drawingsandinternetfuntimes!

I´m MOVING

2009-03-25T01:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, i´m moving from blogger to my own URL
http://www.mrschuster.com/

Please update your RSS there and make a bookmark.
The new site is still not finished but it feels nice to have a "real" website for once.

So, jump in and follow me to my new home, drinks and little weird foodthings are on me!

Quick and dirty comics

2009-03-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

Had some fun this week and made comics about it.
Due to other things, these did not turn into something really shiny and great to look at (or into something with a real punchline), but i wanted to post them anyway.

This happend while trying to write at a starbucks:

This happend while trying to run at the park:
And this is for the german listeners only, i tried but failed to translate the joke:

Moleskine sketch, links and Murakami

2009-03-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post interesting links so i had to scan something.

Its a bit sad that my scanner is the cheapest piece of plastic on earth, not able to scan a Moleskine page without making the slight yellow tint on the page look funky.

To battle this, i had to turn it into black and white. I hope its still a enjoyable sight!

But lets get down to it!

- Deforgeo makes a borderless comic

- Louis made stickers!

- how to paint with color

- incredible giraffes by Andrew Shek

Other than that, i started reading BLIND WILLOW, SLEEPING WOMAN by Mr.Murakami and i really like it so far. I felt a bit boring to buy ANOTHER Murakami novel but what the hell, his story's have never disappointed and i like the mood his words put me in.

I'm really thinking about doing some drawings based on my favorite books from him.

Storytelling at its purest and coolest form

2009-03-07T02:42:00.000-08:00

Telling a good story is hard and must be terrifying in front of judges and a crowd.
Jeff Simmermon does it with ease and his adventure is romantic and makes everyone go "AND THEN?".
So please take 5 Minutes and enjoy:

I've been performing at The Moth, a spoken word/storytelling non-profit with arms in NYC and LA. Essentially, folks perform a 5-minute story (without reading or notes) based on a theme. It's rated like figure-skating -- with teams of judges awarding scores like "9.5" or "8.0". They have the second-largest podcast on iTunes right now, too.

So anyway -- in 2003, I met a woman online. She was from Western Australia, I was living in Richmond, VA. I ended up selling all my stuff and flying over there to meet her in person. Here's the story.

(from boingboing.net)

Something watchable for once!

2009-03-05T00:21:00.001-08:00

This series is GOING PLACES!
The trailer:

and two scenes from it

Highly recommended!

Adventures in the pool and links

2009-03-04T13:44:00.001-08:00

So i kinda think that my endurance sucks and that my sparring sessions are not as much fun as they should be.
To fight this, swimming seems like something worthwhile doing and so i went!
And then this happend:

After this sexy stuff, links:
- Vincent Hui draws
- Abe stands (great Flickr by the way)
- Clothes and Folds made easy
- and some more bathing stuff at the end of this post

small moleskine + train = a sketch!

2009-03-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

This is pretty much everything i do while traveling to work at the moment.
I sketch, i listen to podcasts and then i close my eyes.
I usually fall asleep for about 5 seconds and realize then that my mouth opened magically.
THEN i get embarrassed and i start sketching again.
Get bored (or someone makes too much eye contact) and the eyes close again. Repeat for about 40 minutes and i have arrived!

true story no 28287186111

2009-02-24T16:01:00.000-08:00

True story:

I also met a really evil blind guy.
Evil and blind are not easily combined i guess.. but he was a true dark lord.
I´ll try to draw something about this fella in the coming days.

Furhtermore:
- Should game design be of any interest to you, follow this link
- Just want to see a nice drawing? Here you go!
- Bolt is also more fun than i thought
- The new Punisher movie is not

Test for colorblindness

2009-02-23T13:12:00.000-08:00

I put some colors on it and now it looks even weirder.
Hooray!

LOOK AT THOSE POSTS:
- great drawing
- great coraline

On bended knees

2009-02-18T16:03:00.000-08:00

I hurt my knees last week while training the fun stuff and i´m still not fully recovered.
Playing darts or pool would have been a smarter choice of a sport but i feel too used up to change gear now.

So instead of going to the gym today, i doodle:
ALSO:
- Be amazed at the greatness of Israel Sanchez
- Bpresing shows how he handles colors
- You can never read too much smart Sargent quotes about painting

i´m in tears, IN TEARS

2009-02-17T01:32:00.000-08:00

Tears of joy, they are coming out of my eyes!

