Sunday, September 11, 2011

Creating a Tribute: Tenth Anniversary of 9/11

George Washington, Greg Brady, and Abraham Lincoln Pay Tribute to America's Heroes

A few months ago, I posted this artwork I created in anticipation of the tenth anniversary of 9/11.  The original post is here.  Today being the actual anniversary, I thought I might post a few bits of artwork that went in to creating it.

Original sketch
This is the original sketch I made of my idea.  As you can see, I sketch pretty loosely.  I like to make up most of the details as I go, in the final drawing.

I follow that up buy searching out hundreds of images to use as references, to get the likenesses of the people correct, as well as for details of paramedic uniforms, the pre-9/11 New York City skyline, and things like that.

Then I create a file in Manga Studio, which is the software I use to do most of my drawing, that has all of my photo references in it on various layers, so I can look at them as I am drawing.

I draw all the different elements on separate layers.  So, for instance, I would have Greg Brady on one layer, the New York Skyline on another, the Vinnie Barbarinos on another still...   that way I can later move them around or resize them in Photoshop if I decide to make changes to it.

First version of drawing

This is the first version of the drawing.  You can see that it had Presidents Obama and Bush in it as well as Lincoln, Washington, and Greg Brady.  In fact, when I first had the idea for the drawing, it was only going to have Greg Brady and Barack Obama in it.  But then I decided to add George Bush to it, so that the drawing could better represent the entire ten year period from September 11th 2001 to September 11th 2011.  Also, I didn't want this drawing to appear partisan in any way, it's about bringing this country together, not taking it apart, so having a Republican and a Democrat on it seemed like a good idea.  From there I decided to add Lincoln and Washington as well, as they are our two most iconic presidents, and having them there (along with Greg Brady) seemed to make this all about America, and not any one political party or ideology.

Ultimately, though, I felt it was too crowded up there with so many heads, and ended up going with just the trio of Washington, Brady, and Lincoln.  Because I draw in layers, I didn't have to redraw anything, just click those two layers off.


Drawing with text

I had initially wanted to have some text in the drawing.  I wasn't sure if people would understand what they were looking at without some explanation.  I did leave some text on the T-Shirt version, but for my final artwork, I decided to let the images speak for themselves.


Final colored art

For the final colored version, I removed the text, then shifted the drawing up a little. this made more room on the bottom for the reflections in the water.  When I'm drawing something I plan on coloring, I will often leave areas unfinished so I can finish them in color instead of in black and white, such as the details on the buildings, and the ripples on the water.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Comic: Ding-Dong!


This is a true story, with all the dialogue 100% verbatim, from a convenience store I used to work graveyard shift at in Las Vegas about 10 years ago.  I have a few more stories about this store that I will publish eventually.   The place I'm working at now doesn't have a steady stream of insane customers, though, so I probably won't have any of these that are set in the present.

Freedom Force Stuff

I've recently dipped my toes back in to making skins for Freedom Force.  The old message board most of the Freedom Force community used to frequent, Freedom Reborn, has been down for a long time.  But there is a newer board called Trinity of Freedom where some people are posting now.  I have a thread there with some pictures of the skins I made, if anyone is interested in checking them out.

I also found that my OLD webpage that was on Geocities has been archived here.  It's out of date, but it's got pictures and descriptions of most of the skins I have made over the years.  Eventually, I'm going to transfer all that info to this blog, or another site, but at least it's still around in some form for anyone who wants to see it.

Finally, if you are interested in seeing all the skins I have made that are not on that archived page, or in my thread at Freedom Reborn. click on the Freedom Force tag at the bottom of this post, to see all the posts about Freedom Force I have mad in this blog.

Thanks,
"Atomic Robot"

Friday, July 8, 2011

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records No.10


''There are a lot of universities that are as dangerous with the indoctrination of the children as terrorists are in Iran or North Korea. ... We have been setting up reeducation camps. We call them universities.''
—Glenn Beck, Glenn Beck show on FOX News Channel, Sept. 1, 2010

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A-tom-ic Jones: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records No.9


''Barack Obama ... chose to use his name Barack for a reason -- to identify, not with America -- you don't take the name Barack to identify with America. You take the name Barack to identify with what? Your heritage? The heritage, maybe, of your father in Kenya, who is a radical?"
—Glenn Beck, ''The Glenn Beck Program,'' Feb. 4, 2010

Sunday, June 26, 2011

The Miracle: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records No.8



''Fall to your knees and thank God for Fox News. Pray for Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch. Pray for them. Pray for strength and spine, and pray that everybody involved has chicken salad for lunch so it doesn't clog anybody's arteries. Keep them going.''
—Glenn Beck, asking listeners to pray for Ailes and Murdoch because they protect Fox from ''the outside world,'' The Glenn Beck Program, May 27, 2010

