Toronto Pride! The Day After!

As I mentioned before, this weekend was Toronto's Big Pride Weekend! It was all laughter and tears, sunshine and rain, hotties and more hotties! Typical Pride! I took quite a few pictures of some very inspiring men...who I will endeavour to draw over the next few days. Above is a sketch page I drew up after hanging out at Woody's on Thursday night.

One guy in particular, the fell in the "A" shirt, was absolute perfection! I saw him as he entered the bar with his friends...but didn't see him for the rest of the night. I tried to take a quick mental picture so I'd be able to draw him later. I wasn't entirely successful. Most likely he's an out of towner so my chances of seeing him again are slim.

Or so thought I!

On Sunday it rained. Poured! Just sopping, cold, icky rain first thing in the morning right up until after lunch. The parade was scheduled to start at 2pm and I knew it would still be going on. A little rain has never stopped Pride in the past. I grabbed my dollar store umbrella and headed over to the parade route to find a spot. All the wetness was keeping the crowd numbers down so it was easy to find many open areas along the street. After ruling out a few spots due to rudeness (a chair gently but firmly being pushed into the backs of my legs to let me know that someone wanted to SIT right up at the cattle fence...so I left her to it), smokers and trumpet players I settled on a quietish spot with regular folk. In fact the guys in front of me were speaking in American Sign Language so I knew they weren't gonna be loud and obnoxious!

And whom should I spot standing up against the guard rail with his friends...hot "A" shirt from the bar! Gadzooks, what luck! His boyfriend joined a little later and I was treated to TWO hot guys smooching and dancing to the parade music! *sigh*

Needless to say you will be seeing drawings of them. Again, I wished for the nerve to speak to them but still lack the courage or words to introduce myself without appearing crazy!

Oh yeah, as for the rain? It stopped just as the parade began. The sky remained clear and even let a little sun shine through for the entire parade. I don't know what more proof you need that Mother Nature loves her gays!

:)

Here's the close-up of the balcony dudes from my Pride Guide cover, as requested by Javier.

j.

Happy Pride!

Toronto Pride is this weekend and, in fact, has already started. I was out on Church street just the other night and already traffic is finding it difficult to get through the gathering crowds. Patios are FULL! The weather is fantastically hot causing many men to strip down to the least amount of clothing allowable! Thank you Mother Nature!

Unfortunately Toronto's city workers also chose this week to go on STRIKE! That means no garbage pick up (in this heat? Ugh!) and no ferry's to Toronto Island...and Toronto's nude beach!! AARGH! Denied!! How could they do this to US?

Despite the strike it appears as though most Pride events are continuing as planned (although the Beach Ball at Hanlan's (the nude beach) was recently cancelled. Bummer. I'd wanted to go to that. But there's plenty to do on the mainland, and it can all be found in your copy of the Pride Guide put out by XTRA!

When I sketched up the cover I wanted to include as much of the street crowd and diversity of Toronto's gay community as possible. Every year I see the dude on the stilts, numerous bears in full leather (shweaty!) drag queens, and increasingly over the years - families!

Hopefully I came up with an image that people can look at over the course of the weekend and not tire of! If you're in Toronto grab yourselves a copy and please pop into the comment section and tell us which events you're looking forward to and enjoyed!

Happy Pride!
j.bone

Drawing You In!

I was reading Alan Bennett Ilagan's blog the other day. Alan had just attended Albany's Pride parade and posted pictures including a few of his Pride outfit...which I I think looked great (which is why I wanted to draw it). He was mocked for channeling Richard Simmons and/or Olivia Newton-John. I think the outfit was fun and slightly sailor-ish (it's the striped shirt, I think).

First is the drawing with just the black line art and the abstract Photoshop drawn background I based on the original photo ref. I drew planning on coloring all of the line art which is why you get such heavy shadows on his legs and shorts.
Here's the color only layer. After that "accidental" Josh abstract I checked out the Alan colors and sure enough it has the same kinda cool look. All it needs is a little detail in the face and shoes and it could totally work on it's own.
And finally, the piece as I'd intended it. I love the shirt and socks. The single blue stripe on each sock is almost reflected in the blue shadows of Alan's shirt and the metal dog tag.