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

AND

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

sketches and blogs. same old!

2009-02-12T08:08:00.001-08:00

hei there!

some test images as i´m trying to find a "style" for the comics that won´t look "too digital".

I kinda re-found my love for drawing everything with the Wacom and the question is how to make it not look "cold".
As of now, a combination of half-tones, paper textures and the clean lines of a custom brush seem to make me happy.

And as always, some good things you should check out:

- the great RAWLS is drawing a comic!
- a 37-Minute Interview With Andrew Stanton (who directed Wall-E and Nemo)
- an awesome drawing of a wolf by williereal
- AND sketches from Vietnam by Edward Kwong

sry mr roommate!

2009-02-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

the truth

2009-02-04T08:44:00.001-08:00

had to be drawn!

busy times

2009-02-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not updating in a while but school has me in a tight grip and I'm overwhelmed with the stuff i need to do for grades.

But i just read a news article that was so funny, i HAD to post it:

Bakers make cake with image of flash..

Also some blog things that may keep you entertained or in awe:
- great animal sketches

- Frank Stockton gives advice

- incredible landscapes from Aurélien Predal

- fun comics by Dolph

Sparkling wine bum

2009-01-22T11:38:00.001-08:00

I blush embarrassingly after drinking this stuff, i guess he is not concerned with such matter though:

MORE INTERNET THINGS:
- Best blog ever -> J.etienne
- Great update -> Crisco
Annndddd if you wonder why Benjamin Button feels kinda similar:
HERE IS THE ANSWER

More on the sex study stuff

2009-01-20T13:10:00.001-08:00

The sex study stuff from the last post, it kept rotating in my brain and i had to draw a comic about it!

sex study

2009-01-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

A friend, drugs and a great podcast

2009-01-18T12:21:00.001-08:00

Done while watching UFC 93 (which was sadly kinda boring thanks to the "i´ll grind out a decision" thinking by some of the fighters)

Some sketches for a story that needs to be finished in TWO WEEKS!

AAAAAAAAAAND, should anyone out there wonder "what should i be listening to while working/traveling?", WONDER NOW MORE!
I recently started listening to KEITH AND THE GIRL and i´m very happy to say that they are awesome and funny.
Its basically them talking about stories they read or heard and sometimes they even have a guest.

They are also kinda dirty so don't listen to it if your easily offended and don't like hearing about (weird) sex stuff.
True story: I had to fake reading a book while listening to the podcast on my commute to not look like a complete weirdo. People staring into the air and laughing are not well liked by their seat neighbors!
If your unsure, go HERE and try Episode 873 or 878.

Balloons! Sopranos!

2009-01-16T02:36:00.000-08:00

I also wanted to say that THE SOPRANOS are awesome.
Started watching the Series shortly after Christmas and i´m now done with Season 4.
That means that ive watched roughly 50 hours of Mob Action (all while drawing and working on things of course) in less then three Weeks.
Needless to say, the words "you stupid fuck" and "mozzarella" are pretty much stuck in my head accompanied by the sempiternal heavy breathing of Tony Soprano.

I feel everyone already saw this series a long time ago and im glad that ive finally joined the fan club.

2009-01-14T11:51:00.000-08:00

SEE THESE BLOGPOSTS:
Nice Character design by Miah Alcorn

Francis Vallejo posted some Moleskine sketches

ONLINE DATING = not for me!

2009-01-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

Dan Ariely: Tendencies of Irrational Behavior

2009-01-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

Found this on the swissmiss blog, very interesting and fun to watch:

Dan Ariely, a professor of behavioral economics at Duke University, presents examples of cognitive illusions that help illustrate why humans make predictably irrational decisions.

more procrastination

2009-01-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

a sketch, some links and we even see some trailers!

2009-01-10T10:45:00.001-08:00

More blog things:
- If you own a PC and are in need for something free and playable,
go here

- mark kennedy again with something wise

- and mike thomas draws some great batmen

I can also praise the following movies:
- the wrestler
- frost/nixon
- let the right one in (even gets an "highly recommended" in red type!)

Colored pencils, my new found love

2009-01-08T11:56:00.001-08:00

Sketches and good blogposts

2009-01-05T11:58:00.001-08:00

Recent things from the sketchbook(s):

AND
Check out these blogposts:
Great character design by mahmood
Simple ways to improve any picture by mark kennedy
Anywhere but here by tori miki

HEY NEW YEAR

2009-01-01T06:54:00.001-08:00

Welcome 2009! I think we will be great friends, my last girlfriend 2008 was REALLY awesome.. but you look so hot and new.. its exiting!
I see good things in our future and i know we both will be changed when i get to meet your sister 2010 in around 300 days or so.

