Archives: June 2010

Summer of Heroes

I’m going to kick off the summer with a brand new, all-for-fun, sketch project. I’m calling it the Summer of Heroes. If you are familiar with the Monster-a-Day project I did last Halloween, this will be similar.

Starting this week and for the rest of the summer, I’m going to create a series of sketch cards depicting my favorite heroes from pop culture. Think Superman, Buffy Summers, and Luke Skywalker. The art will be posted here at the top of this post as I finish them. Check back often to keep track of the progress.

As part of the fun, I will be creating these all on my Ustream show, where you can chat with me in real-time and discuss art, movies, and TV with me while I am drawing. Go here to watch the show and look at the schedule.

Watch the Show: http://danidraws.com/danidrawslive/
Buy the art: http://store.danidraws.com/summer-of-heroes/
Continue reading

Posted in Artwork | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Creative Independence Interview

I was recently interviewed by Bob Ostrom, one of the hosts of the Creative Independence Podcast. Bob and I talked about stuff like social networking, the Artcast Network, My Sister the Freak, Spacedock 7, and my advice for artists.

Special thanks to Bob and Chris Wilson for letting me hijack their show for an episode.

You can listen to the interview here.

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15 Steps to Freelance Illustration Review

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Are you a new art school graduate who needs help getting an illustration business up and running? Are you an experienced illustrator looking to recharge your career? There’s a great new resource available today that I highly recommend for you.

It’s called 15 Steps to Freelance Illustration. It’s an ebook by Thomas James, creator of the awesome illustration website and podcast Escape From Illustration Island.

I’ve had the chance to read the entire book, so I can personally confirm that Thomas has made an invaluable resource for all types of illustrators out there. In the book, he outlines 15 steps to starting an illustration business. The process is simple yet thorough, covering general stuff like finances to current issues like social media promotion. I like that it outlines a set of necessary goals in an easy and doable manner. This is essential for new artists who are at such a critical stage of their careers. Experienced illustrators will also find plenty of helpful info for revamping their existing business.

In addition, buyers will receive a workbook that takes the goals outlined in the book and gives specific assignments to help accomplish them. It’s a great supplement to an already solid resource.

Given that there is a general lack of business education among art students (read Thomas’s Open Letter to Art Schools – a great read), you can’t pass up such a great resource like this one when it comes around. Most beginners are left stumbling and fumbling their way through the start of their careers. Many do not succeed. However, you’ll improve your chances greatly if you read and follow 15 Steps.

15 Steps to Freelance Illustration is on sale starting TODAY. Those who buy the book within the first week get a special introductory price, so be sure to check it out as soon as you can.

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Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Download “My Sister, the Freak”

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For those of you who follow my webcomic My Sister, the Freak, I just posted the final page to the first chapter. I am now making the first issue (containing the Prologue and Chapter 1) available for download as PDF and CBZ files.

These files will make it possible to read the comic on your computer or favorite mobile device, like iPhones and iPads. Note that you will need the correct software; there are many free and cheap apps that will read these files – I recommend GoodReader or ComicZeal.

Of course, you can always read the comic for free on the web at mysisterthefreak.com too.

The download is only $.99. You can purchase it here.

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Ripple

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Artist Kelly Light was devastated by the news of the recent oil spill in the gulf. So, she decided to do something about it!

Kelly started a site called Ripple. On it, she is selling sketch cards created by her and many other artists, with 100% of the proceeds going toward helping the animal victims affected by the spill.

The above pieces of artwork are my contributions to Ripple. Visit the site to buy some great artwork and help out a good cause!

Posted in Artwork, News | Tagged , | 11 Comments