Commission: Athena Voltaire and Wolverine revisited

Today's commission is actually an inked version of a piece I did a few years back. I've uploaded the pencils for the sake of comparison.

I really enjoyed revisiting the piece. I spotted some things that I used to do in my pencils and really want to get back to. Additionally, I saw a few cringeworthy things that I was eager to fix.

I'm a much looser, confident inker these days and was thrilled to slap a juicier line on this than I would have four years ago.

Which one do you like better?!

Commission: Athena Voltaire

Another commission of my gal, Athena Voltaire. Equally gratifying is that this helps to pay off my dog's surgery bill.

If you're interested in the Buddy Commission Surgery Fund Drive, check out the information below:

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 9x12 Commission NOW!

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 11x17 Commission NOW!

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)


More examples of my commissioned work can be found here.

Thanks!

Commission: Rocketeer to the Rescue

I've said it a hundred of times, and I'll say it a hundred more times…I never get tired of drawing the Rocketeer.

Here's the description for today's commission:

"Here's what I was thinking, a scene where Rocketeer comes crashing in through a window (skylight? etc) while Betty is tied up or chained to a wall (like girls in pulp books tended to be), maybe in torn clothing, however you want to have fun with it."

This one presented a challenge in that it's tough to fit in both figures, and the setting, AND create a sense of dynamicism. My solution was to put the point of view on one of the characters. Obviously, having the hero big is best, but the compositions I was came up with him in the foreground were shots over Cliff's shoulder or behind him, which makes for a great shot of the jetpack—but not a good shot of the Rocketeer.

Putting Betty in the foreground gave us a dynamic composition, and a front view of the Rocketeer—even if he was smaller. I tried to punch him up by adding some dynamic blacks and having all of the breaking glass radiating around him. Hopefully, this creates a focus on him, even if he's not the large figure.

I usually stay away from any implication of sex/bondage in commissions, but the "bound Betty" in this piece works for two reasons: (1) as the commissioner says, it reflects the pulps of the era, and (2) it's a winking acknowledgment of Betty Page's actual background (which Dave Stevens acknowledged throughout the series).

And the Buddy Commission Surgery Fun Drive continues! Information below:

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 9x12 Commission NOW!

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 11x17 Commission NOW!

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

I can bring the piece with me to Wizard World Chicago, if you plan on attending, or mail it to you.

More examples of my commissioned work can be found here.

Thanks!

Commission: Lady Shiva versus Karate Kid

I haven't stopped doing commissions—I just had to clear some assignments out before finishing more of these. Look for more commissions, plus some other new work on this blog in the coming weeks!

Today's commission features the Legion of Superheroes' Karate Kid sparring with Lady Shiva. The description was " These are two of the best martial artists of all time so I think it would be a great fight. The only thing I ask is that neither character is shown as clearly winning."

This presented a really fun challenge: I didn't want either character to have their backs to us, and I wanted neither in the foreground, overshadowing the other. My compositional instincts led me to "stacking" the characters, with Shiva leaping/kicking, while Karate Kid punches/ducks. Both characters are untouched, but thwarted—evenly matched.

I added in the graphic of the yin/yang symbol to drive home the concept of balance.

The Buddy Commission Surgery Fun Drive continues! Information below:

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 9x12 Commission NOW!

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 11x17 Commission NOW!

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

I can bring the piece with me to Wizard World Chicago, if you plan on attending, or mail it to you.

More examples of my commissioned work can be found here.

Thanks!

Commission: Wonder Girl

Today's commission is DC Comics' Wonder Girl. 9 x 12, ink and Copic markers on bristol board.

Additionally, I'm still accepting preorders for San Diego Comic-Con (July 20–24). As usual, I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show (stagefright), so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

Contact me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com with any questions or requests.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Commission: Bikini Babe

Today's commission had a simple description, "under the vague heading of 'pretty girl in bikini' and leaving it to the artist at that point." With that in mind, I knew I wanted to have some fun with a retro pin-up approach.