I´m still working on a comic about 2008 but i had to make this post to celebrate and wish everyone a headache less start into the new year.
Hooray!

ho ho ho

2008-12-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

Wrapped every gift and i´m currently packing my stuff in order to leave for my parents house tomorrow.
No laptop/Internet for me there but ill accept the cold turkey with open arms (finally time to read, play Chrono Trigger DS and fill the latest sketchbook).

Hope everyone enjoys the final days of 08 and see you around next week!

four more days

2008-12-20T09:31:00.001-08:00

YES! Only four days left before presents are in need.
I´m pretty much done with mine, last things will be completed on Monday.

Two tips for last minute buys/wishlists:

CUL DE SAC.
This is by far the best cartoon i´ve read since discovering Calvin and Hobbes some years ago.
It has great characters, great writing and above all a unique and fresh art style.
The watercolors look fantastic and everything feels just right about this book.
Buy it for yourself or for anyone with a love for comic strips or good entertainment.
Highly recommended!

GUS AND HIS GANG
Another comic, this time from France.
Also an absolute highlight but maybe more for someone in love with the medium.
Chris Blaine does some very smart things with his storytelling and his art style is loose and fun.
The english version is a bit to small in print for my taste, but its not very expensive and from one of the most interesting comic creators out there.

FRRRRRIIIIIDAYYYYYYY

2008-12-12T03:22:00.000-08:00

FUCK YEAH ITS FRIDAY!
Lets have some links:

> CLOUD ARCHIVE make awesome music

> Paolo Rivera shows how to build a mirror for conventions (people are then able to watch you draw without any hassle)

> some cool Ren & Stimpy drawings

Randomness

2008-12-08T14:51:00.001-08:00

Made some tea (tasty Japanese- mint) and doodled some random characters:

wow

2008-12-04T04:46:00.000-08:00

I can´t believe that i actually have to buy Christmas presents again, this is by far the fastest year i ever experienced.
My whole body is still in "maybe april or march" mode.

Oh well, here are some sketches and some links that are worth your time:

GOODSTUFF:
- There are good videos about video games
- Great drawings by Cwirko-Godycki

Money in the bank (not yet though)

2008-12-01T03:25:00.000-08:00

I made this little thing in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday and it would have not been finished without the help of this great guy.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

- These great movieposters by kevin dart
- This trailer that captures the fun of blaxploitation without looking stupid doing it

a horny mushroom (of all things)

2008-11-29T09:57:00.000-08:00

Russian Animation thats cute, fun AND depressing

2008-11-28T02:51:00.000-08:00

Hope this is not too old, but i just saw it for the first time and i´m impressed!

I´m in pain and i still draw, give me a medal!

2008-11-27T13:59:00.000-08:00

My right hand nearly got torn off while training BJJ today, and although it still hurts like burning needles married to garlic and more evil stuff, i drew this:

Snow

2008-11-24T00:04:00.001-08:00

Freezing while walking around in the open = evil
Freezing while walking through falling snow = awesome!

Fun in the Gym and more

2008-11-23T03:32:00.001-08:00

I finally stepped up and started training the whole MMA package instead of just boxing.
Its fun, its challenging and every new bruise on my body is saying to me "What the hell man!"
Good times:

Apart from this,
- Black Frog posted some cool comic pages on his blog
- I hope i listen to Godspeed You! Black Emperor when the world is going up in flames
- 30 Rock Season 3 is alright so far

Serious issues

2008-11-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

True story, its one of the things i really cant stand.
I HAVE to go to the bathroom to do it.
But this is not always possible while having a cold.
Makes my soul scream in pain and so i make a comic about it.

Also, visit this great blog.

the real world: mr.positive

2008-11-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

the onion is funny

2008-11-13T05:11:00.000-08:00

YouTube Contest Challenges Users To Make A 'Good' Video

Vodafone ideas and random photos from Berlin

2008-11-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Some early ideas i had for the Vodafone animation/illu job.
They did not really fit the given text and i had to start from scratch.
I´ll post the final image as soon as its going online.

And the most random pictures from Berlin that one could take
(secret confession: i´m afraid of talking pictures and looking dumb while doing it)

ALSO
Look at the greatness that these people produce:
-> CALIFORNIA LOVE
There must be something in the water at GOBELINS and in France in general.

