Sketchbook: Writers on War at The Strand

I enjoyed the Writers on War panel discussion among veterans, writers, veteran writers, and creators hosted by The Strand yesterday evening, and thought I'd share some of the drawings from my sketchbook of the speakers.

Peter Molin introduces while audience listens.

Adrian Bonenberger reads from his latest, Afghan Post.

Roxanna Robinson, Matt Gallagher, David Abrams, and Adrian Bonenberger.

Matt, David, Peter, Roxanna, and Adrian.

Goauche Heads

More play in the new sketchbook, keeping it cartoony.

Sketch Night at Society of Illustrators

Having fun in the sketchbook! The grey paper and chisel-point black marker were really fun to work with. I tried to make the faces cartoony and keep it playful. I am a big fan of the tiny lady at the bottom right corner of the last page.

Selfie Esteem

Squids and Dudes

Sketching in the studio on Friday, trying to find the etymology of the 'f word', and also drawing from video stills from the only known footage of a giant squid in habitat.

Train Sketchbook

I'm drawing in my sketchbook again, trying to reboot and draw for fun. I got some Tombow markers that are interesting, though I miss the Pentel color brush pens they used to carry at the art store. Here's some people in Brooklyn riding the D and 4 trains.

They Sun But Look Like Rain

Brooklyn Zine Fest Preview

I made some drawings for a zine about my recent trip to Hattiesburg to interview my veteran friend Nathan. I used a Pentel brush that I don't normally use, I love the grey tone and dry brush, it's super fun. Can't wait to print these.

Drawings from Hattiesburg

I spent last week in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with my friend Nathan Galster. I had the opportunity to finally grasp why Hattiesburg means so much to him, and meet a lot of the friends he's made there. He very generously sat down with me for two hours, answering my questions for the next installment of his story. It's going to be really lovely, I can't wait!

Here's a map Nathan drew for me of Downtown Hattiesburg, where he spends a lot of time.

(Map by Nathan Galster)

I did a few small sketchbook pages while I visited Nathan and his friends around town.

Mason, Katherine, glassware.

Azaleas in the kitchen, bearded menfolk at T-Bones.

Nathan in the kitchen, and part of his camera.

Students and writers at T-Bones.

Luke Winslow King Trio.

Nathan, Mason, and Russell at The Thirsty Hippo.

Free jazz.

Nathan took a picture of me enjoying BBQ at Rose's BBQ:

(Photo courtesy Nathan Galster.)

Sketches from the Studio: The Decisions

Nichole talking, page 1 study

So sweet! Nichole in the Army National Guard

Smoke plume from the base in Iraq

Page 1 thumbnails

Page 2 thumbnails

Page 3 thumbnails (my favorite pages)

Page 4 thumbnails

I drew some character studies and thumbnails for a short, four page story I'm working on about my friend Nichole, who served in the Army National Guard in Iraq. It'll be part of a zine I'm making of shorter (4 page) veteran stories for the Brooklyn Zine Fest in April.

Drawing Commissions

Here's two drawing commissions I finally finished. Slower than Christmas, please forgive me! Thanks George and Amber (and all the rest) for being patient with me. The Batman one was lots of fun!

Sketchbook Pages from ACA Comics Residency

I had the honor and great experience of taking part in a three-week long residency at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Florida this past October. Things have finally settled down long enough for me to post these sketchbook pages.

(An outdoor yoga session taught by Ellen Forney and Lara Antal.)

(Clever hats on a boat tour.)

(Birds and houses and trees seen from the boat.)

(Gabby Gamboa, Lark Pien, Eleanor Davis, and Leela Corman in Gainseville, Fl.)

(Sketching one of the ACA interns, Greg.)

(Greg seated, three views.)

Paul Studies and First Pages

Here is what I have been drawing the past few days. I'm working on a story from a veteran who I have not yet met in real life, it's been interesting translating this story into a comic. I'm trying to develop cleaner lines and possibly do more with less digitally with this story.

Page One Pencil

Page 2 Pencil

Studies of Paul, done from photographs.

Drawing Paul from memory, making a character.