August 14th, 2011 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: I noticed, when trying to re-learn cartooning, that daily and Sunday strips seem to not always have backgrounds. But comic books and MAD mags usually always have some kind of back ground in each frame. Sometimes I find doing backgrounds tedious or even distracting, but I feel I am cheating myself by avoiding them.¬¨‚Ć I also noticed a similar effect with daily/Sunday’s showing most or all of the shots from the same perspective. Whereas, comic books/MAD see to redraw each from a different angle. Are there reasons why daily/Sunday strips skimp or cheat as opposed to comic books and MAD? A: What you are… READ MORE
August 12th, 2011 | Posted in General
Click for a closer look… Here’s another sneak peek at the inside of my upcoming book The MAD Art of Caricature!, which is shipping next month. Chapter 2- Basic Caricature Theory explains several of the basic theories behind caricature, exaggeration, likeness…how to see it and how to draw it. This chapter consists of 14 pages and contains over 35 illustrations. I’ve gotten a number of inquiries asking if the book is just a paper version of my on-line tutorials. The answer is NO. The information in the tutorials is incorporated into the book, but they are expanded upon and many more concepts and techniques are… READ MORE
August 11th, 2011 | Posted in MAD Magazine
MAD posted the cover art for upcoming issue number 511 on their official Blog, The Idiotical, yesterday. I guess it’s now safe to say that I did the artwork for the parody of Parks and Recreation, although I will hold off on posting any images until the issue actually comes out. I will say that I had a lot of fun doing that one… no boring faces, that’s for sure! The issue is scheduled for news stands on Aug 23rd, so they will likely be showing up in mailboxes and comic book shops next week. READ MORE
August 10th, 2011 | Posted in General
I have to skip the Sketch o’the Week this week. Swamped. Overwhelmed. Talking. Like. Frank. Miller. Character. READ MORE
August 9th, 2011 | Posted in News
MAD has had a number of international versions over the years, and I do not mean the U.S. issues translated into other languages. MAD has basically franchised the magazine name and format to several international publishers over the years, and foreign editions have been previously (but no longer) published in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Hungary, Denmark, France, Canada (Quebec), Argentina, Norway, Finland, Italy, Mexico, the Caribbean, Greece, Iceland, Taiwan, Israel, and Turkey. Currently, there are foreign editions of MAD published in Germany, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, France and now… the Netherlands. Actually there used to be a version of MAD published in the Netherlands that… READ MORE
August 8th, 2011 | Posted in General
Shameless Huckstering Dept. Here’s what a few folks have to say about our limited edition, signed and numbered “Secret Agent Man” print: I framed your print (awesome!) and showed a neighbor of mine.¬¨‚Ć She wanted to get one for her son for Christmas. I’ll be going to your website to place the order if you haven’t run out. – Kevin Richlin The print arrived safe and sound, and is fantastic! It’s going to proudly hang in my Man Cave!– Grant Jonen Just got my print…that was quick! Just wanted to say you did the printing right. Heavy, nice stock and excellent color. Great caricatures!– Rich… READ MORE
August 7th, 2011 | Posted in General
Q: Has anyone ever explained the real meaning of “IND” on the cover of MAD? I saw an interview where the answer was an acronym for “Stupidity is Timeless” but ???? A: For those not familiar with this, here is an example from a recent MAD cover: There are a couple of MAD secrets that few know about, and the “IND” on the cover is one of them. Some have speculated that it is a tip of the hat to the cerebral nature of the thinking man’s MAD, forming the word “MIND” Others think it is an acronym for “Stupidity is Timeless” as pointed out… READ MORE
August 6th, 2011 | Posted in General
Lucille Ball would have been 100 years old today. She was arguably the biggest female television star in the history of the medium. READ MORE
