Swine Time

3:14pm: Prints
I've had bad luck with the prints from CafePress (sub par quality) and have 2 orders en route from deviantArt. I'm really hoping those turn out well. If so, I'm thinking of buying a quantity of them for shows and possibly selling them on my site. If they're not good I've just signed up with DPC Prints. They have an online store that prints on demand and they handle fulfillment, etc. I'll post the results once they're in.

I'm also thinking of doing a direct mail piece to promote the illustration portfolio with a target of sci-fi, fantasy and horror publications. If anyone has additional suggestions please let me know.

Thanks!
Robert

10:45am: Denver Zine Fest 2008
I've just signed up to participate in the 2008 Denver Zine Fest. No, I don't have any new comics to show so I'm hoping to run into some new folks and get the word out about the older comics and the new illustrations that I'm now doing. Who knows, maybe this will spark me to do a new book about George!?

I've collected the first 2 Tickling A Dead Man books into one mini-anthology that can be found at Blurb.com. At Blurb you can download a 15-page preview PDF if you'd like to see how the book looks. It's a 40-page plus cover book and collects all of the George comics and covers that I've done to date.

Here's a link to the Denver Zine Fest 2008 site. Hope to see you there.

Buenos Dias!

9:03am: Colorado Alliance of Illustrators Show
Hello again!

I hope you're all doing well out there. I've been meaning to post something about joining the Colorado Alliance of Illustrators before now but was waiting for them to post my images and add my name to the membership list. I guess they make updates to their site once a month so it may be a while before that happens. Ah well. At any rate, I've joined CAI as an Associate Member ... making less than 50% of my income from illustration while working in a capacity that supports illustration.

CAI is doing an art show / exhibit in conjunction with the Art Directors Club of Denver and the Colorado Chapter of the AIGA. The show will be at Ink Lounge Gallery May 2-30, 2008 and I will be showing 2 pieces. I've ordered framed and matted prints from CafePress in the hopes that they're good enough to show. They're supposed to be printed using archival inks on acid-free substrate and come ready to hang. Fingers are crossed. The pieces are "Silent But Deadly" and "Selfish". I got a little confused about how many pieces could be shown and also ordered "WerePimp". I thought I'd be able to show 3 but it looks like 2 is the limit. I'll take all 3 with me to registration and see what happens.

Here's a link for show information if you're interested.

Thanks as always for your continued support.

Mahalo!

www.robertelrodllc.com
www.swinesongcomics.com

4:25pm: Website update complete
Hello to all you crazy kids out there in cyberland!

As of this posting, I've updated both of my websites. I'm very pleased with the results. I hope you are too. One thing that I know needs some revisiting is the links page on Swine Song Comics. I'm betting that there are some dead links on there. There may be some irrelevant ones as well. That's a task for another day.

Check 'em out. Click around. Amuse and abuse yourselves. Then let me know what feedback you have with regards to the new look and functionality.

Best of heatlh and happiness to all of you!

Robert
www.swinesongcomics.com
www.robertelrodllc.com

9:18am: Home Page updated ... mostly
So I've updated my home page to include a nifty little image browser of "featured" pieces of artwork. I've added a couple o' things also. I've changed the header to just show the words "Swine Song Comics" for now. I'm thinking that may be the way to go so it's less distracting. I'm planning to change the way the sketches section is handled to mirror this. I think it will be more efficient in terms of browsing. It will make it a little more difficult to bookmark specific images but, let's be honest, who's really doing that anyway!?

Do you like the new image browser on the home page? Do you hate it? Let me know what you think?

Oh yeah, in case you've already seen the browser but haven't commented ... I added a new image yesterday. More to come as I finish them.

I've also decided to clean up the "Trough" and rename it "Store" in the navigation to make it less confusing. Once I get to that I'll be cleaning up that page to show links for CafePress Store, deviantArt Store, and Blurb Store. I'm in the process of digitally painting a new "Tickling A Dead Man: Stories About George" anthology book cover. The book, once the cover is complete, will be available through Blurb. They print the books on demand and do a really nice job. More to come on that subject once I finish the cover art ... which I've not yet started. It may be a couple of weeks before that's ready to rock and roll.

In the meantime, be careful out there.

www.swinesongcomics.com

3:10pm: My absence and digital painting
Howdy, folks.

