Fun_LongDayInTheSnow

This was inspired by "Mansion Man," by The Willow & The Builder, a song I especially love on snowy days, though these are unfortunately far scarcer in Tokyo than in the country. I wanted to do some more pushed paintings, rather than just sketches, so I started this when we got a little snow this past Thanksgiving, while listening to the Adrian Simon catalogue.

I wanted the piece to be one of the more "heavy" illustration entries for my reviews at Tokyo Comic Con, so I had developed it a little further from the versions I posted on Twitter and Instagram. This is how the image looked going into Tokyo Comic Con for reviews, while the version at the very top is where I've taken it after the feedback.

This is the version I posted on Twitter. The feedback I got on the TCC version was that it was a little too blatantly digital-feeling, so I decided to clean it up a little more for today's post, particularly the bg, just about redrawing it entirely. I overlayed super faint versions of the original bg, though, as per their advice to incorporate more texture.

Clean-ups involved neatening the lines, but also clipping a color layer on them, too. The pure representation of the colors is masked by the overall blue layer coating everything, but the colors still make a great difference. The above is what it looks like without the chilly blue color-style layer active.

And this is what the final lines look like plain. Hopefully the feedback led to a stronger piece. I do have a WIP version with flat colors underneath everything, but it's getting unwieldy and I need to move on.

Bonus snow edition. I noticed when you take out all of Nyao's lines, the remaining effects make it look like she's a snowmeow. So there's that.

Not normal,

Reuxben

Fun_ReachHard

Pretty sure I messed this up. Took a break from some practice to see how far I could get without an eraser...ended up using KNKL's line-sculpting technique toward the end.

1/13/16

Reuxben

Fun_RichMansion

Some fan art today of one of my favorite artists, Richard Miron. He's part of a great new project called "The Willow and the Builder," with fellow prodigy Adrian Simon. Can't wait till it starts snowing here in my Calvin-and-Hobbesy bit of Japan cuz the album'll be great to wander the snow in; Mr. Miron has crafted one of his greatest songs yet, "Mansion Man," and you should definitely give it a listen. Or not. Sorry, didn't mean to get pushy. Please stop staring at me.

Right, so this draw started as a warm-up sketch before working on a comic, but then I figured I'd see if I could use my digital camera in lieu of my non-existant scanner, which mouse-cookied me into doing some quick colors over the photo since I haven't painted in a while.

I did a sketch of Adrian Simon, too, but it didn't come out so great...! Alas.

All right, comicsing time.

Reuxben

ZLM_HelgaGPataki

Beware the law firm of Bwoing, Whap, and Klonk, trust me.

Zero Like Me [Alive] #118:
Buiikikaesu Pt.7: Helga G. Pataki
<- Previous Comic...Next Comic ->
-First Comic-
Easter Eggs: "Yale" in panel 1. Hey, Arnold! and Plain White T's refs.

Fun Facts: AH! While drawing this, I played THIS on loop! YEAH!! What eerily perfect timing!

Baa: Hugs really throw me off. I dunno. The great Miron once wrote a song that perfectly captured how I feel about hugs, but alas, it's no longer up anymore--basically, hugs have sadly become severely underrated as a social interaction.

Don't just spring it on a body unless he's ready, is what I'm saying. Someone was kind enough to warn me before hugging me, which at least gave me a split second to think, Ok, how do I politely get out of this situa--*hugged*--ok, I guess we're hugging, then.

But I generally don't hug back because I'm still busy mentally bracing myself for the hug, even while it's occurring, which I'm sure freaks out the hugger, when the hug-ee is just standing there motionless, looking uncomfortable, nervous, and perhaps even constipated.

Hugs must not be such big deals. -- Miron
Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na,

Reuxben

Fun_ForTheView

This is my first totally digital/tablet-drawn artwork, inspired by the impending adventures at:
clemenrich.tumblr.com
I bumped into both of them at a Stray Balloon show one night, and they're absolutely wonderful. Well, they need funding for their noble adventures, and if you feel inclined to learn more, you can find their pitch here. You might say they're kinda like the real-deal, truer Movement for Beauty and Justice--like, everything that organization should have been, you know? Anyway, they're pursuing something neat and worth checking out.

