Crazy Train

Apologies for another long bloggap (or blap) as I've been busy. MOVING TO BRISTOL. AND TRYING TO GET MONEY FOR ART.

It's not easy - hey hey do you want to pay me to draw?

Passer-By: No! Who are you?

I'm Owen!

Passer-By: No. Please leave.

DENIED.

Anyway, so here's the lowdown on what's been going on artwise for the last month - not a massive amount as I have been organising many things.

Jams for TAB

Bespin. That city wot occasionally clouds it. Possibly one of the most evocative designs in the Star Wars universe. Along with the unseen cavern cities of Alderaan. Sweet.

Syndrome. Central baddie from "The Incredibles" which is MY FAVOURITE FILM POSSIBLY OF ALL TIME. Brad Bird ain't fakin'.

Dr WTF tomfoolery

Sketches for Digital Dr WTF buyers Lanie, Dgym & Matt - cheers you sexy bunch. First is a leprechaun under pursuit (doesn't look much like a leprechaun whoops) second is the Doctor asride his TARDIS lassooing a dragon (doesn't look much like that whoops) and the final is Matt as a sort of loveable Twindie Doctor ;)

Birthday gift for my main man Chris Nolan-Rennie, illustrator of Dr WTF 2011's "From One God to Another" - This is a continuation of the story in the sense that the kryptonite Dalek is getting whupped.

Crabcake IV

Sadly I've decided to partially abandon dear Crabcake for the wild abandons of other projects. Sob - I do love it but I have no time to love it y'dig?

Right that's it. Back to the drawing board!

O x

For the Greater Stewart of Lee

Good day!

Well no, it is rather a bruised and battered day for your scrumpy-loving author. It turns out balance is the first thing to go when full of cider - who knew? Anyhow - it's been a relatively active fortnight - the major thing being a journey up to London courtesy of the miraculous Jazz where we observed:

- a three-hour Stewart Lee live marathon

- a duck

- jars full of foetuses next to a gift shop
- real-life ACTUAL mods

- a talking plastic tree

- extreme coincidence

Anyway - on with the art!

"Peak Fighters" a thing I did for TAB describing the noble art of battlin' up the top of stuff. Entirely digital and with some sneaky sneaky textures in there TO EMPHASIZE STUFF. Moon was originally going to be yellow but I think I thought the weird peaks and the yellow moon looked a little too much like an image from Nightmare Before Christmas. So I redified it.

Drawn by the fantastic Lorenzo Fiorini and coloured by me. There's still a touch of the 'gaudy' about it (the colouring that is) and I'm really not happy about the hair. Sigh. I'm doing another for him shortly - here's hoping I can improve on the things I'm not 100 percent about. Colouring is fun.

Digital sketches done for the various buyers of the digital version of my cosmic anthology, Dr WTF. If you're interested in a PDFtacular roam through time and space give me a shout and some pounds (two) and I'll also do you a doodle of your choice. Sound good? TO ME IT SOUNDS AMAZING.

Finally something done for Laurelio and the Sheffield anarchists. Neat. Although not my idea. Nor are the book covers my own. AND I DIDN'T CONSTRUCT THAT FONT. I'm a fraud!

Next fortnight you'll probably finding me moving to Bristol and preparing for (or coming back from) Glastonbury festival. Glorious.

During Donkey Intervals...

I have been drawing other things. Not many things though - largely self promotion and jam.

MAYBE I SHOULD DRAW JAM TO PROMOTE MYSELF.

...let's just let that go now, shall we?

Oh also before we pop on I'll just slap up a panel from THE OTHER THING I've been drawing this fortnight -

Watch out for a page of the Mammoth Jack epic - (written by Dirk van Dom) in Temple APA later this week. Very pleased to be drawing things that will get seen by people again. Also horses - but I barely draw them. Chunky legs.

"A Younger Sun" for The Weekly Themed Art Blog (or TAB) - the theme was dinos/monsters and I longed to draw a Brachiosaurus. They are my favourite dinosaurs because they were awesome and also they had long awesome necks and they were green.

THEY WERE FUCKING GREEN. They didn't have a feathery spine, wikipedia. THEY WEREN'T GREY AND BLOTCHY THEY

WERE

FUCKING GREEN.