I know it's been a long ass time since I've posted anything. What can I say? I got a little disenfranchised with my artwork. I took a job that sapped my will to be creative. I quit that job in October and have started painting digitally with a Wacom tablet and Photoshop. The new paintings are posted on the home page my site. I've done a few other pieces of artwork traditionally and those are also posted on the home page. I'm planning to rework the site to make things easier to view and to lessen load times on the home page and sketch pages. It's a real mess and I'm embarrassed about that. I'll get it fixed.

More to come. I promise.

El Crud

8:52am: Back from SPX 2005
Howdy, folks.

Well, I'm back. I've been a little under the weather for the past couple o' days but am feeling a bit better today. Here's what I know ... there's a fabo new piece of fan(tastic) art posted on the site. The new book was pretty well received by those who took the time to check it out at the show. The new t-shirts were a smash. It confirms that I should do the mini that will accompany it. I was invited to submit work to 2 anthologies ... the first one is a horror/humor book from Wide Awake Press and the second one is, I believe, going to be called Farm Fuck (a book about barnyard sex) and is also a humor book. I'm very much looking forward to working on pieces for both of these.

Once again I didn't make any money at the con. I took in $24. Of course, part of my lack of cash inflow was that I was generous with the books. I gave away a lot of them. I traded for some great books too. I'm still going through them so I really shouldn't say which ones I liked best. Ah what the hell, I got some great books from J. Chris Campbell, a cool one from Duane Bellenger (both of those guys are with Wide Awake Press), Marc Palm's book (the guy that did the new fan art), Hans Rickheit (Chrome Fetus Comics), great stuff from the folks at Mental Note Press (check 'em out), Mort Grim from Adhouse Books (kicks serious butt), Out of Water by Matthew Bernier, Zombies and Broken Hearts by Matt Delight and Kevin Cross, Justin Hall's True Travel Tales #4, a book called The Gift (I'm sorry but there's no creator info on the book ... too bad because it's a GREAT little book), The Death of J.D. Salinger (Scott Ellingburg and Frank McVay), In A Lonely Place by Jeff Sharp, Family Tales (a fantastic book by Eamon Espey), The Probe (a cool mini by Damien Jay), Diamonds by Jamie Tanner, and the list goes on and on. Like I said, I haven't gotten to all of the books yet. I apologize to anyone that isn't on this list yet. It just means that I've not had an opportunity to read your book.

Teri and I enjoyed most of the museums and landmarks that we had time to take in. Some weren't quite as spectacular as I'd envisioned (that's my own damned fault for expecting too much). The people were really great at the show and in the DC area in general. There were only a couple of crabby folks and luckily we didn't run into them until our last day there.

Yer pal,
El Crud

10:29pm: Gone!
My flight leaves at 6:25 am ... man, I'm tired. So tired I shouldn't be typing this drivel. Anyway, got my books packed. Got lots o' shirts packed. Got my portfolio packed and some clothes are packed. I made up some small table signs today. Should be a gas sitting behind an 8 foot table with my wife for several hours at a time. I wonder how long it will take before she decides to leave to find something more entertaining to do? Wouldn't take me long if I were her.

Anyway, SPX here we come!!!
El Crud

6:32am: New t-shirts, etc.
So I picked up the new "Final Feast" t-shirts yesterday. The shirts (the body of them) are much much brighter than anticipated. I chose a shirt from a catalog. It looked kinda tan with dark blue ringer bands. However, when I saw the final product yesterday they were bright gold with dark blue bands around the next and sleeves. There's no way a person will be able to walk past my table without looking. It's like the sun or a car wreck ... or both maybe. I'm planning to wear one at SPX. I don't want to be missed after all.

I got my books packed yesterday as well. It's hard to believe that I got them all put together and am almost completely ready to go. It seems almost like a dream at the moment. I've been looking forward to this for quite a long time. Hopefully the folks at the show will like what they see.

I've also decided to make the artwork in my portfolio available for sale. Seems like the logical thing to do. If anyone would like to comment on what they think this stuff should be priced at I'd sure appreciate it. Sean Andress was kind enough to share his thoughts with me on that subject already. Your turn.

Tune in next time when I plan to reveal my secrets for a successful trip to the SPX show.

