the Ice Cream Kingdom

A double page spread for the Ice Cream Kingdom

In the Ice Cream Kingdom, although the details aren't finalized yet, 
Prince and Lionel will definitely go through a 'trial separation' of sorts. Prince's departure, depicted in a surreal moment, above, will torment his master's dreams. And Lionel, who didn't exactly get where
he  is by having a normal childhood, will learn that life can indeed be 
lonely at the top. 

Pen & Touch

Basic shapes & primary colours

I have finally gotten myself a pen & touch tablet which is going to dramatically change how I work. This was my first attempt at a sketch.
The whole process felt surprisingly natural.

the Ice Cream Kingdom

Poster design for Lionel 2

Here's a comprehensive layout for a poster I'm doing for 
the Ice Cream Kingdom which is the sequel to my second 
kid's book, the Ice Cream King.  I'll be completing the final 
artwork for this new book over the winter.

the Nature Trial

Cover design for The Nature Trial

Here is a preliminary cover design for a story I've been
working on for a while. It was inspired by my dad's encounters
with a lodge of beavers in their natural habitat, during his creation
of a nature trail on his property in the Ottawa Valley.  In this fantasy
version of a true story, a very wise and ghostly Great Grey Owl
will preside over a midnight hearing; a Nature Trial, between a
frustrated woodsman and the animals of the forest, to determine
once and or all ~ who really owns the land.

SugarCubes

Does Miss B really have to answer that question? Not in the
U.S.of A, she doesn't.  Among the freedoms guaranteed by the
fifth ammendment to the American constitution (including
protection from double jeopardy) is the right to refuse to answer
questions during a legal proceeding if the response could provide
self-incriminating evidence.  Betty Boop can 'plead the fifth'.

Maxfield sequence

After receiving another, particularly traumatizing message
(not yet posted), and just before the sign attack, Maxfield will
experience a brief period of good behavior, which I'll probably
lay out as a comic book sequence for a more efficient read.

ROXYfm

Here is another rough production drawing for my ROXY animation
project. After becoming self aware, the wolfman will look out over the
roof tops of the city, focusing on the radio tower in the distance.

SugarCubes

Who wouldn't be?... Each year, the U.S.federal government 
grants over 150,000 patents. Only about 3 percent ever become 
commercially viable products. And legal fees are estimated to 
begin at $2,500 - $3,000.

Maxfield's art class

In one of my previous kids books,  The Ice Cream King,
a classroom scene featured some recognizable 'young monarchs'
for readers to identify. I am now working on this Maxfield spread in
which I will try to incorporate a selection of 'famous artist kids' in
a similar way. 

ROXY.FM characters

Wolfman and DJ model sheet

 I find that model sheets like this one can really help develop
characters. I think these guys need to interact more now, on
a humorous level.

SugarCubes

Don't be alarmed! The (daily) odds of by being crushed by
a falling object are one in one hundred & thirty two million, two
hundred & seventy thousand, six hundred & fifty!  Just remain vigilant...  

Maxfield Cover

Cover design for new kid's book

Here is my first rough cover sketch for the Maxfield book,
although I'm not 100% certain of the title yet.  I'll complete
this painting in watercolours or acrylics, about 18" X 24".

ROXY model sheets

I have just begun to draw model sheets for the two main
characters in the ROXY animation. Their facial expressions
and full figures will have to work convincingly together.  I will
post more sketches as I go.

SugarCubes

Just kidding. Mountain goats are virtually fearless and very
majestic creatures who almost never fall or even slip. They are
perfectly comfortable in their natural environment.