The real world: Berlin times

2008-11-10T08:33:00.001-08:00

Spend a weekend in Berlin with a friend and had an awesome time doing some of the following things:

a quantum of quick cuts

2008-11-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

Saw QUANTUM OF SOLACE some hours ago and it was alright.
Yes, i´m afraid "just alright".
You will like it if you already liked Casino Royal or anything Bourne related.
If Casino Royal was not your cup of tea, then this one is even more not for you.
The movie is pretty much nothing but quick cuts of actions scenes and scrambling.
While Greengras and Martin Campbell are able to handle this without making it a confusing mess, Marc Foster is not.
The camera is always to close, its shakes to much.. its the movie that wants to be awesome and INTENSE but fails in evoking everything but a confusing headache.

See it if you´re a fan or want something very fast paced.
I for one, I´m looking forward to the next one and i hope they let Campbell back in the directors chair.
Oh, and thank god they did not go for this!

Took me a while to buy this, but this must be the best bargain IN THE WORLD!
1300 Pages for 26$!
Love the story, the characters and the inking.
One of the books that really can be read by anyone, at any age.

- And please click on cool blog posts by Brennan and Diantres

Happy Pumpkin day!

2008-10-31T17:54:00.000-07:00

I´m le tired from work, so lets watch some crap!

2008-10-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

I got REALLY tired while working on another comic page.
Browsed around the web to relax a bit and stumbled over videos that actually brought laughing tears in my eyes and fun in my heart.
It could work for you too!

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Sketches thanks to an NDA

2008-10-20T15:06:00.001-07:00

Currently working on an illustration/animation for Vodafone, but because i´m not yet allowed to show anything, more doodles!
(i hope no one is mad that this blog pretty much is an online sketchbook of some sort)

Fresh air, Jesus Duck!, Links

2008-10-19T16:05:00.001-07:00

Went out to get some fresh air in a nearby town,

saw ducks fighting seagulls and

JESUS DUCK!

Also,
- Quantum of Solace gets some "MEH!" early buzz!
- An Article about illustrating comic books in the late 50´s and 60´s
- And a nice drawn comic journal by Jimmy Beaulieu

Doodling a weird dream away

2008-10-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Had a weird dream last night.
I was swimming in the ocean and everyone in the water was eating ice cream while paddling.
I thought this was disgusting (in the dream and even now) because the water swept over their ice cream and because their ice con got turned soaking wet.
No one seemed to mind! Incredible.

Here are some drawings i did with open canvas that will never see somekind of "finish" or more time investment.
The last one is the same as in the post prior to this one, only without using photoshop magic.

2008-10-15T14:10:00.001-07:00

Fleet Foxes

2008-10-14T03:29:00.000-07:00

I´ve been pretty comfortable in my post-rock music shack.
The atmosphere is nice, not many people walking around talking hip and the bands are not in it for the money (i don't think there is any).
BUT its nice to make a holiday once in a while and visit some different houses,
explore some different music to get exited again.

cue FLEET FOXES

Yes, pretty much everyone knows about this band (at least everyone i wanted to get exited for them told me "welcome to three months ago!") but i just found them today (thx antje!) and i´m exited about it.
The music feels honest, the lyrics are interesting and listening to them on myspace makes me want to go paint something in a forest while drinking black coffee (with some whiskey in it).
GOOD STUFF!

Work in progress, BURGER FIGHT!

2008-10-12T06:10:00.000-07:00

Had an idea for a small comic while running on Thursday,
here are some early character sketches (with commentary) for the main antagonists of the story:

the beard = not working

trying different head shapes, glasses

getting closer

feeling good about these, doodled on post-it notes while being at work

More Swag

2008-10-10T04:39:00.001-07:00

More things i spend my money on:

THE NEW FRONTIER

After ALL STAR SUPERMAN the next Superhero Comic from DC that does not suck while staying true to the genre but without trying to be dark and serious.
Darwyn Cook is able to capture everything right about the Silver Age in his words and his pictures.
His style is fresh while looking kinda vintage and his storytelling is smooth, showing his experience and draftsmanship.
Yes, this is a lot of praise, but i really think that he made something unique and original that anyone could get into.

REX STEELE

I also ordered "Rex Steele NAZI SMASHER" over at Bill Presing´s blog.
It arrived this week and has nice storys about smashing nazis, fluid lines
and Pin- ups by people like Ronnie del Carmen.

