csjennings drawings!

Muffin Madness

2012-02-01T23:42:00.001-06:00

Found this in the sketchbook.

Happy 2012

2012-01-16T22:49:00.001-06:00

A version of this was to be 2011's Christmas card. I drew the owl and everything. Then there was a last minute rush of clients clambering for end of the year projects, so the cards never went out. Will start this year's card in July. Lesson learned.

2011-12-15T11:19:00.000-06:00

Story. Visuals. Sentiment. Lane Smith's "Grandpa Green" is one of the best picture books I've read in years. Amazon.com

Homage : Cat

2011-12-12T23:48:00.001-06:00

I've wanted to do illustrations based on

some of my favorite images on the internet.

This is my first foray into this idea.

The fairy doesn't tell us who he is, but it informs as to the sort of world he exists within. (It is also a world wear cats dress sharp.)

* Original, source unknown.

High-to-the fivizzle!

2011-11-29T12:18:00.001-06:00

Woot! Hello, Texas!, the board book I wrote, and the uber-talented David Walker drew, got picked up by Scholastic Book Fairs! Click for info on the book. Click to get you one.

Top Turkeys of 2011

2011-11-28T22:56:00.001-06:00

Not every year, but several, I have illustrated the Fort Worth Star Telegram's Top Turkey Awards feature. It's published on Thanksgiving day and lists the biggest numbskulls of the year. I was fortunate to get to draw it again this time around. Below are the three illo's I contributed. I don't do a ton of caricature, but I enjoy it, though I don't consider what I do caricature, more of cartoon likenesses ... which Webster's defines as caricature. Enjoy!

(As always, click the images if'n ya wants to see 'em bigger.)

In case you didn't know, the heat was kind of a huge jerk in Texas this year.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries earned a spot.

This guy was actually one last year, but only for getting messed up and trashing a hotel room ... or something like that. Sheen earned higher points for winning this year.

Con Sketchin : The Beast (fan art)

2011-11-17T22:24:00.001-06:00

This last weekend I had a table at Austin Comic Con (Wizard World.) Sitting in one spot over three days, things happen. The following posts are a brief visual journal of my time.

Surrounded by comic book characters, it was time to try my hand at one I'd never drawn. (I haven't drawn many.)

The BEAST!!!!!

[Click image to see larger.]

Con Sketchin : New Sketchbook : First Drawings

2011-11-17T22:19:00.001-06:00

I'd filled up my sketchbook. As I opened the brand new sketchbook the binding cracked. I pulled out my pen. Paused for a moment. Then I ruined the sketchbook. (If it seems like there's lots of unused space, it's because super secret Notes To Self were removed.)

[Click image to see larger.]

Con Sketchin : Smokey Bear

2011-11-17T22:08:00.001-06:00

The Smokey Bear PSA's were an important and nostalgic part of my childhood. After finding a sweet vinyl Smokey (AT THE CON!), it was time to try my hand. Don't think for a second I am done with this project. (Sketches posted in chronological order.)

[Click image to see larger.]

Con Sketchin : Passersby

2011-11-17T21:55:00.001-06:00

This last weekend I had a table at Austin Comic Con (Wizard World.) It was a wonderful time. I met some really great people. I saw 45 Robin costumes. Once and while someone would pass my table and I would need to sketch them because they were awesome.

[Click on the images to see them larger.]

He'd painted his own helmet. Had a shield. And then a blazer and jeans.

(Hello, Avengers movie. New costume idea.)

There were two steampunk groups who had tables, so there was

a lot of steampunk. The costumes were really well done.

Turns out my favorite genre is steampunk cowboy.

He looked too bummed to be wearing such a great hat.

This guy's mustache was dope. I told him so.

He seemed unsure what to do with my compliment.

A small representation of the steampunk ladies.

This guy didn't walk by my table, but was most likely

inspired by the glut of goggles that did.

BUSTS : Lions and Bears

2011-10-26T22:36:00.004-05:00

chubby rockabilly lion.

panda distressed by hat.

rockin the hoody.
(from sketchin with pals in coffee shop.)

Chillin with some sketch peeps.

2011-10-26T22:35:00.002-05:00

lady's man.

"Trip"

2011-10-21T07:09:00.000-05:00

One of two pieces for Domy’s ‘Monster Show.’ (Oct 29–Dec 8, 2011) First time working in watercolor in years.

