My Girlfriend is an Awesome Person

When she went to Cosi the other day to buy a salad for lunch, and she then saw a homeless guy digging through the Dumpster in the alley by my condo, she gave him the delicious, delicious bread that came with the salad. She loves that bread, because it's delicious, and she gave it to him. Then, while I was dorking out and spending a truly profane amount of money on comic books on Saturday, she was doing volunteer work, taking children from group homes to a museum because they don't have anyone else who will take them.

In conclusion, these are just two examples of many of why my girlfriend Laura is a wonderful person who doesn't get the props she deserves. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

P.S. I deeply apologize for my egregious use of the word "props" in the preceding paragraph. I hope the reader will find it in his or her heart to forgive me.

Comic-Mania

Time for a bunch of updates! Went to the Wizard World comic book convention this Saturday with my little sister and my honorary little sister. It was my first time, and it was pretty awesome. And tiring! And way more social than I would have thought, what with all the indie artists and creators barking at passers-by to please buy their stuff. I ended up spending most of my time buying comics. Of course, I went in with a list of things I specifically wanted, and ended up buying everything in sight...oh well. Now I have a load of great comic books to read! I even went to Chicago Comics on Monday to buy more. It would appear that I am a great big comic book dork now. Thanks a lot, Sis -- I was wondering what I was going to do with all this money I have now that I'm not buying D&D books and video games every week. That was a close one!

Anyway, I wish I had taken pictures at the con...not sure why I didn't. I always have a hard time overcoming photography inertia for some reason. Anyway, it was about what you'd expect...really crowded, lots of people wearing costumes they really shouldn't, and a few wearing costumes they really, really should. The highlight had to have been Robin, complete with bare skinny geek-legs and green jockeys. That takes balls, and you could pretty much see them.

As far as celebrities go, I briefly glimpsed Priscilla Barnes, better known as Ivana, the topless, three-nippled fortune teller from my favorite movie Mallrats. WWE Superstar Al Snow was supposed to be there, but he evidently canceled. In his place, I saw former WWE Superstar "Grand Master Sexay" Brian Christopher, which was kind of cool, though I didn't get a photo or autograph or anything.

Overall, it was a very good time...count me in for next year!

Drawing: Angel

Well, an angel, anyway. Diverging slightly from my usual superhero schtick, I thought I'd go a little bit fantasy. I actually did this one fairly free-hand, with much less use of reference pictures than usual. Not too shabby. I got a bit lazy with the wings; turns out, details bore me! Not much shading either. Overall, though, pretty decent, I think.

On the High Seas of Lake Michigan

On Tuesday, I took a little cruise with my crew at Morningstar aboard the Tall Ship Windy, followed by libations and comestibles at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at Navy Pier. Good times -- it was a very pleasant day for it. Several intrepid photographers numbered among our crew, and the following pictures were among those taken.

Preparing to batten down the hatches, or shiver me timbers, or something.

Me trying to help raise the sail without elbowing poor Mindy in the face.

Chris, Andrius, Andrey, myself, and Cliff. Yarrrr.

Drawing, 2006-07-26

Green Lantern! Actually, I think this is my best work yet. The shading could use some work, though. And man, it took me a good four or five tries to get the head and face anywhere near close to right. Also, sorry about the glare from the lighting, making the shiny pencil all glarey and crap. Damn, I need a scanner already!

Anyway, this one's for you, Dad. ZAP!

Older than Dirt

Did you guys know that Haley Joel Osment, the cute little kid from Sixth Sense and other movies, is eighteen freaking years old?! Man. I feel old.

Drawing, 2006-07-24 part 2

Behold: Cap! Again, still needs work on proportion. You can see the guidelines I drew, in accordance with the age-old eight-heads-tall rule. I need to get used to that; I have a tendency to draw characters too short, closer to six or seven heads.

Also, let me say right now that my complete lack of 1337 coloring and shading skeelz is not the point of this drawing! I need to work on form first. The coloring was more of an afterthought -- really, it's an excuse to try out my expensive new colored pencil set. :)