I just got a chance to compile all of last month’s #INKtober sketches into one big image. These are all characters who will likely show up in the Trapezius Pepper story that I’m currently trying to wrap my brain around (in addition to some of the characters I drew during previous #INKtober challenges). I do like having this visual representation of Stoutsburg’s citizens to help me keep track of everybody. I’m tempted to pin all these mugshots onto my wall and use string & post-it notes to chart everyone’s relationships and affiliations. Conspiracy walls aren’t JUST for detectives and crazy people, right?
INKtober 2014
It’s that time of year again! Keeping up the #INKtober tradition, I’ll be creating an inked drawing every day in October. I’m sticking with my technique of doing 3″x3″ head shots, which is usually manageable even on busy days.
In previous years I drew a bunch of random characters to see if I could come up with any designs that might fit in the Trapezius Pepper comic I was wanting to work on. In 2012 I focussed on human characters and in 2013 I focussed on bears and raccons. This year I’ll be tackling humans AND bears AND raccoons. And now that I’m picking up steam on the comic and have gotten further into the writing of it, I thought I’d focus on specific characters I know will be in the story.
This first sketch is of Trapezius himself. You can never get too much practice drawing your protagonist.
If you want to see more concept stuff from the Trapezius Pepper comic while I’m still working on it, check out my Patreon and consider becoming a patron: http://www.patreon.com/steverolston
I’ll do a round-up blog post at the end of the month but if you want to see my INKtober drawings every day, follow me on Instagram, Twitter or Tumblr.
Each of the original drawings will be available to purchase as soon as they’re posted on my Instagram. You can get one for $10 USD via Paypal (includes shipping). These inked drawings are on 3″ x 3″ pieces of bristol board, signed on the back. Email me at steve@steverolston.com to call dibs.
You can also check this blog post to see which original art from previous years is still available: http://steverolston.com/89m
And if you want a nice collection of my 2012 & 2013 INKtober drawings. you can get a digital version (pay-what-you-want PDF) from Gumroad or you can order a physical booklet from my Etsy Shop.
If you’re an artist, I hope to see you join in on the #INKtober challenge. And I hope the rest of you enjoy the show!
Raccoons and Humans and Bears, Oh My!
I’ve just made my latest sketchbook available to purchase online! “RACCOONS AND HUMANS AND BEARS, OH MY!” is a collection of my INKtober sketches from 2012 and 2013, including some notes about the drawings, the characters and what inspired them.
You can choose between the physical booklet, which is available in my Etsy Shop, or a digital PDF version, which is available via Gumroad. I’m quite happy with the cute little booklet but I also like flipping through the pages on a tablet or smart phone. I chose Gumroad because I’m curious about their Pay-What-You-Want option, which allows creators to set a minimum price and then the customers can decide what they want to pay. I’ve set the digital price at ZERO, so you can download it for free or choose to give me a little something for it.
Fan Expo Vancouver 2014
This weekend I’m going to be at Fan Expo Vancouver! It’s a three-day convention this year, filled with comics, anime, games and celebrities. You can find me at Table P-27 in Artists Alley. I’ll also be doing a signing from noon-1pm on Sunday at the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund table.
I don’t have any new comics to bring to the show, so I printed up some booklets collecting my #INKtober sketches from the past two years, including some notes about the drawings, the characters and what inspired them. I hereby present “RACCOONS AND HUMANS AND BEARS, OH MY!”
I’ve got a bunch of copies to sell at Fan Expo this weekend and at VanCAF next month. For those who can’t make it to Vancouver, I’ll make the leftovers available via my Etsy shop.
INKtober Drawings for Sale
Want one of my original #INKtober drawings? I’m selling ’em for $10 a pop. And not just the bears and raccoons from 2013. I’ll also be letting go of the humans I’ve been hoarding since INKtober 2012.
These are inked drawings on 3″ x 3″ pieces of bristol board. They’re all signed on the back, including the date they were drawn. I accept both Yankee and Canuck dollars, via Paypal. The $10 includes shipping via lettermail to Canada and the USA. If you live elsewhere, tossing in another buck would be nice of you.
Post a comment on this blog entry to call dibs on the drawing(s) you want. I’ll email you to confirm that you called dibs first and then you can Paypal the money to me at steve@steverolston.com. It’ll be fun!
What’s still available:
2012 – Days 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29
2013 – Days 2, 5, 6, 13, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
I’ll keep updating the list above as drawings sell but you might want to check recent comments to see if someone recently called dibs on your favourite pick. Those jerks.
INKtober
Last October I joined in on Jake Parker’s INKtober challenge and it was pretty fun, so I’ve decided to add it to my annual traditions. You can find the full rules over on Jake’s tumblr but the gist of it is that you do an inked drawing each day in October and tag it on social media with “#inktober”. Here are mine from last year:
In order to make it something I could fit into my schedule every day, I decided to go with just headshots drawn on 3″ x 3″ squares of bristol board. This approach also allowed me to work through some character design ideas for a comic I have on the backburner. I inked them with a selection of Pigma Microns, Staedtler pigment liners and a Faber-Castell PITT brushpen for the solid blacks, if you’re curious.
I’ll be sticking with the same approach this year, with one exception. Instead of working on human character designs, I’ll be exploring designs for the bears and raccoons that live amongst the humans in my story. I’m curious to see what kind of variety I can get while still keeping the art style cohesive. Here’s today’s furball:
Rather than flood my main blog with a new entry every day, I’ll be posting a weekly round-up. If you want to see each drawing while the ink is still wet, follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Flickr or Tumblr. I’ll be posting to those every day. Keep watch and see if I can keep up to the challenge!