Drawings by Dave

Missy Higgins Poster

2011-08-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

A poster I did awhile back for Missy Higgins, Justin Nozuka and Lenka at the Orpheum in Los Angeles. Great concert.

What Can't Adam Carolla Complain About by Dave James

2011-04-28T04:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a poster I did for Adam Carolla. The theme is from his popular bit, What Can't Adam Complain About. I got him to sign a copy at a recent book signing. His book, In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks, can be purchased at Amazon.

Adam Carolla Caricature

2010-08-22T10:18:00.001-07:00

Messing around in Photoshop and had some fun working on this caricature of Adam Carolla. Check out his AWESOME daily podcast here or on iTunes or get the free smart phone app from Stitcher.

Tower of Power and Average White Band

2009-12-19T16:59:00.000-08:00

Latest poster I did for Goldenvoice. I've been wanting a looser style and feel I made some inroads with this poster.

Lenka Poster Hotel Cafe

2009-10-03T21:26:00.001-07:00

Cranked this poster out for one of my favorite singers, Lenka. She posted it on her MySpace page. That was nice of her. You've got to see her in concert. She is soooo much fun.

More sketches!

2009-07-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

Scary Shriner

2009-07-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

Was doodling the other day. Came up with this Scary Shriner dude.

Traditional Watercolor? Nope, it's COREL PAINTER 11

2009-05-12T19:45:00.000-07:00

I took an old sketch of mine and started messing around in COREL PAINTER 11. I purchased the program and promised myself I would learn it. So far, without knowing squat about what I am doing, I think it looks pretty good. I want to add some more texture to the tree trunk. I look forward to learning PAINTER.

Missy Higgins

2009-04-29T18:44:00.001-07:00

I did the gig poster for the Missy Higgins, Justin Nozuka and Lenka concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles a few weeks back. I got to meet Missy. She was very gracious to take a photo with me. Yes, she is even MORE pretty in person. Treat yourself and give a listen to Missy's music. Check out Justin Nozuka and Lenka's music as well. All three are the most talented singer/songwriters I've heard in a long time.

Children's Book Color Studies

2009-01-14T20:20:00.000-08:00

Here are a few color studies for my children's book.

Missy Higgins Art

2009-01-14T19:50:00.000-08:00

I met Missy when she did a radio station gig for a handful of folks that were lucky to win some seats. I was an awesome solo concert. Later we got to meet her and ask questions. She is the best singer/songwriter today!

Tom Waits Poster

2009-01-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

Tickles!

2008-12-18T12:38:00.001-08:00

Sketches from Jury Duty

2008-09-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Loungers

2008-08-18T19:08:00.000-07:00

I'm going to color this sketch soon.

ipodyssey

2008-05-27T12:50:00.001-07:00

Just about done with this t-shirt design.

Christmas Cards

2008-05-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

Tree Fort

2008-05-20T10:56:00.001-07:00

Sketch for a children's book idea.

Apple or Blackberry?

2008-05-16T12:54:00.001-07:00

I'm loving the war between the Apple iPhone and the Blackberry. It inspired this cartoon. I was trying to find a way to have the characters eating at a Pinkberry. Couldn't make it work.

Electricity~Illustration Friday

2008-05-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

Seems like that first love/first kiss could solve all the energy problems. A quick sketch for Illustration Friday's theme of "Electricity".

Can you afford an arm and a leg?

2008-05-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

Another fun IDIOM to illustrate was arm and a leg. This was kinda tricky because this could easily become macabre. I decided to use mannequin parts.

Who are the best sports fans?

2008-05-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

The play on words here is fans. The boys are holding paper fans as well as being real fans. Supposed to help kids understand multiple meanings.

Raining Cats and Dogs

2008-05-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is another sketch from the IDIOMS project where I work. I really enjoyed trying to capture the cheesy news reporter. I have a very low regard for local news. They sell fear. Pure and simple. I watched a local news channel here in Los Angeles cover a high speed chase, they (get this now) actually broke for a commercial and came back to the chase. If that is not selling fear and sensationalism I don't know what is.

My comic WORKED mentioned on Comics Coast to Coast Podcast

2008-04-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

The three gents, Justin Thompson, Brian Dunaway and Tom Racine who run Comics Coast to Coast picked WORKED as comic pick of the week in their Episode 39 - The Darrin Bell Interview (Candorville). It was a terrific surprise and I want to thank them for their kind words.

