HA! Thought I wasn’t going to have anything to post this week, didn’t you? Well I showed you! I got out… something.

It should be noted that the past couple of watercolor pieces were done using a Yasutomo Waterbrush that has a water reservoir built into the handle so you don’t need to carry water with you when you want to do some watercoloring outside.

Pretty cool device if you ask me. Takes a little while to figure out how to use, but really helpful. For more impressive results with the brush, check out Gabi Campanario’s sketch blog. Gabi’s a Seattle Times illustrator who compelled me to pick up a waterbrush during the last Sketchcrawl I went on.

IN OTHER NEWS! WallBlank, purveyors of finely-crafted stuff for your walls, have opened up their vaults this week in celebration of being around one year and are once again selling MY PRINT along with many other quality pieces of art by quality artists (such as Zach Bulick’s awesome awesome prints). If you missed your opportunity to pick up “La Marioneta” last time it was available, consider this a fortunate second chance – there may not be a third (probably there will be, but look, just buy it now, ‘kay?). By the way, the quality is REALLY high on these things, I was totally impressed to see how my print came out; you will not be disappointed!

[NOTE: The text to follow has been translated from the original Japanese via Babelfish]

Therefore, some time ago that my friend Mathew’s Was; The birthday of him. He me and in order to connect him and the large group of that friend at this really splendid restaurant, invited my wife. And as for me evening’s You thought that the card we would like to draw him before, it had; Even unfortunately the meal of him, but my hand could carpal tunnel syndrome and to disabled. With that, advances several months, my hand still doesn’ Hurting, still Mathew; There is sketch of birthday in still none. Therefore, pain it is not absurd for the or more of this to wait, Mathew and here’s Happiness, which lately desires birthday largely!

[End translation]

CONTEST WINNER!

Two weeks ago I asked you to come up with the puuuuuuuurrfect, er, doggone best name for the puppy whose drawing I’d posted. At the time, I failed to state how long it would take me to decide the winning answer. Well, let me tell you now: the contest will be concluded as soon as I finish typing this sentence I am typing right now on my computer keyboard DING! TIME’S UP! The correct answer, was Snickers! Snickers the puppy. No one said Snickers? C’mon, get with the program people, he’s obviously a Snickers!

Well, since nobody said Snickers, I’ll give THE GRAND PRIZE, an autographed copy of the terrible “Hansel and Gretel” comic I drew, to the runner-up. And the winner is… it’s a tie!

Chernobyl & Pope Pius XIII, submitted by Katherine and James Moes (respectively)! On odd-numbered days, the puppy is Chernobyl, on even-numbered days, Pope Pius XIII. On even-numbered days, you may also refer to him by his nickname, Little Popey Poopers. Since there was only one grand prize, I’m afraid Katherine and James that you’ll have to share the spoils. Luckily enough, you two also share an apartment, so I don’t see this as an issue.

Thank you VERY VERY MUCH for all your entries, they were all great! I’m very lucky to have as creative a reading public as I do!

OH, and I should point out, the above image was HEAVILY influenced by the work of 64 Colors. I recommend visiting their site and picking up a print, they’re AWESOME.

Here he is, folks, the winner of the first Contestaroo: Chris “Lopez” Lopez, host of the podcast Classic Rock Liberation and all-around good buddy. We brainstormed a bit after he won and decided to make his illustration broadcast-related so he can use it on his site. And what could be more broadcasty than an LP sticker of Lopez DJing into an old-timey mic? NOTHING, except maybe if the podcast was named Edward R. Murrow Liberation or something.

Anywho, if you’re into classic rock at all, I’d recommend taking a listen his podcasts. They’re well produced and feature a lot of bands you’d probably never heard of, along with historical contextualizing of bands we’re all familiar with. Good stuff!

And speaking of flammable McCain supporters, my friends Jonathan and Krista were recently wed in Kelowna, BC, a beautiful town at the heart of the BC wine industry and home to Lord Chumley’s Seafood Restaurant (true fact!). My wife and I, together with a few friends, decided to turn the trip into a camping excursion, which was loads of fun once I muscled past my minor camping anxiety that – since I was asked to MC the event – was compounded by performance anxiety, and further exacerbated by my ever-present anxiety about existence in general. Along with me on this trip I brought a sketchbook I’ve dedicated to immortalizing precious moments, images from which I will now share.

Enjoy!

And mark this date: today’s the first time a Monday Sketcharoo features actual sketches!

*No, really I am only kidding. But please, I beg you, don’t vote for McCain.

Anyway, today I’d like to introduce you all to my best friend Brian’s latest infuriatingly terrific accomplishment: “Brian and John“! “Brian and John” is one of those quirky webcomics whose comedy engine is fueled by the true-to-life, whimsical observations of the strip’s two real-life protagonists. And then adds dinosaurs, robots and shotguns. So it’s kind of like “Cathy,” only with dinosaurs, robots and shotguns. And humor. Here’s the latest strip:

It’s updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and since you surely have better things to do with your brain then remember to check their actual site three times a week, just add it to your Google Reader and be done with it.

As for me, I’ve been doing a lot of fun illustrations for Her Interactive, exactly ZERO of which I’m allow to show you until the new Nancy Drew PC game is out in October. So, to justify this blog’s continued existence, I’ve been considering starting to post a new sketch every week. These would be half-finished pencil renderings, drawings done in a style I don’t usually work in, quickie watercolors, etc… basically a grab bag from my sketchbooks with the occasionally commentary. I dunno, how would that sound to you guys? If I could get… let’s say FIVE non-wife readers of this blog to support that, I’ll start doing it. Just lay done yer thoughts in the comments section.

Okay! That’s all from me.