Goon Sketches #2

Here's another take on the older, skinny, weirdo type goon. I kinda like the shape of his head and the big scar up there.

Goon Sketches #1

What exactly is a goon? I really wasn’t sure a few years ago when I pitched “Goodnight Goon” to Putnam. They loved the idea, and thought that the manuscript was very funny. However, no one was sure about this goon and what it was going to look like, not even me. Over the next few days I’m going to post some of the sketches that lead up to his design.

I think that this was one of the first attempts. Originally I pictured him as an older, skinnier, lurking human-like character, almost a zombie, but not quite. Maybe he’s a bit dopey, and slow, but creepy as well. I think this drawing nailed the small, sunken eyes, and large ears idea, but the rest was jettisoned.

Scholastic, Oct. 2010

Heads up! "The Runaway Mummy" is front and center on this month's Scholastic SeeSaw Flyer. You can also get it with "Goodnight Goon" in the "Petrifying Parody Pack." Both are paperback.

Time to Draw!

One of my promises to myself once grad school was over, was that I was going to take more time to draw. This morning I sat outside for two hours and worked on this drawing of the burnt out Kimball Theater in Yonkers.

When I first went there, it was no longer a theater, and had become a huge used furniture store. A few years later the junk stuffed store caught fire and now, as if it were on a movie set, it's just a facade.

I'm happy with the drawing, but I see lots of room for changes...

Astronaut #9.5

Here's a new version of the caveman. Better, but I like the face on the first one. I think I should move on.

Astronaut #9

"Now me just have to invent fire!"

Finally, another astronaut. I like the idea of a caveman going into space, but I didn't push this far enough. I'm going to do this one again.

Ninja Peanuts!

Ho! Ha! Ya! That's all I've got today!

Interview and Pirates!

Last October I was still teaching full-time and some things slipped through the cracks. Author Michael P. Spradlin interviewed me for his blog, and I never linked to it. Today I shall make amends!

Interview

Michael’s most recent book is the very salty Pirate Haiku

And, here's a drawing of a pirate I did. He's stealing a pickle. Because that's what pirates do. They steal.

I'm Back

Wow! Has it really been so long since I last posted? Where did the summer go?

Honestly, I know exactly where the summer went. I drew an entire 112 page graphic novel that I hope to show soon. I was either at the draft board drawing or with my family doing fun things like going to Ocean City (NJ), visiting the USS Intrepid and every nature center within an hour’s drive.

In the meantime, the Goon is still saying goodnight…



The Mummy is still running away…



And George is still furious…