Just This Once, A Post About Cats

Here's a colored version of a digital coloring book page I created for IKeepSafe.org's Faux Paw series. If you've got little ones who surf the web, or if you'd like to know how to be safer online, this organization has some amazing and helpful resources you may want to check out.

I had a lot of fun with this little job, particularly as it was a chance to draw more cats. I love doing character design, and I've been fortunate to do a lot of it for the Faux Paw series. I designed Bella (far left), who is based on my own real-life cat, and Simon (far right), who is based on my parents-in-law's cat.

Thanks for allowing me to "show and tell" a bit, and thanks to everyone who has been following my blog lately! You guys are the greatest!

Don't Mess with the Alley Cat

Here's a congenial kitty left over from my doodles for Toon Club's "Cat" topic. Unlike my original feline, this guy's a bit more rough around the edges. Like any good alley cat, he's got a growly attitude, a couple of wayward teeth, and just a hint of what could be mange.

What other animal do you know who can not only survive, but thrive on the mean streets of the city? Living on fish bones and melon rinds, the alley cat is the MacGyver of the animal world. Add to that the cool factor of their penchant for jazz music, and you'll see the alley cat is worthy of our fear and grudging respect.

Unlike Sandra Bullock.

I Drew Pip!

Once in a great while I meet someone who reminds me why I love working in animation. Adam Koford is one of those people. I work with Adam at Disney Interactive, and our start dates there are only two weeks apart. It has been great to learn how to fit in at Disney with someone else who was going through the same process.

Other than the fact that he's one of the funniest and most humble people I've ever met, Adam's also an incredibly driven and talented cartoonist. He recently published his first big-time collection of comic strips, entitled "The Laugh Out Loud Cats Sell Out". I suggest checkin' it out. It's great.

One of the things I admire about Mr. Koford is how much fun he has drawing. He watches for inspiration in everything, and makes good use of it to push his ideas to the next level. I've recently rediscovered the joy of drawing for drawing's sake, and owe at least part of that to his influence.

I'm posting my thoughts on this here because I hope in someway it might inspire you to remember what you love about what you do. Take a little time to step back and enjoy what you're doing... And pass it on to someone else!

(The above drawing is for Draw Pip!, Adam's blog devoted to fan art of his characters.)

Top Ten Reasons Cats Rule

I am a cat person, and proud of it. Even while taking hits from my pal S.T. Lewis about it, I cannot deny my favoritism for pets of the feline persuasion. Here's my Top 10 reasons that cats rock.

10. Much like Sandra Bullock after a bad movie role, cats always miraculously land on their feet.
9. Retractable claws, just like Wolverine!
8. Sometimes, cats are born with six-toed paws!
7. Revered by Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt.
6. Can be legally given a catnip "high" for fun and amusement.
5. Equal parts friend and predator.
4. Some cat species need 18 hours of sleep a day. How do I get THAT job?
3. The fastest land mammal on Earth is a cat.
2. They use their whiskers to navigate through tight spaces. Try that, Wilford Brimley!
1. Cats have too much self respect to "fetch".

Thanks for hearing me out... I think the list is purrfect, and I'm glad you didn't go cat-atonic reading it!

Remember Me?

So... It's been a while. Between three very involved projects, the holidays, and my incessant need to get at least four hours of sleep a day, I'm afraid I've neglected my poor little blog. I'm hoping to start posting tons of new stuff starting next week. (Yeah, we'll see, Ropp. You've done this before, you flake!)

In the meantime, I do have a couple of exciting announcements. The fourth Faux Paw the TechnoCat book and film are completed and currently being duplicated/printed for February. Here's a few images from the book. Layouts, pencils, and color by me. Backgrounds by the irreplacable Bryan Beach and inks by the indomitable Ken Chandler.

I have more news, but I'll wait until tomorrow to post it so there'll be two posts in one month!!!

Remembering the Olden Days

Check out this week's Toon Club post here.

Felines... Nothing More Than Felines...

Here's a compilation of some of the cats I've been doodling lately. If you're not a fan of kittens, you should probably just move along now.

Our cat, Isabella

Not necessarily the attitude that my cat usually has, but here's a drawing I was commissioned to draw by my beautiful wife, Jennifer.

Isabella has two modes... Nice mode for when she's around us and nasty mode when she's around company. We don't invite people over very often.

Have a nice weekend!

Illustration Friday: Safe

It's no secret that I love cats. However, even I must concede that one of their main traits is trying to get away with stuff that they shouldn't. Curiosity killed the cat, you know.

Oh, but don't worry, little pup. You're safe!

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Sketchy Cat

I had a few minutes tonight, so I thought I'd post this cat sketch I did last night. It got me thinking about some of ways I've been influenced as a cartoonist.

I love the Disney movies of the 60's and 70's that used the Xerox process to print their animation cels. You can really see the power of the animator's pencil strokes, especially in Aristocats, Robin Hood, and The Rescuers. In the age of DVD technology, there's no reason a budding animation artist can't take advantage of the masters' techniques.

I've had such wonderful opportunities to work with and be mentored by such incredible talents as Mark Swan, Ric Estrada, and Bob Simmons, whose influence can be seen in much of my work. I hope in the future I can learn more from them. Studying their work has added value... They're available to explain the why's and how's of what they've done.

Then there are my contemporaries, those in my generation who have found success, whether creatively or financially or both, in the animation industry. I can't look at a Shane Lewis animal sketch without marveling at the appeal, I'm constantly amazed by Seth Hippen's strong draftsman approach to art, and Jed Henry is fearless when it comes to incorporating non-traditional styles into his cartooning.

What I've learned is this... You're never going to be a better Ollie Johnston than Ollie Johnston is. You're never going to out-Milt Kahl Milt Kahl. But you can take some cues from them and add your own person flair to it. No artist has ever been exactly like you and no artist ever will be. You have an opportunity, if you are determined to succeed, to show the rest of us something we've never seen before.

Have a great day!