Eat that turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving from a bunch of rowdy 5th graders. Eat, be merry, be thankful, & hopefully your mean doesn't end in a crazy food fight. Don't just stare at that turkey like the picture above, eat it!

Glad that's done

'Badger, Badger' was finally listed on lulu.com this past week. I'm extremely happy because 1st of all the process to get the book up on the site was terrible. My internet signal was lost multiple times, I had to change the back cover of the book, then there were some other trouble shooting problems. 2nd, this work done on this book has been very time consuming, & the idea that I am officially done working on it, well for now anyway, is a great load off of my back. 3rd, this gives me time to focus on the 3rd installment of Grade 5 and time to work on the plan I have for the series. 


I don't want to take anything away from my work on Badger, Badger, because it was a fun experience. This was the 1st children's picture book that I've ever written, but my ultimate goal is & will always be to get Grade 5 published. And hopefully Badger, Badger can help aid  that goal in one way or another.


  Link to purchase 'Badger, Badger' on lulu.com

Another sneak peak

Now that you've seen the cover, here are some interiors. I will be making a push to get this bad boy on lulu.com for purchase shortly before the holiday season kicks into full gear. I currently have hard copies that I've had printed at my local print shop, shout out to 'Clark Graphics' for doing an excellent job. So hopefully in the near future there will be updates related to Badger, Badger being available for purchase online.

'Badger, Badger' is done!

The children's picture book I've been working on titled 'Badger, Badger' (above) is finally done. I went to the print shop today to approve the proof for the book. It was pretty awesome to actually hold the book in my hands. What a great way to start the end of a very tiresome week. And the most exciting part... I'll get to pick up copies of Badger, Badger tomorrow! This will be just in time for the 'My City, My Biz' expo, in which I will be selling the books at on Saturday. Behave Like a Kid! 

The Children's Book

Over the course of this month, I have been getting a lot of work done on the children's picture book. Here's a snippet. The book will possibly be named 'Badger, Badger' or 'Help Me Out.' This project has honestly been different from anything I've done for Grade 5, & I'm pretty happy about that.


With all that's been going on, being exhausted mentally & physically due to my current job situation, my mom being in the hospital for several days due to the discover she has diabetes, & I think I'm getting sick on top of that, it's great to have a creative outlet. I think this book is just what I needed.


It's simple, yet it's challenging in a way that Grade 5 isn't. When working on a book that has so few words & one illustration per page, those words & illustrations become so much more important unlike the hundreds of illustrations & words that go into a Grade 5 comic. And there's much more to come. 

Go For It

Over the course of this month, I've been debating if creating a children's picture book would be a good idea for my career. I'm being forced to make one for a college course anyways, so I figured why not take advantage of an opportunity & just--- go for it. 


Well, 1st of all devoting time to create a children's book would not only take time away from my Grade 5 work, & my personal life, it would be a much different experience for me from a creative view point. And honestly, that's kind of scary. That means a ton of research in checking out the market, reading about how to write & illustrate for a younger audience. But then again---


I teach pre-school. I'm around that younger audience five days a week. I've read dozens upon dozens of children's books, & good ones at that. 


After changing my story concept, & re-working a few things, I believe that I have a good project on my hands. I plan to share that project & the process it takes to complete it here on this blog. This is an excellent opportunity for me to try to expand upon what I'm already doing in creating stories for children. It's just that the children I'm creating this book for are a whole different kind  of animal, you know. The kind that pee on themselves.

A Review Came In

Issue #2 received a review yesterday. And It was a very solid review. I really appreciated the words of the columnist. It gives me an opportunity to look at my comic through some one else's eyes, & get a different perspective, especially since issue #2 has been out for some month's now. 


One thing Greg wrote about was the way the characters spoke in the comic. "The biggest problem with the writing is that the kids don’t necessarily sound like fifth- and fourth-graders. Crayton makes them far wittier than I think they should be, and they make several cultural references that I don’t think they would make---When he has them make dumber jokes – they wonder if their teacher got dressed in the dark – it feels “righter,” because kids like silly and somewhat cruel things and aren’t as clever as they think they are (actually, that’s true for most people, when you think about it)."