If you don't want to just give money away, you can always get some of his tunes for your trouble, which he's graciously offering for free now, so maybe that can be your sorta tote-bag free gift thing you get for donating. Like donating to PBS but with more rock and less Lord of the Dance.

Good luck and safe travels,

Reuxben

YDN_zlm.WhereToBegin

He's got it all.

Zero Like Me #99:
Where to Begin (The Dan Song)
<- Previous Comic...Next Comic->
-First Comic-
Easter Eggs: "Yale" in panel 1. "Dan's Got It All" or "Isn't Times Square Beautiful" scored to the best of my ability...Yale's very own master of pathos as I saw him at Yale-a-Palooza. Ref "The Future Freaks Me Out" and "DB" in panel 2.

Fun Facts: Today's setting is Branford, where the squirrels roam. I got a copy of "Dan's Got It All," one of his best unreleased tracks. I heard him play it live once. Incredible. Why doesn't he put this stuff online? Even if it's his version of doodles, it's still absolutely killer.

Baa: I sketched him as he played at Yale-A-Palooza and I was an instant fan, but I could barely remember what he looked like after he left the stage, oddly enough. So a bit later it was the Fall Show (starring Dat Phony) and I noticed the guy a few seats to my right had a mouth that looked just like the mouth I had been trying to draw back at Yale-A-Palooza. So I mustered my courage and went up to him and asked him about his music. I was so ridiculously nervous I was shaking and everything.

There are a few Yalies I get "star"struck around. One is obvious--I'm a huge fan. Another is more of a silly sort of starstruck, not so much a fan as an imagine-that sort of thing. A third is like I-can't-believe-he-knows-who-I-am. There's a fourth, but I haven't had an opportunity to draw her (plus I feel that might kill the aura).

Sometimes it weirds me out that I'm on a first name basis with certain megatalents. I was also a big fan of hers even before we became colleagues (her work got me into comics, really), and I remember being thrilled when she responded to my email four years ago inquiring about how to start a comic. I was so nervous when I met her at Comics Club, and now it's like she's just another human. Funny how celebrity and humanization quarrel.

Ok, Zero Like Me Number One Hundred is coming Friday! I can't believe it. It's sinking in that this is all going to end soon. I almost fell apart earlier today thinking about it. It's bittersweet. Maybe just bitter. But to celebrate 100 (and 1 with the Herald) trips into the abyss I'm going to hold another Rootbeeraganza. I'll dump a bunch of rootbeerios outside the JE Dining Hall, I guess, in time for dinner.

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YDN_zlm.HowWeDo

FOR THE HORDE!!

Zero Like Me #39: How We Do
<- Previous...Next->
-First-
Easter Eggs: Really fun--I'll just give characters' names rather than who they're based on: (L-R) Justin, Arthur, Teddy, Dan, [negligible Calhoun girl], Iceman, Price. "Yale" in Panel 1.

Fun Facts: I proposed a hee-haw-larious (I mean that) script at the Herald but it got killed...but I finally crossed that item off my bucket list with this comic, so how do you like them apples, Herald? Also, I really think highly of everyone in this comic--in the off chance these people stop by, please know I think you all are great and I always get at least a little nervous if I see you walking around!

Baa: The dude on the far left can make you cry, I felt like dirt when I discovered I accidentally made the guy to his right feel bad and I may never feel like I've made it up to him, the guy to his right broke my book when I shared it with him during my graphic novels class but he never said a word about it(!), the guy to his right makes James Bond look like a dork, the guy to his right is just the kind of guy I'd want to lead me into battle, the guy to his right is probably neat but I've never really seen him before--I just wanted to let him get some revenge on Zero.

Also, I saw Stiles win bladderball! Who woulda thought? Also, also: does Calhoun even have students? What's up with that?

Final art coming soon,

Reuxben

Fun_Salute2TheMironMan

Some people are bad. Some people are good. Some people are something else.

Here's to you, Mr. Miron.

You:
-Deliver the fullest musical experience at Yale
-Are great to draw and travel to
-Command pathos
-Are always intimidatingly calm
-Will do amazing things
-Are Yalie of the Year

Thanks,

Reuxben

Fun_RolloverRifle

I hate the word "blog" and I hate the idea of having one, especially making more than one post a day, as if anyone gives a poop what you have to say. I justify having this site because it's never been about the words, it's been about the art: I'm providing a (study) break for people to check out some drawings with no expectation that anyone actually reads the text, that way the only time people lose is the time it takes to look at a picture, which isn't a lot.

