Science Project Video

This is a video for a science presentation in my class, not a regular blog post :)

Advance the video to 3:14 and watch until 3:42 to see how much venom a Stonefish has.

Sask Expo

When I found out that we were going to Sask Expo, I decided to make a few artist trading cards.

My favourite part of the Expo was the Artist Alley. Seeing the amazing artwork and getting the chance to talk to the artists was incredible.

Here's the advice that I received from all of the artists:

1. Draw EVERY day.

2. Keep drawing.

3. Practice, practice, practice. Look at artists you like and see what they're doing.

4. But, also be careful that you develop your own style.

George Gingras

It was cool talking to George Gingras because he is a Saskatchewan artist. He designed the poster for National Aboriginal Day 2012. Check out his website here.

Daniel Schneider

Daniel Schneider is an artist from Edmonton. He has comic art as well as great Western art. His horses are awesome! Check out is art at Smashed Head Studios.

Simon Roy

Simon Roy is an artist from Victoria, BC. He signed my copy of The Field. Check out his work here.

Marvin Mariano

Marvin Mariano's work is incredible. He has done art for everyone from Lego to DC Comics. He is a freelance artist, and I loved his Stewie Griffin art. Check out his website here.

Jim Su

I enjoyed talking to Jim Su about his work in VFX. He has worked on a lot of cool projects including Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 

Ed Brisson

Talking to Ed Brisson was neat because he is a comic book writer. It was cool to hear how he works with artists to come up with the stories for the comics. Check out his website here.

Wes Craig

I was really excited to meet Wes Craig and have him sign a comic of one of my favourite superheroes, Nightwing. He was a very cool guy and does a lot of comics for grown ups now. 

Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh and I talked about art, but we also talked about Legend of Zelda because he had drawn a scene inspired by the Queen Gohma boss battle (you can see it here). He now does the art for the new Marvel series, Secret Avengers.

Marcus To

Marcus To is from Toronto, and he has worked with DC and Marvel. He gave me a really good idea about taking a scene from a book that I really like and thinking about how I could tell the story through my drawings. Check out his website here.

I really enjoyed talking to the artists, and it was cool to get some of their artwork too! I am feeling very inspired, and I wish there were more hours in the day so I could draw even more than I do!

Graphic Novel Project

For a school project, one of my options was to create a graphic novel for a chapter of a book that we read in class.

I figured this would be a good chance for me to use some of the art supplies I've been neglecting lately. It was also a good chance to talk my parents into buying me more copic markers, since I "needed them for a school project!"

First, I planned out the panels and sketched them in pencil. 

Then, I used my lightbox to trace the sketches with my copic multiliner (0.3).

Then, I realized I'd made a mistake and had to re-do page 1. Note to self, next time plan, plan, plan. 

Then I got out my copics!

For the skin, I used E000, E00, E11, and E21.

For the rest, I'll include the copics used right on the photo:

This character seems kind of shady in this chapter, so I kept him in the shadows. 

Here's a look at the project overall. 

Step 1: Lego Set 71006 -The Simpsons House

There are two bags in step 1. (Sorry for the poor quality of this photo.)

You get the minifigs for Bart and Homer:

As you can see, the minifigures are different than the ones in Series 13. 

• Bart's eyes are a little shifty. 
• This one doesn't have the detail of the slingshot on his back.
• Homer is wearing his work clothes and has a brief case.
• He looks weary and tired from a long day at the nuclear plant.

You build a wheelbarrow with flower pots:

• The wheelbarrow is property of Ned Flanders.
• The flower pots are pretty cool.

There are 2 reclining chairs:

• The chairs actually recline.
• I'm impressed with the selection of pieces used to make this chair.

You build a barbecue:

• This is also property of Ned Flanders.
• This is way more detailed than any other Lego barbecue that I've built.

Check out Bart's skateboard ramp:

• Notice Bart's graffiti on the ramp.
• If you put Bart on his skateboard at the top, he tips over, so you have to hold him the whole time. (The skateboard rolls down fine if Bart isn't on top.)

Finally, you build the Simpson's car:

• There is a stereo and gear shift.
• It has a working trunk.
• The license plate has Springfield, USA at the top.

Lego Set 71006: The Simpsons House

Check out the contents of Lego Set 71006: The Simpsons House:

This is definitely the largest set I've ever put together! 

There are 7 sets of bags, baseplates, stickers, and 2 instruction booklets. 