But honestly, writing kids to sound like convincing kids, can be hard while still keeping the the entertainment value high, b/c if they resemble children to closely, an older audience may not want to read them at all. And if there voices aren’t authentic enough, then they don’t sound like children at all, & that defeats the purpose of the book. I will always strive to make the children sound like children. 


And he also talks about the art of the comic. Greg states, "The art is very cartoony, with Crayton giving his characters large, expressive eyes and exaggerated faces. He does an interesting job with the extremes of fifth grade – everything is heightened and intense, much like elementary school itself. The biggest problem with Crayton’s art is that he has a lot of characters in the book, and too often the adults don’t look much different than the kids, so it’s occasionally hard to tell everyone apart. The main characters are strongly defined, but the ancillary characters aren’t as much--- While Crayton’s rough pencil work could use some improvement, he certainly knows how to tell a story, working well within the framework of a traditional comic but knowing when to break out of it as well."


I agree with Greg in that the art is very cartoony. But when I designed the book, I meant it to be similar in art of that to a comic strip, lately the art has developed some Japanese Manga influences, but that has only improved the art work. I will continue to work at the art work from a technical standpoint, but I will not change the style of art. And I will always search for ways to tell a better story, that is always my focus. 


I've read through the review a few times, & I appreciate Greg taking time out of his day to write about my comic. Here it is below :-)

Grade 5 #2 Review by Comics Should Be Good

Possible cover for issue #3

More than likely the final cover for issue #3. Already posted this over on facebook some time back, but some how it didn't makes its way over here on the blog. Well here it is. It's my favorite cover to date. Rightfully so. I had a ton of fun working on this one, & the water color work I did on the cover has inspired me to start work on a children's book also. You know the drill. Behave like a kid!

WHY I DO THIS: because children should enjoy comics.

This article posted by Mike Bullock (link below) is one reason I decided to create a comic series designed for children. Comics are an incredible art form, & a lot time they don't get their due. The medium can be seen as 'geeky' or as one person told me in high school, "why are you reading that? Aren't comics for kids?" 


And because of that stigma, there has been such a push to make comics a serious adult medium. I grew up on comics, & I would like to continue to see children read comics. Its an awesome medium for children, but there needs to be a focus on good creators creating good comics for children. The big players in the industry don't want to devote time creating comics for children. But they should, because you need to always give attention towards a young audience no matter the medium, comics, movies, etc. That helps keep your medium alive, by adding new blood.


And there are new creators creating great  stories for kids, & I want to be a part of that. Who knows, maybe Grade 5 can be mentioned in an article like this. Until then, check out the article link below & behave like a kid!

http://www.brokenfrontier.com/columns/p/detail/comics-dont-like-kids-these-days

WHY I DO THIS: FOR MY FRIENDS

If you would've told the 5th grade version of me, that one of my best friends would have moved to Arizona, one would have been married off & seen very seldom, one would have become a firefighter & due to his schedule, I only see him infrequently, & lastly, that one would have been removed from life almost entirely until recently. I would have told you to shut up & let me play kick ball, because I wouldn't have believed it, especially when I saw these guys every day. Well, at least monday through Friday.


But the reality of it is, friends grow up & create lives for them selves, it doesn't matter if you've known them since 1st grade or not. This is a great thing, but for some one who is very close with his best friends & was used to seeing them every day, its an unpleasant feeling knowing that it will be extremely rare that we will all be in the same place at the same time ever again.


So, when I decided to create 'Grade 5' I knew first & foremost that the series was going to be about my friends. I wanted this to act as tribute to a time when my friends & I could sit across from each other at a lunch table & discuss what we were planning to do during the weekend, instead of texting/ facebooking each other from miles away. 


And even though the characters are at the point where they are taking a life of their own, & sounding less like the friends that I grew up with, this is something that I can always look back on to be remind me of a nostalgic time that I will never get back, but one that I was very blessed to have. Because honestly, not every one has four best friends that they can afford to be stupid with. 


