Art of the Biscuitnapper

newspaper comic (xiv)

2011-08-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

newspaper comic (xiii)

2011-08-03T08:02:00.001-07:00

newspaper comic (xii)

2011-08-03T08:01:00.001-07:00

newspaper comic (xi)

2011-08-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

newspaper comic (x)

2011-08-03T07:57:00.001-07:00

newspaper comic (ix)

2011-08-03T07:55:00.001-07:00

newspaper comic (viii)

2011-08-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

newspaper comic (vii)

2011-08-03T06:20:00.001-07:00

newspaper comic (vi)

2011-08-03T06:19:00.000-07:00

newspaper comic (v)

2011-08-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

newspaper comic (iv)

2011-08-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

newspaper comic (iii)

2011-08-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

newspaper comic (ii)

2011-08-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

The first newspaper comic!

2011-08-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

I changed my mind!

2011-08-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

As the actual website is taking longer to get together than I had intended and I realised that I do need a relatively safe place to archive my newspaper comics, I have decided to move back here again. So hello and welcome and now I shall give you my new old stuff.

An announcement: we're moving!

2010-05-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hello!

In the spirit of something approaching commonsense, I am currently shifting the contents of this blog over to my writing blog (http://rantingbiscuit.blogspot.com) which has pretty much become my webpage of late. Please divert links to the 'new' address. If you want to, of course! Eventually this blog will be deleted and a proper website will take it's place though that will probably be sometime in the new year.

Thanks for watching/commenting and I look forward to seeing you there.

Life Drawing

2009-10-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

As I've since discovered that unless I go to stuff, I will remain a lazy bugger, I've decided to start attending life drawing classes whenever possible. The first one was last week on Thursday and though it was gratifying to see I haven't entirely forgotten all my past art lessons, it was a bit mortifying to find that I still lapsed into my old tricks: I've been doing only comics for so long that I'm used to just making up whatever looks right and exaggerating to what I need to match, rather than drawing what's actually there.

I also realised I'd forgotten certain lessons from life drawing sessions of the past ie how to do three minute drawings (use charcoal) and how to do 20 minute ones (use the hardest pencil you've got). The first three minute one, I barely got round to doing a sketchy outline and one of the 20 minute drawings is more like the sort of thing I should have got out of the three minutes.

At least the shading was pretty.

'The Trials of the Cartoonist' pt 2

2009-10-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

Based on the same true story. Only the next bit of it. Instead of the bit wot you just read.

Tomorrow I'll be at the Birmingham International Comics Show with the Comic Creators Guild folk. One of my new resolutions for this term is to go to as many conventions as possible and to do as much artwork as possible. The artwork will be commencing soon - it's funny how recreational my own stuff is now that I have a newspaper (and deadlines) of my very own. Selling out does seem to get the juices flowing...

'The Trials of the Cartoonist' pt 1

2009-10-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Based on a true story...

The Sorceror poster

2009-06-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

Preliminary poster design for the 2009 MUGSS production of 'The Sorceror'. I was too late for the deadline (typical me) so I thought I ought to bung it up here.

The Queen of Morocco

2009-05-17T08:33:00.001-07:00

Character from 'The Wandering Whore' written circa 1660-61

Oh dears!

2009-05-14T10:58:00.001-07:00

The last one I swear!

The failure of the Third Culture...

2009-05-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

Why, what do you know, that was quick!

And yes, I'm looking at you, Edge magazine...

Silliness

2009-05-14T03:08:00.001-07:00

I'm sure we'll be hearing more from them soon...

2009-03-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

Normally I don't comment on any new links, unless I know the person involved. In this case, however, I have to mention the guys at Mayhem Productions as I've recenty discovered their 'Mark of Uru'. It's only got four episodes so far, but it seems pretty cool and I quite like the characters so far. Besides, it has Igbo dialogue! That covers a multitude of sins in my book and in the case of this one, there're very few sins to excuse.

Le premier de Captain Hamish!

2008-12-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

'Made of Win'

2008-10-18T04:39:00.001-07:00

A new University inspired series. I suspect there won't be much character driven stuff or anything as long as these two rather badly scanned episodes in future - I've still got a couple of sketches to ink in for 'The Only Two'...

'Made of Win'

2008-10-18T04:38:00.000-07:00

2008-10-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

I am returned! Currently residing at the University of Manchester and rather enjoying the hectic mix of dull.difficult lectures, much homework and fascinating societies that take up far too mach of my time.

Have been trying to limit my art output - the moment it starts to exceed the actuly physics/math, then I know I'm in trouble. Unfortunately, no one told Captain Hamish Isaacs-Swann, the Transgender science pirate, about that...

If anyone's interested in doing a couple of scripts or whatever, feel free to give me a poke. I'm still trying to work on completing the outlines for 'The Oligarchs' (for which there shall soon be many scans!) and a new episode to start series dos of 'The Only Two'.