Step 1: 2 bags

Step 2: 3 bags

Step 3: 3 bags

Step 4: 3 bags

Step 5: 3 bags

Step 6: 2 bags

Step 7: 3 bags

My plan is to build one step each day, and I'll post my progress.

LEGO Review: Lego Minifigures Series 13 - The Simpsons

I have enjoyed all of the Lego Minifigures Series so far, but I was super excited about Series 13 because it is all Simpsons characters, and I love the show, the movie, the comics, and the Simpsons Tapped Out game.

All of the characters with short-sleeve shirts have painted arms, which is new.

Homer comes with a remote control and a donut. The minifigure is the same shape as a normal one, but the paint detail on the shirt suggests that Homer has a belly. The paint detail on the back of his head does a great job of showing his hairline. They did a good job on the donut. 

Marge's hair is awesome! She comes with a copy of Donut Fancy and a purse. Her red necklace is painted on the torso. Because of the weight of her hair, she can't really stand up without Lego studs holding her up.

Bart's hair is perfect, and the legs are painted so he is wearing shorts. This character isn't holding anything like the other minifigs, but his slingshot is painted on his back of the torso and legs. He also comes with a skateboard. 

I also like the shape of Lisa's head. She is wearing a skirt, which we couldn't seem to get to fit properly. We'll have to figure that out. Her pearls are painted on the front and back of her torso, and she comes with a saxophone. 

Maggie's eyes are cute! She has a red  soother and worn-out teddy bear. She doesn't have legs, but is made to look like she is crawling. It's really neat how her body is just one piece.

Grandpa has lots of detail on his face, including his wrinkles and his glasses. He is holding a newspaper which features a story about him.

Ned's green sweater and mustache are awesome. He also comes with two accessories - an I heart South Paws cup (from his Leftorium?) and a toolbox with "Property of Ned Flanders" painted on it. It might have been funnier if the toolbox had come with Homer!

Milhouse comes with short legs (also wearing shorts). His blue hair and red glasses are a nice touch - the arm of the glasses go all the way to the back of his head. He is holding a comic book.

Apu is also very detailed, including the shape of his hair, his mustache, and his chest hair. They did a good job with his clothing, too. He is holding a squishee. It would have been great if he came with a sign that said, "Thank You. Come again."

Chief Wiggum is wearing a basic police officer uniform, with the details of his badge on the torso and the hand-cuffs on the legs. His hat is attached to his head, and the shape of his nose is perfect. He is holding a baton and a megaphone.

Ralph Wiggum also has short legs, and his belt is painted on his torso. The painted hair detail is great, going all the way around his head. He is holding the Valentine's card for Lisa.

Mr. Burns also has great detail in the shape of his face, hair, and teeth, including age spots on his head. His nose is perfect. He is wearing a business suit, and he is holding a radioactive rod and Blinky, the three-eyed fish.

Nelson's outfit is perfect - he is wearing his usual t-shirt, vest, and shorts. His mullet is awesome! He is carrying a baseball bat - an accessory that Lego would have already had from previous minifigure series.

Krusty the Clown has awesome hair. The painting on his face is perfect, and he is wearing a short-sleeved shirt, blue bow tie, and white gloves. He comes with a pie, of course.

Itchy has great detail in the shape of his face and teeth. It's a little weird that he doesn't have a tail. He is wearing an orange shirt and is holding a club - an accessory that we've seen in other Lego sets. Another option for his accessory would be a chainsaw.

Scratchy also has great detail in his face and head shape, particularly the teeth and tongue that are sticking out. He also has a tail attached to the torso. He is holding an axe - the same one that we saw with the woodcutter in Series 5.

Overall, I think they did a great job with the Simpsons minifigures. Each character's hair and face shape has been captured, and they paid attention to detail when painting on clothing and other features. Lots of the accessories are really cool and suit the characters.

I'm not sure why Itchy and Scratchy were included in the series, since they are not people of Springfield and there were other characters that I would have like to have seen included.

I hope they make another series. If they do, these are the characters I'd like to see:

Comic Book Guy

Sideshow Bob

Snake

Moe

Professor Frink

Smithers

Principal Skinner

Mrs. Krabapple

Groundskeeper Willie

Cletus

Carl

Lenny

Jimbo Jones

Martin Prince

Barney 

Fat Tony

Who would you like to see?