The brush pen doodles are awesome.

Will you be at SD Comic Con this year?

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Noo, sorry. I'd love to go, but I can't bank it, and I think four conventions in three months is enough for me for a while. Now I gotta get to work makin' stuff, rather than slinging it. But I'm jeeealous of people who do get to go. It looks like crazy fun.

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I've been inking with drawing pens and pilot sign pens for as long as I can remember... and all this time, I thought all you swanky cartoonists were doing it too! I *just* found out last month that ya'll use BRUSHES, or some sort of brush pen hybrid....

Now, I've TRIED my hand at inking my work with brushes, but it just comes out so sloppy and horrid. Advice? Sympathy? Support? Please? <: o

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Oh man, it is HARD to get the hang of it. Actually, I went through a big brush period, but I've mostly switched back to my first love-- felt tip pens. My primary pen is a Faber Castell PITT pen, in Superfine black ink-- it's waterproof, real india ink and makes a great even line. But I still love the brush sometimes. It's a really great tool to have in your arsenal. I just practiced the shit out of it until I got it somewhat under control-- I'm not 100% there, but it's always getting better, slowly but surely. I would recommend learning with an actual brush and dip ink. It's a little harder and forces you to go slowly and be patient. Then when you eventually try your hand at a brushpen, you'll find it's easier and faster, and you have the steadiness of hand to make a nice line.

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I've been inking with drawing pens and pilot sign pens for as long as I can remember... and all this time, I thought all you swanky cartoonists were doing it too! I *just* found out last month that ya'll use BRUSHES, or some sort of brush pen hybrid....

Now, I've TRIED my hand at inking my work with brushes, but it just comes out so sloppy and horrid. Advice? Sympathy? Support? Please? <: o

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Now is the new pen the finer lines or the thicker lines?

I kept meaning to pop over and say hi at the MoCCA, but you were a busy dude. Glad the show was good for ya.

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The thicker ones! The fine ones are PITT pens.
Man, I missed a lotta people at MoCCA. I didn't do well in the heat, and opted to stay behind my table for most of the weekend for fear of saying completely incoherent things to colleagues because I was delirious and red-faced and sweating. But I'm sorry to have missed you! It was a good time, though, and a great crowd.

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Heyla! I'm a big fan of your comics and art and I'm planning on buying a brush pen and try making some comics (you're totally an inspiration!). I WAS going to go to MoCCA to see you (and Dylan Meconis!) but unfortunately I was barred from going to NYC alone...anyway, I hope to see you next year and I absolutely cannot wait!

Also, do you have an advice for aspiring cartoonists/comic writers? I know this is an awkward place to ask. But do you have any tutorials or step by step FAQ type things you could direct us to? :)

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Uh, er, um...
"Practice" is really my best advice. The more you draw, the better. As far as technical stuff goes, I'm still figuring stuff out, myself, but I have gotten a few things down in the last couple of years.
Good supplies are important-- try your friends' art supplies to see what you like before you buy it. Collect adult allies to aid your development, who can express proper admiration for your work, even when it's not great, so you can know that there are people to whose expectations you can rise and exceed. Learn photoshop as best you can, but what you can't, figure out how to do in real life or through photoshop shortcuts that only you can discover through trial and error. Um, the "threshold" tool in photoshop is invaluable, as is a good photo-light blue pencil that won't show up when you scan your penciled inks. Post your work online where people can give you feedback, and never read your bad reviews because they'll make you craaaazy.
That's it in a nutshell at 1AM-- sorry to be a little loop-dee-doo, but I hope I helped! Good luck, and I'll see you at MoCCA next year!

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Am I doing it right?

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AH HAHAHAHAHAHA oh man, so great. Sparkly sparkly spermies.
...I just remembered that he really DID watch her sleep at night... oh god, it's truuuuue hahahahaaaa.

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What is your etsy username again? I thought I had your shop on my favourites, but apparently I am failure.

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Oh! I was a big girl and found it myself :)
Of course it is linked from your main website.
OF COURSE

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i totally understand the hot dog thing. living in chicago has spoiled me towards hot dogs, i can hardly look at the meatjam brands they sell at dominicks....


vienna beef or go home.