Hallelujah!

2008-07-31T06:30:00.000-07:00

The Illustration project is finally finished. And I mean everything, including front cover and back page. All I need is the writer's blurb, but I can't do much about that, so effectively, my work is done.

Unfortunately, I have no internet connection at home whatsoever, so you will have to wait a bit before I can post any scans up. Fortunately, I can get back to my other stuff, but again, not so much on the comics front. I'm determined to get practising with my inking style but frankly, I'm rather preoccupied by an unexpectedly lengthy low-fantasy novel. I've made a decision to do some illustrations, as I'm rather taken with the world I've created. Besides, adult books need pretty pictures too!

The start of a not-so-new manifesto, almost.

The Oligarchs

2008-03-27T16:32:00.001-07:00

Just to prove that not only am I still alive, but I am actually doing some work as well...

I have actually done a great deal thus far; some 20-ish pages fully sketched out, only in need of inking. In spite of the half-arsed flirtations with colour in the above experimentation, I suspect it will be a b&w affair.

EDIT: Brief synopsis/introduction on my dreamwidth page

2008-02-03T11:54:00.000-08:00

New Vicar comic. Egad, I'm being so lazy lately - will be working on an illustration job, so there'll be very little at all interesting or new.

2008-01-04T06:42:00.000-08:00

I went to see 'Rapunzel' at the SBC on Wednesday. It was great, but I didn't manage to get that much in way of studies done, unfortunately. However, there is this one of the accordion player (who also doubled as Prince Petrozio):

-and a sort-of study of the leading lady, which I altered slightly to look like something from a ballet version of the play (if it were to happen) on my deviantart page (http://biscuitnapper.deviantart.com/gallery/).

2008-01-01T11:23:00.001-08:00

Oh and a Happy New Year, from moi, le Biscuitnapper.

2008-01-01T11:19:00.001-08:00

This is a bit of a 'filler' post - I just needed something to replace the image of what I now realise to be godawful scans. Some silliness inspired by the life and trials of a 21st century vicar. A very different style from The Only Two, yes, and intended to be absolutely hilarious.

Studies

2007-12-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

Studies of Egyptian women for a planned full length comic based on a script I wrote a few months ago. The arms are rather long, but that's one fetish I am now over (there's always one - I used go AWOL on thighs, which I think says more than I'd like about me). Next I'll have to get to work with some Egyptian architecture.

A sort of main character, not actually in the original play, but a good idea that I decided to keep for the comic.

Tui, one of the first characters to appear on stage in the play, and that honour has thus far been kept. The study on the right is a classic example of my main problem with such drawings - consistency. Her proportions narrow down in scale the further down one goes, and she slants rather uncomfortably. I should have put in a wall or something. Ah, how inept, am I.

I do rather like the one on the left, where she interacts with her husband, Seti, the main character. It works quite well. Seti is based on a maths classmate who is almost unnaturally polite and good-natured, rather tongue-in-cheek and smart. I might get round to stealing a few more life sketches of him in class, now I think about it.

2007-12-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Burlesque persona and future animation project; she is one saucy, nay, atrocious minx!

2007-12-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

Two other pigeon witches who shall remain nameless.

Mobile-portrait

2007-12-07T17:31:00.000-08:00

A picture taken by a friend of mine to celebrate my then-recent acquirement of a mobile phone, an event that marked the gain of a soul on the devil's behalf.

Back again...

2007-12-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

...and all manner of things are well.

The promised proto-cover for Hedron, of which Professor Font from a few posts ago is part. Still in sketch stage at the moment no inking (apart from a few experimental panels) whatsoever.

'The Pigeon Witch' - an illustration for the creative writing piece in the issue of the Napperzine. There are a selection of sketches of various Pigeon Witches and their familiars coming up, for your future viewing pleasure.

Woe and more woe... and a bit less too.

2007-11-23T03:11:00.000-08:00

As you may already know, I am unable to scan up any new artwork. I would apologise, but I feel that my Livebox ought to accept some responsibility, so I won't. Instead I will start talking about all the wondrous stuff that you've been missing out on.

Various studies, some for the three part comic 'Izu' that I have started for the zine (part one begins in the next issue), some for a waaaaaaaay in the future adaptation of a play what I wrote and the rest (but very few) for Hedron, including a preliminary coloured (!) cover.

A new comic, for Mdm Iretta, which probably won't come up here as it is very experimental wrt use of colour (ie, shite) but I thought I'd mention anyway in order to highlight my wonderlous consistency as an ahtist. There are also a couple more half finished sketches for The Only Two and a new poster that I finished last week for my local church (do-gooder I be).

The third issue of the zine is still in process, but is now only waiting for the last cells of 'Izue' to be inked in good and proper. The next two weeks may be a little filled, with exams, interviews and my new found job, so don't expect anything until after then.

Au revoir

The Artist

The Zinenapper is out!

