Lady Death/Purgatori

In this Lady Death/Purgatori commission I tried to be as conscious of where I was putting the blacks as possible.

I took my time on this one, and I think it's a step in the right direction. I added some shadows to Lady Death's face, which is something I've been cautious of in the past. But if I'm to grow as an artist, it's time to get dangerous.

Characters (c) Their respective owners (though I believe Dark Horse owns them both now)

Dumb Bunny and Merry Man!

This is Dumb Bunny of DC's "Inferior Five" and her team mate, Merry Man (who, according to Wikipedia, was modeled after Woody Allen).

I experimented with shadows in this drawing. After some reflection on past works I realized that too often my figures are flat because of lack of contrast. Lately I've been studying some great examples by other artists of the past and present, from Jack Kirby, all the way to Chris Samnee (who, if you're not familiar with, is well worth checking out).

While my goal is never to ape or imitate another artist, I'm always anxious to learn new techniques to give my art more substance.

Characters (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

The Iron Space Marine!

This is a commission of the Iron Space Marine, an amalgamation of Iron Man and the Space Marines from Warhammer 40k.

Christmas is behind us, and I'm finishing up some half-done commissions from earlier in the week. Look for more frequent posts from here on out.

Iron Man (c) 2009 Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Warhammer 40k (c) 2009 Whoever Own It

Blink and Zatanna!

Several weeks back I completed two commissions featuring superheroines who had been flash frozen in stone by Medusa. This drawing is to be added to that gallery.

I regret that Zatanna's hair isn't black, but what do you expect? It's stone just like the rest of her form (except the clothing; the buyer had specific instructions that the clothing wasn't turned to stone).

Zatanna and Blink (c) 2009 Their Respective Companies

Toph from Avatar

I drew this for my wife for Christmas. She's a HUGE Avatar fan, and Toph is her favorite character.

For those who aren't familiar with the show or its characters, Toph is a blind earthbender. In other words, she's a terrakinetic.

The symbol in the background is the symbol for the Earth Nation (or it could just mean "earth." I'm not positive.)

I realized after I'd inked it that I'd gotten the bottom half of the costume wrong. She's not supposed to have a wrap around skirt. But we'll just say that in this instance she has a different set of clothes on. Works for me.

Toph (c) 2009 MTV Networks, Inc.

Sneak Peak!

Over the last few days I've completed some commissions, but nothing I can place on an All Audiences blog like this one. I can, however, post something that I've been working on after hours. Something a bit more personal.

This is a panel from a webcomic I'm working on featuring a simple hero vs. villain battle. Very reminiscent of Spider-Man and he Vulture. As a matter of fact, my villain is named "The Bat." Kind of generic, I know, but that's the fun.

You'll notice that this style is a little looser and organic that I'm used to. The reason behind that is that these spolight webcomics of my characters are to get readers acquainted with the Halcyon Universe. And to just make some fun comics (not that my other stuff isn't fun!). With this project I'm less interested in making fine art than I am with productivity. The goal is to tell the stories.

I had originally named the hero Daredevil, after the Golden Age Public Domain character (and not Marvel's). However, as I started thinking out the character's backstory, he became more and more important. And I realized that it would be best to come up with a different name, one that didn't hold the weight that "Daredevil" does. Even though it would be my legal right to use it.

The Golden Age Daredevil has had numerous incarnations over the years, most recently in Dynamite Comics' Project Superpowers, where he has become "The Death-Defying 'Devil". And in Erik Larsen's Savage Dragon, where the character has retained his classic name and appearance (as well as entourage).

Over the next few days I'll reveal the name that I decide upon. I have a couple bouncing around in my head. I had the perfect one earlier, but a search on
Comicvine.com showed me that it was already taken by a similar character. In a book I read on a regular basis, no less! No wonder it sounded familiar!

Enjoy this sneak preview. I'm four pages into it, and I'll be launching the webcomic once this little short is finished. Then I'll move on to another character to spotlight.

Super Teen!

Apparently, a few years back, there were a few superhero versions of the Archie Characters. I was commissioned to draw one such character, and here she is. Betty, a.k.a. Super Teen!

Commission: Lara Croft Takin' It Off

This is a second in a series of eight Lara Croft commissions I'm working on over the next several weeks. I won't be able to post them all without violating some content regulations (especially #7 and #8), but believe me when I say that they get more and more risqué with each commission.

Lara Croft (c) 2009 The Company That Owns Her

Ursa Conquers Power Girl and Supergirl!