Fat Boy and the Human Porcupine


Here's a couple of Jimmy Olsen Freedom Force skins I made last year (or maybe the year before?) but forgot to post about.  Jimmy Olsen as the Fat Boy of Metropolis, and Jimmy Olsen the Human Porcupine.  They are on custom meshes edited by Daglob and are available on his Yahoo Group Character Obscura V.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

George Washington, Greg Brady, and Abraham Lincoln Pay Tribute to America's Heroes

George Washington, Greg Brady, and Abraham Lincoln Pay Tribute to America's Heroes

This artwork was created in anticipation of the upcoming 10th anniversary of 9/11.  It shows a firefighter, paramedic, soldier, and police officer (all drawn in the likeness of Vinnie Barbarino from Saturday Night Fever) magically disco-dancing on the water of the New York Harbor.  The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center are seen in the distance.  Looking on from the sky are three of the greatest figures from American history: President George Washington, Greg Brady from the Brady Bunch, and President Abraham Lincoln.

Buy t-shirts with this image here:
http://www.zazzle.com/10th_anniversary_of_9_11_tribute_to_americas_her_tshirt-235072527175634069

Buy art prints with this image here:
http://www.zazzle.com/george_washington_greg_brady_and_abraham_lincoln_poster-228082512584545648

Friday, June 17, 2011

Country Life: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records No.7 (Censored Version)


''I don't think we came from monkeys. I think that's ridiculous. I haven't seen a half-monkey, half-person yet.''
—Glenn Beck on evolution, The Glenn Beck Program, Oct. 20, 2010

This is the censored version.  To see the uncensored version, go here.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Lincolnstein and Other Presidential Monsters

Just read this article at the Mego Museum about a new line of action figures that is coming out that combines the looks of classic Universal Monsters with United States presidents.  I think this is awesome.  They even have one called "Lincolnstein" that is very similar to the Frankenlincoln I drew for the back cover the Cindy Nahaeeka Monster Men CD.
Lincolnstein

Back Cover of Cindy Nahaeeka's Monster Men CD
Check out the article at the Mego Museum to read about the rest of the figures!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Appetite for Destruction: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records No.6


''When I see a 9/11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, 'Oh shut up' I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining.''
—Glenn Beck on his radio show, Sept. 9, 2005

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Unknown Pleasures: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records No.5



''Some may believe we're on the road to the Hitler youth.''
—Glenn Beck, on teaching kids about climate change, Fox News's Glenn Beck show, Feb. 5, 2009

Sunday, May 29, 2011

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records, No.4


''Tea parties believe in small government. We believe in returning to the principles of our Founding Fathers. We respect them. We revere them. Shoot me in the head before I stop talking about the Founders. Shoot me in the head if you try to change our government. I will stand against you and so will millions of others. We believe in something. You in the media and most in Washington don't. The radicals that you and Washington have co-opted and brought in wearing sheep's clothing -- change the pose. You will get the ends. You've been using them? They believe in communism. They believe and have called for a revolution. You're going to have to shoot them in the head. But warning, they may shoot you.''—Glenn Beck, Fox News, June 9, 2010

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Forever Changes: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records, No.3



''This president I think has exposed himself over and over again as a guy who has a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture....I'm not saying he doesn't like white people, I'm saying he has a problem. This guy is, I believe, a racist.''
—Glenn Beck, on President Obama, July 28, 2009

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Newt Gingrich T-Shirts


I have two new t-shirts available at Zazzle.com.  They both feature the adorable face of 2012 Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.  People criticize Newt Gingrich for his multiple marriages and extra-marital affairs, but I really don't think they're being fair. It's not Newt's fault that he is so irresistible. I mean, just look at the guy...  He looks like a cross between the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and a Cabbage Patch Kid!  What's not to love?  For him to deny women the pleasure of his company just seems so wrong. That's why I'm voting for Newt Gingrich in 2012!

The two t-shirts designs feature a drawing of Newt Gingrich, shirtless, inside of a Valentine-style heart, and the words "Newt is Cute," and "Future Wife of Newt Gingrich.  Fourth Time's the Charm!"

Get the shirts here:
Newt is Cute
Future Wife of Newt Gingrich

Friday, May 20, 2011

May 21st is Mr. T's Birthday AND the Day of the "Rapture!"


Tomorrow is Mr. T's birthday! But, since he will probably be "raptured" up to heaven tomorrow, he might want to have his birthday party tonight.

