If you hadn't noticed it's been a while since I've posted anything (at all) on my blog. I hope to change that, but with how busy things are right now, I'm not sure I can promise anything.

This is a little something I did a while back but never posted. Was thinking of making this into a T-Shirt for Halloween; for laughs.

Progress on my Middle-Grade Adventure Novel (the one I'm writing) is coming along nicely. I'm on chapter 36, and things are moving along (though at a snails pace).

I'm really excited about the storyline. I set out to write the book I would have liked to have read when I was a kid. I think I'm on the right track. I'll keep you posted (the 1 of you who still checks back to see if I've posted anything). Thanks mom!

Happy Halloween

Halloween Freebies: Part II

Here are the other critters I said I'd try to send your way in time for Halloween.
Hope they're a treat and not a trick.

Happy Halloween everybody!

Happy Halloween... Freebies!

I found these little critters hiding in corners, on bookshelves, and pasted to windows. The only way I could get rid of the little vermin was to put them on my blog and give them away. 

Since I can't give out treats to all the world (and since you can't smell my feet), this is my trick.
Print 'em out and color 'em, then decorate your house... just don't feed 'em after midnight. You've been warned!
Happy Halloween!

I'll try to post a few more Critters before Halloween! 

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(Click on images to enlarge)
(Note: Left as they are (simply dragged to your desktop) they print out at about 3" wide. Enlarged (by clicking on the image) they nearly fill an 8"x11" page. The good news is that most printer menus allow you to adjust how big they print out.

I'll try to post a few more before Halloween. 

Wee Beastie

For the past few months I've been engaged in writing a juvenile fantasy fiction novel. I came to a pivotal chapter where the characters unwittingly draw the attention of a local predator. When I went to describe the creature I had only a rudimentary idea what it looked like and decided (as I'd done before) that I needed to do some sketching to help me visualize it. After a few dead ends this is what I came up. I imagine from nose to tail he's about 8 to 9 feet long. (The original nearly fills an 8" x 11" sheet of paper).

Thanks for dropping by.

Banjo Blues

Banjo playing pigs prefer the blues.

Check out these other Banjo Pigs, and play along... http://banjopigs.blogspot.com/

As always, thanks for dropping by.

Toon Club: Mighty Mouse

Terry Toon's 'Mighty Mouse' with a little something extra.

Captain America Costume - Highly Anticipated First Look

Not sure how the rest of you feel about Chris Evans (aka Human Torch of Fantastic Four fame) playing the highly anticipated role of Captain America, but I'm hoping that it will be good. I like Chris, and Cap is pretty amazing, so I anticipate that the movie will terrific.

And what think you of the costume? I figured they weren't going to stick to the scales on his suit, but I still think it would work. I can't tell if they kept the skull wings, or if they're just going to elude to them, but if they don't they'll be missed. Not loving the shoulder pads, but overall it's fairly true to the original design, so I'm good with it.


And for those who enjoy Iron Man Spoofs and children, you ought to enjoy this:
http://www.mefeedia.com/watch/31471155

Here's a still:

Stickmen continued... and an announcement

I'd like to take a moment and apologize for the Minotaur post. I admit that I got caught up in the details and lost sight of the overall design. I'll do better in the future. Many thanks for the kind words in spite of the poor design. Hopefully this round of sketches is a bit more digestible.

In other news, I'm excited to inform that I'm working on a fantasy novel (pre-teen/teen audience). I'm pouring on the coals, and have a solid plot-line and characters down on paper. I'm projecting a trilogy, but nothing's written in stone. I'll keep you posted.

Additionally, a good friend of mine wrote a short story and posted it on Smories. It's read by an adorable little British girl.
Here's the video link: http://www.smories.com/watch/matilda_mcbean/
You're in for a treat. 

Minotaur

Over at Toon Club, the topic was "Mythical". One of my favorite mythical creatures (for some reason) is the Minotaur.

I'd like to think that I'm going to splash some color on it, but since that may or may not happen, I'll post it now.

Action Stickmen® Revisited

Those of you who have been long time visitors (thanks Mom) will recognize my brand of stickman. I call them Action Stickmen ® (yes, they're Registered, 2007). This character is simply called 'E'. Her powers are highly classified.  

I've decided to upgrade my Avatar.
Sure makes me look like a grouch, but maybe it's a good look for me.

Shout out to Rob, Joanne, Em and Chase. You know who you are.

Focus...

This critter is 1/8th of an inch tall, has rubber teeth, and lives under MY bed. Now you ought to sleep better. 


















... and I can't be sure, but I think that he's discovered that something has become unaccountably attached to his finger.  Hope your new year is off to an incredible start.

