Tom's Mad Blog
October 12th, 2009 | Posted in Freelancing
Click image for a closer look… The October issue of Penthouse should have the above spot illustration of mine in it somewhere. It’s just a silly little cartoon that is accompanies a short Halloween article about the scariest thing a college student still living at home can experience. This job was one that somewhat approaches the line for me when considering work for a publication like Penthouse. I’ve done a few illustrations for them now and made it plain to the art director on the outset that I would not do any overtly pornographic images. I’m no prude and have zero problems with that type… READ MORE
October 11th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: Have you ever had to caricature someone that was so incredibly dull , boring and completely void of any notable characteristics that you are at a loss? I have been stumped¬¨‚Ć a couple times by some friends that literally had “NO” features what so ever!¬¨‚Ć They were just so generic and plain!¬¨‚Ć Have you ever turned customers away because of this? A: This question is geared towards the live caricature angle, but the answer applies to caricature in general. There is no such thing as an “uncaricaturable face”. There are faces that seem to be much easier to caricature than others, but none that… READ MORE
October 10th, 2009 | Posted in General
I recently became hooked on Tall Tale Radio, a podcast show that focuses on the cartooning and comics industry, after my friend Stephen Pastis told me about it. Tall Tale Radio is hosted by Tom Racine, who shows a great deal of knowledge about cartooning and clearly loves the art form. The show’s format is focused on interviews with cartoonists and industry experts, and features some pretty big names from various areas of cartooning like comic strips, web comics, comic books, graphic novels, animation… you name it. As of this writing Tom has 52 shows that “air” on Mondays and run about 25 minutes. Some… READ MORE
October 9th, 2009 | Posted in General
This is just a quick note to apologize to those who have ordered copies of my MAD book “Bo Confidential” with either a Bo or Alfred sketch, or more recently with a caricature sketch of someone from a photo in the last several weeks for the delays on getting these books out. I have been working feverishly on a couple of jobs which have impending deadlines, and will still be tied up through the weekend on them. I have not forgotten about you, and I appreciate your order and your patience. Next week I have Tuesday slated to do all the sketches and caricatures and… READ MORE
October 9th, 2009 | Posted in News
I had taken down my little sidebar ad for my art show at the Toonseum in Pittsburgh on Monday as it was suppose to close on the 4th. However I received their e-newsletter that says they have extended the show until October 18th! So, back with the sidebar ad. Now you have a little bit more time to go see the show and be nauseated. Check out the Toonseum’s website and blog for details on upcoming shows, their big move and other news! READ MORE
October 8th, 2009 | Posted in General
Click for a closer look… I was given this great little gem by fellow Minnesota cartoonist David Phipps at our recent NCS Chapter meeting. He ran across it as an antique store or some such recently and thought of me, being a huge Mort Drucker fan. This is the cover of a comedy album from 1966, coincidentally the year I was born. On the album are comedy sketch with impersonators John Byner, David Frye and Will Jordan doing the voices of all kinds of politicians, celebrities and other characters. Obviously Mort did the cover art, chock full of his usual caricature brilliance. My favorite one… READ MORE
October 7th, 2009 | Posted in Sketch O'The Week
Well, it finally happened. Yesterday was the first day since the inception of The MAD Blog that there was no post. Not even a Dreaded Deadline Demon. I will plead exception as I was trapped in airports with delayed flights and missed connections and did not arrive back home until midnight last night. Oh well. In the meantime here’s a couple of super-fast sketches of some of the “political heads” I’m working on for this iPhone app project. I did these sitting in the airport, about 3-5 minutes each, and they pretty small at only about 2 1/2 to 3 inches tall. They will be… READ MORE
October 6th, 2009 | Posted in General
The North Central Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society had our annual fall meeting this past weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Organized by former (and long time) chairman Ken Alvine, the chapter had several planned activities and speakers over two days. On Friday, eight or so of us went to Sioux Falls’ Lincoln High School to participate in “Career Day”. We set up individually in the library and talked to small groups of students about what we do and how we do it, and answered their questions. It is always great getting to talk with kids about what being a cartoonist is all about…… READ MORE