This is a companion piece to an Ursa/Superman commission I drew early in the year. Remember back in Superman II when the three kryptonian villains lost their powers? They became mortal, and in this case, became immune to kryptonite.

The kryptonite shackles have weakened Power Girl and Supergirl, and Ursa is, once again, victorious!

In the color stage later on the shackles will be glowing green.

Characters (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Herr Freon and Mendle Gregorson!

These are the final two commissions for John McLaren. Meet villains Herr Freon and Mendel Gregorson. You can find more of John's characters at his website, http://totemansworld.com.

I haven't posted anything over the last few days because most of the commissions I've worked on have been a litte too...risque for a family blog. I might post them on Deviantart later on, but I haven't decided.

I've also been working on the second installment of my Sovereign story for the Arcadia Comics Anthology. Go to www.arcadiacollective.blogspot.com to find out more about that.

Wonder Girl

I finished this Wonder Girl commission earlier, and despite a struggling internet connection, I finally got to post it.

It really makes you feel helpless when you're cut off from the world like that. It's hard to imagine that there once was a time when I never needed to get online. Now I rely on it for a part-time job.

I never would have thought. Luckily everything seems to be back to normal now.

Wonder Girl (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

The Arcadia Anthology Is Here!

For the last several weeks a group of very talented artists and I worked to produce individual stories featuring our own original characters.

We're proud to annouce that issue #1 is finally up for sale at Indyplanet.com.

You'll be introduced to the Blue Bug by Eric Lamont and Kyle Chaney, Cyprus by Michael Hall, Lucero by Sean Harley, Heroic Forces Preview by Eric Lamont, and my own contribution to the collection, Sovereign.

With spectacular cover art by Malacai Brown!

Just copy and paste the link below into your browser, and you'll be led to the item listing.

Order your copy today for only $3.99!

http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3068&osCsid=jia7o1rgmrgk8eihk87sja22n2

Special thanks to Eric Lamont for having the vision to bring us all together.

Visit our site at http://arcadiacollective.blogspot.com
Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/arcadia_comics

Thanks!

Magma Faerie (colored)

The buyer of this Magma Faerie commission recently emailed this colored version to me, and I was floored at how much the colorist brought my art to life!

Her name is Grace Freeman, and you can check out her site at http://colorist.deviantart.com for more of her work.

Magma (c) 2009 Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Big Barda!

I've grown to love the body of work that Jack "The King" Kirby left behind. I don't know why, but the older I get the more I appreciate it.

His genius was undeniable.

Even though he created or co-created many of the most recognizable characters in comics, it's not that often that I get to draw any of them. This commission features Big Barda, from Kirby's Fourth World. The first time I was exposed to her was on an episode of Justice League Unlimited in which she and Mr. Miracle come to seek the league's aid against Granny Goodness (gotta love that name!), but they only manage to get the Flash to help them. A great episode (but then all those episodes are great).

Although I haven't read Fourth World in its entirety, I plan on owning the set of Fourth World Ombibus' (Omnibi?).

Big Barda (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment

Enter: Herr Freon

Meet Herr Freon, created by John McLaren and (I believe) his son. He's also the creator of Melan and Wind Chyme (see earlier posts).

If you follow the blog you'll have noticed that there was no post yesterday. I don't want to get into too many personal details, but believe me when I say we've had our hands full. Things are on their way to normalcy now, and I'm working on the second half of the most recent batch of commissions.

For those of you waiting on packages, your wait is almost over.

I'll post another commission later today if I can.

Herr Freon (c)2009 John McLaren

Bison and Dark Chun Li

In this commission we have Bison and Dark Chun Li. In this black and white version you can't really tell except for certain minor costume differences that Chun Li has turned to the dark side. But I'll be coloring it once I can get my hands on some Prismacolors (which I'm hoping Santa will surprise me with).

I fell behind on commissions over the weekend because of various reasons, but I'm almost caught up after today.

More tomorrow.

Lara Croft

I wanted to get this Lara Croft commission posted tonight. Lots going on this weekend, mostly trying to figure out why our vehicle won't start. We've finally settled on the charger, and we're changing it tomorrow. But I digress...
A customer bought a batch of Lara Croft commissions last week. I'll be getting them done as I can, so it probably be a weekly basis, unless I can manage more drawing time.

Nightcat and Raphael

This commission is of Nightcat and Raphael, characters from the novels of Jennifer MacDonald. I've drawn them a few times in the past, but I think this is one of my better interpretations Jen has a gallery of commissions she's ordered from me and other artists at her website. Check it out www.nightcat-online.com.