-Jason

Daily Sketch Series Batch #4

This is batch #4. This batch how ever might be my least favorite group of sketches. I was rushed & really wasn't impressed with the work I produced on Sammie's sketch & on 
Dean's sketch. Those sketches don't posses the emotion that I was able to create with Steve's sketch or Trevor's sketch. And Dean's character hasn't been given any time to shine, so I actually had a little trouble figuring out what to do with him. 


But I do feel that I def. captured Mrs. Woemen's character. She's pretty much an angry gargoyle, the stereotypical old teacher that you love to hate. P.S. Mrs. Woemen's character plays a huge role in the events of issue 3. I'll be posting the next batch shortly. Until then, behave like a kid folks.


My favorite sketch in this batch is easily Mrs. Woemen's sketch.

Daily Sketch Series Batch #3

Here's the 3rd batch of drawings! There are still dozens more to post! But it will have to wait until after I get back from the Wisconsin Dells next week. And to be honest this batch of drawings happen to be favorite out of all of them. I really had fun drawing these the most so far. 


Sketch #7 is Trevor, whom is also one of my characters. I try to sneak him in every issue, b/c I think he always have potential give the book a comedic moment. I really tried to nail his creepiness with his quote & that gawd awful face. I knew after the Iggy sketch, Trevor needed to be next. 


Sketch #8 is Shane, the 15 yr old 5th grader. Also one of my favorite characters. And any opportunity I get to put him in a comic, I will do so as long as it helps the story. His quote sums up his character entirely. And I love his wild fro & mustache. 


Sketch #9 is actually my best friend John. But his character is known as 'Johnny Mac' or 'Weezy.' He actually won't make an appearance until issue 4, but when he does, you'll know. I'm extremely excited about the potential of his character. And unlike Tim, the character will be very much like the real person. 


My favorite sketch out of this batch is the Trevor sketch, but it was close.

Daily Sketch Series Batch #2

The 2nd batch of drawings in the Summer Sketch Series. Much more to come. 


Well, here it goes. The 4th sketch, which is based on my character, Jason. A lot of the sketches in the series are goofy, but I knew I wanted my sketch to be a little more series in tone, b/c that is the character. Some thing similar to Charlie Brown, whom I based my character on or maybe even closer to 'Arnold' from Hey Arnold. 


Honestly, the sketch I was probably the most excited to draw was the 5th sketch, 'Steve' sketch. I decided to make his sketch the last of the 5 main characters, because Steve's character is very much the face & identity of the series. I think the series becomes harder to pull off with out him, so I tried to completely show why his character matters. And I believe I captured the spirit of him, & I'm very pleased with what I got. Steve is similar to a 10 yr old version of 'Calvin' from Calvin & Hobbes. 


The 6th sketch is none other than Iggy. She happens to be my favorite female character because she is so awkward. I really love awkward characters, Michael Scott, Charlie from 'Always Sunny.' Although, Iggy really isn't a funny character, I figured her social awkwardness was something people could relate to. So I took a quote for her that best shows that. I figured the adrenaline quote was the best one. 


My favorite out of this batch is the Steve sketch obviously.

Daily sketch series

Well over on facebook, I've started a daily sketch series earlier this month, where I plan to draw a sketch of a character every day & include a quote they say or will say from the comic series. Here are a few that I've posted on facebook so far. There are def more to come! P.S. Its been really hard to draw these with the beastly hot weather we've had in Milwaukee. 


The one thing that I didn't do on facebook was give any commentary about the sketches, & on this blog that is something I will be doing, b/c its nice to review the sketches after I've had some time to sit & look at them.


The 1st sketch I made was the 'Tim' sketch. I wanted to draw Tim's sketch 1st b/c not only did my best friend whom the sketch is based off of get married, I am a huge fan of Tim's character. He is one of my favorites in the comic series. It is a sketch I'm very happy with. That sketch basically sums up who Tim is as a character, but def. not who 'Tim' is as a person, meaning the real Tim. The funny thing about Tim's character is he's based on an extremely small part of the real Tim's personality. 