JAMES JEAN:

Not buying his second book when i had the chance ("sold out" now of course) is still one of the things that haunt me.
To not get that feeling again and because i wanted something nice to hang onto my wall, i bought the James Jean Postcard book.
Though i know most of the pictures inside, the production value is so high that i cant bring myself to rip out anything now.

AAAAND:
Should you be after some well spent 7 minutes of Internet time or in search for something to watch while drinking coffee:

CLICK on the picture below

Faces on a Sunday

2008-10-05T14:26:00.001-07:00

SOME COMIC RECOMMENDATIONS :

Hellboy: The Crooked Man is really good and creepy.
The art of Richard Corben does not fail and the story is interesting and different from the last (boring!) things Hellboy was into.

ALL STAR SUPERMAN #12 came out and ended the best Superman story i have read in a long long time. Frank Quietly´s drawings are amazing and i just wish that he´s getting a better (more fitting) Colorist on his next project.

And if your into gaming or weirder humor, Eegra.com´s Online Comic could be for you!

cool new moleskine, even cooler new gameboy

2008-09-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

Not sure why it took me so long to try a Moleskine Watercolor Book, but its great so far!
The paper has a good feel, the mechanical pencil is not going into the paper (like it does on some other papers with tooth) and it takes a good amount of water without getting wrinkled and ugly.

Sitting in a cafe shop with a waterbrush, a small watercolor box and the new book is a good spend sunday afternoon.

ALSO
- enjoying HARD BOILED WONDERLAND by Murakami and HOMICIDE by Simon

- Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia is the funniest TV Series at the moment

- Webcomics Weekly is good to listen too while drawing. The guys are funny and there is allot of good stuff to learn from them (especially when you´re a cartoonist)

- Some cool AND sexy people gave me a GAMEBOY MICRO yesterday, i cant wait to start playing some ports of SNES Games i never finished as a kid (i spent HOURS today searching for GBA games, they really got rare).

doodling on a thursday

2008-09-25T12:56:00.001-07:00

still sweaty

2008-09-22T16:45:00.001-07:00

The cold still has me in its tight grip and i´m sweating in my bed while staring at the ceiling.
To not die of boredom, i sketch monsters (the hats and beverage theme has a new showing),
watch old UFC Fights or play BULLY.

I´m also thankful for Shawn Elliotts TWITTER FEED for posting something like this (a video that contains a cat AND a frog that is able to "scream").

For the last days of summer

2008-09-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

The last days of this years summer are in,
so why not listen to some great and relaxing old summer music from Okinawa!

Collected and posted by kozy, download it here!

Or if you want to stream it, go here!

(my Japanese has gotten bad, i kinda feel most of the lyrics are about fish)

sketchbook scraps and a cold

2008-09-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

I spent the last days writing papers for university and getting a cold, not much fun at all!
Thats why there are no new drawings, just some scraps from the sketchbook.

I also saw EVERY Cutscene from THE FORCE UNLEASHED and its incredible how often the lightsaber-pop-out-sound is heard. Must be unbelievably fun to hit the switch.
Lightsaber out, lightsaber in, lightsaber out, lightsaber in.
God, i wish i had one :(

even mickey has one

sketchbook page and something REALLY personal

2008-09-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

random sketches

At the beginning of the year, i wrote in this blog that this year is going to be awesome and "special".
So far, it is.
Nothing major happened, i did not win the lottery and i´m still not able to ink for shit but.. i don't know.. i´m strangely alright with my life.

This really is the first time span since 2000 or so that i´m not constantly under heavy mood swings. Its the first time i really WANT to make comics. The first time i´m able to see myself doing my own comics. The first time that "what should i draw?" is not an issue.
I like working out, eating healthy and i´m often times asleep while the clock hits the 1am mark.

This might be due to my brain getting older and i´m constantly becoming more boring.
Might be because i´m rarely drinking anymore.
Or because the big 3 and his buddy 0 is slowly getting in sight.

But it feels good, something heavy that was laying on my head fell off and most of the "emo" thoughts are gone or at least are lot quieter.

So, i´m still in love with 2008!

2008-09-10T14:24:00.001-07:00

Last.FM Wordle

2008-09-07T06:12:00.001-07:00

last.FM account data made into words

Entertainment

2008-09-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

Not only a good Martial Arts movie but a great movie in general.

