Tom's Mad Blog
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
December 15th, 2007 | Posted in General
I took a short break on Friday to catch a matinee of “I Am Legend” (see my review next week sometime) and to also see the rumored full teaser trailer for the new Batman movie “The Dark Knight” due in theaters this summer. My reaction to the trailer? I can’t tell one way or the other about this movie. Heath Ledger‘s Joker looks like a 60 year old prostitute, but he might be brilliant or he might be ludicrous… you get no real information or feel for the film from this trailer. No clues to the story, and you barely see Christian Bale or Batman… READ MORE
December 14th, 2007 | Posted in On the Drawing Board
Lots of projects at lots of stages right now but as always nothing to show until things get into print. In the meantime here’s the latest workplace poster. I often manipulate relative sizes of people or objects for either composition purposes or effect with these poster illustrations, and here is a prime example. I made the lady “winning” the race much bigger than her co-workers because I wanted to force the perspective a bit without having to draw those others too far in the background. That was because the humor of the piece rests in the actions and expressions of those other characters. Here’s the… READ MORE
