I’m experimenting with inking with a crowquill pen; this is my first official drawing with the thing, a sketch for the cover of Outfoxed. I like the heck out of it, and I think we’ll keep each other - I have a story this kind of line would be perfect for.  …the only downside is that I’m going to be ink-splattered for the foreseeable future. (Don’t ask how much soap and Photoshop were required after I finished inking this drawing.)

I’m experimenting with inking with a crowquill pen; this is my first official drawing with the thing, a sketch for the cover of Outfoxed. I like the heck out of it, and I think we’ll keep each other - I have a story this kind of line would be perfect for. 

…the only downside is that I’m going to be ink-splattered for the foreseeable future. (Don’t ask how much soap and Photoshop were required after I finished inking this drawing.)

Fun with grandpa’s crowquill. on Flickr.Today I needed to ink something in a scratchier style than usual. I looked over into my pen cup and there was my grandfather’s crowquill. My grandfather was an amateur cartoonist - he was a PR man in the “Mad Men” era and so a lot of his work went into client newsletters. Before he died he passed on some of his old tools. I’ve never really liked crowquill much before, although I love the way the lines look when other artists use it. But I gave it a whirl today, and I really enjoyed it. I made every possible mistake (flicking the nib, dragging my hand over wet ink lines) and look a complete mess, but also got some neat effects. I have a story script I think would look good with crowquill lines, so it was a very pleasant discovery. And it was a sweet, melancholy thing to use one of his old tools.

Fun with grandpa’s crowquill. on Flickr.

Today I needed to ink something in a scratchier style than usual. I looked over into my pen cup and there was my grandfather’s crowquill.

My grandfather was an amateur cartoonist - he was a PR man in the “Mad Men” era and so a lot of his work went into client newsletters. Before he died he passed on some of his old tools. I’ve never really liked crowquill much before, although I love the way the lines look when other artists use it.

But I gave it a whirl today, and I really enjoyed it. I made every possible mistake (flicking the nib, dragging my hand over wet ink lines) and look a complete mess, but also got some neat effects. I have a story script I think would look good with crowquill lines, so it was a very pleasant discovery.

And it was a sweet, melancholy thing to use one of his old tools.

I went to the Opera! And I did a million sketches. I’ve wanted to see a production of Candide (which is almost more of a musical than a straight opera) for ages. Luckily for me, the Portland Opera held another Drink & Draw evening, where a bunch of us cartoonists were invited to come sketch the dress rehearsal.

Loads more over on my blog (or on Flickr).

A single image from the 2-page feature I have in the Portland Mercury this week! I went to the dog show and drew my favorite parts. I’ll post the rest online (including the many images and captions that didn’t make it into the spread) next week. For now, though, it’s off to the Emerald City Comicon. I’ll be at table 223; stop by, and I’ll have copies of the Mercury issue! Along with books and stickers and prints and necklaces and…

A single image from the 2-page feature I have in the Portland Mercury this week! I went to the dog show and drew my favorite parts.

I’ll post the rest online (including the many images and captions that didn’t make it into the spread) next week. For now, though, it’s off to the Emerald City Comicon. I’ll be at table 223; stop by, and I’ll have copies of the Mercury issue! Along with books and stickers and prints and necklaces and…