Additionally, I'm still accepting preorders for San Diego Comic-Con (July 20–24). As usual, I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show (stagefright), so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

Contact me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com with any questions or requests.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Commission: Batgirl

More than any other character, I always equate the Barbra Gordon Batgirl with fun. No idea why.

I tried to give this piece a playful quality that reflected the sense of fun I see in my head.

Additionally, I'm accepting preorders for San Diego Comic-Con (July 20–24). As usual, I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show (stagefright), so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

Contact me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com with any questions or requests.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Commission: Athena Voltaire meets Modesty Blaise

More fun with team-ups! This time around, my favorite globetrotting aviatrix meets one of the most famous femme fatales, Modesty Blaise!

And I'm still actively seeking commissions!

Additionally, I'm accepting preorders for Summit City Comic Con (June 18, Fort Wayne, Indiana). I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show (stagefright), so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Commission: Athena Voltaire and Friend

Here's another commission; this time around, it's Athena Voltaire and the gear of a friend. ;)

And I'm still actively seeking commissions!

Additionally, I'm accepting preorders for Summit City Comic Con (June 18, Fort Wayne, Indiana). I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show (stagefright), so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Commission: Joan from Mad Men

I love AMC's Mad Men, so I had a blast doing a retro-style commission of the show's resident vixen, Joan Holloway.

And I'm still actively seeking commissions!

Additionally, I'm accepting preorders for Summit City Comic Con (June 18, Fort Wayne, Indiana). I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show (stagefright), so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Fallen Angel

I had the opportunity to contribute a pin-up to an upcoming Fallen Angel collection. J.K. Woodward, the incredible artist on the series, has set the bar high, so it was a fun challenge.

Shown here are my original rough, a couple of work-in-progress camera phone shots while I was inking, the finished inks and the colors, courtesy of my ever-amazing collaborator, Jason Millet.

Commissioned drawing Yoda this is

C2E2 is tomorrow!

Come see me in Artist Alley, Booth #D4. I'm going to give it a whirl and do more commissions at the show: penciled/toned bust/head shots for $25 and figures (some full, some cropped), inked for $40.

Commission: Ron Swanson

I love the TV show Parks and Recreation, particularly the character of Ron Swanson. That's why I was psyched to get a commission for Ron Swanson, illustrating one square on his Pyramid of Greatness. To see the clip, in the context of the show, go here.

There's just a few more days until C2E2 in Chicago, but I'm still accepting commission preorders for the show. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: Darkseid

Another commission today (see Iron Fists Danny Rand and Orson Randall from earlier today)! This time, it's Darkseid, Lord of Apokolips!

Commission: Iron Fists

Today, we look at two different incarnations of the Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and Danny Rand.

I'm currently enjoying the most fun run of commission work that I've ever done. Thanks very much to those fine folks who commissioned me: you're challenging me and encouraging my growth—and paying me for the pleasure! Thanks!

And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: Juggernaut and Friend

Today's commission features Marvel super villain The Juggernaut and...the guy who commissioned the piece!

I'm always unsure how to handle both extreme exaggeration (as in the case of Juggernaut) and humor (the situation), but I'm relatively happy with the results.


And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: The Rocketeer

I've drawn the Rocketeer for more commissions than any other character, with the exception of my own creation, Athena Voltaire. And it never gets old.

I would love, love, love to draw a Rocketeer comic adventure one day.

And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: The Escapist

I loved Michael Chabon's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, so, of course, I was excited when I was commissioned to draw Joe Kavalier's hero "doing something awesome."

Contained in a water trap, chained, with a bomb triggered to explode qualifies, I hope...

And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: The Amazing Spider-Man

I had a blast drawing one of my childhood faves, the Amazing Spider-Man!

And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: Duck Dodgers Green Lantern

The fun thing with commissions is to step outside your comfort zone. This piece is an example of such an event.

Plus, it was a lot of fun!

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com