So I don't want this site to be any more than me telling stories about the art, and since I'm going to be booked up for the foreseeable future with running published work on Fridays, Mondays, and Wednesdays, there will be no room for "Fun" posts any more. I don't want to post on more days, so I'll just throw in Fun posts now and then.

Which brings us to Yale-a-Palooza 2, which changed its name to something else this year. Anyway, it was yesterday, and I camped out for as much of it as possible while drawing today's ZLM, but also sketching some of the artists during breaks.

Up first, pictured above, is the front man for The Rollover Motive. He debuted two new songs and something of a 'fro. The song about Dan was particularly wonderful. He played BS, too, which was incredible! Excellent set all around! To my dismay, I've never been able to sketch him in action very well, but this one's an improvement, kinda.

The only other drawing worth sharing is this one, of (former?) co-front man of Rifle. I gave it an honest effort, but...well, it was very tough to get into the set, although his on-stage antics were entertaining. He's got quite a unique voice, almost like Beast Boy from Teen Titans, which is pretty cool, but I get a heavy Bob Dylan sorta vibe from him, and I can't stand Bob Dylan (or the Beatles, or Bruce Springsteen--which apparently means we're supposed to go to fisticuffs, according to his Herald A&E review of Springsteen's last album; you are un-American, sir). I've been waiting to use this pun for a while, so here it goes: after hoping for an improvement from the last time I saw him perform, I was bummed to find it was more of the same old spiel. Boom!

Anyway, highlights include a former Sandy Gill Affair member performing a massive expansion on the great Jake Pop Medley, meanwhile debuting some much stronger pipes on the recently solo artist. Suitcase of Keys also put on a fine show, although I didn't really feel that usual kick from my favorite track of theirs, "Fallen Leaves," when the bass picks up. Still a lot of fun.

Finally, I was bummed Laura Z. didn't play. I wanted to make up for last time, so I was getting ready to draw a real nice sketch of her playing, so that I could present it to her after the show, but she ended up not hitting the stage, unfortunately.

So it goes,

Reuxben

YDN_zlm.Vanilla

[Update: Final Art]

If anyone ever pulls this on you, you're obligated by law to sing along or forever be deemed a sucka.

Zero Like Me #19: Vanilla
<- Previous Comic...Next Comic ->
-First Comic-
Easter Eggs: "Yale" in panel 3, Calvin and Hobbes' dance moves in panel 4, callback to the series premiere as we wind down for the year. TSGA, GCGG, RM.

Fun Facts: Nyao can speak perfect English if she's quoting something, and she's not really angry unless her top ears pull back. Quite rare, I drew this in just one day (homework + a takehome screwed up my schedule) and had to cut corners to make the deadline, so the final version will appear soon.

And now I know what happens when I draw from rap instead of rock. In a related story, I cannot wait for SPRING FLING! It's going to be incredible, but for some reason they've decided to host it at Stiles...

Also, in an effort to be more social, please enjoy the new segment called "Baa."

Baa: I will again be dumping my stash of Monster at the JE Dining Hall's nagging table this Saturday, so pick one up if you need it.

Final draft soon,

Reuxben

Fun_ExitPurpleRichRifle

This past weekend was actually pretty exciting. I had planned on staying in and contemplating where my life went wrong. But there were a whole four things to get to: the Ex!t Players' show, the Crayon's show, the Miron concert, and then the 90s music event.

First, I'm no Ex!t fan. They seem to think they're the best improv at Yale, and maybe they are since Benji graduated, but come on, charging $2? Benji alone made Crayon shows worth charging, yet they were always free for some reason. So I went to the Ex!t show (see a player at left) just to make sure, and yeah, their only memorable event is still just "Jeopardy!"

And while I still crack up over tons of old Crayon sketches, some years old even, the only Ex!t thing that sticks out is last year Mr. Litt (as Babe the Blue Ox) picking a Jeopardy! category: "I'll take ox that are not blue, for how I pity them."

So after Friday's Ex!t show, I went to the Crayon's Saturday show, which they voiced in complete darkness.

Extra cool that they picked my suggestion, "Pokemon," for their theme, and I got a sad dose of joy in correcting their errors under my breath.