Nightcat and Raphael (c) 2009 Jennifer MacDonald

Wind Chyme

This is Wind Chyme, another character from John McLaren, creator of Melan, the tentacled woman I posted a couple days ago.
You can see John's commission gallery at http://totemansworld.com.

Wind Chyme (c) 2009 John McLaren

Mary Marvel Commission #1

Mary Marvel is quickly gaining on Power Girl for the title of most commissioned character.

This commission is the first of two Mary Marvel commissions I've been working on this week. But they're for different buyers, incidentally. This one was an homage to an old cover from the 40s (maybe early 50s).

I'm not sure which issue the character first appeared in, but the comic this cover is based on is called "WOW".

I'll be finished with Mary Marvel #2 tomorrow or the next day.

Melan

This is Melan, created by John McLaren. I don't know anything about the character, but I can tell that she can kick some serious ass.

John has an entire gallery of different artists' interpretation of her and other characters he's created. You can find them at http://totemansworld.com.

-Mike

70s Supergirl

I hadn't seen this costume before being commissioned for this drawing. I must say it is rather sexy, but I'm glad it was abandoned down the line for the more iconic version. Maybe they could do a version with modern shirt design and these bottoms! That would be hot!

Supergirl (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Batgirl!

I meant to post this Batgirl commission last night, but I lost track of time while I was drawing (as I'm won't to do), and before I knew it, it was past 1 A.M. I've tried to maintain a daily posting schedule, but occasionally I faulter. It's not for lack of content, though.

This Batgirl is Barbara Gordon. I don't have anything against the new Batgirl, but Barbara is the only one I've ever been familiar with.

Batgirl (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

M.A.S.K.

These characters are Vanessa Warfield and Matt Tracker. They're from a cartoon I used to watch in the 90s called "M.A.S.K." Offhand I can't remember what it stood for. What I do know is that the vehicles were awesome! The only M.A.S.K. toy I can remember having was a green motorcycle that sprouted propellers.

And that's my trip down memory lane for tonight.

Americana Breaking Free!

I wish I had a clever Thansgiving-themed drawing to post tonight, but I'm not a terribly clever guy at times, especially when I have so much tryptophan in my system.

This is a commission I finished a day or two ago (I only post one a day, so sometimes I get a backlog). It's KC Ryan's Americana, and this time she's casually breaking free of chains, giving us a glimpse at how strong she really is. Note the scythe. The villain in question swings it in manner very similar to the Absorbing Man's Mace.

More tomorrow, guys. Happy Thanksgiving!

Americana (c) 2009 KC Ryan

Iron Woman

To the best of my knowledge there's never been an Iron Woman, but you can bet that eventually there will be.

In a few days you'll see some commissions of Iron Man, commissioned by the same buyer as this one. I could use the practice because I rarely draw any robotic characters.

Yankee Girl

Meet KC Ryan's Yankee Girl. She's found herself in a precarious situation at the hands of the villainous Cruella (seen off panel with boxing gloves ready to practice on Yankee Girl's...punching bags.

Yankee Girl (c) 2009 KC Ryan

Supergirl Panties Commission

The buyer for this Supergirl only had two criteria: Supergirl ha to be the Bruce Timm Supergirl, and she had to be lifting up her skirt in the back to reveal her panties.

I swear, this Supergirl is at least 18.

-Mike

Tinkerbell, Goddess of Thunder

Project #1:The Marvel-ous Tinker Bell
I'll let the description for this commission speak for itself.

Backstory:
Mortally wounded by Heimdal, Loki beheld the scenes of Ragnarok unfolding before him. His children slain by the Aesir. But before his life ebbed away, the trickster had one last prank to play. Making his way to the spot where his half brother Thor had succumbed to the poison of the Midgard Serpent, Loki grasped his brother's enchanted hammer and with his final strength cast it over Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge. With its one true master, Thor, and last possessor dead, Mjölnir soared over Midgard, past the second star on the left straight towards the morning until landing in a isolated hollow on a small island called Never Land.

The fairy magics which were part of its creation allowed the fairies to lift and move the hammer to a a place of honor among other tokens of their magic. And there the enchanted hammer rested, until one fateful day when a very special fairy arrived in the enchanted lands of Fairy Hallow.... Tinker Bell.

Dyna Girl Commission

This drawing features Dynagirl, created by Aaron Storck. Incidentally, it, too, is to be a Christmas gift for the character's creator.