It takes its time, it displays a great care for the subject and it has a very likeable main character.
Highly recommended.

- N+, a pure plattformer, nothing but jumping and getting killed. Very short and fulfilling levels. Perfect for the DS.
To get an idea, here is the flash version!

SPIDERMAN 2, good mechanics, good use of the "GTA" open world style, had fun just swinging through New York. Did not finish the end fight though BECAUSE IT SUCKED!

- PSYCHONAUTS, good voice acting, has a nice weirdness and fun level design.
Stoped playing during a boss fight because of pretty much the same reasons as with Spiderman 2. -> dieing because of bad camera, no fun

the real world, running story

2008-09-02T16:10:00.001-07:00

true story!

awesome song, great video

2008-09-01T12:45:00.001-07:00

it was a weird day and this made me cheer up

Sketchbook pages / Movies and Books

2008-08-30T02:39:00.001-07:00

ALSO:

- did not like the new HULK movie (mostly because the trailer already had managed to show EVERYTHING! that was in it)
- saw "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" and was impressed by it (a documentary about steroids. Well made and highly entertaining)
- saw "No end in sight", also well made and often times painful to watch.
- read "Pattern recognition" by William Gibson and liked the mood.
- currently re-reading "Kafka on the shore" by Haruki Murakami. Liking even more the second time.

What a great song:

2008-08-28T04:12:00.000-07:00

THE REAL WORLD, sore eyes

2008-08-27T12:33:00.001-07:00

hm hm hm

2008-08-26T13:26:00.001-07:00

This could be a WIP but i dont really know how to bring it further at this point.
Could be "COLORING TIME!" Or it may be in need of more accents in his "backside". Tomorrow may bring an answer.

2008-08-25T11:16:00.001-07:00

a sundays sketch

2008-08-24T15:03:00.001-07:00

Drinking buddies

2008-08-22T15:32:00.001-07:00

(the drinks look like their from starbucks, i was too tired to change it)

THE DARK KNIGHT, finally

2008-08-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

I´m just back from the theater and wanted to write some words.
But then i saw this review from CHUD and it basically says everything i would have written but with good spelling and grammar.

(...)
"I don't think that film transcends that genre as much as it seeks to not be in it; Nolan's made a crime movie that has a guy in a stupid suit smack in the middle of it. Of course that's the beauty of superhero stories, much like westerns or science fiction stories - you can meld them with other genres. A cowboy can investigate a murder just as two people can fall in love on a space ship. There's an even more condescending notion that The Dark Knight takes itself more seriously than other superhero movies - as if this is an inherently good thing."
(...)
LINK

Movie report: "Mulholland drive" and others

2008-08-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

I have watched allot of movies in the last couple of days.

COMEDIAN
- I once read that comedians, or people that make money by telling jokes, (be it drawings or while standing on a stage) are the saddest and most depressing folks to be around ( see also charles schulz OF ALL PEOPLE).
Watching "Comedian" made me realize that this seems to be very very true.

This may be due to the fact that standing on a stage and telling jokes is simply one of the hardest things one can do.
Your audience is going to "critic" you IMMEDIATELY by simply not laughing and that may be while having to perform for 30 more minutes in front of them.

If you do a gallery show, one painting just awesome and the rest OK.. everyone will talk about the great one.
This is especially true if your a known name.
Same goes for a music album. One hit single on an album is enough.
The rest of the tracks are alright to be mediocre.

But going up on a stage, telling one great joke and failing on the rest to live up to that will get you dragged offstage.

One of the performers in the movie said it the best:
"People always say to me "Your a funny guy!" until they hear that I make a living of it;
then its always "Well, not THAT funny".

ROGUE
- A movie about a huge crocodile, eating tourists in the Australian outback.
If your in the mood for a huge-animal-movie, rent it by all means.
Its not awful and is able to hold the suspense for the whole duration of the film.

FIGHT CLUB
- Still a good film, not destroyed by stupid people and hipster kids.

CITY OF GOD
- More predictable and dramatized than i thought.
I expected it to be more "documentary" style than full fledged movie.
Watching THE WIRE and all the other works by David Simon has changed my perception on how to handle "true" stories in movies/TV.

A BITTERSWEET LIFE
- Not as good as i remembered.
Its also weird that i did not like the main guy this time around.
His decisions seemed weird and the girl story felt forced.
Still, good music, good all around mood.