Toronto Pride is nearly here! I was asked to draw the cover (THE COVER) to Toronto's Pride Guide this year! Holy SOCKS!! I was thrilled beyond words to get such an awesome opportunity! Wow! Getting a gig like that usually stifles the heck out of me...but I just tried to relax and draw what I'd want to look at when flipping through a booklet to find the events of the day! Something busy so you can spend some time staring at it while waiting for a drag show to start (c'mon girls, how long does it take to get ready ;) but not too busy that it's a mess when seen from a distance. I hope I succeeded. I'll post the final image next week, after the guide comes out in tomorrow's Xtra!

It's gonna be a great summer!
j.

Wiggam Does It Again!

Wow! Michael Wiggam, colorist supreme, hit a home run with this one! I love the light color outline around the jock and his buddy! The coloring of his football jersey is also cool. . He's created a dreamy silhouette with the darker foreground elements and fantastic use of monochrome for the background helps all the right stuff stand out!

j.

Drink and Draw!

Oh, but I love the summertime! The weather is warming up nicely and the streets are full of the peoples! Perfect for sitting on a patio with friends, eating, drinking and drawing! Today was all about Toronto's trashiest trailer park patio (and by 'trashy' I mean 'hot') ZELDA'S. They've hired some new waiters since I visited last and I quite approve!

The guy in the ripped shirt is already a favourite. Curse me for a fool, but I'm still overcoming shyness when it comes to just talking to a cute guy! I'm convinced I'll come across as a complete and bumbling idiot! Thankfully Zelda's is known for its friendly staff, and nobody seemed to mind that my buddy, Mudge, and I ogled as we doodled.
The bearded guy is Mudge (don't ask me why his parents named him that...it's the weirdest name I ever heard). I was trying to get a good cartoony take on his features, without going too far into caricature.

The guy above was just starting his first day as a waiter. That's an arm length tattoo he's sporting. I didn't get a good look at it but the design looked pretty fantastic. You know how some guys just have horrible ink jobs? This wasn't one of those. Nice crisp colours!

If you're in Toronto and stop by Zelda's...and you eat red meat...I highly recommend the mini-burgers. You get three of 'em and they are some of the best hamburgers I've yet to have in this city. And I've tried quite a few places. The meat is so deliciously spiced that you don't need any condiments at all to enjoy!

cheers!
j.

Saving Some Space!

Guess who I just drew a picture of? And guess who I'm gonna work like a madman on as soon as I'm done this latest issue of the Super Friends?

Seriously, guess!

;) j.

Francois Sagat!

While jumping around on the internet recently, procrastinating from my actual work, I came across (pun, if you like) a gorgeous photo of the amazing Francois Sagat. What caught my eye most about the photo wasn't the fishnet 'pants' or leather gloves but the awesome blocks of shadowed muscle projecting from Sagat's back! It looked like the face of a cliff and I just had to draw it.

Sagat takes such incredible pictures. I mean that he himself takes great photos but also when he works with a photographer, Sagat seems to know his own body well enough to strike terrific poses that show off his anatomy to best advantage. Certainly he's made a living doing 'nude' work, shall we say ;) but I've seen 'fashion' photo shoots with him that would be at home in Vogue or Vanity Fair. Check out his blog...I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the artistry in his photos.

j.

Leapin' Rimahs!

Where has the month gone? I feel a little like Rimah in this, the second page of the Rimah story. Launched into space uncertain of the landing...

I've been working on an issue of the Brave and the Bold comic book...the one based on the cartoon not the one written by Mark Waid. I may have mentioned before how much I LOVE the look of that show.

The comic book is also incredibly well drawn. If you haven't seen it yet you must check it out. The artist is Andy Suriano who is so effing talented that I'm scared to follow his art. I'm only doing one issue so far. I'd happily do more but, and no false modesty here, I feel like the cruddy fill-in compared to Mr. Suriano.