Helicopter Parenting : Editorial Piece

2011-10-06T08:58:00.000-05:00

Monster Art 2 : The Hill, Rough 1

2011-09-24T10:38:00.002-05:00

S’almost October! Time for drawing some monsters!

2011-09-19T21:46:00.000-05:00

I did something different with my line this time. Instead of blowing it out and making it look almost vector, I retained the pencil line characteristics. (I played with the multiply and levels to get it where I want.) I am really happy with it. Going to move forward with it.

I Does Sequential, Mm-Hmm, Part 1

2011-08-31T20:37:00.001-05:00

Back in 2009-2010 I did a four book graphic novel series for Capstone's Stone Arch Books imprint. The brilliant Scott Nickel penned them and I drew them. The art director on the project, Bob Lentz, is flat out one of the best I've ever had the pleasure with which to work ... work with.

Story breakdown: kid gets angry, his head turns into a giant boulder.

Here are some of my favorite panels from the books. Click on them if you want to see them larger.

Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow : Selected Illustrations

2011-08-23T08:07:00.000-05:00

Dial Books for Young Readers asked me to illustrate Nathan Bransford's wonderful book, Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow. We are working on the sequel now (shhhh). The original can be found at Amazon.

Backpack Safari

2011-08-21T22:36:00.002-05:00

A newspaper (yes, they still exist) editorial illustration.

Alamo & Sadie

2011-08-17T22:56:00.004-05:00

She wanted a present. What she wanted was his dog and his cat. A drawing of them. A drawing by me.
"And I'll pay you," she said.
"No. You're my friend, he's my friend," I said, "I can't take money from you."
I did the drawing. She wrote a check, shoved it in my hand.
"No," I said again.
"Then WHAT?" she said, "This can't be free."
An idea formed in my head, right there. An idea and I loved it.
"My gift for yours."
"What?"
"I will trade you my gift, my ability, drawing ... for your gift, your ability."
She smiled. I smiled too. Here's what I knew. She is a fantastic cook.
So she cooked for me (and him, of course). And we ate. And it was wonderful.
Then they married. They had a son. In his room, the drawing.

Sadie with her faithful steed Alamo.

Alamo (Beagle & blue heeler mix. Great dog.)

Alamo says goodbye.

Sadie (without the vest & bandana)

Man at Work

2011-08-09T12:59:00.002-05:00

This is why I am off the radar for the next three weeks. Finishing up interior illustrations for second Wonderbar book.

Rough: Paul Bunyan, Ax Riding

2011-08-03T13:02:00.001-05:00

As I move into deadline land, 3 weeks to the final of the second Jacob Wonderbar book, I won't be doing many finishes for the blog. As with most everything I've done here in the last two months, I wanted to take concepts further. Here's a quick sketch--it's got obvious problems, foreshortening on that arm, for one--for a Paul Bunyan drawing. It's called Ax Ride.

ball point pin (click to enlarge)

Medieval Adventurer Koala, Full String

2011-07-31T16:53:00.008-05:00

You may have seen below, I was drawing some pugs, and there was a koala, who ended up being a medieval adventurer koala. I did a couple of drawings that night. (If you want to see any of the images larger, just click on them.)

The first koala.

The second koala is all action packy. The next day I started thinking about what he was wearing, the sword he was carrying, that sort of stuff. So, after pulling some reference, and talking to a friend who specializes in drawing fantasy stuff, I did some sketches.

Having those things nailed down, I sat in a coffee shop sketching with a friend and did a composition with the koala. Later, I colored it. (That's an eucalyptus plant on his cloak there.)

The drawing, really, is a rough. It's a character shot, nailing down what his outfit looked like, etc. The environment color was proof of concept. It's not the final composition with the character.

Here is a rough that puts our fellow in peril. It adds some architectural details to the background. However, I am happy at the point I have reached with the character and so will stop here for the time being, so this drawing is going to wait. (And I want to do a finish on that owl and its bicycle.)

Proof of Concept

2011-07-28T08:35:00.000-05:00

Owl on a bicycle. (More to come.)

Dumb Koalas

2011-07-25T21:20:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, you are trying, and failing, to draw some pugs.

When all the sudden, this koala medieval adventurer shows up.

And then you think, hey, what if, like, he was jumping all climatically and stuff.