 All the sketches were created in B&W, but I decided to photoshop them & add some color to help capture the mood of the drawing & text. Honestly I'm also pleased with Dave's sketch & Pete's, which our the 2nd & 3rd sketch in the series. Dave is the vocal leader of the group & Pete is the resident air head, but Pete does have a huge brain, which he gets to flex in issue #3. Upon finishing those sketches, I knew this would be a very funny project to complete.


My favorite out of this batch is the Tim sketch.

Welcome back me!

I've been away for a bit, I got so burned out after finishing issue 2, I decided to take a break from everything pretty much. But now that I'm done with the break, its time to get back to business & I'll be in full swing again with this Grade 5 thing. And to start this beast off, here is the 1st page of issue 3, boi!

Tim & Steve do something they really should not have done! Hint: it has to with the cell phone Steve is holding & his black eye. I got some crazy cool things planned for this issue. I'm talking combine, 'Peanuts, Always Sunny in Philly, & Recess.' And you're about to witness a damn good comic! BEHAVE LIKE A KID!

The print version is now available

I'm gonna keep this short & sweet, because  finally just got the internet back after not having it for weeks, & I'm also exhausted, but the print version of Grade 5 #2 is finally available for purchase, go run & tell ya moms!


Here's a link:
http://www.indyplanet.com/index.php?id=

Digital version lulu.com right now!

It's about time, but the digital version is finally up & running. Hopefully some time in June, the hard copy of issue 2 will be ready also. It took a lot of exhausting work to get to this point, but I'm still not done. Break for the month of June, & in July its on to the next one, the next book that is. 


I can say that I am extremely proud of this comic, the series has grown & developed more than I'd hoped since issue 1, & that gives me so much to be excited about going forward!

WELL ITS CONFIRMED

VIA CBS NEWS: (CBS News)  

The founder and spiritual figurehead for al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, is dead.

Several officials confirmed the report to CBS News, and say that his body is currently in U.S. hands.

CBS News correspondent David Martin reports that bin Laden was killed by forces in Afghanistan.

The long-lost terrorist mastermind had eluded an aggressive hunt by U.S. authorities for nearly ten years since the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, 2001.

I just wanted to post this, so I could know exactly where I was at this moment. This is a tremendous moment, a shot heard round the world.

GO HEAT!

 First of all let me say, that I am not a band wagon Miami Heat fan, I've been a fan ever since Wade was drafted.  I must say, Game 1 baby! The Heat dominated the whole game, shooting outside the arc, playing stellar D, making smart passes, well except for the excessive turn overs. But other than that it was pretty exciting. Game 1 down, got to sneak in a non-Grade 5 related post some times.

Being stupid with friends...

Is one of the most fun things you can do, so I made this little gem up. Thanks for the quote Ralph Emerson. Some of the best moments of my life are the random adventures & dumb moments I have with those guys. Cuz hey, best friends are family that you can choose!

The End?

Well for me at least. Today signaled an end to my crazy hectic drawing schedule. Now I can focus on my crazy car situation, yeah! The drawings for issue 2 are done, this is page 21. The last page, which is page 22 will not be posted. I won't reveal it until the book is printed! Its a secret!

More Drawings! Pages 16-20

Well here is pages 16-20 in order. I have two pages left to draw, &I'm currently working on page 21 tonight. It's pretty exciting & relieving all at the same time. This is the home stretch, oh let's do it.

I forgo how to count

I am currently drawing page 20, but what sucks about that is I thought I was two pages away from being finished. But wait-- reality check, I'm 3 pages away from being done, which kind of sucks for the moral. One page isn't a big deal, but when you're tired, & at the point where you just want to be done, adding an extra page doesn't help.

So here's lettered version of pages 14 & 15. The image on panel 4 happens to be one of my favorite groups shots of the 5 main characters. Hopefully that will cheer me up, once again, oops! I guess I never learned how to count in school! Maybe I should go back to 5th grade.