Inking

2008-04-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

I've started inking in the iPodyessy illustration. So far, I'm pretty happy with it. My goal on this piece is to ink like I'm doing a watercolor illustration. In the past, when inking, I was too timid to lay down a lot of black. I've always wanted learn how to ink Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes. Watterson's inking always has this wonderfully, loose watercolor quality. His black in work is so painterly you can imagine the colors in your mind's eye.

ipodyssey

2008-04-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a t-shirt design I'm going to submit soon to Threadless. It just happened to fit perfectly for the latest theme over at Illustration Friday.

I remember the first time I saw 2001: Space Odyssey, I thought it was the coolest and creepiest Sci-fi flick I had ever seen. My name is Dave, and every time HAL (the main computer) would say something like, "Good morning, Dave" or "I'm sorry, I can't do that, Dave" or "What are you doing, Dave?", I got a little creeped out.

Years later, I got my first REAL computer, a Mac. I think it was a Centris 610 with a whopping 80 MB hard drive. Yes, that's correct, 80 megabytes! Anyhoo, there was this great, humorous little sound control panel that would let you assign a sound to any computer operation. Well I downloaded a bunch of those 2001: Space Odyssey sound files (ahhh, good old System 7) and assigned them to all kinds of basic computer functions. When I started the computer it would say, "Good morning, Dave". When I clicked a wrong key I got, "I'm sorry, Dave". When I shut down the computer it said, "Good-bye, Dave". There were others.

I thought this was great…at first. Then not only was it annoying, it was really kinda (you guessed it) creepy.

Get off my back!

2008-04-24T10:04:00.001-07:00

I had a lot of fun with this project creating illustrations for idioms. Here is a color version using Illustrator.

Cheese

2008-04-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Another sketch from the same project.

Tongue Tied

2008-04-22T09:42:00.000-07:00

A sketch for a recent project from my day job.

NEW LINK!

2008-01-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

You may notice a new link in the upper right corner of the blog. It's to my new comic WORKED!

WORKED appears at GoComics in the ComicSherpa area. It's a place for new comic artists to get their work seen.

Please stop by and check it out. There is a link to rate my comic and leave comments. You can sign up at GoComics to have one comic sent to your email free of charge. I hope you select WORKED.

Thanks!

Fanny Pat Gag-#3

2007-11-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

WORKED the comic strip

2007-11-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

Here are two comics from my latest cartoons strip titled, "WORKED". The entire strip is done in Adobe Illustrator CS3. Still in the early stages of character development, but I like the style of the cartoon. It just needs the spit and polish that comes with... well... work.

Kids Reading

2007-09-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Quick sketch for a project at work. I was happy with it.

Micron Pens

2007-08-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

Tried to see if I could get a THICK and THIN look with Micron pens. I think I did. Had to use some pressure, but I think it worked. I'm gonna ink my next strip that way. I like the control with the Microns, not as deep a black as with the dip, quill pens. Hate having to wait for the lines to draw with the dip pens. If I can get the line I want with the Microns, then I may start using them. Is there a PERFECT pen... I dunno. I think it is allusive like the Holy Grail.

Boss Character Design

2007-08-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Trying to come up with a boss character for my NEW strip. I was working on a gag about the boss trying to grow hair with some hair transplants.

Blowin' my own horn again.

2007-08-01T12:12:00.001-07:00

This cartoon won first place over at The Wisenheimer cartoonists forum. The weekly contest is among fellow cartoonists. You can join the group by emailing Ted Goff tedgoff@tedgoff.com

Comic Con 2007 Pics

2007-07-30T19:07:00.001-07:00

I had a GREAT time at the CON this year. It had been several years since I attended. Man has it grown. Next year I'd like to have a table in Artists Alley. Here are just a few pics I took! Enjoy!

Bladerunner characters were everywhere. Apparently there is yet ANOTHER director's cut DVD coming out. (Pssst! I still prefer it WITH the naration)

Evil-lynn from HE-MAN! (as I have been informed by the posts below...okay, okay...I'm a loser!)

This cat character make-up was AWESOME. The detail on the face. Very professional.

Really cool spaceship models. I want all of them.

While I took this pic of DOBBY, a guy had just purchased it for $700. Wow!

My friend Katie McDee with Conan.

My friend Kevin Tong at the Bongo booth.