Thanks,
El Crud

3:14pm: The Final Feast
I just posted the artwork for The Final Feast t-shirt. There's a thumbnail of it on my home page. Clicking on it will show you a larger version of it. Clicking on that will give you an even larger version still. Clicking on the even larger version will just be a waste of your time. Don't bother.

This design will not be available from Pennant Palooza, however, since I've started crossing a line that their clientele aren't typically comfortable with. That's cool with me. I actually crossed that line with the Cuddly Cannibals Cafe shirt ... the one that says Feeding Frenzy on it. The dismembered parts were too much for them, I guess.

The Cuddly Cannibals are, in my mind, about preying on others. Society eating society. You'll see that when I put together the mini that goes with this new t-shirt art. Hopefully it'll offend plenty o' folks. Of course, plenty o' folks will have to see it first. Haw.

Consume Wisely.
El Crud

9:40am: Tickling A Dead Man: Stories About George #2
I picked up the printed pages for TADM #2 yesterday. It turned out great! I bound up a few copies for my family and am very excited with how the finished product turned out. I also saw a proof for "Leftovers" yesterday. It looked good too. I'm expecting to pick those up tonight or tomorrow. I'm inking the "Final Feast" shirt art right now. I'm supposed to deliver that to my friends to go to the shirt printer today. Hoo-boy! Once the art is completed I'll post it ... let your eyes burn on it!

Enjoy your day!
El Crud

9:27am: "Tickling A Dead Man: Stories About George" #2 and "Leftovers" to printer yester
I got a good deal on printing the book so decided to print up a second one. The second one, "Leftovers", is 12 pages plus cover and includes pieces that I've not self-published before (in print form anyway). Most are pieces that appear on my site and/or have been published elsewhere, such as my YAC submission for "The Transdimensional Adventures of Captain Preposterous and Obsequious Dean". "BLAT!", which was accepted into the "Fluke" anthology, is also in there. I never received a copy of the book so am not sure that it was actually included. Weird. "Bunny Day", appearing at www.opi8.com, is in there as well. "Life is Shit", "A Loving God?" and "Get Hung" are the remaining pieces in the book.

Both books will debut at SPX, September 23-24, in Bethesda, MD. Hope to see you there!

Best,
El Crud

8:55am: Complete!
That's right. It's been a marathon but it's done. The End is completely inked and scanned. Now to put it together for the "printer". The next thing (artwork related) on my agenda is drawing up a new t-shirt for the SPX show. It'll be a new Cuddly Cannibals shirt, natch. There will be a story related to the shirt that will follow that. Stay tuned.

See the final 2 pages of The End at theend19.htm ... and send me some feedback! This is a lot of work after all.

Yer pal,
El Crud

4:14pm: The End is here!
Well, very nearly anyway. I've just finished inking the last panel. I'll get those last 2 pages scanned tonight and online. I'll also get the book assembled and, hopefully, off to Kinko's or whomever I'll have reproduce it. I'll also be working on my work-based web site tomorrow so I can do some selling / job hunting.

What a wonderful time to be alive ... just ask George!

It's all in your head.
El Crud

9:07am: Pages 24-26 posted
The End pages 24-26 are inked and posted ... theend17.htm and theend18.htm ... hope you likee.

El Crud

11:00pm: Just finished inking pages 25 and 26 of The End
2 pages to go! That's it, ladies and gents. Just 2 pages and the second issue of Tickling A Dead Man: Stories About George will be complete ... just as my journey to the dark side will be complete. I'll be talking with someone about reproducing the book tomorrow morning. Coincidentally that will be the day that I finish those last 2 pages. I should be dropping the files off Thursday for reproduction. Ho-boy! Blather blah blah blather blather. I'll try to get the new pages posted tomorrow also (pages 24-26).

Soon, friends, soon.
El Crud

7:54am: Page 23 posted ...
I've finished page 23 and posted it. If you go to see it you'll notice that Page 24 is partially finished as well. I'll have that completed this morning and posted tomorrow. I'm hoping to finish Page 25 today also but there is a good bit of prep work to do before I can complete it. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

All the best,
El Crud

4:10pm: New Fan Art (2 more artists join the fray) plus 2 more inked pages!!!
That's right! Two more artists have given me fan art for the Fan(tastic) Art page. Sean Andress of Broken Skin Studios was the 2nd to submit something (a brilliant depiction of Tickling A Dead Man's title character ... George) and my talented son, Rob, has submitted his version of what George might look like were he to be one of the walking dead. Check 'em out.

