Friday Update: Dark Lord Edition

New art! Here's some Darth Vader action - I hope you all like it.

I've been busy with an exciting Lucasfilm project (that I can't announce yet). I knew it was a huge rush job - but when they asked me, there's no way I could turn it down. So for the next month or two, everything else is taking a backseat. I know a lot of you have been very patient with me regarding commissions and such, and I'm still trying my best to get things done, make everyone happy, etc. In fact, right now I'm at a coffee shop (I'm still having computer problems at home, so I had to venture outside of the nerd lair to get online) and I'm going through my email inbox, trying to respond to as many people as I can. I have a lot of catching up to do, and I imagine after this summer, I'll still have a lot of catching up to do.

Anyway, if you're waiting on things from me - if I've forgotten to send you a sketchbook or something like that - definitely email me. Just forgive me if I'm a little slow in responding. I hate making people wait, but I'm just a one-man operation and sometimes I get swamped or disorganized, etc. (And please, if you need to get ahold of me, email is the way to go - grantgoboom@gmail.com - I don't always see comments here in my blog or on my Facebook page. Use email if it's regarding a business matter.)

On a separate note --
I chatted with the ForceCast guys at C2E2 a couple weeks ago -- the podcast episode with that is now online. I haven't listened to it yet, so hopefully I don't come across as too much of an idiot. :P Looks like the beautious Ashley Eckstein (the voice of Ahsoka) is also featured on there. Should be a cool episode. Click here to check it out!

How To Draw Young Boba Fett

I did a new "how to draw" kids' tutorial for StarWars.com, this time featuring young Boba Fett from The Clone Wars! Click here to check it out!

C2E2 pics, and a clone

Here's a clone trooper sketch I did at the show -- and I uploaded a C2E2 Flickr gallery. Click here to check it out. Unfortunately, I didn't take a ton of photos, but at least it gives you an idea of what the show looked like.

Again, thanks to everyone who came out and made it an amazing weekend for me! I definitely hope to go again next year. :)

Home From Chicago

C2E2 was a cool show, I really loved it. Thanks to everyone that stopped out! It was great seeing my artist pals again, the "Draw Star Wars" panel I did with Katie Cook was a lot of fun -- everything was great. I'll have some photos to post very soon.

I've been offline for a few days, so I'm even further behind on emails. I'm catching up as fast as I can. Thanks, folks!

C2E2 Update - The Goods

C2E2 is almost upon us! As I stated earlier, I'll be at "G-1" in Artist Alley, right on the end of the G aisle. Here's a rundown of what I'm planning on having at my table:

1) 2010 Sketchbooks! ($20 each)
2) A Variety of 11"x17" Art Prints! ($10 each)
3) Wolves of Odin! ($5 each)
4) Draw Star Wars: The Clone Wars! ($15 each)
5) Original Comic Pages from The Clone Wars Webcomics AND Original Drawings from the Draw Star Wars: The Clone Wars kids' book! Prices will vary - (Priced as Marked)

What will I be charging for sketches at the show?
I'm trying something a little different for C2E2. I'll have 2 open slots each day (6 slots for the entire show). If you're interested in an original sketch drawn at the show, swing by my table ASAP and see if there's a slot open. I'm charging $50 per piece, and what you get is an 8.5"x11" single-character drawing in B&W, fully inked with greytones (no color). They'll be more detailed, cool posed shots - not just bust/headshot drawings.

So that's the scoop! :)

And don't forget -- On Sunday I'll be teaching a "How To Draw Clone Wars" class with fellow artist Katie Cook! So once you get to the show, be sure to check the program guide for all the details. Thanks, everyone! See you in Chicago!!

How To Train Your Dragon

I just got back from seeing this (in 3D Imax) and I loved every minute of it. LOVED it. I can't wait to see it again. Wonderful story, amazing animation, great characters, epic action -- I urge all of you to grab friends & family and see it before it leaves theaters -- in 3D if you can! I'm not even a huge fan of the current 3D craze, but I'll tell ya, it really complements this movie. Huge kudos to DreamWorks for creating a new classic. :)

Behind-the-Scenes: Thracey

Originally Dimension Dust's leading lady was submitted as a potential (unused) character design for the Clone Wars webcomics. Months later, when I was putting together concepts for Dimension Dust, I was scribbling out some female design ideas and didn't like any of them as much as my Thracey design. So I asked my Lucasfilm editor if it was cool if I went ahead and used her for my own story (to which he said "yes," because he's awesome like that). At the time, I was calling her something else (a more StarWarsy name) - I switched it to Thracey, which felt like a fitting tribute to my favorite BSG blonde butt-kicker.

The costume was inspired by an old Marvel comic, Star Wars #73 - as a kid, I always loved Leia's outfit in that issue. I added my own tweaks, of course, but I really wanted it to be a throwback to that great cover. And her hair was very much inspired by Barbarella.

I was a little hesitant to keep the "Hoth squares" on her outfit, but ya know, at the end of the day, I kind of like that it pays homage to The Empire Strikes Back. Kind of fitting, too, that she would make her debut on the 30th anniversary of ESB. :)

So there ya have it. A brief glimpse into the making of Thracey. I hope you'll check in to DimensionDust.com every week and follow her wacky, epic adventures!

My new webcomic

Bookmark away: DimensionDust.com

I eventually realized that the things I wanted to do with the "Wolves of Odin" webcomic just weren't possible with the tiny amounts of free time I have these days. It kept sputtering out before I could get it rolling, and I didn't want to crank out something I wasn't happy with. So I decided to do something else for now. "Dimension Dust" is a science fiction tale, and I think most of you will enjoy it - it's got girls and guns and gadgets and aliens. And going the black & white route instead of full color will save me a LOT of time. So there ya have it. Check it out - let's see how it goes. :)

Official Grant Gould Facebook Page

I finally created an official "art page" for those of you who want to get updates on my projects and such via Facebook. Here's the link!

:)

Sneaky Peeks

Here's a cryptic sneak peek at some of the things I've been working on the past month or so. All four images are for different projects.

I guess that's one of the downsides of doing what I do. Sometimes I can't really talk about stuff until months after the fact. But hey, I'll be revealing more about at least ONE (if not two) of the above projects very soon - as early as next week. So stay tuned! :)

C2E2 Update

The countdown has begun! C2E2, Chicago's brand-spankin'-new convention is right around the corner. It's happening April 16th-18th at McCormick Place and it's already shaping up to be one of the year's key geek culture entertainment events. You can find more info over at c2e2.com, or check out their Facebook page.

I'll have a table in Artist Alley, right at the end of aisle "G" -- my table number is "G-1" (pretty easy to remember). :) So if you're going to the show, definitely swing by and say hey. Maybe even buy a print or two, or a sketchbook. Or just take one of my spiffy new business cards.

As we get closer to the show, I'll post some more info. I've had some people asking about sketches and what I'll be charging, etc. So I'll have that info very soon.
:)

Oh, and P.S. Sorry, no April Fool's wackiness from me this year. I'm still riding high with pride over last year's Madmartigan fansite. I'm not even gonna try to top it. :P