From the Department of Interestingness
CUTE
On Attention
in I.T.U.
From the Inspirational Thought Unit
"Your attention is your soul spending itself" - Patricia Lockwood
I think about this quote a lot. Your attention, like time, is valuable and finite. What are you giving this precious resource away to? What gets only half your attention that should get all of it? And do those things feed your soul or destroy it? Also, when you are enjoying something "free" (especially online) the commodity being exchanged is usually your attention. Make sure what you are spending it on is worth it. Just something to think about as we dive into this next weekend.
-Jake
Cardboard Robots!
From the Incredible Projects Division in cooperation with the Office of Robots
Melbourne based cardboard modeler Greg Olijnyk is currently hard at work BLOWING MY MIND. There's something going on down under because not even a few weeks ago I shared the cardboard airships of Daniel Agdag, also in Australia (LINK).
Olijnyk's work is more focused on a future that could be instead of the past that never was vibe I get from Agdag's pieces. He designs articulated robots, bug vehicles, and sophisticated devices complete with LED lights and glass for emphasis.
More images on his Instagram: LINK
And on Colossal: LINK
This one was submitted by friend of the newsletter Matt Connery. Thanks for the tip Matt!
Home Alone is surprisingly deep
From the Story Department
Christmas Season is nearly upon us, and that means CHRISTMAS MOVIES! Surely Home Alone will be in everyone's queue. It's a solid film, with heart, humor, and surprising depth. Check this out via @JamaalBradley LINK:
"Something I used to use in my class for 'visual storytelling'. Xmas movies are coming on TV & I shared a fun lesson with my kids from "HOME ALONE". My wife got a kick out of it as well. (I love storytelling without words) *Soul in Pain... *Soul is Healing... *Soul is Healed"
-Jake
Inktober 2009
From the Art Department
Here's something that's been in the works for the last couple weeks. I've been going at it off an on in between other projects. Patrons have been watching this thing's progress. I thought I would share a section of the larger piece with you here. Hopefully, I'll get time to finish this next week!
This was back when I had 9 followers on twitter, and I didn't even know what an instagram was. lol.
When Inktober was all over with I made a book called Inktober 2009. I ordered 100 and was was so happy I sold over half of them. The rest would sell out, and I think I did a second print run of 100 and sold those too.
All of the original Inktober 2009 drawings are posted here on my Flickr Album. Check them out: LINK
The Inktober 2009 book is now for sale on my shop as a PDF download. If you want a copy, it's a part of my sketchbook archive of drawings made before 2010. I've got a discount code special for you folks that subscribe to my newsletter. Use "HALFOFFDIGITAL" to get them 50% off: LINK
(that code applies to all my digital books too)
-Jake
Witches, Vampires, and Jack-O-Lanterns
From the Art Department
I haven’t done a pencil rendering in a looong time. Thought it would be fun to add a witch to Jack and Drac this year. I originally did those two back in 2008 I think. I was a little rusty with the pencil at first, but got the hang of it pretty quick. Might do more of these when my schedule lightens up.
I posted a step by step tutorial on how I make these over on Patreon.
If you're wanting to add a little spookiness to your home this season, these are available as a set in my shop: LINK
And for the record, I do not condone witchcraft, sucking blood, nor replacing your head with a pumpkin.
-Jake
On Sticking to your guns
From the Inspirational Thought Unit:
Eric Carle (Who passed away last week, RIP) on a disagreement with his editor over the caterpillar having a stomach ache. Fascinating to see the depth of thought that went into this timeless book, and how you gotta stick to your guns if you truly believe in something:
Aaaaaaaand….apparently this never happened.
In this twitter thread it is explained that this was all done as parody in a fake interview with him.
“The joke interview is from an April Fools issue of @parisreview. We know it was a parody, and not real, because Eric Carle's website lists the interviews he's done. This one is not on the list. And @parisreview hasn't re-tweeted the interview in memoriam.”
That aside, it’s still a good example (fabricated or not) of how you should know what you’re writing, what message you’re trying to share, so you don’t buckle under pressure from outside forces who disagree.
-Jake
Van Neistat is Making YouTube Videos
This is from the Arts and Culture Unit of JP Creative, because, well, this YouTube channel is art. Van isn't making YouTube videos, he's making FILMS.
I love the peaceful yet ambient vibe, the quiet industriousness of them, and especially that it's all narrated in the third person. His little bro is no stranger to YouTube, but clearly you can see why he looks up to his big brother so much. These videos have been my little, cool down treat at the end of the day.
I think YouTube is absolutely dominated by Millenial and Gen Z "content" creators, and suffers because of that. Van Neistat is a Gen X and his videos reflect a non digital, pre internet life that brings me back to my youth. It honestly feels like these were made in the 90s.
