Graphic Design

I came across this website and immediately bookmarked it. Producing a “perfect book” caught my eye, but the love this guy has for graphic design oozes out of every page and dribbles from each word. I’ve only just begun to sift through all of the articles and I look forward to poring over them all.

Unicorn

Here’s a quick cartoon sketch that I had to get out of my system. I had been coming across the word unicorn so often in my surfing and so forth, that I figured someone was trying to tell me that I needed to create one. So here it is, insipid and sappy as I could make it and perfect for some little girl’s birthday party, both sketch and final color version.

An Arrogant Ass

I have a lot of visitors to my websites and get a LOT of email asking permission to use my cartoons for every imaginable use you could think of, and some you wouldn’t. It’s a very rare instance that I don’t give permission and in fact, I can’t think of once that I haven’t. But it warms my heart to know that a great majority of my visitors understand that just because an image is available for download, that doesn’t mean that it’s fair game for any use whatsoever.

Unbelievably, the “writer” of the column at the other end of this link – Big Mother gets her shot at cutting health costs – doesn’t have a clue what copyright means. His ignorance of copyright seems to know no bounds, even when the error of his ways is pointed out by the artist whose work he stole, and a host of other commentors on his page. Mr. Blankenhorn’s justification in the comments section:

“The picture has been removed. However, I want you and every artist to know the following:
1. It’s easy to watermark any Web illustration if you don’t want it copied. You leave it in the clear, you’re giving permission.
2. I made a thumbnail. I didn’t “steal” the picture. I linked to the original, gave you credit, and tried to bring you business.
3. I will also remove all references to you from the story, quid pro quo.
This idea that one must gain permission before doing what comes naturally on the Web has to end. You have the tools to stop it. Use them.”

His hypocrisy is compounded when you read the copyright notice that applies to his articles:

“All editorial content and graphics on our sites are protected by U.S. copyright, international treaties, and other applicable copyright laws and may not be copied without the express permission of CBS Interactive, Inc., which reserves all rights. Reuse of any of CBS Interactive editorial content and graphics for any purpose without CBS Interactive’s permission is strictly prohibited.”

His theft, if we are to take his employer’s copyright notice at face value, has given themselves ownership of the stolen work that illustrated his article.

Unbelievable.

Zodiac Crayons

Like every other child on the planet, crayons were my first drawing medium, and as an artist, they hold a very special place in my heart. Diem Chau has taken crayons to a completely new place that I could have never gone. In my mind’s eye, I see picking one of these up and having to fight the overwhelming inspiration to draw with it. By the way, but my favorite is my sign.

The Vendor Client relationship

Not that any of my clients would do anything like this of course, but it’s funny nonetheless. If you have a creative business, I’m sure there might have been a time or two that you’ve felt like the folks in this video.

Budda sketch

Here’s a cartoon I cranked out today for an emergency client request. We’re getting swamped here at Wiz Studios lately, so I drew most of it, scanned, then duplicated, flipped, and merged to save some time.

Back to Liquor Labels

An eagle on a motorcycle simply has to be an adult beverage design. Suggest the United States flag in the background with a few stars and stripes and you have yourself a label for an American lager.

This turned out much nicer than the version I originally had in my head. The design or drawing process that takes on a life of it’s own and dictates the direction of the project is fascinating and strange at the same time.

Wear Your Seatbelt

This is not your ordinary public service announcement. It’s extremely creative, moving, and best of all, thought provoking.