Got Some New Pages for ya!

Have few new pages thanks to Daniel Chan! Here they are. Pages 11-13. This is where the food fight gets going, this was one of my favorite things to write, and to draw. I believe these are pages are evidence of my growth as a story teller & as a artist in general. I'll have more soon, reals this time. 

Page features the 'graham cracker' slap. Its one of my favorite things ever. And it really happened. This book tends to capture the weirdest moments of my child hood, which is awesome.

The Art Jamboree event

The Art Jamboree event went well & I managed to make some pretty good connections with Art Milwaukee, which is a pretty cool organization that promotes local artist. Check out the their site, they are doing some pretty cool things. 


www.artmilwaukee.com

I also did an event with them in Wauwatosa this past Saturday & the benefits went towards Children's Hospital. Here are a few pictures from those events. 


Pic #1 is a picture of two of my best friends & me during the Art Milwaukee event. Those guys also happen to be two of the main characters in the book. The other two pictures are of the event on Saturday. The Brewers hot dog made a pretty cool picture & I'm pretty sure those girls were scared of the that storm trooper that walked up to the Art Milwaukee tent.

Excitement!

Just sent over some more files to Daniel Chan to get lettered, pages 11-15 to be exact. I'm pretty sure, I'll be sending over the rest of issue 2 to be lettered by next week. And the Art Jamboree event is on Thursday, pretty exciting stuff. 


I'm obviously really excited, & one part of me is kind of nervous, I've never done anything like this before. But it is an excellent opportunity, & I've worked really hard for this. This is my time to start something pretty cool. So let's do it!

Way too busy!

I've been so busy getting pages done & getting stuff ready for the art jamoree that I am flat out exhausted. But the WI weather set the tone today, it was gloomy, it hailed, & it rained. So honestly, the only thing there was for me to do was draw. I'm beat, I'm inching closer to a well deserved break from drawing, & a the Art Jamboree this Thursday. I'm so pumped. 


By the way, this is the actual print i'll be selling there. There has been a slight correction. My roomie & sister made a shirt out of this print too. I'm so gonna rock it Thursday!

Got to keep it up

I had to take a break today while working on a page from issue 2, & try to remember why I'm even doing this. I have all this debt from college loans, I don't have the job I would like, etc. I just took a break from drawing and dwelled in self-pity for about a half an hour. 


And then I looked back at my drawing board, and I thought well I'm not where I want to be, but I've never pushed myself this hard before. Coming home from work & then drawing for 4 or 5 hours until you go to bed it taxing. Giving up your free time, not hanging with friends is frustrating, but if I continue to work like this hopefully later this year... I'll see some sort of progress. 

Tell Em' Charles

There is no greater burden than great potential.- Charles Schulz. I agree, & that's why I'm busting my butt until April, laters.

What I Need To Do Next

Well, I have the 'Art Jamboree' coming up soon on April 7th, but what I realized is that is only the start. I need to get more connections on the Milwaukee Art scene. I just read about an illustration show in UWM's school paper. There is so much going on, & I need to be a part of it. April 7th is the start, & then it takes off from there.


Time to start making some moves.

Grade 5 got its 1st review!

Well the book got its 1st review from Comic Book Resources for their 'Indy Comics Month' which took place in February. Grade 5 was reviewed on my brother's b-day, Feb. 28th. That's pretty cool. It was a positive review & also pointed out some flaws from issue 1. Check out the link!

A few new pages

Here are pages 4 & 7. These were def. fun to work on & pretty much the bulk of the 'D-Day' dodge ball war. Page 4 in the start of the war & page 7 is basically the end. After I'm knocked out & come to with a bite mark on my face, things pretty much take off from there!

The cool part is I'll have the lettered pages soon. I'll post them as soon as I get them!

A few new pages

Here are a few unlettered pages from issue 2. I'll have more to post next week! I'll be a little over half way done at that point, which is awesome, except for the fact that it feels like some one is ripping my shoulder out of the socket. Gotta love tendonitis!