I wanted to share something, if I may. In an email exchange with KC Ryan, creator of Americana (who commissioned this drawing), he directed me to a site where I could find a wealth of information about a comic universe he has spearheaded over the last several years. Together with a few friends, he has cconstructed his own superhero world. Exciting stuff!

Read more about it at http://forteuniverse.com.

Scarlett

Another one of those commissions that holds a bit of mystery.
What is hitting Scarlett?
An invisible opponent?
A blast?
A bullet?
The buyer sent me a Mike Deodato, Jr. page of Wonder Woman that had a pose he wanted me to use, so if you're wondering why I wrote "after Deodato" under my signature,
now you know.

Scarlett (c) 2009 Hasbro

Harem Girl

For this commission I was given a choice of a few things I could draw.

"Got a couple of ideas.I'll toss them out and let you decide. One idea is a female centaur knight. Another's a straightforward harem/dancing girl. Another is a curvy woman in something like a catsuit or bodysuit. Like Emma Peel or Black Widow. And a last idea is a woman with dragon touches, wings and tail."

I went with the Harem Girl. It just seemed right up my alley somehow.

Oddly enough, I don't think I've drawn a nipple in days.

But the week's not over yet.

Windjammer Christmas Commission

This is Windjammer, created by Michael O'Connell. A friend of his is an art customer of mine, and this is to be his Christmas present. I was flattered that someone would give a piece of my art as a gift! It's one of the highest compliments an artist can receive!

Windjammer (c) 2009 Michael O'Connell

Yet Another Power Girl Commission

It's not often these days that a Power Girl drawing on this blog doesn't require a "censored" bar.

Heh, I checked the bank account today and was inspired to crank my drawing into overdrive. My goal for the rest of the week is to complete two commissions per day. Can I do it?

It's very possible.

I'll probably keep posting only one a day to the blog, though. That way I'll always have a new image to put up, even if something comes up that keeps me from the drawing table.

Commission: Bravestarr and Judge JB

This commission brought back a lot of childhood memories of staying the night at my cousin's house and pretending to be these characters (among lots of others). On more than one occasion I fantasized that I had "strength of the bear" and "speed of the puma." I know I had one of these toys...but which one...maybe the robot horse. I'm not really sure.

This is perhaps one of the tamest commissions I've posted in a while. Just goes to show, you never know what I'll be commissioned to draw next.

Supergirl and Mary Marvel: Victims of Medusa

This Supergirl/Mary Marvel commission is part of a set featuring superheroines who have been turned to stone by Medusa.

If you're wondering why their costumes are ripped, apparently Medusa has a fetish for ripping off clothing from her petrified victims. I'm looking forward to doing
more drawings like this. Look for more in the future.

Supergirl and Mary Marvel (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Essence # 3 Cover

Essence #3 is finally done. Took me long enough. Juggling commissions, family life, and comic pages is quite a task. But I finished the cover the other day, and I hear it's off to the printers.

More news as to the release date in the weeks to come.

Essence (c) 2009 Ultimate Comics Group.

Cover Colors by John Lai

The Baroness

For this baroness commission I decided to go with ovals instead of rectangles and squares for the "censored" bars. Just to shake things up a bit.

I was going to add a Cobra emblem somewhere on the lingerie, but decided against it. I was happy with the piece the way it was. Besides, a black-haired chick with glasses is universally recognizable as the Baroness from G.I. Joe.

Right?

Baroness (c) 2009

Tigra Swimsuit Commission

Here's Tigra. I showed it to my wife and said "What do you think of this?" because I was having a problem getting the placement of the right arm where I wanted it. She thought the anatomy was fine. But here's what she asked me: "What the hell is she wearing??"

Red Sonja Captured

This Red Sonja commission is the companion piece to the "Merriam The Cavewoman" commission I posted a week or so ago. Once again, I've censored it to keep the blog pg-13.

It's been a very productive day. More so than yesterday. I watched "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" last night, and I don't know what it is, but anytime I watch a movie, no matter how much I enjoy it (I loved this movie!!), I still feel like I've pissed away a chunk of my day when it's over.

So anyway, I did a lot of commission drawing today, in addition to work on a five-page story featuring my character, Sovereign, soon to be seen the Arcadia Comics Anthology, an upcoming bi-monthly title put together by my friend Eric Lamont, creator of Legacy Hero Comics(http://myspace.com/legacyherocomics).

Check out his site if you like good, old-fashioned superhero fun.

