Squid Row

It was asked recently (over at RandieandRyan.com) about my 4-fingered Randie (pictured on the site).

Quote: Why does Randie have only four fingers? Answer… Because, that’s why.

No, that’s not what I replied. The REAL answer is this… I learned it from a Walter Foster Book. When I first started cartooning I had a few books that I taught myself with. This one here had a great influence on me.

You can see for yourself how this is still amazing! The copyright says 1986 but I don’t think that is the original copyright on the artwork. 

In any case, seeing as our heroes are wearing wedding rings now… it seems to make sense to provide them with the correct amount of fingers. So I’m working on this. Hands, as most people will tell you, are tricky to draw. I’ve gotten so used to drawing lesser digits that this is going to take some practice. You can see some hands I did in my sketchbook here recently.

This is one of my favorite old Squids. I drew it in the strip’s relative infancy and I had no idea where the strip would go… but I always liked where the characters saw themselves going.

(And yah, that’s comic sans… sigh, don’t laugh at me).

My “drawing board” … As many of you know, I work in Photoshop… I draw right into my Intous 4 and create things all digital-like. With the new comic, I’m doing the same thing, except I’m using lots more layers and tons of new brushes to get that “artsy look.” Gone are the bright pinks and purples and tooney colors; they’ll be more subdued. You’ll see much more texture and grit in these new comics.

Oh, and if you go over to randieandryan.com, you’ll get a sample. Oh… and there’s a new website… randieandryan.com.