It's (Not Really) Almost Christmas Morning

OK, so 2017 may be behind us, but that doesn't mean we have to forget everything that happened! Case in point - Happy Holi-Dakes Vol. 7 was released with a pretty great cover, along with an awesome original tune called Almost Christmas Morning that will get stuck in your head.

Anyway, more about the letter-&-brush-work. Let me explain the animated GIF below for you...

(1) I usually try to draw a cover that encompasses everything contained within the album. This year that just wasn't working. Sorry, Santa.
(2) New idea - keep it simple. Like an album cover of old, just show the performers and information about what they're playing.
(3) Refine #2. Note: My brother doesn't quite look like that. But he also doesn't have a beard or glasses, so it's his own fault I can't draw him.
(4) We need some color in the background. This dullish blue will do.
(5) We need some drama! Enter the spotlight...
(6) We need information about what's inside, along with a note about my dear grandmother who left us earlier in 2017. Hi, gramma!
(7) And this was the key. Instead of leaving the players cold and white, they needed a warmth. But not TOO Christmas-green. So this key lime does the trick.

And that's that.

(It's a slow burn GIF. Relax.)

Who Is Norwood Viviano?

Holy smokes, folks. It's been a w-h-i-l-e. But a local spot, The Workshop Brewing Company in Traverse City, recently started hosting a Drink & Draw. So here's my first stab at a new post. Basically, I randomly selected a note on my phone that I have no memory of, and drew a comic. Info on the real deal is below. Cheers!

(Click on the image to get up close and personal.)

Turns out Norwood Viviano is an artist that makes some cool stuff. In 2012, my girlfriend (wife now) was telling me about him and we looked him up. You can see his work here. And here's what he actually looks like: