Jason,..you do beautiful work! Love your style! Being the total process hound that I am, I would love for you to share your process in creating these little gems! I love to read about what type of pens, pencils, paper
and software people use to create their works.
Your paper looks to be a gray color,..or is that the way it is scanned in? It looks like you are using a marker pen or maybe even a pencil and having it tweaked (contrast adjusted) in Photoshop. Whatever you are doing it is resulting in a wonderful look!
Being a father also,..I can relate to many of these illustrations.
Thanks for the kind words! My process is pretty simple really. I use micron pens, size 03, 02 and 01 for the hatchings. I often just draw straight onto the page though I’ll also do a loose pencil sketch to help me with the composition before inking if it’s more complicated. I’m currently drawing in a moleskin but I don’t like the yellowness of the page so when i scan the drawing in I autotone to get a whiter colour. I used to draw in a sketch book made by “hand book” which I like better and think I’l move back to. It’s all about capturing the moment (as a father you can appreciate this!). I would love to know, how did you come across my sketches? Thanks again for your interest!
I discovered you just while randomly listening to a podcast called, “Guys with Pencils”.
I’m a cartoonist/graphic designer and a big fan of 2D animation too. At 48,….I’m filled with regret that I didn’t pursuit my dreams at becoming an animator and truly envy those youngsters (I’m 48) that have succeeded in doing so. I missed the boat on that one I guess, but it’s fun to see others doing well in 2D animation.
I’m a huge fan of simplistic design and love organic styles as well.
To me,…as much as I certainly appreciate the big theatrical productions, there is something so appealing to my senses when I see black and white line art illustrations, cartoons and animation.
When time allows, I occasionally interview some folks in all facets of cartooning, and have compiled them together here to share with anyone who cares to listen. They are found here:
Thanks for sharing your techniques….I love to read about how others are getting it done.
I would love to see your style translated into a comic book or a 2D animated series. It begs to be seen like that.
I agree with sticking with handmade papers…..I have not had much success with the Moleskins, but then again,…that’s just me.
Hi Todd,
Wow! What a line-up of artists you have interviewed – can’t wait to dig through these! Al Jaffee was always one of my favourites! These days as artists we need to be able to do lots of stuff – movement, especially with the proliferation of mobile devices, is more and more common place. I’m learning flash so that I can employ my animation chops to my line work – we’ll see where it goes. I’d love to do a comic book or series – any thoughts on what kind of narrative you’d like to see?! Thanks again for your comments. If ok with you I’m going to send out a tweet about your interview site… jason
Thanks….yeah…tweet away! I have a couple more interviews I’m working on too, but again,…it’s only something I do when time permits. I’ve been kicking around some ideas for a comic book series myself, but I haven’t been able to sit my butt down at my art desk to really dig deep into fleshing out what I think will work vs. what I think wouldn’t. Home ownership is “highly” overrated! There seems to be a myriad of crap to do around the house…and of course they all take time and costs tons of money.
When I look at your toons,…I gravitate toward a comic book series or animated series that comes from a different angle than what can be seen in many strips today.
Maybe something that comes from the eyes of one of the kids….I was thinking of something once that had a young boy (around 5 or 6) and how he kind of narrated the story. “Raising Pop” or “Raising Dad” or “My Dad by Design” were titles that came to mind. You see the dad a lot,..but only through the eyes of this over imaginative boy. One day the dad could have horns and a pitchfork as he orders the boy to pick up his toys….another day the dad could be portrayed as a big old log as the boy tries to get his attention on a lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon….etc and etc…..
I don’t know,….maybe that sounds dumb….but anyway…..keep up the great work.
Love the idea! And totally hear you on the over-rated bits of home ownership. I’ll see what I can’t focus on moving forward in an effort to make something! What is your email Todd (or website) for future contact. Be well.
I can be reached at: togotooner@gmail.com
Please keep me posted. I’m always interested in hearing what others are doing. Also let me know how your Flash and/or ToonBoom training is going. I may try to learn them myself, just not sure that I’m smart enough to grasp it.