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Oh man, I live so close to Hot Doug's now. It's so. great.

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Whoa! Shocked to see Marion Vitis's name up there! She's from here in Eugene and we used to work together a few years ago at a couple different jobs. Small world!

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Ah, she's totally great! I don't remember how she and I first crossed paths, but we've been lj comics buds for a while. I only get to see her in a whirlwind convention time every year, but she's hecka nice.

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Also I have that same pen! I love it except for when I forget that the ink dries slowly. :C

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HAHAHAHAAAA.
ONLY YOU AND YOUR DEMON BEHBEH.
Man, I drew this panel when I was inundated with awkward clips of the cast of Twilight cleaning up at the MTV move awards. It was then I was informed of how much older whatsisname is than Kirsten Awkward Stewart and I totally cracked up. Oh man, someone stop themmmm.

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I think I recognize the people to your left in the first photo there... is the fellow with the blond hair named Fyodor by any chance?

Looks dashed familiar.

Also, AMAZING MATCHBOX CAR RAMP COURSE IS AMAZING.

<3

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Second photo, rather, since the first one is basically multicoloured people-ants. >_>

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great to meet you this past weekend! "Pretty Little Book" is amazing.

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Thank you! And thank you so much for coming by and saying hello!

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Ah..New York is a cool place.....the food is fabulous, and those hot dogs......yes...those hot dogs, are yummy.

Ah, that Kinokuniya is great, I went there for my trip, good stuff, and it was so overhelming.....it's so huge compared to the one in L.A.


that pen looks great. I think next year I'm gonna make a trip for this. :D I sadly didn't get to go to the MoCCA on my trip....this year..but will make it next year.

I love your work.

And the doodles are fabulous.

Glad to see you had a great time. :D

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Mannnn I love that hotwheel track! What a smart design!

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NOT FAIR. YOU were the one who got me turned on to Twilight. I picked up the book because it was on sale at costco, and 24 hours later I had bought the whole series and ignored my finals. I AM A LITERATURE MAJOR. YOU RUINED ME! And now you make fun of the awesomeness that is Edward and Bella. Oh well. I forgive you. :)

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I got that same pen from there! Except the bamboo colored one. The only thing I don't like is that I tried watercolors over it and it's not waterproof, so I can't use it for comics.

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I am in love with hokey-pokey!Spock.

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What's the name of that swanky brushpen, just so I can check it out at my local art store? :)

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I wish I could tell you, but there is NO ENGLISH WHATSOEVER on the box. You might be able to find it by browsing the Kinokuniya pen selection. I doubt it'll be at the local art shop--but do look for the kuretaki brush pen-- that might be there!

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Hola, this is probably going to sound either sappy or scary, or both, but I just felt like letting you know that I've been checking your stuff and rereading entries over the past week or so, and both your work and the bits and pieces you show of your life inspire me. I've already decided to go back to art school, but it's a pretty scary decision (involves moving and possible lack of moneys), so it really helps to see what you've been able to do with it. Also, your work just plain rules *grin*

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There are far too many Victorian era villians in your doodles.. Thank god Batman and Robin are there to take care of things.

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Oohhh what a pretty new brush pen! I love kinokunia, but never really had time to explore that section. I got the pentel brush pen recently, and it's amazing!

Glad to see you had a great time! Good luck with your new book!!

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Have you considered bigcartel for your selling-stuff needs? It's way classier than etsy. And doesn't take any of your money away. And you can make your shop look good.

I want that peeeeen. I have a brushpen collecting obsession. I'm still looking for just the right one and have to buy everything I see in case That Is It. I will keep an eye out for that shizz.

Awesome hotwheels painting! Dang.

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I'd LOVE to use them, but they only let me list 5 items before I hafta payyyy them money. Wah.

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Am i crazy, or do i remember you guys from SPX? I SWEAR i've seen you before.

I swear, everyone i know and love in the industry was totally there. I'm seriously jealous.

I find your cartoons so inspiring. Thanks very much for posting them. <3

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I love your fish earrings!

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I just wanted to say that your zombie mural and your image of the people on the unicorn machine-gunning hitler are both really amazing. great work!

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