Matt Groening just happened to be walking by. I shook his hand and said, "I Love the Simpsons!" Am I smooth or what?

Finally, I got to meet the one and only John Nevarez. He remembered who I was, and was very nice and encouraging. Great guy!

Stephen Silver, my other favorite character designer (see John Nevarez above). Stephen may be the nicest guy in the industry and always helpful and encouraging.

Arrrgggh! Some mighty fine pirate costumes ye got thar!

Gigantor takes me out!

Excellent Predator costume!

Doug Sneyd. Perhaps the BEST playboy cartoonist, EVER! The woman in his cartoons are the prettiest and sexiest. His originals go for THOUSANDS!

Tons of Star Wars characters. These were among some of the best.

He-who-must-not-be-named!

Amazing statue at the WETA booth. Up close these are uber-realistic.

TV head dude. I have NO idea what he was promoting. Just looked funny to me.

There are a BUNCH more pictures, but I must get back to my own work, after being so inspired by the CON!

The Cruncher

2007-05-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

Here is another character idea for the Math Masters. This guy is THE CRUNCHER. (number cruncher) This is a real challenge trying to keep these characters young looking...say 13 years-ish. Welcome suggestions.

New character called GEO

2007-05-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

This girl (I might call her Geo) is another Math Master. Maybe she specializes in geometry.

Younger Version!

2007-05-03T11:45:00.001-07:00

Hope she looks younger...more school age...say 13?

Math Masters!

2007-05-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

Here are some character designs I'm doing at work. They are called Math Masters. More characters to come. All character designs are copyright Lakeshore Learning 2007. (legal stuff... covering my tush)

Check out Jonathan Mahood! Great Cartoonist!

2007-03-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

There are so many bad cartoon strips on the web but I found a real gem. I stumble upon this strip called Bleeker: The Rechargable Dog and what a great strip it is. Excellent writing, art and inking. Take a look at more of his strips at this link BLEEKER !

Grrrr!

2007-02-22T19:36:00.000-08:00

This is my Grrrr! face submission to the Drawer Geeks. Check out more Grrr! faces at the Drawer Geeks web page here !

I hate mimes!

2007-02-17T13:08:00.000-08:00

This CoTW is a MIME. Why do we hate mimes? Check out more mimes at the CSLB Character Design Class blog here !

Burglar

2007-02-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

Here is my burglar for Rick Reese's Character Design class at CSLB. Check out MORE burglars at the class blog here !

Lumberjack

2007-02-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

Here is my LUMBERJACK for the character design class that my friend Rick Reese teaches at Cal State Long Beach. Check out the class blog here !

I'm glad this cartoon won first place!

2007-01-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

I've always thought Segways are silly looking. This was my dig at Segways and our culture. As it turns out, people have already been "Pimping" their Segways. Take a look !

Sold another cartoon!

2006-12-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

This was a nice Christmas surprise. I had sent a batch of cartoons to The Saturday Evening Post magazine several months ago. A few days ago I get a check from them and a tear sheet showing the printed cartoon. It appears on page 91 of the Jan./Feb. issue.

I won!

2006-11-30T19:31:00.000-08:00

This cartoon "Night of the Ambiens" won first prize within the cartoon club that I belong call The Wisenheimer. It is a great online forum where catoonists chat and talk about cartoons and other important world events.

So anyhoo. Nice to be recognized.

New Cartoon...Finally!

2006-11-29T21:58:00.000-08:00

Here is a "blue line" as I call them, or "sketch" in any other universe, of my latest cartoon idea.

Looking into new ink and halftone techniques, I will probably end up right back to my usual way of ink and wash. Who knows I may discover something fresh and set the world of cartooning on fire.

Actually, the world of magazine cartooning is on the "Endangered Species" list. So, please, donate when you can and remember, no poaching!

I'm looking into Coquille/Stipple board...yes, I'm that old.

Ad Free

2006-11-23T10:18:00.000-08:00

I've decided to joing the AD FREE blog world again. I apologize for the ugly ads I had on my sidebar. NO more.

Good to be King!

2006-11-23T09:56:00.000-08:00

My friend Jeremy was drawing illustrations for his version of The Emperor's Clothes.

I felt inspired to sketch.

WOO HOO! Sold 2 cartoons!