I'm not writing a thesis about it, I'm not discussing it with anyone. I'm not telling you how I know they were green. Clue: It involves time eggs. Also - who knew the atmospheric composition was different in the Jurassic era and humans couldn't breathe it?! I certainly didn't. Nearly died.

This was, I believe, for a young man called Daniel Madley who became eightieth like for the ever-swelling Dr WTF Facebook page. Do pop along - ! Someone suggested I added Christ into the mix and I was like NO WAY Jetsharks I can believe, Invisible Bears I can believe - but Jesus?! You must be out of your cake.

Profound apologies for my second TAB this fortnight - specifically to the superlative mind of Henry Flint who I desperately aped to produce this testicular monstrosity. Shakara is in his little ship there and he's plunging through a giant eye made up of giant eyes. Instead it looks like a pierced ball sack. Sorry. I recommend Henry Flint.

"That Darn Masterchief" aka "Achievement Unlocked" aka "I can't draw licenses very well" - for Richmond Clements - who became the ONE HUNDREDTH LIKE for Dr WTF. A million thank yous - much beyond my shaky paltry Master Chief. I never understood Halo. It's like - there's this planet, and like, you're shooting, and like - then you're not. What's the deal with that. - and as for my Doctor Who anthology - it's in it's final stages and the digital version goes on sale

NEXT WEEK (PROBABLY)

Very exciting - and the print version? Well just turn your pretty eyes downward...

Finally - the third TAB entry is my interpretation of Judge Anderson. A bit Bibi Andersson, a bit ... androgynous ... stern and not at all busty or nipply or any of that shit. It genuinely irritates me. I mean - this shit is what makes the glorious unique world of Judge Dredd that little bit more bland. SHE WOULD AT THE VERY LEAST WEAR A BRA.

SERIOUSLY. PUT ON A BRA ANDERSON WE'RE TRYING TO STOP A DEATH CULT FROM KIDNAPPING THE DAUGHTER OF A WEALTHY INDUSTRIALIST.

IT'S NOT EVEN COLD IN HERE. HOW ARE YOUR NIPPLES PUSHING THROUGH LEATHER?!

Right, little finger off shift - little mind off rant, little bum off the chair - and back to the donkey violence - !

O

Kapowhoops

I must say, I intentionally didn't go to Kapow! convention in London this weekend because it seemed quite horrendously shallow to bring the leviathan American con format over here - replete with the vacuous stars of screen and blockbuster dullcomics. I see now that I was being very silly. Although Millar seems like a douche. Anyhow - I didn't go and I missed encountering some genuinely nice internet folk in real life, and copped out on staring gazedly at some of the best artists in British comics. And any platform for them is not a terribly bad thing at all.

On to Bristol International, anyway!

I was extremely proud to be part of an amazing comic - written by Mr Mark Howard (WHAT A CHAP) and co-drawn by the fantastic Davey Candlish, El Chivo, Filip Roncone & Lee Bates - with letters by the EXCELLENT Jim Campbell. This was then auctioned off by 'Genre for Japan' and we raised fifty quid! Many thanks to the kind wallet of author Toni Kelner and Wayne Simmons for calling us all to arms. It was an amazing auction featuring some of my favourite artists and writers - and we collectively earned over eleven thousand for Japan! Crikey.

I urge you to do or give. Japan still needs help.

Although the modest Feistmouse was extremely embarrassed by this pictorial birthday tribute, it was my pleasure to produce it. Do check out his Sun & Moon stories in Dogbreath, or visit the man himself on DeviantArt - or march into Portsmouth Ink and place down your arms bellowing "I COMMAND YOU TO TATTOO ME, FEIST". He is a true fella.

Drawn for The Weekly Themed Art Blog - on the subject of non-2000ad British Comics - this is my tribute to Jimmy and His Magic Patch. A Beano story in which a boy had his torn shorts repaired with a CHUNK OF MAGIC CARPET and thenceforth voyages across the winds of time. A majestic concept and one that was treated with such an appealing old school silliness that I've always gone back to it. I mean, so much time travel these days is all about the mystery of the mechanics - I loved it when it was like "look, he's travelling time - fucking deal with it" BUT WHY "Magic shorts is why, NOW SHUT UP THERE ARE DINOSAURS".

