Merry Christmas 2018!

The Lights of Christmas

They twinkle thru pine, tinsel, and globes,
Strands of many tiny colored bulbs—
Crimson, amber, azure, and green:
The lights of the Christmas Tree.

They tremble, flicker, then dance
Over wicks in sculpted wax,
Flames aglow with warmth on the mantle:
The light of Christmas Candles.

It shines thru all times and all ages
Sparking goods works in all places
Even in those who don’t know His Name:
The Light of the Christmas Babe.

Jeff Thomason
12/4/2018

Wandering Koala Cornered

These were drawn with Tombow Hard and Soft Brush Pens and then toned and colored in Adobe Photoshop CC.

Concept Illustration: Surprise!

I've always liked the idea of the common exercise to take a concept and then illustrate it. (I don't remember actually doing it myself, but I've always meant to.) While coming up with an idea for my next illustration, I thought of that exercise and realized I had finally done it (albeit accidentally).

I drew this with a Staedtler pencil, inked it with a Tombow Brush Pen, and colored it in Adobe Photoshop CC. The background was created with a couple of photographs and a lot of Photoshop effects. I really like how it turned out. 

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

Wandering Koala rides The Wild Turkey (colored)

A colored version of the the engraved style drawing. I'm not sure if I like it better with or without color.

Wandering Koala caught by an Eavesdropping Dragon

Inked with a Tombow brush pen and colored and toned in Adobe Photoshop CC. Let me know what you think.

Wandering Koala rides The Wild Turkey (black & white)

This month in honor of Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays, I plan to create a series of illustrations related to that theme. This first one is a black and white rendering inspired by the brilliant newspaper comic strip work of Roy Crane on Buz Sawyer.

 This illustration was inked with a Zebra Disposable Brush Pen and toned in Adobe Photoshop CC. Let me know what you think!

Wandering Koala faces The Storm

Inked with a Prismacolor Brush Pen and colored with Adobe Photoshop CC.

Character Sketch: Wandering Koala ready for his dance lesson

Our favorite Silent Wanderer ^TM is getting ready for his dance lesson. This was inked with a Tombow Soft Brush Pen and colored in Adobe Photoshop CC. The background was created in Photoshop.

Wandering Koala Leaping Thru the City

Our favorite Silent Wanderer(TM) is parkouring thru the city. This illustration was inked with a Prismacolor Brush Pen and colored in Adobe Photoshop CC.

Wandering Koala in a Tight Spot

Our favorite Silent Wanderer^TM has gotten himself into quite a pickle. But we all know he’ll find a way out of it.

Vigilant Kangaroo finds The Pot of Gold

Wandering Koala resists the Daylight Saver

Growing up I always hated Daylight Savings Time. Then I moved to Arizona, where they don't observe it, and realized that during the summer it was a nice thing. I just don't like how early it begins and how late it ends. Moving the dates was a huge mistake.

This illustration was inked with a Prismacolor Brush Pen and colored in Adobe Photoshop.

Wandering Koala Landing

Another sketch in preparation for the next Wandering Koala tale. This was inked with a Sumi brush pen and colored with Adobe Photoshop CC.

Wandering Koala Perched upon a Lamp Post

Another sketch in preparation for the Wandering Koala graphic tale inked with a Prismacolor® brush pen and colored in Adobe Photoshop.

Jack Frost nips the Wandering Koala

This is another illustration I did exploring style for the next Wandering Koala tale. I inked it with a Prismacolor pen brush and colored it in Adobe Photoshop. Below is the black & white line work. Enjoy!

Wandering Koala kicking

This was another sketch to test out possible styles for the upcoming Wandering Koala Graphic Novel. This was inked with a Sumi Brush Pen and then colored in Adobe Photoshop with the limited cmyk palette of classic newspaper comics.

Wandering Koala Crane Stand

Another sketch in preparation for the upcoming Wandering Koala Tale. Again drawn with a Prismacolor Brush Pen and colored in Adobe Photoshop CC.

No Valentine's Day This Year

I don't have anything against Valentine's Day personally, but I thought this was a funny image. Drawn with a crow quill pen & ink and colored in Adobe Photoshop.

Wandering Koala praying

I think he might be praying I put him in another adventure. Well, that prayer is about to be answered, because the script for the next Wandering Koala Graphic Tale is finished! I'm beginning the thumbnails and drawings this week. The image above is a sample for me to work out the style. The line work was created with a Prismacolor Brush Pen, then colored in Adobe Photoshop.