Cartoon Sketch - YouTube Video Test

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2QukBVtUvz0

Above is my second attempt at posting a video on YouTube.

In this short film, you get a behind-the-scenes peak at me working at my drawing board in my cartoon studio. Please note that this video was created more as an experiment for me to test the possibilities of recording shorts specifically for YouTube, so it's intentionally presented in black & white, but I still hope that you find it enjoyable!

In the first part, I sketch a cartoon character in real-time using a regular HB pencil. Usually, I draw using a 2H pencil, but I found that its lead was too difficult to see on camera because I sketch so lightly. That said, this video will still give you an idea as to what one of my "rough" pencil sketches looks like before I ink it with a dip-pen and brush.

The video ends with a 7-second teaser of me colouring one of my magazine gag cartoons in Adobe Photoshop CS3. This segment was sped up about 200% or more ... I work fast, but not THAT fast!

In up-coming videos, I intend to share more about my cartooning process, so any questions or feedback would be much appreciated.

Stay TOONed!

- Mike Cope

"Fill Up" Gag Cartoon in Journal Current (January 2008)

I apologize for this late announcement, but I'm happy to say that one of my gag cartoons was published in the January 2008 issue of Current from Heldref Publications.

My complimentary copy arrived last week, and I'm quite honoured to have had my humorous doodle included in such a respectable magazine.

Here's a little blurb from the publisher's website:

"A journal of reprints, Current publishes provocative articles, essays, and reviews selected from the nation's most respected sources. In each issue, notable authors tackle a host of hot topics—from debates over education, culture, and science, to the challenges of global change and innovations that are transforming the way we live."

My cartoon is entitled "Fill Up" and can be found on Page 33. What's really cool is that it's printed nice and large on its very own page! You can click on the following image to see the cartoon in full-colour ...

"Fill Up" in Current, an Academic Reprint Journal from Heldref Publications (January 2008).

This is actually a reprint for this particular cartoon for it was originally published in the Summer 2007 issue of Living Well. Nevertheless, I suppose that any cartoon which comments on gas and oil prices will always be a timely topic.

Special thanks to the editors of Current.

Stay TOONed!

- Mike Cope

Winter Storm Warning

Here we go again! Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Warning for most of Southern Ontario. In short, we're being told to prepare for "another winter wallop" ...

The poor li'l feller above is from a gag cartoon that I finished drawing earlier today. I'm sure that many Canadians (and Americans) are feeling the same way right now.

But just in case the snow isn't enough to make you smile, don't forget to move your clock ahead one hour tonight for Daylight Saving Time.

Stay TOONed!

- Mike Cope