New Episode: Calling out the Big Guns...

Inked with a Raphael #2. What do you think? Me? I'm having fun actually dipping my brush into ink like a real cartoonist!

Comments

[Larry Levine]

John, Great strip!! The inking is beautiful!!

[Gareth]

Hey John!

Check Chippy out! Can't wait to see what's going down.

I like the brush lines too, there's some really nice thick and thins in this one. I watched a program recently that had Gerald Scarfe doing a portrait of Ricky Hatton (for Sport Relief, a big fund raising event here in the UK). It was amazing to see him in action, I think he was using a dip pen and nib, but his lines were amazing and so accurate and flowing. After that I bought a dip pen to have a go with :)

I'm still using the brush pen though, I prefer it slightly at the moment, but I also like the dipping part of the dip pen! :P

I havent made anything I think is that succesful yet (I'm still too "wobbly") but I'll try and post some stuff in the near future!

Take care!

[james]

Hey John, I've been meaning to tell you, the strips have never looked better. I think you're really onto something here. The storytelling and poses are great and the polish is taking it up a level.
Keep going man!

[John]

Hey Thanks Larry! Are you feeling better?

Gareth! If I can keep up the pace, you won't have to wait too long to see what's going on. Scarfe is pretty cool. I've heard he draws directly in ink with no sketching. Crazy! I used dip pens amost exclusively as a teenager. Back then, you could still find Gillot nibs. I loved the 1290 and the 303. I got the courage to try a brush when I was in art school. A wonderful teacher named Phil Normand showed me how to dip the brush and then point it on a sheet of scrap paper. After that I was hooked. I used brush pens for the past few years because they are fast, but I gotta say, I am glad I re-discovered inking with a real sable brush.

James!!! Thank you sir! I will keep going! Good to see you yesterday! It's been too long!

[Lyndon]

Hey John, love the inking in the last few strips. It's all been so crisp and clean, so easy to read.

I'm really curious to know who Loopus went to meet. I know whoever it is, it will probably be surprising.

Maybe the diaper genie came to life ;-) I mean it is Loopus, stranger things have happened.

Later...

[Larry Levine]

Hey John, I was feeling a little better & then this bug hit me with an encore last night.

I think your sable inking is up there with Kelly (especially the last panel), I used to own an original Pogo so I know masterful inkin' when I see it.

[John]

Thanks Lyndon!
Loopus's mysterious confidant's identity won't be a mystery for long, I promise. Hopefully, it'll be a fun suprise.

Hey Larry! Eat Kim Chee and for God's sake DO NOT GET FLU SHOTS!!! I eat Kim chee (proven to have immunity boosting abilities, it was credited with keeping SARS out of Korea!) and I haven't had the flu in 9 years! AND I NEVER get flu shots! I believe this whole flu shot deal is a swindle cooked up by the Pharmeceutical industry and the government to keep us hooked on their crap!
Anyway, thanks for the props regarding my inking. I'm not anywhere near where I want to be, but it's fun trying to get there!

[Mark Kennedy]

Nice strip, love your inking.

I never get a flu shot. A Dr. told me once that they GUESS which strains of flu are coming and that's what they immunize for. Statistically they are usually wrong (not a popular point of view with my kid's pediatrician).

Extra strong salsa and lots of wasabi are also supposedly good for fighting off disease.

[Larry Levine]

My computer froze so forgive me if this is a copy post:

I never get flu shots!!! I haven't even taken an antibotic since 1991. My special natural remedy is homemade chicken soup, but it only works when I have someone to cook it in my home for me--DRAT!

[Ben Williams]

Great stuff! I think the old-skool inking technique has really clicked with you, not only has your line improved but so has the staging and overall clarity of the strip. I’m guessing when you finish a strip it’s a lot more satisfying having an actual piece of artwork in front of you too. Also, kudos for that awesome ringtone at the end. Pure metal.

[John]

Thanks Ben!
I still comosite the strip in PS, but yes, it is satisfying to have actual ink drawings in front of you!
I was trying to think of iconic ringtones for Old Chippy and "Peace Sells" jumped into my head and wouldn't leave.
Yes, among my many heroes, I list Walt Kelly, Charles Schulz, Harvey Kurtzman, but also James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Dave Mustaine.
"What d'ya mean I hurt your feelings?
I didn't know you had any feelings!"
Poetry!

[Michael J. Ruocco]

I know that everybody else & their mother has said this, but NICE INK JOB, especially in the cell phone panel on the hand. The thick & thin lines on that thumb really stand out to me. Chris Sanders is great at thick & thin lines in his Kiskaloo strip, but he seems very modest about his drawing & lettering ability.

Old Chippy reminds me of Yoda. It's the last thing I'd expect him to be. & it seems Loopus has gotten a lot brighter in the future. As for our 'Mystery Guest', I have no possible clue who it could be. Carl? Judy? McMackeral? I'm anxious to see who he/she is!

[John]

Chris is modest about EVERYTHING he does. And he does a lot of things. He is also an incredible photographer. One of the things this modesty brings him is the ability to learn anything from anyone. He seems to view everyone as a potential teacher who can impart some kernal of knowledge that he can use.
I not only learned a lot about inking from Chris but a lot about drawing period. It is an incredible experience to watch him draw. From the way he feels his way through forms to the way he checks and re-checks his compositions, he is every bit the perfectionist and a fountain of knowledge.
I won't say much about Old Chippy yet, because I want him to reveal himself naturally thoughout the course of the story. I will say that there were obviously many roads I could have taken with him, as we all have many choices to make before we ultimately become who we become. I decided to take a path that no one would see coming, but would hopefully make sense and be true to who he is.
As for your guesses....I'm not saying whether you are cold or warm, but I am glad to see you are intrigued.
Stay tuned!

[Kevy Metal]

Wow. You have just earned my lifelong respect for inserting a Megadeth gag into your strip. Peace Sells... Ahhhhhh, great song.

[John]

Thanks Kevy!!
I first heard that song when I was 18 or 19. Along with Metallica's "Damage Inc.", it immediately became one of my personal anthems.
At the end of the month, I will be 40 years old, and you know what, that song STILL works for me. "Whaddya mean I don't pay my bills?
Why do you think I'm broke?.....HUH?"
Think I'll go dial it up on the ol Ipod right now!