Red Sonja (c) 2009 Whoever Owns Her

Americana Kite Commission

The character in this commission is Americana. Anyone who's been watching my posts over the last couple of years has seen her on more than one occasion. She's the creation of K.C. Ryan. He commissions covers for his superhero prose. You can find stories of Americana and other creations of K.C.'s at http://kcryan.com. Check it out!

I finished this last night, but I decided to wait until morning to post it because the scanner was being difficult. I got the bare minimum of commission work done yesterday because there's a comics deadline fastly approaching on Thursday, and I spent two hours yesterday morning putting the finishing touches on it. I'll post information about that project in the near future.

As for today, I have to draw two preliminary sketches and ink one commission. Maybe two. Stay tuned.


Americana (c) 2009 KC Ryan

Commission: Skeletor and Teela

If you've checked out my Twitter feed lately, you've probably seen the rough pencils of this Skeletor/Teela commission. I might have taken some artistic license with their size difference, but those characters were larger than life anyway.

Usually everyday I post two or three WIPs (Works In Progress) to Twitter, so if you're interested in seeing the early stages of these drawings, check it out at www.twitter.com/Mpowelljr.

-Mike

Skeletor and Teela (c)2009 Mattel

Lady Jaye Entranced

Here's another Lady Jaye commission. In this one she was supposed to be suspended upright, with shirt unbuttoned, in a trance.

I'm only guessing, but maybe there's some story behind it.

-Mike

Commission: Magma, Fire Faerie

Here's the description for the commission given to me by the buyer...

"Back when the Marvel Universe was a more "playful" place, you were nobody as a hero until you were invited to one of Circe's parties. Already legendary for her normal costume revels, the best of the best was her Halloween bash. Of course, you didn't just "wear" a costume, you were changed into it complements of her Eternal powers. And after hearing that she had been changed into a fairy during her visit to Asgard, Magma is transformed back into her "fairie" appearance

This year the New Mutants, finally got their invitations.

Featured Character: Magma (Amara Aquilla) from New Mutants

Alterations to base character
pointed elfin ears
fairy wings

Alterations to costume

Amara is topless and wearing just a small loin cloth
(Basically the an adult version of her appearance from the New Mutants Asgard special)..."

The buyer has some friends with some coloring expertise, and he's going to get one of them to color it in Photoshop. I'm really looking forward to seeing it whenever it's done.

Medusa/Vampirella

I finished this Medusa/Vampirella commission last night. The buyer ordered a companion piece featuring two other characters made of stone. I'll be working on those in the coming days.

Early this morning I put up another Ebay listing. I sold about 16 commissions last week, about half of those are already done. I should be wrapping up that batch in about five days or so. I've kept up a steady pace since I started selling them again. I've maintained my minimum art schedule of pencil one/ink one per day, but now that I look at it, on some days I pencil three or four and ink one each day.

Drawing on 11 x 17 paper seems to be easier than 8.5 x 11". For whatever reason.

If you're interested in a commission, visit my Ebay listing in the right margin here under "Links."

Thanks!
-Mike

Red Sonja in the Dungeon

This is a Red Sonja commission I was working on quite a while back, but another commission by the same buyer took precedence and had time costraints. That's out of the way now, and I was free to finish this one. I'll be coloring this on the computer, and I may or may not posting it on this blog. It depends on how I do on it. I'm by no means a skilled computer colorist. One day, though, with enough practice who knows.

Commission: Merriam the Cavewoman

I had never heard of "Merriam the Cavewoman" until I was commissioned to do this drawing. From what I gather she's just a cheesecake cave-chick. But I could be wrong.

Normally I don't draw bosoms so...engorged, but that's how the buyer wanted them. The companion piece he ordered is of Red Sonja in a similar situation. I'll be working on that one soon.

More Power Girl

This is just a simple Power Girl commission, but I think it's one of the best I've done. The inking came out the way I wanted it to because my PITT pen had plenty of ink (thanks to a syringe and a bottle of ink), and I think I nailed the expression. I really need to work on making Power Girl's face consistent, though. I've drawn her four or five times, and she looks different in each drawing.

The buyer of this drawing gave me instructions that PG was to be putting on her costume, but she has no gloves or boots on. He commissioned a second that I'll be drawing this week, and he's giving me free reign. So I'm not sure what direction I'll go with it.

It's been a very productive day. I penciled several commissions, inked this one, and I started inking another. I may not be posting every day this week because some of the commissions I'm working on have adult content, but there's plenty of stuff I'm doing that will only require a black "censored" bar.

More to come.