2007-10-09T03:20:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in a free sample copy (b/w) then send me your address and will post it to you. Anyone interested in helping with distribution, get in touch and we'll discuss the percentages!

2007-09-19T16:10:00.001-07:00

2007-09-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

Pictures from my pilgrimage to Walsingham, two years ago. It is a very lovely place.

Photography: The Great Outdoors

2007-09-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

Taken at Belsay Hall gardens.

Final version...

2007-09-14T01:09:00.000-07:00

...of my non-Alice Alice:

The first comic!

2007-09-14T00:58:00.000-07:00

A handy little snippet one can use to link to 'The Mundane (yet nonsensically) Futuristic Happenings of St. Vogue and Mdm Iretta'

Just a bit of sci-fi silliness. A preliminary coloured comic for St. Vogue. Most of the words mean absolutely nothing in context, just useless jargon that rolls off the tongue quite nicely.

Random Characters...

2007-09-14T00:47:00.000-07:00

'Cover' for the Mundane (yet nonsensically) Futuristic Happenings of St. Vogue and Mdm Iretta. Don't ask me why, but I was inspired by a pose of the Doctor and Dr Lazarus from Doctor Who confidential. I also wanted to have a go at drawing different body shapes and characters. The clothing was rather fun though Mdm Iretta's (the brunette) isn't nearly as funky as I'd've have liked.

But argh! The feet! I just loved the figures so much I couldn't be bothered to start over to include some feet. I shall pretend my merciless scanner chopped them off.

Experimentation with a slightly dufferent style. Very graphical cartoon-y. He is, of course, a villain.

I don't draw enough black men, or even men full stop, which frustrates me because I love looking at men, as bizarre as that may sound - the male figure is awesome, especially when nicely attired (no T-shirts or cargo shots allowed!)

Comics!

2007-09-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

El nuevo y el viejo

2007-09-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

Hm. Almost literally.

Yes, yes, I know - yet another 'Alice in Wonderland' thing. *sighs* The rabbit was meant to be wearing white stockings as well, but I got a little to eager with the colouring so it looks like the stocking has been welded onto her leg.

The 'hag' was done years ago, when I was trying out different styles. I was pretty keen on the elaborate, multi-layered pencilling, but I failed miserably in the attempt to replicate the effect.

'Piloting' x2

2007-09-10T15:40:00.000-07:00

A new version of the original 'piloting'.

The Beautiful Girls

2007-09-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

'Foot'

2007-09-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

Another old piece. Experimental. Gouache and Acrylic paints used.

Concept art for Hedron

2007-09-06T17:11:00.001-07:00

The two figures are the captain/gunnery officer/primary pilot and the chief engineer/secondary pilot of the flaghead ship. Actually, the story focuses very little on them, but I rather like drawing humans every now and again, especially in such cool poses... with wires! The idea is that the ship is directly linked to it's pilots' minds who in turn receive information concerning the position of the ship via sensors on the body, as human and ship-computer almost become one (actually, these studies were done a while ago. Lately I've decided that there is actually a solo pilot on permanent link with the ship, rather than the temprorary drivers here). It enables travel through complex moon systems and asteroid belts to be a little easier as the ship follows the agile movements of it's pilot, rather than being jerked around by the movements of a futuristic gearstick. A little like a cross between virtual reality games or those animation programmes where you move against a bluescreen and your character is animated on a computer screen making the same movements.

*

The thing that looks like a freak-mermaid from the 80's is a main character (Professor Font). Just a study where I decided to go a little stupid with my brushpens. They were calling to me.

*

The captain/gunnery officer alone. No, she is not an elf, or a fairy or even a proper cyborg. She is an 'Alt' - the future version of today's heavy duty body artistes. Her uniform requires discretion, but the ears tell another story...

Spiders comic

2007-09-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

Bleargh. Crappy scan (and I'm lazy), but you get the idea.

Grungy goodness.

2007-09-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

Photos from my 'grunge' period. Everyone goes through it.

2007-09-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

Every now and again, I do art the way artists are meant to.

Hedron: concept sketches

2007-09-05T03:12:00.000-07:00

Concept sketches for a new comic that I've got in the sketch stage at present. The Only Two is a series that I hope will keep on going for a while, but every now and then, it's nice to get something more original going. More will be put up about 'Hedron' in due time.

Victoriana

2007-09-05T02:49:00.000-07:00

Another cool piece. Not quite Poe-esque, but getting there...

L'Antoinette

2007-09-05T02:45:00.000-07:00

This is quite an old picture, actually. I was really into that macabre sort of drawing style, and I recall this piece being a lot of fun to add affects to on Photoshop. I think I had ideas for using it as a portal for an old design of the biscuitnapper website or something.

Intro

2007-09-05T02:29:00.000-07:00

This blog will be an acting website for all the artwork, comics and general writings that don't have any relevance to 'The Only Two', and yes, they do exist! Comments always most appreciated, so don't be shy.