...Machop evolve into Machoke, not Machamp...

I saw Benji at an Ex!t show last year and since have always wondered what goes through his head when he watches others improv, especially Ex!t.

Anyway, after that, I blitzed over to TD in time to catch Richard Miron (at right, during the Ex!t show) and Oliver Hill play an incredible set. It was actually emotionally moving stuff, but the audience was a bunch of drunks who wouldn't shut up.

If you're at a concert, you should be there to listen to the music; if you're going to talk, just get out--the door was like five steps away.

But these guys were definitely the best.

The TD venue had some weird chairs. Including a giant dodgeball.

The second band was pretty good, but I could have done without the Christopher Reeve joke.

...as well as the aimless between-song chatter student bands are contractually obligated to make.

I met the guy at right in Japan and had no idea he was in Rifle! Pretty neat.

I really tried to like the band, but I just couldn't get into it and left early.

They sound-checked a Weezer song, so I may have missed out, but I mean, they just blasted their music, the room was tiny to start with, and my sketches weren't coming out too nice anyway.

At left is an audience member who has got the exact hairstyle I've been trying to capture for some time now.

So on the way back from TD, I stopped by the 90s music dance party.

They'd finished all the good tunes already.

Last year's was ridiculous.

Reminded me of Freshman Year.

Reuxben

Fun_GreatRichardAffair

I went to a great rock show this past Sunday night, these are my sketches.

The show featured pretty much my top three favorite "Neat Yale Things" (on the left bar). These are, of course:

Great Caesar and the GoGetters
Richard Miron
The Sandy Gill Affair
As well as a band called Suitcase of Keys. They've got a really great song called "Fallen Leaves." The only downside to the lineup was that Great Caesar was short several GoGetters...

So it's always great whenever these guys perform but for once the audience is actually worth mentioning: the audience was one of the RUDEST groups of people ever assembled.

They seriously would not shut up! It's not like these were strangers on stage; these were people most in attendance knew somehow--why would you disrespect them by treating them like elevator music?

Completely unbelievable.

But in any case...I did sketch some of the nicer audience members, and even met someone who likes my artwork, which is always nice.

This girl had an interesting hat and bright red pants.

The first sketch was a girl in this cool flannel get-up with a beanie brooch or something.

The second sketch features a girl with an incredibly fluffy hood. It was huge.

Sidenote: man, The Sandy Gill Affair has some serious toe-tappers.

This is Mr. Miron, who weaved through the crowd before and after his set. I strained to hear him most of all because people just would not shut up. So frustrating.

He's playing a show in February, and I hope to make it over, so I can actually hear him this time, and maybe get a better sketch.

Although he did play THIS, which made my day!

The violinist was great, too, of course.

In conclusion, here's a Work-in-Progress of a drawing I've been working on. This fellow wasn't at the show, but he is the subject of my very first drawing of 2009, started on the 1st, and very near completion now.

Clue: it's terribly awkward whenever he's around, no fault of his, of course.*

*Technically, this means it could be anyone...even me.

Reuxben

Fun_SixInJapanese

Continuing a veritable Rocktober, Sunday's Yale-A-Palooza yielded an incredible array of talented Yalies. The standout was without a doubt one Richard Miron. He sounds incredible live, like a youthful Death Cab for Cutie, packing a 90s nostalgia because of how closely he sounds like this guy. Everything's alright when he hits the mic.

Unfortunately, I missed most of the festival because I went apple-picking again this year, whose rain date landed right on the festival. I can't say those delicious apple donuts were worth it; I missed a bunch of bands I really wanted to see and sketch. The apples were huge though.

The day prior, I went to JE's Great Awakening and eagerly scarfed my kabobs and Klondike bar so I could sketch. This is the lead singer of Great Caesar and the Go Getters. Unfortunately it was only him and the saxophonist, but it was still a fine show.

The Sandy Gill Affair followed, but fell victim to its common curse: bad audio. The lead singer couldn't be heard, his accompanying vocalist blared, and none blasted louder than the piano. I really wish they had checked their sound better. Problems with audio killed them at Battle of the Bands last year, and allowed a mistake like the Laura Z. band to win.

You could be the greatest band on campus, but if no one can hear you, that's it.

Reuxben