2006-11-18T21:11:00.000-08:00

I'm excited. I sold 2 cartoons to a "men's" magazine. (wink, wink...nudge, nudge...know what I mean)

I hope to post them here after they run.

(whew!)

My NEW Website (almost)

2006-11-05T22:26:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I'm in the middle of updating my website here.

I want to have it focus on my new cartooning adventure.

The only buttons that work for now are the "Adult" and the "General". Here you can see some of my latest cartoons. I'm going to try and sell some of these, but I haven't worked out the pricing structure yet.

Anyway, let me know what you think! Please!

Dave

Great cartoonist!

2006-10-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

Tim Harries is an awesome cartoonist. Very prolific...well a Gag-A-Day as his blog is titled. Just added a link to his site.
Tim Harries—A Gag A Day

Put the mouse down and step away from the computer!

2006-10-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Here is another take on the blog craze.

Another New Yorker Reject

2006-10-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well sent out a LOT of cartoons to The New Yorker. Wow, tough nut to crack. I've been giving them my A material, too. Not my cheezy, banquet material, but the "good stuff". (note to self: get funnier)

This one in particular I felt captured the "blog craze". I still have hopes to sell these to other markets. We'll see.

More Tom Thumbs

2006-10-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

I posted a color one below. Here are a few more black and white.

Tom Thumbs—Color

2006-10-16T22:04:00.000-07:00

Some OLD cartoon Strips

2006-08-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

I've decided I had better not post NEW cartoons since I'm trying to sell them to magazines...a legal thing.

So I've decided to post some OLD cartoons.

TOM THUMBS is a cartoon strip I tried to get syndicated a few years back. I wanted to create a "Ziggy" like character that had a tough time getting through life but kept on pluggin'. I wanted him to live in a world where anything could happen. Like in the cartoon shown above; he takes a "normal" elevator ride, but ends up on the bridge of the Enterprise.

I recieved a few postive comments from the syndicates, but alas, no takers.

Anyhoo, I've posted a few now and more later...in color even.

Remember all images are © Dave James. All rights reserved. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Lunch Lady

2006-08-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

The sketch theme this week is Lunch Lady. She's like 60 years old tryin' to look 18.

Continental Guy

2006-07-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is my result for the sketch theme "Continental Guy". Check the sites of Adrien, Jeremy and Katie for their versions soon!

Body Slam!

2006-06-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

The latest drawing challenge is "Wrestler". I was trying to think of that wrestler from that great bugs bunny cartoon...The Crusher.

I'm still here!

2006-04-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

Please excuse my lapse in posting lately. I'm re-thinking some of my "second" career plans.

I had some success in the '80's with magazine cartooning and I'm thinking about giving it another shot. I have a day job that I like and keeps me secure, but doesn't challange my artistic abilities as much as I would like sometimes.

So, magazine cartooning will help me by providing an additional creative outlet, and writing the gags will give me a voice and maybe keep me smiling.

I hope to post some of the cartoons soon.

Dave

Just one more pin!

2006-04-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

This is my result for the latest drawing theme "Bowling" my friend Jeremy and I came up with. A VERY talented friend and colleague Leona Jaeger has joined the fray. Check out her BOWLING sketch and more at her new blog www.fancysquiggles.blogspot.com

Bank Manager

2006-03-26T21:41:00.000-08:00

I was doodling the other day (and we all know how embarassing THAT is) and this guy popped out. He looks like a bank manager to me. His clothes would smell like musty money.

All That Jazz

2006-03-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

I was in a restaurant Friday and there was this jazz trio. It felt awkward to sit and sketch right in front of them, so I drew from memory. These guys were a caricaturist's dream. Actually, the guitar player had this incredible explosion of hair draping all over him and his guitar. Definitely a Pat Metheny fan...or his twin brother. I was gonna draw him that way but I had a cramped piece of paper and I didn't want to cover his guitar.

Angry Young Man

2006-03-11T15:33:00.000-08:00

I got out the acrylics and the color pencils. Working on some coloring techniques.

Hoo-hoo!

2006-03-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

A quick owl illustration I did for work today. The color was done in Adobe Illustrator 10 using a Wacom tablet.

Emotions Practice

2006-03-05T19:33:00.000-08:00

Did a quick emotions study. Going from left to right; bored, glee, guilt and embarrassed.