MULHOLLAND DRIVE
- see comic above

2008-08-18T03:18:00.001-07:00

THE REAL WORLD, The movie "Wackness"

2008-08-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

THE REAL WORLD, Morning glory

2008-08-16T11:55:00.001-07:00

2008-08-13T14:21:00.001-07:00

2008-08-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

a "thanks" goes to my humble master CB for sending me this

2008-08-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

is it me?

2008-08-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

Both of these pictures were used on one of Germany´s biggest news sites.
Both of them at a certain time at the top of the page, at the most viewable and important place of the site (they were used in the posted order).

Is it me or are these pictures disgusting, against any good taste and inhuman?

I like reality and i think that news sites should cover a war like it is.
But somehow i feel like shit looking at these pictures.
Like a voyeur, looking at a horrible car crash from the sidelines.

Strange times.

Slow Motion Lightning

2008-08-09T04:31:00.001-07:00

in between

2008-08-07T13:33:00.001-07:00

Book report: THE GAME (Neil Strauss)

2008-08-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

my take on THE GAME.
pencil sketch and bad overpaint

Another book i read recently is THE GAME by author Neil Strauss.
I think there was some forum pos t talking about and i thought "why not" and ordered it.
It took me only some days to finish it and i´m still not sure what to think of it.

Its basically an advice book.. only that its subject are women and its audience are men who don't know how to get women/ that don't know how to act around them.
I never really thought that i have a problem being "myself" around the females and it was strange to read all the difficulties one could have talking to women.

So again, its a book about geeks who try to get laid by doing the best thing in their arsenal and that is remembering lines and acting like someone else.
Its never about developing an interesting personality or trying to better yourself to attract someone.. its always about using different methods to gain attention (magic tricks, bumping into someone, ignoring the targeted female while talking to her best friend) and then to play the hustler.
Its geeks dressing up as weirdos with hats and smiling allot and making jokes they read on a forum.

There also is a rough storyline, the author Neil Strauss is talking the journey to become "THE ULTIMATE PICK-UP ARTIST" and we are able to read his adventures and thoughts.
He meets people who call them self MYSTERY and gets laid allot towards the end of the book.
All of this thanks to his lines, confidence and ability to read women.

The redeeming quality this book has, is the author himself. He knows what he is doing, he knows that he is doing something kinda wrong and he always writes about the doubts and failures of himself and his comrades.

And even though the tricks this books teaches you are mostly stupid and embarrassing, i still would recommend it to anyone.
I think there are some fundamental truths about relationships and women buried inside of these pages.. and these are topics were everyone wants to know more.

things to listen to

2008-08-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

Time flies by at the moment, i don't really play as much as i want to, i don't draw the things i need to draw and i have many podcasts and movies that remain untouched.

Some of the stuff that is sticking out the most:

World War Z - Audio Book
I have written about the book before but after reading that the audio book enhances the story, i gave it another shot.
And its awesome.
All the problems i had with the written material (it has some boring scenes that don't contain plot or any merit) are non existent in audio form.
There are some famous/good voice actors here and it feels way more real and visceral then before.
Definitely worth checking out and its fun to draw while listening to it.

contains Juergen Prochnow, Mark Hamill AND Henry Rollins

- ERRORS, a great mixture of electronic and post-rock sounds (not a real video, but it gives a good idea of their music)

more of the same

2008-07-31T15:47:00.001-07:00

its batman week, so here is more of the weird guy:

ze bat and some media

2008-07-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

While THE DARK KNIGHT is breaking records in the US, its still a month away from starting in my little part of Europe.
Excitement got me still and so i drew a version of Gotham's first millionaire!

ON MEDIA:
- watched DIARY OF THE DEAD and it was awful.
How awful? SO FUCKING AWFUL! I have a hard time really seeing this a an Romero movie.. it felt more as if his 16 year old son and his best friend made something while he was asleep on a porch.
Yes, i understand that some people might say its a very clever film because it makes you believe that its cheesy and stupid (and that this is meant as a commentary on our entertainment and information industry) but screw that.
Even commentary needs to be entertaining and well made!

- continuing with this trend in watching crap, i saw JUMPER!
Its Anakin doing some dimension jumping, making bored faces and he is joined by a pretty girl, Billy Elliot and Mace Windu.
I once wanted to read the book this pile of shit was based on, but not anymore.

- something great to end this post:

The KORG Ds 10 has arrived in my home and its everything i wanted and feared it to be.
Its very complex and has a steep learning curve but is also a full fledged synthesizer for a very small prize.