Also, I've posted pages 21 and 22 of 28 of The End, the feature story from Tickling A Dead Man: Stories About George #2. You can see those at http://www.swinesongcomics.com/theend16.htm ... enjoy!

C.W.T.B., M.F.
El Crud

11:11am: 4 newly inked pages uploaded PLUS a new Fan Art page
Things are happening here. Getting close to having the new book completed. 4 more sheets (8 printed pages) left to ink. I've posted 4 newly inked pages this morning. 2 more inked yesterday and 2 the day before that. I'm pleased with the way this one is going.

I've also launched a new page at the site today ... a Fan Art page. The first item shown is by none other than the nefarious Josh Divine of Trashola Comix infamy. Check out his site at your peril ... if you dare!!!

The plan, once this book is completed, is to drawn the cover for another mini that will also be used for a t-shirt. Yes, another Cuddly Cannibals shirt. Should be tasty (er, tasteless). Once that t-shirt is drawn up then I'm going to do a mini for my pals that sell the Cuddly Cannibals shirts ... another giveaway item for them. I'll have some available at the site as well. More on that later ... or moron that ... whatever works for you.

C.W.T.B., M.F.
El Crud

11:01am: The End Page 14 inked, scanned and posted
Just as the heading says, I've got page 14 of The End online. If you want to see the rest of the book (in it's current form) ... the part that follows the preview link from the home page ... go to www.swinesongcomics.com/theend11.htm and click through from there.

Enjoy!
El Crud

3:31pm: Pages 11-13 inked and scanned
Howdy, friends.

3 more pages! Yup, 3 of 'em ... newly inked and scanned are now part of the "hidden" preview. *snicker* As if anyone that really wanted to see those pages couldn't figure it out. I'm working on page 14 right now. That one should get posted tomorrow or the next day. Only 34 more days until I fly out to DC for the SPX show. I'm about halfway through inking this book. The race is on!

Hope you like the new pages.
El Crud

8:39am: Another one bites the dust ... kinda
It was a busy weekend, naturally. They all end up that way somehow. I helped my buddy move on Saturday and went to the Comedy Works last night. I was able to finish inking nearly 2 pages (1 sheet). I have about half of a panel to finish and then there will be 16 pages (8 sheets) to go. I'll finish that panel and get started on the next page tonight. The next one is one large panel so that shouldn't be a problem to finish tonight (not holding my breath). I'll scan the new pages tomorrow and post those where the faithful can see them (that means you).

Back on your heads!
El Crud

7:59am: Fisted Sister ... real band!!!
Just did a Google search out of curiosity and they're an actual 80s metal cover band. How funny is that!? I guess I should have done a search in the first place. Anyway, my hat's off to those guys for being just sick enough to come up with and then to use that name.

Just finished inking the last of page 10 and will post it later today. Doing some set up work so I can start the next pages tonight. I ink the word balloons and borders, let them dry and then go back in and ink the art within the panels. Maybe that sounds crazy but since I use the pens for most everything (but the balloons and borders) I try to use the brushes as much as possible all at once time. I'll do the borders for several pages so that I don't have this bottle neck again for a couple of weeks.

Blah blah blah ... thanks for listening.

Jolly day!
El Crud

4:43pm: Extended Preview
Howdy.

I've added 2 more pages to the preview for "The End" (appearing in Tickling A Dead Man: Stories About George #2). I've also re-scanned the pages that were already available for preview. Like the cover scan that I'd originally posted I was unhappy with the quality of the images. They were okay but were, by no means, as close to a true replica of the original artwork as I wanted. These new scans are pretty nice, I must say. There's a lot more detail in there now. Much less is lost in translation.

Anyway, I've kept the pencils available for the rest of the book but have renumbered the pages. Add 2 to the original link number and you'll be set. I've left the pencils for pages 7 and 8 up there so that anyone who wants to can compare those to the finished inks.

Senility now!
El Crud

8:27am: TADM #2 cover inked and online for preview
The front cover is on the home page of the web site in case you missed it. If you click on it you'll see the full wraparound version of it. Clicking on the wraparound will give you an even closer view. And if you click on that ... well nothing happens except that you're still clicking.

Hope you like it.
El Crud