can see the pencils here:
http://tinyurl.com/tary5

Dave Cockrum Rest in Peace

I was sad to hear the news yesterday that Dave Cockrum had passed away. I never met the man but he was a great artist and will surely be missed. Another hero gone but not forgotten. May he rest in peace. http://tinyurl.com/yb3pt3

Matt Murdock Is Daredevil

Finished inking this one yesterday, jumping on another one today, a Zatanna fantasy cover. I added in the Daily Bugle newspaper with the headline in a grey wash and also added some additional tones.

Also have 3 more to ink, a Daredevil, Dr Strange & Human Wonder to get to this week. Busy, Busy!

Gene Colan GIANT-SIZE CHILLERS #1

Just finished inking this yesterday. 13"x19" & almost all art, a few of the elements are paste-up.

Reading: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Listening to: MDC & Kraut

Gene Colan at WonderCon SF 2007

Just heard the news that Gene will be appearing at WonderCon San Francisco 2007. Can't wait to visit with Gene and Adrienne. They will finally be able to come and meet the dogs! We hope to take them a few places and just have a grand time. I'll be in NY the week before at the NYCon with G&A but them coming here will be surreal!

http://www.comic-con.org/wc/