The Art of Dad 
Jason,..you do beautiful work! Love your style! Being the total process hound that I am, I would love for you to share your process in creating these little gems! I love to read about what type of pens, pencils, paper
and software people use to create their works.
Your paper looks to be a gray color,..or is that the way it is scanned in? It looks like you are using a marker pen or maybe even a pencil and having it tweaked (contrast adjusted) in Photoshop. Whatever you are doing it is resulting in a wonderful look!
Being a father also,..I can relate to many of these illustrations.
Thanks for the kind words! My process is pretty simple really. I use micron pens, size 03, 02 and 01 for the hatchings. I often just draw straight onto the page though I’ll also do a loose pencil sketch to help me with the composition before inking if it’s more complicated. I’m currently drawing in a moleskin but I don’t like the yellowness of the page so when i scan the drawing in I autotone to get a whiter colour. I used to draw in a sketch book made by “hand book” which I like better and think I’l move back to. It’s all about capturing the moment (as a father you can appreciate this!). I would love to know, how did you come across my sketches? Thanks again for your interest!
Jason,..
I discovered you just while randomly listening to a podcast called, “Guys with Pencils”.
I’m a cartoonist/graphic designer and a big fan of 2D animation too. At 48,….I’m filled with regret that I didn’t pursuit my dreams at becoming an animator and truly envy those youngsters (I’m 48) that have succeeded in doing so. I missed the boat on that one I guess, but it’s fun to see others doing well in 2D animation.
I’m a huge fan of simplistic design and love organic styles as well.
To me,…as much as I certainly appreciate the big theatrical productions, there is something so appealing to my senses when I see black and white line art illustrations, cartoons and animation.
When time allows, I occasionally interview some folks in all facets of cartooning, and have compiled them together here to share with anyone who cares to listen. They are found here:
http://boing.libsyn.com/
Thanks for sharing your techniques….I love to read about how others are getting it done.
I would love to see your style translated into a comic book or a 2D animated series. It begs to be seen like that.
I agree with sticking with handmade papers…..I have not had much success with the Moleskins, but then again,…that’s just me.
Todd
Hi Todd,
Wow! What a line-up of artists you have interviewed – can’t wait to dig through these! Al Jaffee was always one of my favourites! These days as artists we need to be able to do lots of stuff – movement, especially with the proliferation of mobile devices, is more and more common place. I’m learning flash so that I can employ my animation chops to my line work – we’ll see where it goes. I’d love to do a comic book or series – any thoughts on what kind of narrative you’d like to see?! Thanks again for your comments. If ok with you I’m going to send out a tweet about your interview site… jason
Thanks….yeah…tweet away! I have a couple more interviews I’m working on too, but again,…it’s only something I do when time permits. I’ve been kicking around some ideas for a comic book series myself, but I haven’t been able to sit my butt down at my art desk to really dig deep into fleshing out what I think will work vs. what I think wouldn’t. Home ownership is “highly” overrated! There seems to be a myriad of crap to do around the house…and of course they all take time and costs tons of money.
When I look at your toons,…I gravitate toward a comic book series or animated series that comes from a different angle than what can be seen in many strips today.
Maybe something that comes from the eyes of one of the kids….I was thinking of something once that had a young boy (around 5 or 6) and how he kind of narrated the story. “Raising Pop” or “Raising Dad” or “My Dad by Design” were titles that came to mind. You see the dad a lot,..but only through the eyes of this over imaginative boy. One day the dad could have horns and a pitchfork as he orders the boy to pick up his toys….another day the dad could be portrayed as a big old log as the boy tries to get his attention on a lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon….etc and etc…..
I don’t know,….maybe that sounds dumb….but anyway…..keep up the great work.
Love the idea! And totally hear you on the over-rated bits of home ownership. I’ll see what I can’t focus on moving forward in an effort to make something! What is your email Todd (or website) for future contact. Be well.
I can be reached at: togotooner@gmail.com
Please keep me posted. I’m always interested in hearing what others are doing. Also let me know how your Flash and/or ToonBoom training is going. I may try to learn them myself, just not sure that I’m smart enough to grasp it.
Great – thanks Todd. Will keep in touch.