Illustration Friday: Adrift

Illustration Friday: Adrift, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Cartoon of cat and dog on and iceberg. Dog says, “On the bright side, at least the snow has melted.”

When this week's word, "adrift," came up for Illustration Friday, I thought of all the snow in my backyard and my poor pets. They have had a hard time with the snow. And Indiana hasn't gotten the kind of snow that has assaulted the east coast. We've had only a small taste of Snowmageddon.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Six more weeks... stupid groundhog!

CNN is reporting Punxsutawney Phi has seen his shadow once again . The oversized rodent says there are six more weeks of winter in these United States. The weatherman keeps threatening more snow in Indiana, so Phil must be right.

My heart was broken. Yet, I had enough strength to spread the news the low tech drawing way, via a chalk interface device. Thanks to cameras, I can spread it high-tech too.

Whenever something catches my attention, or just bugs me, I have to let it out somehow. Drawing or doodling is the best way for me. I might as well get some creative mileage out of it.

I'm thankful for some new chalkboard paint at work. It's a great new outlet that doesn't involve pixels or bezier curves. It's okay to be low tech once in a while.

illustration Friday-Focused

Here is my digital illustration for this week's topic on Illustration Friday. This week's word is "focused."

When they announced the word, I immediately thought of a camera. After all, I've been having all sorts of fun with a point and shoot camera. But the thought soon left me, so obviously, that didn't have much of an impact on me. If I didn't care all that much, I didn't expect anyone else to care either.

When I went back to the sketch, the word, "cheese" stood out. Why do we say cheese when we pose for a camera anyway? Wait, a minute... cheese? What animal is the most focused? I thought of my cat. That critter can get focused on anything that moves. Cats... cheese... mice.... I wondered what connection could be there.

Here were the sketches I made as I was thinking and doodling. As I was thinking of a mouse, I thought how focused one feels if they get the feeling they are being watched. 

I took my illustration into Adobe Illustrator. I started drawing the mouse.   

I begin drawing by using the pen tool. It takes a little while to get used to, but you can't beat the accuracy and the flexibility once you master it. The pen tool allows you to draw with a mouse or a digital tablet equally well. When I finished the drawing, I took it into Live Paint, eliminated the unneeded strokes and started filling in areas with color.

Next, I began drawing the cat. I put each character on a different layer so I could move them around and apply different effects to each.

I put the eyes and whiskers of the cat on different layers to I could apply a glow to the eyes, and a faded effect for the whiskers. Next, I added a layer of dark color just above the cat layer. This helped everything pop a little more and give a little mystery to the cat.

I drew this all in Adobe Illustrator.

Illustration Friday-Wilderness

Illustration Friday-Wilderness, originally uploaded by speartoons.

This is my sketch for Illustration Friday. This week's word is ";wilderness" Whenever I think of wilderness, I envision the old Hanna Barbera, Yogi Bear cartoons. As a kid, I thought everyone was mean because they wouldn't feed the bears. This is how I would have liked those cartoons to turn out.

My idealism changed when we went on a vacation to the Smoky Mountains and I saw a bear charge a tourist. That settles it. It's not a good idea to feed the bears.

I drew this in Adobe Photoshop

Comic: Reboot button

Cartoon of kids and a dog. Boy says, “He won’t do any tricks. Where’s the reboot button?

I found the reboot technique for our dog. It's called a treat. Our puppy changes her behavior immediately if she hears the crinkle of a treat bag. It works for husbands too.

I drew this webcomic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Bonfire with Friends

Cartoon of two mice at a bonfire and a cat. A mouse says, "Nothing like a bonfire with friends, is there?"

The thing I like about bonfires in autumn is the mysterious, spooky feeling. I can see what's going on around the bonfire, but what's lurking out there beyond the warm glow? Only The Shadow knows. Wait! That's "What evil lurks within the hearts of men." Sounds like Halloween to me.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Comic: Carnivore Cruise

Cartoon of an alligator and Noah. The caption says, "Despite Al's friendly manner, Noah turned down his request to room with the sheep."

