Martin Whitmore

I continue working on the group commission piece, and it is quickly becoming apparent that I have completely lost my mind. This drawing has taken on a life of its own, and terrible themes are emerging. (O_O) The darkness is scratching at the backs of my eyeballs, and I am about to begin work on the foreground of the image. The foreskin will have to wait until later. I will get to that.

I am perfectly happy to draw this commission any damn way I please. However, I would like to remind some of you who donated that you are not properly abusing your privileges by berating me constantly and undermining my sense of self-worth. I have not been abused nearly enough since this project began. Do you know how many times I’ve cried while working on it? None. By now I expected to be a broken shell of a man, living only to draw a picture under the leering eye of the unwashed masses; but my dignity remains intact. I hold my head up high. While I appreciate the feedback I’ve gotten via e-mail, and from those of you who’ve seen the drawing in person, I demand more abuse. Thank you sir, may I have another?!

Hurts so good.

We made a brief side-trip to spend time with some old friends in Youngstown last week.

I can still sing the theme song all the way through. (No.)

…however you spell it, it reads as “AWESOME”. That’s right, folks, you will be getting a badass Steampunk Cthulhu in your group commission. When I tell you that I am moist with excitement, I am certainly not exaggerating. …and who is our Titan of Tin and Tentacles squaring off against? Well, none other than the God of the Gaskets, the only guy to call when Nirvana’s toilet is backed up, the Potty-sattva himself - the Hindu Plumbing God! When your pipe dreams are clogged, he can set you on the Sevenfold Path to cleaner drains.

I hope you people are writing this down, because this is comedy gold right here. I also hope you’re enjoying the process while you watch your combined dreams come true. I’m really glad that you people are all so twisted that I can produce things like *this* from the input you give me. I think it really says something about a world in which I can create art that includes an Eldritch Steampunk Lovecraftian horror doing battle Godzilla-style with a Drain Deity. …I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but, there I go! :::sniff::: It’s just so damn beautiful!

As always, feel free to sneer, jeer, cheer, applaud, moan, groan, and give me feedback in whichever other way you feel appropriate. And remember: Concubines are the gift that keeps on giving!

Hello again, everyone. I have gone to great lengths, and faced many dangers in order to send you this message from the mystery-shrouded land spoken only of in hushed terror, known as “Ohio.” I must endeavor to work quickly, lest I be caught sending this and face dire consequences. I believe, however, that it is worth risking life, limb, and mortal soul to bring you this….. update on Community Commission No. 1! (cue thunder clap)

The project is going well, I have my preliminary sketches pretty much finished up, and I’m ready to start in on the main pencil drawing that will become the final piece. The project got a little bit slowed down due to my trip to this blasted land of shadow and substance, but it continues to inspire me, and I can’t wait to have a finished product ready to ship out to all of you! All of you that were in on the Fundable project, anyway. (^_^)

So, based on what you’ve seen so far, are there any suggestions? Comments? Concerns? Cheers, jeers, jibs, or jibes? ‘Cause I’d love to hear them. If you’ve got any of those (or a binding incantation in case the Shoggoths come back again), then feel free to send them my way! I must admit that I work better (and usually faster!) when I’m getting lots of feedback. …Oh god, I think I hear them coming! I have to go now! Teke-li! Teke-li!

Hey, everyone! Here’s your first look at the sketches so far for the group commission. I started doing an overall layout sketch, then started work on a certain concept that seemed *interesting* to me, which will play a part in the drawing. Trying to work up some concept sketches for a couple different ways to do it. (^_^)

So, here’s the part where you all get to start your heckling, cheering, accolades, or baseless name-calling. Just about anything goes, so have a good time! Even if it’s at my expense. Heh! Man, why didn’t I think of this before??? This whole thing is a lot of fun! I can’t wait to see what’s coming next!

…for my sketchbook, and One Giant Leap for the Schizophrenic Group Commission project! You crazy bastards have given me a heaping helping of challenge. And if it keeps going as well as my sketches tonight have turned out, I’ll have a steaming pile of Awesome for you in no time! Right now I’m doing rough layout sketches to make sure I get it all put together right, but I’m definitely having a lot of fun putting some personality into it. I’ll scan some sketches and get them posted tomorrow. In the time being, rest easy knowing that I’ve got this project well underway.

It’s also of interest to note that the last member of the Big Pledgers club got me her contribution, so nobody is left unrepresented! I love it when a plan comes together. (^_^) You guys are just gonna *die* when you see the picture, and I let you know what the phrases that went into it were. Good stuff, folks.