Cards, Comics, and Elegance

The video above is the release of the newest decks from De'vo.  The decks release today at 11am on xtremehandz.com.  The first is a BEAUTIFUL deck featuring original artwork ALL OVER the place.  The second is the third issue of Magicians Must Die, the world's first comic series on playing cards, drawn by ME!  This series has been a HUGE success.  The first deck sold out in less than two weeks.  It had to be reprinted with a variant sketch cover for Denver Comic Con last year, along with the second issue.  They are both nearly sold out, but are available on xtremehandz.com along with the new issue.  GO GET YOU SOME!!!

Black Cat sweeping

For AIC comic book League, we were doing a comic book character interacting with a household object.  I decided I'd draw Black Cat sweeping!

Behind the Curtain...Magicians Must Die #3 Release!

This issue of Magicians Must Die is mostly a flashback sequence that tells the story of the world De'vo has created.  It's a great sequence with some awesome action.  I LOVED drawing this issue.  For those of you that have picked up the first couple of issues, you'll NEED to get this one.  For those of you that haven't picked up any of the issues yet, make sure you grab the whole set off of magiciansmustdie.com and enjoy the story!  #3 should be available right around Halloween.

We are also hoping to get to a couple of conventions in 2014 with the decks.  Stay tuned for more information on that.

It's Christmas Time in the City....really...it is.

So, I figure I am going to jump on the "get the holidays started early bandwagon."  So here we go, I am going to be opening a commission list for the holidays.  I am planning on doing a series of 9"x12" full ink commissions for anyone that wants them for the holidays.  They would be one character and environment for $47.  I know that's a weird number, but that does include shipping priority mail 2-3 days anywhere in the continental USA.  If you would like a commission let me know via twitter: @jpeteranetz. Via Facebook: www.facebook.com/jpeteranetz or with a PM on facebook.  Or via a comment here on the blog.  We will make payment arrangements via paypal.

9"x12" commission (black and white ink single character on bristol board): $47 (includes shipping)

check my commissions page for other options!

Planar study

So, I screwed up the perspective on a drawing I am working on for fun.  I decided rather than throw it all away...which I almost did.  I thought i'd go ahead and do a planar study of the female figure in the image.  I thought it was pretty successful, so i'd share it.  Here ya go!

Fairy Dust

It feels like magic.  I am SO freaking close, it seems, to taking my freelance career to a level where I don't have to work two other jobs to support this habit.  My problem is, can I sustain this pace?  I don't know, and that's scary.  Though, I do know I have the most supportive family on the planet, and they are behind me 100%.  So thank you all!

This is panel from the latest Adventures of Toothy for Comfort Dental.

Magicians Must Die #3 Previews

And, once again, we are starting the process of previewing yet another issue of Magicians Must Die.  A couple of cool changes this time...are you ready for this? Are you sure you want to see what's behind the curtain before the deck releases next month?  Positive?  Alright, here we go then.

This is a flashback issue that talks about the origins of the war, it's an amazingly well written issue by De'vo.  This issue really sets the story in motion and shows us why the magicians have turned to torture and capture.  IT'S FANTASTIC!!!!  Get ready to be immersed into the world of Magicians Must Die.

PS- stay tuned, there will be more to come in the next couple of weeks,  every post will reveal just a LITTLE bit more about what's going to happen in this issue.

GG Beer Fest

There is a long story about this label that I may not have time to get into.  Regardless, this is a label for a beer that is being brewed for a fundraiser.  The fundraiser is for Geneva Glen Camps by the GG Young Alumni Group.  This is a group of GG alumni that are trying to find a fun and purposeful way to help camp and spread the word of the good that camp does.  Find out more at GG Young Alumni Group's facebook page: GG Young Alumni

Awesome Man!!

This is Awesome Man.  He was created by Ian Geddes.  His powers and capabilities can be seen on the sheet labeled Comic Book Classroom.  I was fortunate enough to be a guest artist at the event.  Each of the artists: the Enviable Dan Conner, the Amazing Andy Moore, and myself the Prophetic Jay Peteranetz (side note, totally making up the superhero names here...none of us actually use the prefixes...at least not that I know of) picked an image to draw from the bin of superheroes the kids drew at the event.  It was awesome and the hosts: WOW! Children's Museum and Comic Book Classroom in association with the Denver Comic Convention were amazing!!!

MLK/Avengers Inks

Here are the inks for this piece.  This is as far as I am going to take it.  Not sure about color.  Don't really want to take the time.  Anyone want to?

Avengers and MLK 50 years later...pencils

In 1963, the year MLK Jr. gave his famous speech, The Avengers debuted for Marvel Comics, with five white males as the main characters.  If you look at the books today they are full of a series of diverse and interesting characters including an android as a main character in one of the books.  The diversity may not be directly attributed to that speech, but 50 years later, the diversity in comics is mirroring the society around them.  Thank you Reverend King, and thank you Marvel for showing the interest in making your comics diverse and accessible to everyone.

Jack Kirby's Wake Up & Draw and 50 years later

So, this morning I was inspired by both Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., and Mr. Jack Kirby.  I was unsure how to incorporate both into an image, but here we are.  the four Avengers depicted are the current main characters of the Avengers, Avengers Assemble, The Mighty Avengers, and Avengers A.I.  I wanted to post a work in progress because I may not get a chance to finish it today.  It'll be up within the week, I hope.

It's COMING!!!

It's coming!! The art for the next comic deck is finished.  I am looking forward to the final product.  This is probably the best work on this series to date, both the writing and art are starting to hit their stride, and the story is REALLY coming alive.  I am more excited about this one than I was about number 1...and that's saying something!!!!  Lots of easter eggs in this too....LOOK FOR THEM!  Coming October-November of this year!!!

A LONG Haul

This was a screen test for the colors for the next issue of Magicians Must Die, or MMD.  Much of this issue is history, so the sepia tones are helping separate time in this issue....still working out the technique.  I am finishing the final stages of the issue right now and am looking forward to seeing this piece in print this coming October from magiciansmustdie.com and xtremehandz.com

MMD #3: It starts

Just a quick screen capture of a character from MMD #3.  The art is coming a long nicely and there will be some new amazing features in this deck!!!! Coming in October!

Ink Test

Hadn't sat down with a brush to ink for a while....so I decided i'd practice before hitting MMD #3 hard....not too bad, I thinks.

And now, for something completely different...

So, one of my former managers at Best Buy has been working his butt off (literally) and has decided to start a fitness company called Health Starts Here.  I saw him recently when I was buying a new TV for my new home, and we started talking about a logo for his company.  This is what we came up with, thoughts?  Also, he is trying to decide what color it should be (my favorite is the last one), if you want to comment go to his facebook page here:  Rick Arrick: Health Starts Here

Portfolio Update

I just updated my portfolio.  Found a couple of jobs I want, figured I'd direct them all to the same place: The Art Portfolio of Jay Peteranetz

Guess who's back, back again....

It's been a while...I think over a month.  Let's update you.  First off, I had an AMAZING time at Denver Comic Con this year.  We did a lot of stuff, had a lot of fun, did a few interviews...one on geeky faucets, one for Rino District Radio, and one for MTV Geek (still haven't seen this one online yet, and we may not....).  I finished my first quarter teaching at the Art Institute in Denver, and had LOTS of fun doing that.  I have three classes next quarter.  I also moved to Thornton, CO from Frederick, CO.  Only about 15 miles closer to Denver, but a world away.  Anyway, I am working on some random images and back to another issue of Magicians Must Die.  You'll see that in October!

Denver Comic Con and and the first interview of the weekend

Watch "Jay and the Comic Deck of Cards - Geeky Faucets" on YouTube
Check it out!  My first interview of the weekend.  More to come, that was only day one!!

MMD Print for Denver Comic Con

I know many of you have seen this before, but I am putting it back up because the Denver Comic Con is coming up this weekend and we'll have this print available at the HandLordz, LLC booth.  Which will be booth 530 on the floor this year.  We'll have 50 of these exclusively for this weekend.  They are all numbered and will be signed upon purchase.  They are on a high quality stock and will be bagged in a comic sleeve.  I will see you there!