Random Dudes

2006-02-28T21:40:00.000-08:00

I was messin' around with an Extra Fine Sharpie. I've been so inspired by the wonderful character sketches I've seen on so many talented artist's blogs. I love this blogging thing and it is SO cool to feel like I'm connecting to artists from all over the world.

Animal crackers...I mean characters.

2006-02-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

Toddler Corrections

2006-02-15T16:56:00.000-08:00

I moved her eyes closer together and made the mouth smaller with less teeth. The funny thing is they may go with a creature instead, like a Guinea Pig or Hamster which would be fun to sketch.

Character Sketches

2006-02-14T16:35:00.000-08:00

These are for a project at work. They wanted a "toddler" and my first attempt was more like 7 to 10 years. I'm happy with the second try. She still looks a little old though. What can I do to make her a bit younger? Say about 3 to 4 years old.

Mad Boys

2006-02-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

Here are a few sketches of some boys reacting to their tree fort being taken over by girls. I'm having fun drawing their expressions. It's tough, but fun.

Tree House

2006-01-30T15:10:00.000-08:00

I finally started the Tree Fort drawing I've been wanting to do. The title will be called THE SIEGE. 3 Girls will have taken over the tree fort from the boys and even started to paint it PINK. Well the look on the boys faces is what I'm gonna work on next.

Shed Logo

2006-01-28T19:18:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a logo for a friend of mine. He wanted me to draw a tool shed. I am so inspired my Hans Ranun's work that I studied how he gets that fun, animation look to his buildings. I think I came close but I'm no Hans. Check out his blog at: http://hansranum.blogspot.com/

Dave

Dragon

2006-01-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

This is a dragon sketch for a freelance puzzle. The puzzles are very simple and for the very young so this drawing probably has too much detail...but I was having fun.

Cat in Color

2006-01-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

...and here is the Cat in color from the sketch below.

Pig In Living Color

2006-01-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

Donkey Colored

2006-01-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

Colored the Donkey sketch using Adobe Illustrator and a Wacom tablet to get the thick and thin lines.

Some animal sketches from work!

2006-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

I won Honarable Mention...Woo Hoo!

2006-01-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

The Santa Dragster illustration won Honorable Mention at SCBWI. (Society For Children's Book Authors and Illustrators)

The monthly contest is available to members and non-members.

Check it out at: http://scbwi.org/

Santa Dragster Finished

2005-12-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

Whew! Just made the deadline for the SCBWI contest. This month's them was Santa Who? Illustrate Santa as you have never seen him or her before. SCBWI is the Society For Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. The monthly illustration contests are open to members and non-members. It's fun and it helps keep me motivated to complete new illustrations.

Santa in Drag!

2005-12-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

Now I just have to color it. (whew!)

Old Sketch I Want to Color

2005-12-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Couple of Characters

2005-12-12T14:44:00.000-08:00

Not sure what I'm going to do with these.

More Santa Stuff

2005-12-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a Santa Drawing for a SCBWI contest. Hope I finish it on time. Here are a couple of sketches working towards that.

Santa in his off days!

2005-12-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

A couple of Santas!

2005-12-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

Plush Alligators!

2005-11-30T21:56:00.000-08:00

A couple of designs for a plush alligator toy.

Old People—New Technology

2005-11-20T09:18:00.000-08:00

This is my take on this weeks topic.

Messin' 'round

2005-11-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

Was messin' around with a scrap piece-o-paper and some colored pencil.

Stressed Out!-Finished Color

2005-11-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally finished it. Feels good. Can't wait to start the next one.

Stressed Out! (in progress)

2005-11-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

I've been trying out colored pencils and I really like them. I used to use them years ago. Wonder why I stopped? Anyway, no mixing of paints, you get the exact color you want. I'm gonna try a few illos using these suckers.

Dave

Bar Dudes

2005-09-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

I was having a "quick sip" as they say with my friend Jeremy. There was no one at the bar that night very interesting so I invented these guys.

More kids!

2005-09-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some more kids.

Mad!

2005-09-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

This kid just realized his tree-fort was taken over by GIRLS!

Kids!

2005-09-15T13:36:00.000-07:00

A few ball point pen sketches of kids. I like the pen to sketch with but I want to get back to the old pencil someday. For great pencil sketches check out http://john-nevarez.blogspot.com/

Odd Couple

2005-08-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

The challenge here was to show two people you don't normally see together. So, I was thinking a librarian and a biker.