So, after I finish B&B I'm trying to figure out what to focus on next. I knowI want to get some pin-up art out there but also really want to do some sequentials. The Rimah story is short. Then there's the sketchbook to put together. Jett Vector needs attention. The Cafepress store needs new product...so many places to land...but where shall I aim first?

best,
j.

The Un-Named Hero!

A quick-ish post today! I've got a book to draw and deadlines looming...but I couldn't resist taking some time out to draw comic book fan RJ Danvers as a superhero! RJ has shown up a few times on my blog as a Guy a Day and as Mr.Natural in the chest hair series. With his full chest of hair and trimmed facial hair he's sort of a typical J.Bone guy, really.
In fact one blog follower, let's call him Mr. X ;), thought Josh and RJ were one and the same. Not so, just similar looking guys.

So, I have no superhero name for RJ. Anyone have any ideas? My thinking with the costume was I wanted modern and sexy without being too revealing. I wanted a costume that you might actually see in a newstand comic. I think the name should be suggestive without being dirty...but that's just me (innocent ol' J.Bone :)
As usual, I had to halftone screen the colour image. I love the retro! Doesn't he look like he could be one of the reserve Avengers?

best,
j.

The Jungle Calls!

My desk is piling up with busy-ness lately...I've not had much time to focus on the Beefcake. I'm hoping you'll be all right with a little peak at my loose pencils on page one of the first Rimah story! I got a big chunk of it done just before things started getting heavy and now, sadly, I have to shift my focus for a spell.

The rest of the is month and most of April has got to be all about the kids! I'll be attending the Toronto Comic Arts Festival this year, with the guys from Transmission-X. We're working on some fun stuff for the show, I'll be part of a little art exhibition and most likely be drawing throughout the day. It's a free event so don't be shy about dropping by!

best,
j.

Maniacal Toon!

Today, just a quick, fairly loosely inked sketch of Josh. Reference was a photo he took of himself. Oh, how I wish I could show you the photo :) It continues to haunt the baser quadrants of my brain. I went simple, graphic and red with the coloring just to suggest that animal quality. My preference is the half-tone screen, cropped image. It seems eve more feral!

You may (or may not) have noticed that I no longer have a Zazzle store. The Zaz shirts arrived and they were TERRIBLE!! Printing was blurry and the shirt quality was 'meh'. For the higher price I expected much better. So Zazzle is out! CafePress is still in. Every morning I enjoy my coffee in the original, very first, signed and numbered Vargas-Josh coffee mug (large sized, naturally).

Have a grrreat day, my friends!
best,
j.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

It's Guy-a-Day in stunning color! I woke up one morning, checked my e-mail as does nearly everyone in the civilized world...and what appeared before my sleep-puffy eyes knocked me out of my slippers and woke me right up! Someone had sent me his colored up versions of some of my Guy-a-Day drawings. Not just any 'someone' but super-colorist Michael Wiggam!

I was and am beyond flattered. I think Michael brings an amazing, painterly quality to my drawings. He finishes them off so beautifully that the inker in me is jealous. And unnecessary.
Michael started a blog of his own, Niveous, to showcase his stunning work. Hopefully he'll be adding more than just my drawings to his blog. He's been coloring Dark Horse's Star Wars: Clone Wars comics for a while now and he just gets better and better with each issue. It certainly doesn't hurt that he's coloring the art of superstar Scott Hepburn though, does it!



Saving the best for last. I am so madly in love with this final image. The color of the beach, water and the tan on the guy's skin (and that adorable untanned butt). I need this on a t-shirt, throw pillow, coffee mug AND tattooed on my back!

You'll be seeing more of Mr. Wiggam here, I guarantee!

best,
j.

Sketchbook Doodles!

