A bit too quiet!

Hi guys, sorry it's been a bit quiet on here recently. Basically I've been pitching a few ideas here and there and trying out a few new artistic mediums. Should have a couple of pieces finished to put up on here soon.

I'm trying out digital painting using my Wacom bamboo tablet, I'm really pleased with the results. I don't often paint, let alone digitally but it's something I've wanted to try for a while.

I returned to the hobby of painting war gaming miniatures after a break of probably 15 years! Blimey time flies. So loving that too. I hope to have some photos taken of some of my models to put on here.

The Dandy comic is being bombarded with ideas for silly comics, I'm hoping one will hit the target soon. If you have enjoyed either Daredevil Dad or Sea Dogs then please let the folks at the Dandy know, and who knows they may return. Here's some links:

Dandy website: dandy.com
Dandy facebook:TheDandyComic
Dandy twitter: @DandyComic

If you want to follow me on twitter hit @sjbeckettdesign

I've had two weeks with no paying work and going into a third! Things are getting a bit nerve wracking. But hey I've been in this position a few times before and things usually work themselves out. We have these quiet times for a reason. Sometimes it's good to reflect and maybe be pushed to step things up a gear, which is what I certainly intend to do. Before Daredevil Dad got picked up by the Dandy last year, I had never actually written a comic! I had drawn loads but always worked with a writing partner. I've now written 22 published comic strips and I think I've convinced myself I can write... a bit.

I just want to say I seriously urge you to support all your favourite artists. Buy the comics, make known your likes and dislikes and let the editors know. It really does make a difference.

I'd love to hear your comments. Cheers!

Aaaarrrghh.. FACEBOOK

Ok I've gone and done it, I've joined Facebook. Sorry.

Come and say hi.

Cheers

Steve

The Best Drawer in the World!

I had a fun afternoon yesterday. Myself and colleague Simon Cross was holding a figure drawing and character design workshop at the Ropewalk in Barton with a great class of 9 and 10 year olds.

We had some great ideas generated ranging from shape shifting killer robots to eco friendly plant pot girls. But the highlight for me was a comment from one boy who quietly said to me....

"Wow your the best drawer in the world!"... then he paused and said " Well the second best". He paused again and said, " No.. you are the best drawer in the world".

Most amusing!

Max Missions

OK so I'm now going to try and follow up my first General Jumbo strip with a new pitch to try and see if the Beano are willing to revive the character in either the weekly comic or the monthly Beano Max. I think with the recent track record these adventure style characters have had in the weekly comic's past I may have my work cut out for me with this pitch.

I'm also writing the strips myself which is a departure for me, but somehow it's seems to be working out?

I'm trying to keep these short and get a bit of humour in them so they sit nicely alongside the regular stuff.

Here are some pencils for this tryout.

Enjoy, more soon....

Destination Dinchester

What amazed me was the response I got from the Billy the Cat samples I sent.

The next afternoon I received a reply from the Beano ed. He liked the samples very much and offered me the chance of a slot in the Beano Annual 2011.

Awesome!! and even more awesome was the character I was given to work with...

General Jumbo. The school boy in charge of his very own remote controlled toy army. (Whoops, I shouldn't refer to them as toys.)

All this from my first proper pitch to an established title. Now it's been a long time in the making and I've spent years working towards this moment by creating my own comics and self publishing. I was overjoyed!

So to work. At that stage nothing was certain. There was a possibility Jumbo may not make it in the book at all due to restrictions on space. However I was up for the fight!

I've posted below a few of the sketches I sent through to try and win the editor over.

Enjoy.