Yee-haw! I have several pen and ink illustrations in the “Secrets of Morocco” sourcebook for the “Call of Cthulhu” rpg. Here are a few:

The Singing Spire

One Way Trip

Morocco Map

Click for a bigger image.

Poor Headless. Keep looking, man. Better luck in 2012.

Have you seen the webcomics at Steve-Hamaker.com? Go with haste!

I recently finished the cover for a DVD-ROM, a collection of game session audio recordings, interviews and more related to the roleplaying game Call of Cthulhu and H.P. Lovecraft’s weird fiction, called “Lovecraftian Tales from the Table.”

Lovecraftian Tales from the Table DVD Cover
digital, 9-12-08

Process:

The design came quickly, but I didn’t make the decision to use a more cartoony style until the final line drawing.

I painted it in two sections and pieced them together in the final. In the top half, you can see my struggle with the engine. Drawing mechanical objects is a challenge for me, let alone painting them.

The bottom half:

I’ve enjoyed working with the energetic Paul of Cthulhu over at Yog-Sothoth.com. Perhaps we will team up for more projects in the future, if the stars are right. (Lovecraftian-nudge, Lovecraftian-wink.)

I read an amusing article from my hometown newspaper today. The thought process behind this new … policy, I guess you’d call it, is unsettling, whether you mind this fashion fad or not.

“FLINT, Michigan — The city’s new police chief is saying no to crack.

Acting Flint Police Chief David R. Dicks announced Thursday that officers will begin arresting people wearing pants or shorts that sag too low exposing rear ends.” -Article in the Flint Journal.

Plumber arrested for crack
ink brush and photoshop, 06/27/08

“What about plumber’s crack?” said Keith Speer, president of the Flint Police Officers Association.“

Update:

But you know what? I don’t care. If it annoys me, it SHOULD be illegal. (Right, chief?) — Andrew Heller, Flint Journal

Don’t Worry ‘Bout a Thing, ink wash, 5/28/08

Let’s see. I’ve been meaning to experiment with some kids book illustrations. This ink wash style is what I’ve been using on my freelance work lately. Illustration Friday’s topic of “worry” brought Bob Marley’s classic tune “Three Little Birds” to my head. It all adds up to this weird drawing.

Rise up this mornin’,
Smiled with the risin’ sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, this is my message to you.

Lately, the things that have been influencing me artistically and otherwise piquing my interest have been all over the place. Pulp, The Old West, Greek Mythology, Arabian Nights, Chronicles of Narnia. Too much! Need to focus! Brain Aneurysm!

Simmer down, now. Every little thing gonna be alright.

Here’s the sketch. What a large head this kid has!

Treat yourself to a happy song:

Story Gaming in Boston, 5-21-08

Sheesh, it’s been a little while since I’ve written anything here. I’ve been traveling a bit (I’ll post photos soon!) and working (I can’t post the stuff right now.)

Last night I attended my first gaming session with the “Story Games Boston” group. You ask, what’s a story game? The definition is somewhat sketchy, but Story-Games.com says:

A Story Game is a type of role-playing game or gaming experience with a lesser focus on My Character and a greater focus on Our Story.

It was a fun and memorable evening with lots of laughs, dice explosions and bottle-tipping. It will be awhile before I get the hang of this style of play. Playing is heavy improvisation and whenever I try to improv, a big “Loading, Please Wait…” message scrolls across my brain.

Great group of folks and I’m looking forward to seeing them again next week.