Cartoon: Musical Tech

Spear-Cartoon_3560, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Cartoon of boy and dad at computer. Boy says, "You're listening to classical music on the Internet? Doesn't that violate some techie code of conduct?"

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2. It also is for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "music."

Sketchbook: Curiosity in a Box

Spear_sbook0906_pg99, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Sketch of kids in a classroom. It's fun how kids are attracted to boxes. It always piques their curiosity. Even if it's empty, kids will wonder what's going on, especially when it wasn't there before.

Devotoons: Tested by Praise

Yesterday, I posted a new Devotoon at my sister site. If you're looking for a new cartoon, that's the place to go. Here's the link:

Devotoons: Tested by Praise

Bike Riding Monster

Bike Riding Monster, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Sketch I did during a department meeting. Sometimes, it's better to avoid drawing anyone in a meeting. Unfortunately, trouble brews if someone still believes I was drawing them in the form of a monster.

Making a Change

I have decided to change my blog posting focus. For the last two months, I have posted a daily cartoon on this site. While I have enjoyed that, I have decided to become more focused.

Now, I am concentrating my new comics at my other blog site. I will be posting three days a week to http://www.devotoons.com. This site will have a cartoon with a devotional thought.

In the meantime, I'll use this blog site. to post some of my work in progress and interesting tidbits about children's publishing, book publishing and the comics industry.

Blessings,

Kevin Spear

Webcomic: The Plague of Chores

Cartoon of Moses and a boy. Boy says, “It’s not fair being Moses’ son! If I don’t do my chores, you send a plague."

Have you ever noticed life isn't fair if you make someone work? What they're really saying is "It's only fair if I don't have to lift a finger!" Oops! Looks like I better change my attitude and do a little more work!

I drew this web comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Panting for School

Cartoon of two boys. One says, "If a dog goes around with his tongue hanging out, it's okay. But if I do it, I get sent to the school counselor."

There are so many things our pets do we think is cute. But if a person did the same thing, trouble would be brewing. Be sure you do your panting at home. It's safe that way.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Illustration Friday: Blur

Cartoon of boy and mom. Son says, "I don't know what the principal told you. For me, the food fight was a blur."

I have to admit, I wasn't usually the boy starting a food fight in the cafeteria. I was the kid observing the whole melee, hiding and admiring the troublemaker for his chutzpah. It's much safer that way, and the teachers like you better.

I drew this for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "blur."

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Dignity Insurance

Cartoon of boy and girl. Boy is wearing an eagle costume. Boy says, "I agreed to be the school mascot if they would pay for my dignity insurance."

You have to be a special breed to be a mascot. You have to be able to fire up the crowd while ignoring those who fear you or want to humiliate you. It's a good lesson for life in general. I think it would have been good for Charlie Brown to play a mascot. It builds character.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Internet Language Lessons

Cartoon of boy at a computer. Mom says to him, “We didn’t get you a computer so you could learn how to call someone a moron in seven different languages.”

This is an illustration I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

I envy today's kids. The Internet is a vast resource for people looking for subversive ways to insult friends and loved ones. It's one giant thesaurus, baby!

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.

Blog link: What size should I illustrate my children's book?

Heather Castle's blog has some great information for aspiring children's book illustrators. Her latest post tackles the question, "What size should I illustrate for children's books?"

http://blog.illustrationcastle.com/2009/11/03/faqs-what-size-should-i-illustrate-for-childrens-books/

The biggest takeaway from this is don't provide finished illustrations for the whole book. It will take you forever and won't help you sell the book. Provide sketches and perhaps one, finished illustration.

You never what to hear from and editor who says, "The story was great, but the illustrations are a bit off." I've seen it before. It happens. Your illustrations may be great, but not quite the angle the editor would like to go. Or it could go the other way. The publisher loves your illustration style but thinks the story is drivel. If that's the case, you have quite a portfolio piece, but a couple of illustrations would have sufficed.

It's the KISS method, friends! Keep it simple, Silly!

Webcomic: Health Insurance

Cartoon of boy sick in bed. He says to his mom, "But if we have health insurance, why didn't it keep me from getting sick?"

Have you ever tried to explain insurance to children? It's not the easiest thing. One would assume health insurance would keep you from the flu bug. Then again, that same logic would say life insurance would keep you from dying. I suppose it depends on whether you get term or whole life.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Internet Play

Cartoon of girl at a neighbor's door. Girl says, “Can Michael come over and surf the net?”

This is a comic I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this web comic. Please do not use without permission.

Webcomic: All Saints Day

Cartoon of an angel and vampire. Angel says, “Halloween is over, Bub. It’s All Saints Day. Beat it!”

All the spooks and sweets are over. It's time to count the loot and bring out the saints again. Only fifty-five days until Christmas. It will take that long to get the saints in order.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2