Lookie What I Caught

Did some sketching this past week and figured I'd post. Splashed some color on one of 'em. Maybe I'll find some time to color the critter too. For now, my pillow is calling me by name. Gotta run.

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Toon Club Sketch: Horror Cliches

One of my favorite cliches in the old 1950's B-Horror Movies is the idea where a creature or alien is discovered, it proceeds to kill everyone, and still there's one scientist who wants to study it, learn from it, communicate with it. In the end he attempts to protect it, and it kills him too. "The Thing From Another Planet" (aka 'The Thing'), circa 1951, is a prime example of this Horror Cliche. Though by my estimation, it's a classic black and white monster movie. Right up there with "Frankenstein" and "War of the Worlds".

I did another (failed) drawing of this same idea not long ago, and threw it away for this image. Not sure it's an improvement, but I like the composition better. Imagine a scientist standing in frot of it, defiantly shielding it with his body.
One day I'll take a stab a finishing this and you'll see what I'm talking about.

As ever, thanks for stopping by. I'll try to post some more stuff soon.
- Ken

What I Draw When I'm In A Pneumonia-Induced Trance

It's true, I drew these while visiting my new friends at the local hospital. I started out with plain-old H1N1, which turned into Pneumonia (since I didn't get it treated right away-- among other causes). I'm still battling with the Pneumonia part of it, but should be recovered by Monday. I'll try to use this time to do some more posting, before things get back to normal (a.k.a.- crazy).

And... if you like a good Halloween tale, and I know you do, then you might enjoy my annual contribution to the Halloween tale telling tradition. (Yeah, I draw and write. I got A's in all my creative writing classes. Weird huh?)

You can find my short stories here:

http://golemchronicles.blogspot.com/

My Halloween themed stories are:

• Ghost Story (Not sure how to categorize this one...)

• Big Black Dog (Suspense)

• Bed (Comedy)

And just by way of fair warning, I enjoy throwing my readers off, until the very end of my stories. I like "Twlight Zone" endings, in other words.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

New stetch + N1H1 Flu + Pnuemonia = PARTY!

As the title of this piece suggests, I'm submitting this for your perusal from a hospital bed. My wife was good enough to have some compassion on my ADHD and bring me my laptop. It's saved me from slipping into the brink of boredom madness on several occassions. My sketchbook has also been a life saver too.

I should be outta here in the next 12 to 24 hours, and when I am I'll be sure to scan and post the newer stuff I've been working on.

... and most importantly, Happy 4th Birthday Spencer! Wish I could be there Bud.

Animal Crackers & Sketches

Once upon a time, not long ago, I considered working for a craft publisher (crafting supplies, stamps, that sort of thing). I created this in Illustrator for my portfolio.

I really enjoyed this exercise, and I'm fairly happy with the results. Not the sort of thing I do a lot of, but I had fun with it.










... and here are a few sketches.

The beaked creature I drew this afternoon, it started as a doodle, just goofing off. Guess you never know what will come of playing around.

Thanks to everyone who stops by for a visit. Have a great weekend.

Sketch Challenge-Day 9: Weiner

Apologies to those who were expecting a pencil sketch. Hope you enjoy it anyway. 

Sketch Challenge-Day 8: Dino Critter (Color Sketch)

I've been attempting to load Photoshop onto my new laptop, and it's aging me faster than normal (or Customer Service is at any rate). I'm still not there, but was able to put some color on this sketch. Hope to have more in the near future. Thanks for visiting, and for your feedback.

Sketch Challenge-Day 3-7: Alien Insectoid & friends

I can't even imagine how big the flyswatter would have to be to flatten this guy... and how upset he'd be if it didn't do the job properly. Hope to have more sketches/illustrations soon.

Sketch Challenge-Day 2: Battle Cry

Not sure what he's yelling, but I think it'd either make me cringe or snicker. In my minds ear I hear an angry "GRONK!". I really shouldn't laugh at his battle cry. I'd be offended if he laughed at mine.

Sketch Challenge-Day 1: Weiner

I don't have much experience with fishing, but I think this is the general idea.

I'm doing an experiment... pushing myself really. I've been avoiding drawing lately, then I read Mel Milton's blog entry where he's challenged himself to sketch every day for a month and post the results. Inspired.

So my challenge to myself is to draw a minimum of one sketch for every 3 days. If I can fit more in, I will. Thanks for coming 'round to see my stuff.

Sketches: June-August 2009

Sorry for the long absence, and thanks for your patience.

Ain't Love Grand?

Spring has sprung, and love is in the air... for some anyway.

And here's another illustration I'm working on. Hope you enjoy!

And lastly, but not least, Happy Father's Day to all those who 

enjoy the privilege of being a Dad.

Thanks for stopping by.