A couple favorites of mine:
Where the Spirited Man reminds us that details do matter: LINK
Where the Spirited Man explains these "Unprecidented Times": LINK
Where the Spirited Man pines for a car he can't afford: LINK
Also, this interview with him about his career path is fascinating and think it should be standard viewing for High School graduates. LINK
-Jake
The 29 Year Design History of Missile Mouse
Why do I keep coming back to this character after all these years?? I don’t know. Just when I think we’ve moved on from each other we get back to hanging out, going on adventures, fighting bad guys.
I guess there’s a lesson in here on never giving up on your OC, or nurturing creativity in teens, or maybe dragging something on for way too long.
Hope you got something out of it.
-Jake
P.S. Let me know in the comments about any OCs you made as a kid. Would love to hear your stories!
C.A.T.Bot
Using Cybernetic Action Tech or CAT for short. These security droids could be modified for a variety of purposes.
C.A.T. Bot is another collaboration with my son Calvin who has all the good ideas around here. This the design evolution of the character from Calvin's initial drawing to the one I just finished last week.
How to say no to work you don’t want to do
On Your Mark
From the Film and Animation Division
Studio Ghibli Cyber Punk. Four words you wouldn't think would go together...but oh they do so well. This is an animated music video created by Studio Ghibli for the song "On Your Mark" for a Japanese rock band. Made waaaay back in 1995 at peak animated cyber punk. I assume they did this for a quick cash infusion between films and to stay sharp...maybe even to explore a different style? Anyway, it's cool.
There's an indulgently long Wikipedia entry on it here: LINK
WATCH IT HERE: LINK
Star Princess Aven
Here's a character design I did of Star Princess Aven recently.
Here's the original drawing I did back in 2012.
and she's in the BG her of the Skull Chaser Japanese Movie post I made a year later.
I've always wanted to put her in a Skull Chaser story, but since drawing comics is too hard, and I'm lazy she never went beyond those two drawings...until now. I'll have to incorporate her in the next comic I do.
The Soviet Triton M1 Midget Submarine
This little guy came across my feed last week and I think it’s a great design, with all the right details.
Information on exactly what this was and when it was used is surprisingly sparse on the internet, despite lots of phots and a model kit made of it. I’m sure there’s details on it in a book somewhere. Regardless, I’m not into it for the history as much as I’m in it for the design. I like the squatty nature of it, the side by side seating is unique, and the teardrop shape has a retro flair to it that’s nice.
You know I’m a sucker for cross-sections:
Here it is on a transport of some sort, but I like to think this is the off-road version.
And here’s one of the pilots. Do not mess with these guys.
-Jake
Pencilish Animation Studios
From the Department of Relationships
Want to own part of an animation studio? Tom Bancroft (Creator of Mushu from Mulan and the popular online art challenge #MerMay) has starting a crowdfunded animation studio via WeFunder: LINK
I’m happy to serve on the advisory board of Pencilish Animation Studios. I love the idea so much. They’ve raised over $200K in a few short weeks and invite you to become an investor as well.
Pencilish is a traditional 2d animation studio that will be making shows for both youtube and streaming. It's got a bunch of industry vets and young talent working together to make this happen. And instead of going to big investors to get the ball rolling they are fan supported. Meaning, you invest in it and if the company succeeds you succeed too. Investors also get to be a part of the behind the scenes of what goes on with the studio and have input on what projects get made.
This is super early stages, but I think it's a great idea and can't wait to see what they produce.
Check it out here: LINK
-Jake
Bunch o’ battle otters....er mice?
I was going through my archives and found these drawings from back in 2010. The first 50 people who bought my Spacecave drawing book got one of these original drawings in their package. Anyone out there still have one of these?
Princess Mononoke
“You cannot alter your fate. However, you can rise to meet it.” - Princess Mononoke
Happy birthday Miyazaki san, you grumpy old brilliant man!
Princess Mononoke was the first Miyazaki film I saw. Back in 1998, shortly after it came out, my friend @monkeyfeather brought a VHS of it to work and we watched it without a dub and without subtitles. I was entranced by its beauty and audaciousness. I immediately became a fan and wanted to see more films by this studio. I don’t blame Miyazaki for wanting to retire all the time. These things are hard to make and it is an embarrassment of riches to have all the films of his we do have. That said, if he has it in him to make one or two more of these, I wouldn’t mind one bit.
NEW CHALLENGER
My 12-year-old son (Calvin) and I have been collaborating on a character design for @t.m.wilson’s Character Arena!
Below is my design, Calvin’s original design, and the bio he wrote for the character. Calvin is a fun art director to work with but accepts no compromises😅. Hope you like her!
Robot Round Up
From the Art Department
I breathed new life in some old robot drawings of mine by adding color. I've been wanting to stay active on my IG account, but have little time to draw something new every day so I've been digging stuff out of my archive, tweaking them a little, and posting it up. Engagement is the highest it's been since Inktober. So there's your social media pro-tip for the day!
-Jake
RED BUNNY FORCE!
Illustration I did for the latest episode of 3 Point Perspective, the illustration podcast I do with @leewhiteillo and @willterryart . This episode was all about building a team around you and I thought it would be fun to draw the @svslearn red bunny as a team of superheroes.
Listen to it here: LINK