I made a t-shirt design of this on Zazzle.  I don't know if they will actually let me sell it though, since I may be infringing on the rights of Mr. T.  So if you want one, you better order one fast.  If you do order it, you'll probably get it just in time for nobody to care about this May 21st nonsense, though.  As always, my timing is impeccable.


Order t-shirt here.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records No.2



''This is a moment, quite honestly, that I think we reclaim the civil rights movement. It has been so distorted and so turned upside down because we must repair honor and integrity first, I tell you right now. We are on the right side of history. We are on the side of individual freedoms and liberties, and damn it, we will reclaim the civil rights moment. We will take that movement, because we were the people that did it in the first place. ''
—Glenn Beck, on his march on Washington, which he held on the anniversary of Martin Luther King's ''I Have a Dream'' speech, Fox News, May 26, 2010

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Blind Faith: Glenn Beck's Favorite Records No.1


''I haven't seen Jesus and what he would do on a talk show on Fox, but I'm going to try.''
—Glenn Beck, FOX News Channel's Glenn Beck show, April 21, 2010


I put this image up on Zazzle.com to make t-shirts and prints of, but Zazzle pulled it down, saying "Design contains text or image that is in violation of an individual’s rights of celebrity/publicity." I choose this one first because it had no text on it, thinking that would be okay. I did "tag" it as Glenn Beck, though, so I guess that was the giveaway. I could probably put it up without mentioning him anywhere, but then no one would find it on there when they are searching for him, which is kind of the point.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Never has a hairstyle been more Presidential

Oh boy!  Tonight's the night!  If you're like me, your very excited about the idea of Donald Trump running for President.  He hasn't officially announced he's running yet, but our wait is soon to over!  Yes, tonight, on the season finale of "The Apprentice,"  The Donald has promised to announce when he will be making an announcement!

Some people like to make fun of The Donald's hair, and say the American people will never elect a man with hair like that to be President.  But I say, that's ridiculous!  There has never been a hairstyle quite as presidential.  To prove it, I've added his hair to Presidents Lincoln, Obama, and Nixon.  And they look awesome!  If you thought these guys were great Presidents before, just look at them now!

President Lincoln with Donald Trump's Hair

President Obama with Donald Trump's Hair

President Nixon with Donald Trump's Hair

 I'm selling t-shirts of these images at Zazzle.com, if you're interested:

I think these images PROVE beyond a shadow of a doubt that The Donald is a viable candidate, don't you think?



Saturday, May 14, 2011

Comic: Who REALLY killed Osama Bin Laden?


Text from comic:
Since the death of Osama Bin Laden, there has been a lot of debate in the media about who should get credit for it.  Most say Barack Obama, since he was president at the time.  Some say the credit goes to George W. Bush, since he started the "War on Terror" and put many of the programs in place that eventually led to Bin Laden's demise.

The truth is, both sides are wrong.

It wasn't Obama or Bush...

ABRAHAM LINCOLN KILLED BIN LADEN!


Visit my Zazzle store to buy a t-shirt or print based on this comic.

Comic: Living in Stereo


I'm posting a comic I drew awhile back on my "18+" blog Misfit Robot Nightmare.  It's sort of a mash-up of Fast Times at Ridgemont High and the Brady Bunch.  Part one is up right now, and I will post the remaining four parts Monday through Thursday.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Football Humor Department: The Hand Puppet


Football humor.  Not my usual thing, but I am a fan, and I am pretty frustrated with the lock-out, epsecially since it seems to motivated primarily by greed on the part of the owners.  My Dad gave me the idea for this, and I drew it up in a couple of hours.  I think it came out pretty good.

I uploaded this art to Zazzle so people can buy t-shirts or prints of it.  I have no idea if anyone would actually want that, but it only took a few minutes to do, so I figured what the heck.  If you're interested, my Zazzle store is at http://www.zazzle.com/misfitrobot .

I'm going to post some more stuff. Hooray!

So I started this blog in 2009, posted stuff for about two months, and haven't posted anything since.  I'm guessing that's about average for people who use blogspot though, am I right?  Mess around with it for a little while, get bored after the novelty wears off, and move on.

Well, now I am back, at least until I get bored again in a few weeks.  I've got some drawings and comics that I've made in the last year or so that I'll post hear for awhile.  After I post all of those, well, I guess we'll find out as I go.

What you've got to look forward to:

Glenn Beck's Favorite Records
I've drawn versions of a bunch of classic album covers, but replaced the people originally on them with Glenn Beck. 

Marmaduck
A dumb parody of Marmaduke comics, except instead of a Great Dane, it's a giant duck with a Gary Coleman fetish. 

Comics
Some random comics I drew 

Other Stuff
Other stuff -- not sure what.

Let the excitement begin!