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Internet writing

Character Names

I’m switching gears this week. I’m writing a book, and I want to devote my time to that instead of single panel comics.

This morning, I set up a character sheet for my main character. I had been writing about him in my sketchbook and it was time to make something more official.

I already knew the first name of the character, but how do you find a last name? One source I found is a web site called The Name Generator. It’s a good place to brainstorm. They even have an iPhone version. It’s not an app, but a stripped down version of the site.

One thing I like about it is it makes some unusual names. I can change the spelling if I wish, and immediately have a unique name that may allude to the character’s personality.

I’ll continue to update you on my progress and the tools I use.

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cartoon color pencil Greeting Card Handmade illustration

Greeting Card: Happy Birthday, Braxton!

Birthday Card

Our neighbor’s son had his first year birthday. My wife asked me to make a card for him. I drew this in Micron Pens and Prismacolor Pencils on Strathmore Drawing Cards stock.

I picked up the stock at Hobby Lobby the other day. The paper companies are making it very easy to make your own cards now.

I could have drawn it on the computer in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. After all, I did that the other day at work. But once in a while, it just feels good to feel the paper and work with the texture and get a little loose.

One thing I like about this stock is it’s too thick to use on my light table. I couldn’t sketch out my idea on a separate piece of paper and trace it. Instead, I sketched it in pencil, then erased before I began inking. I wanted the pencil to be just visible enough so I could use it as a guide.

Happy birthday, Braxton! And may you have many more to come!

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Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons gag cartoon single panel cartoon webcomic

Open Opinions

Cartoon of two girls

Cartoon of two girls. One says, “I am open to any opinions that agree with mine.”

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Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons gag cartoon single panel cartoon webcomic

Hairy Creativity

Cartoon of girl with wild hairCartoon of a girl with wild hair. She says, “I choose to express myself through my hair.”

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Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons gag cartoon Health Cartoons single panel cartoon webcomic

Medical Adventure

Cartoon of a boy in the hospitalCartoon of an injured boy in the hospital. He says to another boy, “Why is it whenever you have a taste for adventure, I end up in the emergency room?”