On Monday I met up with Josh for a coffee. On entering the shop I noticed a long and lean, very good looking guy stretched out over the chairs, working on his laptop. After getting my drink I intentionally took another long look at the guy and he stared right back. Why, you might wonder, was I checking out some other guy when the adorable Josh was sitting right across from me? A reasonable question. Though Josh is most definitely incredibly easy to look at, an artist finds that he needs variety :)

Regrettably I failed to say a word to the coffee-man, even though I was fully braced to do so as he was leaving. I chickened out at the last second. It's a lesson I'll remember next time I see a cute guy I want to chat with. I only want to draw him/them anyway. *wink-wink*
With variety in mind I present a few collected pages from my sketchbook. I carry around a small hard cover book with me pretty much at all times. It's just one of those that you'd find in any art supply store. I fill the pages with people I see out on the street, in the subway, at restaurants or just ones that I make up. I draw directly in marker so my "style" is different than what you're accustomed to. I've got several books full of these type of drawings so, no doubt, quite a few will be included in the sketchbook(s).


best,
j.

Through the Looking Glass Darkly!

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

Beware the Jabberwock, my son! With jaws that bite and claws that catch. No Jabberwock here...just Josh and a pale reflection of his own self. We took some terrific looking photos in front of a mirror in one of our early sessions. Photos I'm still going back to and being inspired by. This one took a different turn when I thought more about how I see Josh. At this point I think I should let you all see what you want to see in images without the distraction of the "artist" :)

Interpret as you will the darker look of the reflected Josh, and the physical contact between the two. Sorry about the heavy shadow, boys. But at least you do get a nice view of drawn-Josh's rump.

In the comments section there has been a little discussion about the making of a sketchbook. I'd love to hear any and all input from you all about what you'd like to see. I'm considering one large sketchbook collecting as much as possible...but could also easily fill several smaller sized, themed books. Would one option be preferrable over the other? Smaller themed means being able to buy only those images that, shall we say, excite you most. More books means each would be less expensive, as well. Which is a plus.

Picture size is also an issue. Assuming the book is slightly larger than a standard comic book (roughly 6" x 10", 17cm x 26cm) would you prefer several smaller images per page with occasional focus on a larger finished piece? or large images throughout? I know I always prefer at least mid-sized images but sometimes there is that one piece that you just wish had been printed as a full page so you could enjoy it fully. On the other hand that large image that takes up a whole page isn't always the favourite piece and you wish room had been made for two more pictures for which the large image won't allow.

Such dilemmas. We should all have such easy problems to deal with :)

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Feel free to e-mail me (address in my profile) if you don't have a blogger account with which to post.

best,
j.
p.s. Welcome back, Josh!

Barely here!

Now, here's an inviting scene. There's nothing nicer on a cold winter's night than warming yourself by the fire and snuggling up in a bear skin rug. Perhaps a glass of Port or a spiced wine to warm the soul and life just couldn't be better.

In comic news, the latest issue of Madman has a back--up story written by me and drawn by the incomparable Darwyn Cooke! The cover is a super jam piece with a little bit of each of us all inked by the amazing Mike Allred and colored by the astounding Laura Allred!

stay warm, my friends.
j.

Bear in the Wood!

It was ruddy cold this weekend! We Torontonians (and most of Southern Ontario) had a little taste of some warmer weather last week. The sun shone bright and hot lifting us out of the February blahs! But Dame March roared in with snow and below freezing temperatures. Not really a blizzard or anything dastardly. Just COLD! I wonder if that counts as a Lion or have we got something more ferocious to look forward to come end of month.

James F. asked about some bears. I thought 'What better way to keep warm than sipping hot chocolate with a cuddly bear!' As long as this chilly weather persists I'll be drawing more bears. The week of loin cloths will have to wait a little longer. My guys will catch their death of cold if they go out in loin cloths today.

Stay warm, my friends.
j.

Tuesday is the New Monday!

Truth is I was busy on Monday and forgot to update. So Tuesday will have to pretend to be Monday for my sake. Frankly, it's the least Tuesday can do after all I've done for it.

