Sleepwalking Ducks: Society's Greatest Threat

Today we dive back into the world of Disney, particularly into the life of the perennially unlucky superstar, Donald Duck. This time he's sleepwalking, all the while his nephews have to deal with the aftermath.

The artist this time is Riley Thompson (10/5/1912 - 01/26/1960). Born in Alhambra, California, he started as an animator at the Leon Schlesinger studio, working on Porky Pig and Merrie Melodies shorts. In 1936, he went to the Walt Disney Studios to work as an animator on various shorts and on Fantasia.

In 1940, he was promoted to director and for the next 10 years, he directed various Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy cartoons. His filmography includes one of my favorite Mickey cartoons, Symphony Hour.

During the fifties, he did a lot of comic book work, mostly for Disney and Walter Lantz titles. For a short time, he was an animator for the Walter Lantz studio. That was his final job for animation, as he died in 1960 for reasons that I don't know.

Thompson has a very interesting drawing style. It's much cartoonier than his colleagues, and more or reflects the squash and stretch effect of animation. I will have more of his work up soon. Enjoy.

From WDC&S Issue No. 123

Writing: Unknown /Art: Riley Thompson

Until Next Time
Happy Trails

T.S. Sullivant: Granddaddy of Cartoonists

Today kiddies, I bring to you the work of a master cartoonist. It's T.S. Sullivant. There's not much I can say about him that has already been said. He was a highly popular and influential cartoonist in the early years of the 20th century. His influence can be felt in many cartoons, particularly those of the Disney studio.

Here are some samples of his work, done for Judge in the early 1920s. I got these from a book called Cartoons of the Roaring Twenties by R.C. Harvey.

Enjoy.











Until Next Time
Happy Trails

Louis Marak and Great American Wit

Here today, I bring to you the artwork of a unknown cartoonist. His name is Louis Marak.

I tried looking up who he was. The closest I got was a ceramics professor at Humboldt University. If anybody has any information on this guy, please let me know.

I love his artwork. He seems to draw in a Paul Coker-like style. That seemed to have been pretty popular style in the 1960s and 70s.

*Update: I have just received word that the artist in question is Louis B. Marak, a successful Hallmarks and studio artist. He is a cousin of the ceramics professor, who is named Louis B. Marak. Please thank Barton, Marak's stepson, for sharing this information. He also says that Mr. Marak is alive and still creating art. Tell him thanks from us.

Enjoy.

This is my favorite. This is a good way to design more realistic human characters. I would see an animated if the characters were this appealing.

Until Next Time

Happy Trails

A Sample Of My Work

Today I am here to show you lucky viewers samples of my own work. These pieces are from my life drawing class.

The reason I show these is for some honest criticism on how I can improve my draftsmanship. I've been looking over at David Apatoff's Illustration blog. On his most recent post on George Bridgman's life-drawing class, he talks of today being a time of false praise. As an aspiring artist, I do not want that. I want plain honest criticism, pointing out my flaws as well as strengths, so that I know where I stand.

So to all of you true artists out there, I leave these before you to judge and give me criticism. It will hurt my ego, but it will be for the best.

To start off, here are some 2-5 minute gesture drawings

These are my class-long drawings

This is my two-day drawing. Our final in-class assignment.

I hope you found something you liked.

Until Next Time

The Magical Illustrations of The Rubayyat

The Rubayyat by Omar Khayam is a wonderful piece of Arabic literature (as well as the inspiration for a hilarious Rocky and Bullwinkle story). As I read it, I find its beautiful poetry to still be able to speak volumes, even in this, our modern world. It goes to show that the more things change, the more things stay the same.

I feel that such beautiful writing should be accompanied by art that is equally as beautiful. And that Is what we get here. Omar Khayyam is joined by the extremely talented illustrator Joseph Isom. So far, these are the only illustrations I know of that he did. I have no background information on him.

Does David Apatoff have any information on him? David is the curator of the Illustration Art blog here.

Such a strong sense of composition and design. Everything is staged so clearly that even at a small size, you know exactly what is happening in the painting.

This is one of my favorites. Oh, who am I kidding? I can't choose a favorite.

Another aspect of his talent that floors me is how each piece has a different color scheme, each suggesting a different mood and atmosphere.

My god, these are beautiful!! I must bow to his talents!! I can only dream to have his talent.

Until Next Time
Happy Trails

Whose Tarzan is the True King of the Jungle?

Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs (9/1/1875 - 3/19/1950) has been adapted into many media, but we're here to talk about the comics version.

The Tarzan comic strip debuted on January 7, 1929, drawn by Hal Foster, future creator of the long-lasting adventure classic, Prince Valiant. After him came a legendary run by renowned comics artist Burne Hogarth, and many others.

So now here's the question. Whose Tarzan reigns supreme?

Hal Foster

Or

Burne Hogarth

You decide!!!

Until Next Time

Beware The Ogrons

A little change of pace for Comics Corner this time. It's not Disney. This time we're dealing in science-fiction. A cautionary tale from our favorite Time Lord. Heed his words, oh children of the Earth!!

Warlord of the Ogrons (Doctor Who Issue No. 5)

Writing: Steve Moore Art: Steve Dillon

Until Next Time

Happy Trails

Don't let the Daleks get you!!