Casual Friday #14

I can't believe it's Friday already. I got down to the studio this morning, had my caffeine, went over the stuff I should be doing, and grumbled about having to stop everything I'm trying to get done and do the Casual Friday piece. But, after getting some work done, I sidelined and started the Friday drawing and actually got into it. I felt so much better after doing it and I'm glad I took a break and made time for it. Plus now I have something to actually blog about as it's been a slow news/activity week.

I've been working on some different drawing techniques that are new to me as I'm somewhat tired with the way I draw or render stuff. As new card sets start being released, you'll be able to see I've actually been working on new style techniques for awhile and it's still a work in progress. This new Hellboy piece has some hints of things I'm trying out.

Probably more on this in another post.

Casual Friday #14

"Bodyless"

Later

WM

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Warren Martineck

Casual Friday #13

"Cylon Raider"

Ahhh, Casual Friday. If I wore a tie I'd have taken it off already. It has been a long week and desperate times call for desperate measures. To keep my head from rolling all around in a perpetual state trying to avoid falling asleep at my table, I through a shot of 5-Hour Energy in a Diet Coke and had at it. Sometimes chemical happiness is a necessity.

So I'm sitting here at my table, drawing up today's CF piece, and thinking the original idea of keeping these restricted to 1-2 hours a piece is a bit inhibiting. Especially if I can spare some extra time and I really get into a drawing as some of the past pieces I find a bit... I think "rushed" would be a good word. So from now on, I will put as much time into CF's as I can spare.

Todays piece is one I've been wanted to draw for awhile. As cool as so much was on Battlestar Galactica I thought The new Raiders were beyond cool. The lines and design is stellar. I could draw that fighter all day long.

In addition to todays CF, I've also pulled out a old Spiderman 97 Sketchagraph ,with Venom, of the few that I've had for a long time off the shelf, posting, and shamelessly plugging it's Ebay Auction. I'll post the link when it get's on the Bay

I've started posting more auctions lately and plan to keep it up. It'll be a great chance for fans to get some rare sketches and for me to finally make some money directly for myself instead of it all going to the companies or everyone else but me.

Thanks for looking.

Later

WM

...and here's a pic for the Blog.

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Warren Martineck

Studio Journal Entry #4: The Computer Backup.

Consider this a reminder!

For anyone that owns a computer, this is one of the most important things you need to do. It's amazing how many stories I hear of people losing all their work, images, files, and everything they had on their computer when it finally decides, (usually without warning) to process it's last megabyte of data and dies a most inconvenient death.

This is one of the worst things that can happen and is a real bitch to deal with afterward. Not counting the delays and $ it will cost, there are already enough things we need to stress out over in a work week.

What I do is give my computers a great big overhaul twice a year. Once in June and once at the end of the year. I go through all my files, organize and/or trash anything not needed anymore and clear the desktop too.

Then I go in and Burn a few back-up DVD's worth of files and images and anything else to have a hard copy and throw it in the safe. I'll then go back in and trash anything else I can, especially large image files. Anything you can do to give your computer a chance to breath and run a little easier is a good thing in my book.

Along with the twice a year cleaning, I also have an external hard drive and regularly (2 or 3 times a week) back up the hard drive. Now with Macs, which is what I have, it's stupid easy with Time Machine. Just turn on the External, the computer does all the work, and your done. So if anything happens between the biannual cleaning, your still covered.

I highly recommend this before it's too late.

Being that time of year again, I'll be doing my computer sometime this week. Can't wait to fill up my trash.

Also, please post any tips or good habits that you have and can add to these!

Later

WM

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Warren Martineck

Casual Friday #12

I was wondering if I was going to get to Casual Friday today. I've been rushing around to get extra work done today as my weekend is pretty much booked up with non-work stuff. Not that I'm complaining, it's always nice to take a few days off, but that first day back is a rough one. It takes a bit to get warmed up and into a good rhythm and it only takes a day or 2 off to lose it and get rusty again. Thats why even on "days off' I try to do a little some drawing anyway.

Anyway, I was able to sneak this in as the rest of the fam went out for an hour or 2. Just enough to knock this out.

This being; "Fett"

Later

WM

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Warren Martineck

Casual Friday #11

I was looking forward to this one...

Ok, I realize I spent a little more time than just an hour on this, but I didn't want to half-ass the Serenity. I think you can understand.

Another one for the request pile...

"Serenity Now!"

Later

WM

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Warren Martineck

Star Wars Is To Blame For All This.

I came across this old photo of myself and a good chuckle was had. I'm guessing around 16 yrs old, surrounded by a little hobby I used to have. I was one of those Star Wars nuts. I had all the Star Wars toys, every action figure, trading card, art book, toothbrush and whatever else they made, I owned it and had it displayed. I also started collecting the Star Wars comic title. (1. seed planted)

There was a collectables dealer at a local indoor flea market near my house. He had all the rare and hard to find Star Wars stuff and I spent so much time there that he finally just hired me and put me to work. (He knew he couldn't get rid of me and I took merchandise for payment.)

He and his wife owned a comic shop in town and I eventually started working there as she needed more help. (2. seed watered) I was able to complete my Star wars Comic run and being exposed to all those other comics, I started reading and collecting other titles. (3. seed fertilized)

Before I knew it I was working comic conventions for the shop and meeting all these new people and cool comic artists. One con in particular, we were set up right next to Mike Zeck. I got to talk with him all day about his job and whatever else. Really nice guy and I came to realize that comics could be a viable career. (4. seed growth) Which was good because I was also one of those kids that had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

After awhile, I quit the comic shop, (and eventually quit my next job at McDonalds) and ventured off to cartooning school.

Thats how it all started.

in a really tight pair of jeans....

Any and all comments on the picture are welcome.

Later

WM

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Warren Martineck