The first of two photo-traces I did this fortnight. I'll go into my anxieties over the method in the next one - but this was a brilliant concept for the brother of Lowri Ann Davies who is clearly an insanely silly child and deserves as many comics as the world can throw at him. I have no opinion or interest in Aston Villa or football - twas a requirement of the brother and nothing more!

My second was for Mother's Day/My Mother's birthday which fell on the same day this year. It's a portrayal of my grandmother who was a powerfully brilliant lady and will be remembered. Here though I must explain that I find the idea of photo-traces very cheap. People seem very impressed and excited in them - and they are the simplest and best way to capture a likeness. The awesome Staticgirl said that she thought mine were justified and contained enough of my personality to carry them through - and even though they take me as long as any picture to draw and colour - if not a little longer - I feel like I've got to the final image through a shortcut. Will do more observational drawing.

Finally - and WITH NO TRACING (disappointing without, isn't it) I pay tribute to the marvellous madcap doodlings of our Pal in Canada; Liam "Ghostpockets" Byrne. Who remains one of the nicest and most enthusiastic artists I've ever met on the internet. I urge you to seek him and his work out - it's fucking glorious.

OH and finally CLICK ON THIS WHOLE PARAGRAPH - because there you will find the Dr WTF?! website set up by my brother. Teasery and very VERY excellent. For an extra giggle view page source and see the HILARIOUS signature he implanted there.

That's it - I'm off. But beware ... DONKEYS are on their way ;)

O x

Morning Dew

....and we're off.

Another fortnightly update on my going-ons and adventures. I'm considering making them a little more frequent - BUT WHO HAS THE TIME?!

This is 'Junkyard Dog' an image for Mr Mark Corbett of Shoot the Moon - for becoming seventieth (!) like for Dr WTF on Facebook. Are you reading this and haven't liked it? THEN YOU ESSENTIALLY HATE ME. I don't mean to be needy BUT IT'S JUST HAPPENED.

Here, the first of two drawings for the Weekly Themed Art Blog images what it would be like if the Judges were in Tron. Thrilling thought. So thrilling I am now dancing.

This is the image for the 'editor' page of my Dr WTF anthology. It's me drinking out of a cup. I want you to guess which pun I've made/nicked from Joe Quesada. Actually don't. Don't guess. Just be quiet.

Dennis at sixty - I loved the Beano as a child (but scandalously I actually read the Dandy more - they had fucking Smasher!) -- Raise a glass to the nation's most treasured bully. That isn't Thatcher. OHOHOHOHO SATIRE.

Finally another image for the Weekly Themed Art Bloggity Blog. It's my favourite ever game. I bloody love it - so evocative, so heartbreaking, so fucking fantastic I'm going to cut short this blog and go and play it. But first...

The magnificent twelve stories in my anthology - go on - go and like it on Facebook. GO ON.

O x

Child of Babylon

...is what they used to call me. Was never sure why.

I lie - they used to call me Mr Mole because I look like a comical chubby cartoon mole. With fucking long hair.

This post will primarily be about DR WTF?! because DR WTF?! is the big story at the moment. What with FOUR - COUNT THEM - FOUR teasers up and about some very TANTALISING nuggets of glory. Or glorynuggets as I irritatingly just shorten'd.

First thought let me just get some very worthwhile little bits in about stuff I've been drawing lately. As that is, after all, what I do.

This first curious image is a coloured version of something the influential jazz pianist Monsieur Richard "Snakehips" Jenkins (a.k.a. The Jenk or King Jenko) doodled. There's not much to say about it apart from the fact that it's not a Beatle. Unless it's a Beatle.

This is the start of the BEST SAGA YOU'VE EVER HEARD ABOUT A GOAT THAT TRAVELS THROUGH HELL. How does he get there? What furry monstrosity rises from his surprised groin in the final panel? And who is the hidden dancer in the second page?! All these questions and four more will be answered in the next installment - ! See the bigger bugger here - or go and pay a visit to the writer and shower praise upon her.

This is an Ice Warrior. Simply an Ice Warrior. Larking about and doing all those things that Ice Warriors do.... strategically exploiting planets mainly.

Alright. On to the OBLIGATORY ANTHOLOGY UPDATE - I'll leave the new logo to do the talking.

