Costumed Sketch Night: Steampunk Theme

Our model, Nick, checks his pocketwatch

Last night was another pretty awesome Costumed Sketch Night. Due to my busy/crazy/sick/gone April, it was a little less promoted than usual, and also we only had one model.

Despite all that, everything came out really well, so hooray! I didn't get to do as many sketches as I usually do, because I opted to help model in the last long poses (it's easier to have poses when you have interaction, I think).


re-enacts Dinosaur Comic's panel four - T-rex Retaliation!

The theme was Steampunk, so there was a lot of props, Victoriana, goggles, and, umm, a T-rex puppet... Because it's easier when the models interact with stuff!

Perhaps I just like making the models interact with puppets, since it's happened at the last two Costume Sketch Nights (though technically, Alison and Annie insisted upon the puppets, so maybe it's just their continued influence).


There were a lot of awesome drawings that came out of it, which you can check out at the Costumed Sketch Night group pool (there's more than just mine now!)

Next Costumed Sketch Night is Fairy themed,
May 28, 7 - 9 pm

Costumed Sketch Night: Lolita Theme

20 Minute Pose - Naptime

Wednesday night was Costumed Sketch Night. Many thanks to Annie and Alison who modeled and posed in frilly costumes and difficult shoes. They did an absolutely great job of helping me come up with poses beforehand also.

Nick did me a solid and took some pictures with my camera, since it's hard to juggle the sketchbook, pencils, timer, AND camera.

5 Minute Pose - (Gesture Drawing) Pout

We had a really good turn out, for artists, and Michelle has already posted some of her pictures online.

If you're interested, here's a link to the Sketch Night pool - though it's mostly my pictures so far. I'm looking forward to the next Costumed Sketch Night, which will be April 30 - the theme is Steampunk.

On a related note, Camelot Treasures is having a Mad Hatter Tea Party, April 20, 5 - 7 p.m. It includes food, tea, and games. Tickets are $8 available at the shop.

Costumed Sketch Night: Pirate Theme

Pirate Drinking Contest - 20 Minute Sketch

The Costumed Sketch Night last night was super-fun - the theme was pirates, and we had two great models, Ruth and Matt, who would pretty much pose however we wanted.

As usual, the hardest part of modeling is NOT LAUGHING - but we all managed to prevail, despite the silly pirate songs playing.

I don't have any trouble coming up with short pose ideas, (2-5 minute poses) but sometimes the longer poses, which have to be seated or laying because otherwise we're torturing the model, are hard for me to think of.

Fortunately, Stephanie had the great idea of having a saucy winner to the pirate drinking contest... (as you can see)


Ruth Wins!

I ended up only blocking in Matt on this last 20 minute pose - since Ruth was late I didn't get to draw her as much, and with all those myriad layers of clothing, it made for an interesting subject.

We had three times the people attending last night than we had the first time, with many people implying that next time we may have a great deal more. It's kind of exciting, since I really started it as a way of contributing to the new place I work, and a selfish way to get me more time to draw models.


Anyway, if you're a local artist and you missed, don't worry. The next costumed sketch night is March 26th, and the theme is Victorian Lolita (This style of stuff, if you're not familiar) so get ready to draw tons of fabric and bows! The admission is $3.

What-The-Hell Con Redux

Man, What the Hell? Con was really fun this year (again). I have 8 million pictures, so I'll just post a few of my favorites:

Steampunk JLA - The Guild of Justice-Minded Citizenry
L - R: Zatanna (Annie), Supergirl (Michelle), Flash (Nick), Nightwing (Mike), PowerGirl (Alison), Superman (Jared, Sandman (Matt), Batgirl (umm, me), and Green Arrow (Jason)

One of my favorite things about WthCon is that it's so laid back I have plenty of time for my favorite con activity - hanging out with my friends. Maybe dressed in costumes. I would almost always recommend costumes/cosplaying as a group though, there's much more of an impact (and you can't feel silly is EVERYONE is doing it, right?).






Draco & Harry in the Geek Auction

The con was really fun, but is showing some growing pains in scheduling and capacity handling. The geek auction had so many participants that it lasted three hours. Adding an auctioneer speeded things along, but unfortunately took out the best part - the crowd/geek interaction.

Nick and Will didn't get to finish their entire schtick, and I feel sorry for the girls in the audience for that, more than any of the other auction difficulties.


As always, representing our webcomic Willrad in the Artist's Alley was hilarious for me and Will, as we are self-entertaining (see also, moustache pictures). The con treats artists like they are made of gold, something that warms us all deep down into the cockles of our little hearts.

Costumed Sketch Night: Harry Potter Theme

20 Minute Seated Sketch of Harry & Draco from last night's sketch night

I was bummed out about several of the local Life Drawing etc. sketch groups seemingly disbanding, and as usual, I took it upon myself to remedy the situation. So, I started a monthly Costumed Sketch Night at the shop where I work.

Anytime I encounter holes in reality where I think things OUGHT TO BE, I have a tendency to try and organize a filling of those holes (local drawing groups, 24 hour comic book day, self-publishing participation in independent comics, etc.). The downside is that this tends to make it impossible for me to participate in the group. Fortunately, Costumed Sketch Night is not one of those occasions, I can draw and time things SIMULTANEOUSLY (and I can always hop in as a backup model in case someone doesn't show). For once, it's kind of good to be the organizer. Shew.

We had at least four artists, and I know a lot of people who are planning to come and draw at the next one, so it's officially a success in my book.


Harry & Draco play Wizard Connect 4

And, as always, a huge thank you to Will and Nick, who were awesome models.

Next Costumed Sketch Night is Wednesday, February 27th - the theme is PIRATES!

Here's the Flickr picture pool of all the pictures from last night - and future pictures!

Holiday Shopping - Buy Handmade

I've been working hard over the last couple of days to fill my Etsy shop with stuff for the holidays. If you know anyone who's interested in Krakens, octopus, kaiju, astronauts, mechanical hearts, and robots, then I sure have a place for them.



I'm going to adding more stuff once I get back from Thanksgiving, but I wanted people who knew me to get a jumpstart on the items before they get listed, just in case there was something specific that you wanted.

Custom Felt Robots
I've found that lots of people love the little felt robots, but usually want one in a different color or some other slight alteration. SO, for a minimal fee ($10) I'm making custom felt robots at the usual size of 2"x3"

Choose the color, expression, and what's on it's tummy! I can also put string on them (for ornaments) or leave them unstuffed (for finger puppets).

Bat Tank T-shirts

Oh yeah! The Bat Tank shirts are in, and I've made a convenient chart denoting all the 16 different colors that the shirt is available in. I ordered these to sell online and at SPX, so if you want one, you get first pick before I pack off to Maryland next week.


One day, we'll actually have a functioning storefront on Willrad.com but for now, we'll do this the old fashioned way:

If you would like a t-shirt, follow these steps:
1) Email me ( [ the letter EL ]woods-at-willrad-dot-com ) your t-shirt size, top two color preference, and address
2) I will return your email confirming the details
3) Paypal $16.50 to me ($16.50 covers US shipping* - also Paypal takes credit cards now)
4) RECEIVE AWESOME T-SHIRT IN THE MAIL
*Note: If you're local or not in the US, your price will be different - the shirt itself is $15

Sizes Available:
Youth Large, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large

Choose your color:

Dark colors have the design in white ink, light colors have the design in black ink.




Note: If you're lamenting the lack of girly sizes, that is because I'm getting babydoll t-shirts printed up with a different design on them (hopefully sometime next week), so do not fear! I haven't forgotten you! (or myself)