This is the image which you can find on the CafePress Store clock...minus the numbers. It's from a photo that Josh had taken himself (or perhaps a friend took it?) I saw it and just had to draw it. I especially worked at capturing the scruffy little snarl on his face.

My accident, while Photoshopping, I removed the black layer...and was surprised at how identifiable almost everything was in my under-color! So for fun I'm throwing this up on the wall. You can see just how basic my color is. Nothin' special...I think there are about nine shades and tints here.

Happy Fat Tuesday/Pancake Tuesday! Or just Plain Tuesday if that's how you celebrate it!
best,
j.

Through the Looking Glass!

Some of you may have already noticed this image added to the CafePress shop. I keep changing the name of the image...Mirror-Man, Reflection (for the journal), Mirror Image...anything but "Man in the Mirror". That name conjours up the song by Michael Jackson. I can think of no better way to lose your erection than to think of Michael Jackson. Ugh!

Andy (of Foxy Andy) pointed out another print-on-demand shop called Zazzle. I've opened a one item store there because, well, frankly their merchandise is a whole lot more expensive. But it's possible the quality is far superior and therefore justifies the higher price. I'll be ordering a shirt from them myself so that I can compare them to the CafePress items (which should arrive any day now).
Sometimes when I've finished an image I'll play around with the file; reversing or inverting the colours, making it black and white, applying ridiulous filters. Because every now and then I get something that I like almost more than the straight up final art. I really like the rough blurriness of this black and whiter version and will most likely put it on the Zazzle shirt that I order for myself. I'll make it available here, as well, for anyone else who might want it.

best,
j.

Jungle Adventure!

The adventure continues in this weeks exciting episode! Rimah must re-unite a lost baby t-rex with it's mother; the thing is, mom doesn't trust Rimah and tries to eat him! Meanwhile, a volcano erupts and the flowing lava threatens to destroy Rimah's village and it's people if they don't evacuate in time!
Does Rimah make it back to his village in time to help his people? Or does Mama T-Rex make a have beefcake for brunch! Tune in to this weeks exciting episode of Rimah, Lord of the Jungle! *

In case no one saw the update - I've added another couple of items to the Bone's Men shop, including a clock featuring, what I think is, a very sexy image of Josh in his underpants! Keep an eye on the store for new items as the weeks go on. I'll be swapping out older images for new ones just to keep it fresh and moving!

j.

*Before you get too excited, there is no episdoe to look forward to. Sorry. However, that's a pretty terrific story idea and I believe I know how it wraps up! That's FOUR Rimah stories now.

Pin-Up Boy!

This just happens to be my favourite of all of the Josh drawings I've done so far. Personal taste, totally. It reminds me of a Vargas pin-up pose...not in the execution, mind you. The pose feels like vintage pin-up girl, but with masculine curves!

Josh took the pose quite naturally as he curled up in my studio chair. It was just a simple matter of having him point his toes and raise his right arm for the pose to be perfection. I love how his chest comes down into his abs and disappear behind the thigh. I love the bulge of his calves as he flexes his feet. And I love the playful smile and eyes that sorta say "I know I'm posing and maybe I look ridiculous but who cares!" Josh had the same slightly goofy grin as I drew him.

So, the big news is that I've finally got some product up on CafePress! Check out the side link under my profile to see what I've made available. So far I'm making this Josh image the main product. I will most certainly be upgrading and adding more product as I get images finalized.

PLEASE, please let me know what you guys (those of you who order) think of the end product. Tell me if there are certain items you'd like added to the store (cloth bags, hats, hoodies, etc...) Let me know if there's a particular image that you'd like to have on a shirt, mug, magnet, etc... I want to make sure that I make available product that you guys actually want to buy. So don't be shy about telling me!

Prints of certain images will also be added. I think I want to order a few for myself just to see the quality before I make such things available.

Thanks, guys!
best,
j.

Edited to add: I've just added a few new items to the Cafe Press store, including a wall clock with an, as yet, unseen image! xo