Cleansing the Palette!

Or -- what I do when I should be working! This is what happens after I've been drawing on napkins at the bar. I try to translate the guys I've seen and sketched into cartooned versions. When I draw someone at the bar there's usually some characteristic or feature that I want to exaggerate. Sometimes I get it in the bar sketch -- but often it's not until I'm messing around on paper at home that I get that "thing" I want.
The guy above is Toronto leatherman Sean Cribbin. I've drawn him, and his boyfriend, before when I saw them laughing and hanging out at the bar. Sean's got a heavier beard and I wanted to get that chin extension. He looks mean in the head-shot, but I assure you he's never been anything but smiling when I've seen him out.
Oh, his shirt was also riding up just a little bit and that peak of flesh above his jeans was just oh, so lovely!
This page is an attempt at the guy I introduced myself to. It's still not exactly right -- there was something about his strong jaw that I'm not getting in my drawing. The other two guys are Woody's bartenders. Adorable, hot and friendly! Am I out at the bar too often? Perhaps! But who can blame me when surrounded by such delightful man-folk!
And this disembodied torso is something I'm working. It's a paper-cut out doll. No. Not Roger Rodgers. It's someone I've never drawn before and will be revealed in due time.

All right now! I've got work to get done! Enough porn-crastination!
Be well, boys.
j.

p.s. I've labeled this post as "Guy a Day". I've decided that "Guy a Day" should include any post about regular Joes!

Drawing on Napkins!

When I'm out at the bar and I've forgotten or not wanted to carry along a sketchbook, and I see someone who's face I'd really like to draw I have very few options! At a bar, at least, there are always napkins. I've drawn on a lot of napkins. I've learned the lighter, more delicate touch required when drawing on flimsy, absorbent paper with a felt tip marker. How to cross-hatch just enough to get a dark area but not so much that I soak through the layers of paper and tear a giant hole through my drawing. And I've done all of this while nicely sauced on double-short rum and cokes!

For those of you keeping track of my growing bold/adventurous nature I will tell you that I spoke to "Anthony", introducing myself and telling him that I thought he was quite handsome.
Going through my old pictures the other day I found some really nice shots I'd taken of Josh (nearly a year ago now). This one in particular was something I'd always wanted to get down on paper. I've only had time so far to do this rough but I like how his profile turned out.

It's a shame drawing on napkins doesn't pay the bills (or my bar tab).
j.

I Call 'em Like I See 'em!

From the same producers who brought us Xena: Warrior Princess (and Hercules) comes a new sword and sandal epic -- SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND. I, for one, can't wait! The trailer has been online for a while now and I keep watching it just to catch tid-bits of what looks to be some terrific action. The creative team has smartly dressed the show to look like a continuation of (or at least in the same vein as) 300! Which is a feast for the eyes.
Spartacus promises to show plenty of beefcake! I sketched a few of the guys from the trailer, sometimes having to add my own details when the images weren't exactly clear.
This scene reminded me of something from a Frank Frazetta painting. Fur clad barbarian battling it out with our hero!

j.

You're an Animal, Man!

Hawkman is one of those characters I've always wanted to draw in a comic book story but have yet to get the chance. I think he must be a tough character to get a grasp on...so tied up is he with his past life/next life history. I thought it'd be fun to draw a story with his great, great, great ancestor back in the days of Egyptian pharaohs when animal headed Gods ruled!
Speaking of animal heads...this guy I drew after a night hanging out at Woody's! For those of you who've never been there, Woody's has a rhino head mounted in the main stage area of the bar. An artificial rhino, mind you. He's kinda the mascot of the place. There is also a wall/showcase full of rhinoceros knick-knacks. So I wanted to draw a cartoon hunk of rhinoceros beefcake who I might one day pitch to Woody's management for use in advertising or something. He would, of course, be named Woody!

Speaking of Woody's, I've lately found myself with much greater confidence when it comes to simply starting conversation with guys I think are good lookin'. I haven't reached the point yet of asking anyone to pose for me...but I'm off to a good start :)

Happy New Year!
j.bone

Happiest of Holidays!

All the best during the holidays, folks. Make it the best and brightest however you celebrate!
Sincerely,
j.bone

The Unbreakable Bottom!

First seen in spring of this year, The Unbreakable Bottom (aka RJ Danvers, comic book fan and adorable blogger) returns to the page! I was inspired by a post made by RJ on his own blog (p.s. Not safe for work) of a drawing featuring Spidey and Ms. Marvel and a questionable tangent. One of RJ's fans suggested a Ms. Marvel team-up with the Unbreakable Bottom. Well, didn't draw Ms. Marvel but I did want to draw UB again. I don't consider myself a very good costume designer but I really like how this one turned out. It's a little bit Jett Vector with Wonder Man colors.

Update: Sketchbook's coming along slooooowly...oof! I've finally started putting it all together in my layout program. So that's something! :)

best,
j.

Post-Poser Post!

I love finding new sites that make it seem like I'm working (because they're art related) but that actually distract me from doing my work! The above drawing is based on a photo found at the always delicious Super Underwear Perverts. Below are sketches drawn from a brand new site (to me, anyway) filled with terrific reference pics of anatomy. The poses are digital, meaning they're not real people, but I've yet to see a pose that breaks any rules of anatomy
Check out Posemaniacs and try out the timed/random sketch sessions. Every 30 seconds (set your own time) you get a new pose. Do your best to sketch it up quickly, getting the gesture, etc... OR take a stroll through their cache of 19,440 images, rotate for different angles and build up your visual library of human anatomy. I like that the "models" are skinless...it means that I'm not distracted by staring at someone's "junk"* and focus, instead, on just drawing! That's important!
These were all drawn on the 45 second setting. You don't have the option of choosing only male poses but, c'mon, we need to draw women just as much as we need to practice drawing men! Right?

Enjoy.
j.
p.s. Send links to your own drawings if you check out the site.

* Junk - slang term for a man's privates. I also like to use the term "junkyard" when referring to the entire pelvic region. As in, "I would like to pay a visit to his junkyard."