Tom's Mad Blog
September 24th, 2017 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: What is the strangest thing you’ve been asked to draw, and did you actually do it? How do you handle a request that you just flat out feel uncomfortable doing? The reason I ask is because I got a request for a commission of a deceased person. While this is a bit odd (for some reason a few people a year request these-either at a party job or as a commission), I generally oblige on a case by case. What makes this one super odd-probably in my top 3-is that a woman wanted a gift caricature drawn of a family member’s baby who died at… READ MORE
September 22nd, 2017 | Posted in News
Announcing one of my three day caricature workshops is scheduled in lovely Toronto, Canada on June 1st-3rd, 2018! Visit my workshop page for all the details and a link to reserve your spot today! READ MORE
September 21st, 2017 | Posted in General
I do some work for superstar comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, mostly for his merchandise and various products. However sometime he asks me to do some designs for possible new characters from which he will develop a new puppet and character in his act. Some years ago I helped him design Achmed Jr., the “almost dead” son of Achmed the Dead Terrorist. I’ve done a few other designs for him, some of which may or may not ever be realized in his act. Recently Jeff debuted a new character, Seamus the Irish Baby, that is based on some concept designs I did. Now, Jeff creates and builds… READ MORE
September 20th, 2017 | Posted in MAD Magazine
Entertainment Weekly just posted an exclusive sneak peek of MAD #548, featuring my second MAD cover as well as a look at the splash page of the corresponding parody I did the art for… “Stranger Things”! Visit the EW website for a much higher resolution look plus some more info on what you can expect in the next issue of MAD Magazine (big deal!)! READ MORE
September 20th, 2017 | Posted in Sketch O'The Week
This week’s SotW is from my inking demo at my workshop last weekend. One of the things I do at these workshops is demonstrate my inking and color techniques I use for MAD and other clients. This caricature of “The Big Bang Theory” star Jim Parsons was drawn and inked on the spot (in fact I asked the class to suggest a subject and then Googled up an image as reference) using Pelikan’s Drawing Ink A, a Hunt 102 and a #2 red sable brush. The straight lines was me demonstrating how to ink straight lines using a brush or pen nib/Crow quill. Speaking of… READ MORE
September 19th, 2017 | Posted in News
The good folks at Sitcomics recently posted another sneak peek at a page from their upcoming “Z People” title, written by Darin Henry with pencils and inks by me, and color by Whitmore and Dillion. Here’s the blurb from their Facebook page post: Meet Brody Langenbach — 50% man, 50% zombie — 100% redneck! He’s a zombie after your heart as well as your brain and there’s only one place to find him… Z-People Binge Book #1 by Henry, Richmond, Whitmore and Dillon!! The 3rd wave of Sitcomics goes on sale soon in print and digital decimal editions! For details on where you can buy… READ MORE
September 18th, 2017 | Posted in News
The weekend’s caricature workshop here in Minnesota was a lot of fun. We had a really great group (as usual) and the time flew by. Many thanks to all who participated! Just a reminder, I have three workshops already scheduled for 2018 including L.A., Atlanta and Switzerland. They are filling up fast so if you want to reserve a place don’t delay too long. I am looking into possible workshops in Dallas, Las Vegas and Toronto as well.Keep an eye on my workshop page and posts here announcing new bookings. READ MORE
September 17th, 2017 | Posted in MAD Magazine
Q: When you start a drawing, in what part of the body (if it is a sketch) do you start it? Is it the shape of the head, the eyes, the nose, or does it depend on the subject? A: If I am working in the studio or on a drawing that is not a live caricature, I start with the head shape, and then block in the eyes and nose (the “T” shape), then the mouth, etc. I keep sketching to tighten and refine the drawing until I am done, or if I want a more finished piece I might “knock down” the rough… READ MORE
