Crider's Corner: Jun 8th

If you've been paying attention to the blog, you've probably noticed that we haven't been. We're busier than ever as Rust Belt Monsters, but also as illustrators in our own right. 

Not to worry though, the stuff happening in our professional careers is still fun to look at.  Plus, it happens more often than the challenges do.

Because if it didn't, we'd starve. 

The rumor is we're each taking a day to post something/anything. I've been tasked with posting stuff every Saturday, and rather than one thing I plan on doing a round up of things I've worked on throughout the week, no matter what stage it's in. So, grab a bowl of cereal and I'll give you the tour.

This started out as a sketchbook piece and ended up as a die cut sticker that you can buy here: RedBubble. They're only $2.50 and would probably look rad on your sketchbook, car, or children.  I think we're releasing this as a print during live events as well.

I lucked out in the day job department, this week my notes were "Steve Martin guy", and "Star Trek guy" which isn't too far off from my non paying whims.  Illustrations like these get a text treatment along side the images when they're out in the wild.  I've got some fully finished examples on www.randycrider.com. They're a lot of fun if you've never seen them.

Couple of "avoid doing real work" doodles. 

   

Something from Dr.Sketchy the week before that's turning into a pretty blatant Jim Mahfood swipe.  I have the most fun putting in 20 minutes in here and there on these.

 Follow me on instagram @randycrider or twitter @randolphcrider where I do my best to put something up everyday. If not, I'll be back here next Saturday to share what you missed. 

Thanks pals. 

Round38: Run Clayman run

Skullmonkeys is still one of the best, most fully immersible game I have ever played. Art direction by Doug Tennepel and Terry Taylor's absolutely inspired soundtrack fit together like peas and carrots.  Goofyness almost on a level of sublime!  Would have played many, many more sequels.  

Messing around with some new colored pencils for this one, Graduated up to some Crayon d'Arche Pablos for this one.  Thanks for checking it out!

Enjoy some beans!

Round 36: Manage Your Anger

I don't have the strongest relationship with Johnny Cash, but I do have a certain appreciation for "Boy Name Sue."  Its my fondness for that song coupled with my current obsession with Penny Arcade's "Strip Search" that made me want to give a quick web comic a try.  I don't feel like I have a complete handle on the process, but I'm sure that would come in time.  Hope you enjoy.

See Original roughs at my personal site here: Comic Rough

-Ben
www.NeedYourDisease.com

The Most Dangerous Place For Children

And we are live. Happy Free Comic Book Day. Follow the link or scan the QR code. Story by Ron Montgomery, pencils and inks my yours truly, colors by the amazing Time Switalski and letters by master scribe Rafer Roberts. Enjoy. Hey...it's free.

Outre Anthology

The Outre' Project

So it's been a while since I've been able to participate with the rest of the monsters in the challenges. And this is one of the few reasons why. This is page one of an 8 page story I penciled and inked for Magnus Aspli's Outre': Responsibility. An online comic available as a free PDF download starting on Free Comic Book day. The story was written by old friend Ron Montgomery, who I worked with on Fubar: Empire of the Rising Dead. The lettering was provided by the talented Rafer Roberts, who I also worked with on Dark Horse's Once Upon a Time Machine...but the really big thrill for me was having our own fellow monster, Tim Switalksi do the coloring chores on this. As you can see by the page....it is incredible work. My pencil and inks never looked so good. I can guarantee...Tim and I will be working together again...and again. This time though I won't put him under such a tight deadline. Promise Tim! Keep and eye on the blog, over the next 12 hours I'll be posting the link once the page is live. So you all can click and download for FREE. Thanks again Tim.

Ben, Round 37: The Tin Men!

The original Wizard of Oz film isn't my only (or most powerful) relation to the series.  Growing up in the 80's, I can remember the release of Return to Oz and would often catch The Wiz playing on TV.  I wanted to represent all 3 films and couldn't think of a better way than combining the each film's Tin Man into a superhero team.  Tin Man, Tin Man, and Tik Tok form The Tin Men!

Visit my blog for work in progress shots from this piece: www.NeedYourDisease.com

-Ben

The bearded man strikes again

Last week I was honored to be asked out to the Erie Shore Art League for an oil pastel and colored pencil demo.  I figured I should pick something I've drawn a few times so I'm not subjecting other Artists to watch me figure out a drawing and not get any of the technique.  So once again, Lincoln but now in color! And this time with my proper hand!

The bulk of this technique I learned from an article about the great Sergio Martinez  with a couple of additions I have learned about colored pencils along the way.  Eric Dull, Painter and President of the Art League was nice enough to post up a time lapse of the demo,you can see it here.  Hope you like it!  Thanks for dropping by.

Dorothy

... Kinda