Highly recommend for anyone wanting to try out some electronic music making.

more from the real world

2008-07-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

thank YOU!

2008-07-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

hi,
just wanted to say THANK YOU to the nice people commenting..
posting is sometimes a bit strange and you never really know if someone cares.. so comments are more then welcome and make my heart warm and help me keeping up!

also:
i now have a myspace page! So if you want to see my stupid grin OR want to add me as a friend:
DO IT!

On to some drawings!

This one was drawn in a tiny tiny moleskine (one with the soft cover) while waiting for an
eye examination (my eyesight did not get worse).

and this was made while sitting in front of an aquarium.
a morey is checking out a shark thats driving by.

2008-07-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

i like open canvas

2008-07-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

I really do, sketching with the normal pencil brush feels great and i´ve yet to find something similar in photoshop.
I case you want to try it for yourself, version 1.1 is free and downloadable!

On other subjects:
- E3 is over and one of the more interesting things for me were the character design changes in Left 4 Dead.
I liked the old ones and i wonder why they changed them. The new ones look "fresher" and not as "real". The also look as if the outbreak just happend 3min ago.
Oh well.. it is still the most exiting new game this year and ultimately my main reason to invest in a new PC.
The E3 presentation follows:

back for good

2008-07-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Had this idea while working today:

After this weird last relationship, i´m back in the arms
of old friends and loved ones

EDIT:
i´m an idiot, it should read NSFW and not NSWF.
I was NOT talking about
Naval Special Warfare Foundation or the
Nova Scotia Wildlife Federation (Canada)

starbucks-drawings:

2008-07-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

- this guy was waiting in line and sweating like hell

- random doodles

office views

2008-07-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

some notes:

- IN BRUGES has an OK story with good actors and a great soundtrack

- GOTHAM KNIGHT contains six storys nearly all of them are bad and the animation looks rushed. I still hate the fact that the japanese Animation studios are not able to blend 3d backgrounds with their 2d character work. It always looks weird and cheap.

- Thanks to the internet hype machine, i´ve reinstalled Diablo 2 and Quake 3.
I can´t wait for Quake Live or Diablo 3 (and i´m thankfull that QLive will be out in a shorter amount of time).
Slowly relearning all the maps and the timing of the red amor is fun!

real world stuff

2008-07-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

Today, comics inspired by true events:

8bit Killer and Dimitri

2008-07-12T04:39:00.001-07:00

A quote from Scott Sharkey sells this the best:

A really simple Wolfenstein 3D clone probably wouldn't be worth getting fired over. 8bit Killer, however, is a lovingly polished game that makes subtle visual and aural homage to just about every game in the NES pantheon. It's a completely original production, free of tacky sprite rips or other easy shots at nostalgia. Instead, the game makes strong artistic and musical hints at everything from Contra to Bionic Commando while remaining something completely different.

-> GO DOWNLOAD IT HERE

And DIMITRI THE STUD!

sketches and james jean

2008-07-10T16:03:00.001-07:00

Some sketches with bad anatomy:

AAAAAAAND:
James Jean posted something cool to download on his blog

"I've uploaded the files I gave away at ICON5 on Rapidshare. It includes all the files I used to create Fables 76 as well as files for the creation of the back cover to Process Recess vol. 2. I've also included the outline from my workshop, which includes notes on how to isolate line work and create controllable halftone dots in Photoshop. It's abbreviated, but the point is to use this as a springboard for experimentation. The files are low-res only, but the layer structure should be clear."

-> DOWNLOAD

season 7, done!

2008-07-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

Finished season 7 of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER and i was REALLY happy with the guy who won.
Very sympathetic and surprising. Looking forward to september and season 8!

drawn while watching:

HOWDY and the UFC

2008-07-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Drawn while watching episodes from the 1, 4 and 5 season of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER
Never thought that i would like the UFC one day but.. now i´m into it!
MMA is much more interesting than Boxing at the moment.
Most of this could be because of this AWESOME book:

Don't be put off by the cover.
The author (shown being covered in blood) is a pretty normal guy that is interested in finding out more about the world of fighting and the cool thing is that he is ready to step into the ring too.
Its partly filled with his experience training different fighting styles and partly written as a kind of "why do people fight?" "why do we watch people get hurt?" subject book.
Its also full of links and quotes from other books and i cant wait to read some of them too.
But lets let the writer speak for himself