Whenever I heard about Noah's Ark, I often wondered how much work it would have taken to keep the carnivores and the livestock separated. It would be mighty hard to keep the fox from the hens if they're shared a table and lounge chairs on the lido deck.

Cartoon: Pointy Homework

Cartoon of a boy with a test and a dog. Boy says, "For a pointer, you're pretty lousy at pointing out homework answers."

I never used our dog to do my homework. She was a collie and whenever I'd ask a question, she'd just nip at my heels.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Cartoon: A Strong Dog

Cartoon of boy with pets. Boy says to dog, "Look at it this way. It takes a strong dog to admit the cat rules the house."

No doubt about it. In our house, the cat rules the roost. The only exception is when our dog is able to ambush the cat. Corners are very good for that.

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

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Cartoon: Bring your papers

Cartoon of dog in airport. Guard says, “I’m sorry, sir! But even if you are a mongrel, I must see your papers.”

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

Security is much more advanced (hopefully) since I penned this cartoon. At least the equipment looks more like something out of Star Trek. I wish they worked like the transporter instead of just beeping angrily at me when I leave my cell phone on my person!

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

Cartoon: Computing on the farm

Cartoon of two farmers. One says, “I don’t know what to do. The cows prefer Windows ’95, the pigs go for the Mac and don’t even ask me what the chickens use!”

This is a classic cartoon I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages." (Bet you can tell from the reference to Windows '95!)

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

Cartoon: But he followed me home

Cartoon of Dad, son and raccoon. Dad is angry. Son says to Dad, "But he followed my home."

When I went to camp, there were a few critters I would have liked to take home. None of them were within the cabin. Those type of critters tried to come home with me on their own.

Instead of taking a raccoon home as a souvenir, I opted for the t-shirt instead. They were easier to wash.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Cartoon: parenting butterflies

Cartoon of caterpillar child to parent butterfly. Caterpillar says, "Nag, nag, nag! I can't wait until I get a chrysalis of my own."

Insects must have it easy. Even though their parenting skills are nonexistent, they don't have to deal with a generation gap.

Then again, they don't know the joys of parenting either. I guess it's about how much you invest. Go ahead and give your time. Sooner or later, that caterpillar will emerge as a stunning butterfly.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Illustration Friday: Worn

Illustration Friday: Worn, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Here is my take for Illustration Friday's "worn." This giraffe is the perfect model for a neck tie. Personally, I'm glad I haven't worn a tie to work in years.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrtor CS3.

Illustration Friday: Adapt

When I heard this word, I thought of those poor polar bears who may need to learn how to adopt to subtopic conditions.

Surfing the big waves may have to replace boogie boarding on the ice.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS3.

Illustration Friday: Cracked

This is my take for Illustration Friday's word, "Cracked." Goldfish always look so relaxed and trusting considering the sad fate these poor creatures often face. 

When I was little, I threw a toy pistol through our ten gallon aquarium. How was I to know it would break? Mom and Dad must have had patience of steel that day.

Illustration Friday: Poise

Spear Cartoon 3481
Originally uploaded by speartoons

Cartoon of dog, cat and woman. Dog says to cat, “Run between her ankles again. Whenever you do that, she has such poise."

This is also my entry for Illustration Friday: Poise

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS3

Illustration Friday: Instinct

CIG Bird Care and Training Part 4
Originally uploaded by speartoons

Part 4 opener for "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Bird Care and training."

This is a book I illustrated about ten years ago. When I heard the word for this week, I thought of the many times we try to train instinct out of animals. That's good when the dog piddles on the carpet. I'm guessing it's good to teach a parrot the theory of relativity too.

The copyright belongs to the publisher. Copyright Alpha Books/Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Illustration Friday: Time

Illustration Friday: Time, originally uploaded by speartoons.

This poor worm is thinking his time is up!

I drew this illustration in Adobe Illustrator. The wig for the bird cost extra, but was worth it.

Deer to Door

Cartoon of deer to man: "Good evening, Sir. Did you know crashes are on the rise?"

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS3.