Tom's Mad Blog
December 22nd, 2007 | Posted in General
Good Grief Dept. Charles Schulz‘s widow and my friend Jeannie Schulz writes some public comments about the David Michaelis book. Jeannie is one smart lady, and her comments demonstrate that quite clearly. No one would blame her if she just took a few reactionary public shots at Michaelis over his portrayal of her late husband. Instead she shows that she is actually very familiar with the book’s content and calmly and intelligently explains why a number of Michaelis’s conclusions are poorly conceived or are outright erroneous. After reading these comments and talking with her, I believe Michaelis was bent on painting Schulz as the tortured… READ MORE
December 21st, 2007 | Posted in On the Drawing Board
I’m just finishing up the artwork for the National Cartoonist Society’s 2008 Reuben Weekend, and I’m getting deep into that MAD TV parody which is due soon… a few other little jobs here and there as well, plus one very major project for a movie that will take up much of the next few months. More on that later… I just finsihed this magazine cover for Scholastic on Wednesday and I was surprised that they said I could share it here whenever I wanted to, so there it is. It’s along the same lines as the cover I did a few months ago: Initial pencil… READ MORE
December 20th, 2007 | Posted in General
I’ve mentioned her many times here but I seldom blog about my oldest daughter Elizabeth, even though as a rule our days revolve more around her than any other aspect of our lives. She is autistic, and not the kind you see on TV where the autistic person is of a high functioning kind like Asberger’s syndrome, and manages to be an “America’s Next Top Model” candidate or write novels or otherwise basically function in society. Elizabeth is the rocking back and forth, hand flapping, repeat everything six times Rain Man sort of Autistic kid. I shouldn’t say “kid” anymore… she’ll be 18 in January.… READ MORE
December 19th, 2007 | Posted in Sketch O'The Week
Massachusetts senator and easy caricature target Teddy Kennedy. Drawing this guy is like shooting fish in a barrel. I’ve been doing a lot of political studies in the sketchbook recently because election years are always big for caricature illustrators. Art directors love caricatures of politicians, and there is no shortage of news stories, features and editorial pieces on politicians in the 15 months or so leading up to a major election. READ MORE
December 18th, 2007 | Posted in General
When a major feature film is adapted from an iconic and much beloved source it is impossible not to compare the film to the original story. “The Lord of the Rings“, “The DaVinci Code” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” are some recent examples of film adaptations of classic or very popular fiction whose fans are legion and result in close scrutiny of the movies. “I Am Legend” starring Will Smith is just such a film. Richard Matheson published “I Am Legend” in 1954, and the novel has become a standard of modern science fiction. It had already been adapted twice for film, once in 1964… READ MORE
December 17th, 2007 | Posted in News
I thought I’d post some additional info and a reminder about the National Caricaturist Network mini convention happening March 2nd through the 5th at the Drury Inn & Suites in St. Louis, MO. The early bird registration fee deal of only $50.00 ends on January 1st, so you have about two weeks to register to save some money.As I previously posted, I will be the main speaker at the event along with a number of other guest speakers and several mini-workshops. I will be doing a powerpoint presentation that will include work from live caricature, illustration and from MAD as well as details about my… READ MORE
December 16th, 2007 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: Do you ever get a hankering to stretch your artistic legs by doing some “serious” art like portraits or landscapes, or to try your hand at more traditional media like oils and watercolors? A: Not as much as I used to, but I still like to break out of the box when I can. I am still challenged artistically daily with my regular work, but I have always found it relaxing and fun to switch gears entirely and work realistically or with different mediums. Life drawing I especially enjoyed, and just can’t find the time or the venue for it these days. Here’s an… READ MORE
December 15th, 2007 | Posted in News
That’s right. You asked for it! You got it! Dreaded Deadline Demon merchandise, apparel and other useless garbage is ready for purchase at our very own Cafe Press store! Right now I’ve only got the Deadline Demon as an option, but I’ll be thinking about other things I might be able to add soon… So! Now you can support The MAD Blog and wear a nifty bit of trash at the same time! Or get a coffee mug, or a clock, or a mouse pad, or a….. READ MORE