WAPASSHHHH! Glorious eh? I'm humbled and forever grateful to the amazing Mike Carroll who put this together for me at extremely short notice. A dude of no small dudeness. WHO HAS HIS OWN WIKI PAGE. :O

So here we go - some previews and some kneeviews (eh?)

First - this is me and Chris Cronin - Thinking Outside the Box

Second - Oscar M & Louis Carter (Colours by Me) - Back to the Wreckage

Third - Matthew McLaughlin & Neil "Bhuna" Roche - Cosmic Excrement

Fourth - Emperor & Mike Bunt - The Secret of Comedy

Those are the official teasers - and here's some others I've got hold of recently....

Greg Meldrum & James Feist - Kitsch 'n' Sink

Jazz Woods & Liam "Ghostpockets" Byrne - Fear of the Dark

There are still nine other comics drifting into view and you can follow my tumblr or keep checking this thread for updates. By the next blog there will be an official website. Woool!

...why did I just exclaim wool?

=malcolmkirk.blogspot.com|utmccn I'VE THRILLED YOU SOMEHOW - !

ART IS HERE

NOISE IS HERE

O - x

You Never Know

...when the nibbles will strike - !

Good day. It's been a positively thrilling three weeks since last I called into blog land. I don't want to spoil anything - BUT I DID GIVE BIRTH TO RACCOONS. Seven, whom I haven't yet named but I want to avoid the clichés (like the names of dwarves, deadly sins or base metals).

This is the title page for my new website which is being designed by my VERY OWN HERMANO. When it's complete it'll act as a gallery for all the bog standard art, exceptionally poorly designed audio AND FUCKING HOT COLLABORATIONS that I spew out on a tri-daily basis.

This image is for the centrepage for a new peace-centric newspaper published by positives and good-eggs from Sheffield. To see the bigger thing hop over to my new DevArt. Oh yeah; I have a new Deviant Art account. What was Metal-Truncator all about?! I wasn't called that anywhere else - ! What a loon.

This is for the exceptionally lovely people over at 2000ad online - every year they do an 'advent calender' thread where each day a member puts up amazing shit. It's totally fucking cool. What a lovely bunch. It depicts the good Doctor (or a vague approximation of him) being hijacked by D.R. & Quinch (ultraviolent slackers created by Alan Moore) . Bigger version. Forum version.

This is a bit of early concept stuff for a thing me and my lady are working on. It's about a goat. A goat that traverses the fictional realm of hell. That's his doctor up there. Bigger version.

A Christmas gift for a friend (and his special friend). Disgusting isn't it? YOU CAN'T HOLIDAY IN SPACE - THAT'S LUDICROUS. Full version.

Finally I re-designed Captain Scarlet for the glorious folk at Feral Gargantua (reading this and not involved? Go and get INVOLVED BOY). The topic was just sort of... generally Gerry Anderson's stuff but in the future. He looks horrible it's super rough and I hate it. OH WELL. Full thing here.

Yes it's that time again - ! A Dr WTF update - !!! Wooooooooo. I let you know with NO small lump in my throat that it's going very well and my latest acquisition is a potentially fucking ridiculous image from "snareser" and Simon Gough. Yikes. Below are all our stories (AND SOME MAGICAL PREVIEWS - courtesy of the artists)

Alan Holloway/Darren Stephens

Derek Hammill/Dan Cornwell

What Happens in Amsterdam...

House of Usher/Exilewood

Martin Collins/Dave Candlish

Synaptogenesis

Adam Page/Chris Nolan-Rennie

Dirk Van Dom/Nicholas Bannwath

Chronoleech

Emepror/Mike Bunt

The Secret of Comedy

Greg Meldrum/James Feist

Kitsch 'n' Sink

Jazz Woods/Liam Byrne

Fear of the Dark

John Whiteley/Conor Boyle

Berlin

Matthew McLaughlin/Neil Roche

Cosmic Excrement

Oscar M/Cthulouis

Back to the Wreckage

And that is that. EXCITED YET? I certainly am.

See you.... potentially after that festive thing that's happening. Good luck with that.

ART BE HERE

NOISE BE HERE

FURTIVE LEMON BE HERE

O - x