More MMD sketch Decks

Just a few of the sketch decks I've done for the re-release of MMD #1....and I still have A LOT left to do!  I'll also be drawing more on Free Comic Book Day at I Want More Comics in Thornton, CO this Saturday.

They're HERE!!! and on SALE TOMORROW!

Check it out!  The decks have arrived.  They look great!  They will be on sale tomorrow at xtremehandz.com GO BUY SOME!!!!

MMD #2 Teaser

Leading up to the release of MMD #2 on xtremehandz.com, I am going to try to post some images of the comic here everyday....here is some more.

April 27th...MM...D-Day

So, this Saturday is the release of MMD #1: Sketch Cover, MMD #2, and The MMD Midnight Blades at xtremehandz.com.   There is a new store, new layout, and the featured products are on the front page, so you don't have to go hunting for the latest and greatest.  Right now, guess what the latest and greatest is?  That's right...MMD!!!!!  Go check it out!  Also, if you want to pick up a deck in person and you live in Denver, come to I Want More Comics on Free Comic Book Day May 4th.

SKETCH DECKS!!!!!!!!!!

These are custom sketches on the back of the reprint of MMD #1!  These will be available off the xtremehandz.com website soon and then at all the events coming up in Denver, CO.  I will be at Free Comic Book Day May 4th at I Want More Comics.  I will be at the release event for the new beer for Denver Comic Con May 9th at the Punchbowl!  And, of course, May 31st-June 2nd at Denver Comic Con where we will also have an exclusive print for Denver Comic Con limited to just 20 copies!

MMD: Sketch Cover

Check it OUT!  It's here it's HERE!  These officially go on sale when the second deck arrives.  They should be here in the next couple of weeks.  Do you see that blank back cover?  That's so you can have an artist create a custom drawing JUST FOR YOU!!  Some will be available on the website when they release, and I'll be doing sketches at Free Comic Book Day on May 4th at I Want More Comics in Thornton, CO and at Denver Comic Con May 31st-June 2nd at the Colorado Convention Center.

Whew!...Comics.

Well...I am still finishing a couple of pages, but you know it's a passion when you are up at 2am in the morning, and starting on another page.  You may be tired, but you see the end and are SO excited for it you just can't stop.  Welcome to my passion...comics.  PS-  This is a currently unreleased project that will be available at the end of the month...it's going to the printer Tuesday....DEADLINES!!!!!!

Lucky #'13?

So, this is something I can't really talk about yet, but this is an image that will be appearing in an 8 page comic here early next month.  I am doing perhaps the largest commission of my life so far.  It's been a fun series of circumstances that has lead me to this, but I am hoping it's going to be the start of even bigger things.  I feel like 2013 is going to be the year I am able to transition into this art think full-time.  Here's hoping!

Tribal Sun Studios

Let's talk a little bit about perseverance and self-reliance.  There are very few industries out there beyond the world of art that rely so heavily on one's own ability to create.  I just finished listening to Shawn Crystal's podcast, Ink Pulp Audio, and his interview with Rick Remender (amazing artist and writer).  It got me thinking about what I am doing up, here at almost midnight on a Monday night working on a comic page that isn't going like I want it to, and for the first time, I am drawing too small. Regardless, I have worked with many people in the short career I have had as a comic artist and each has poured their heart and souls into this world of little reward and large investment.
One of these people is Ron Bryce.  He got into comics in high school, wrote and helped publish a comic with me called The Prophecy, and has been writing since he picked up a book.  He created a website called Tribal Sun Studios with a friend of his.  I was lucky enough to do their most recent logo (the image above).  What I respect Ron for most is his drive to be himself.  Even though he's worked through the bureaucracy that is multiple college degrees, and time and time again at big box electronic stores, he will always be defined by his projects and love of writing.  Here's to you RJ!

The current Line Up

The hard proof for MMD #2 arrived today...it's GORGEOUS!  I can not wait to see this thing finished and in my grubby little hands.  The three boxes you see in this picture are test boxes we printed to make sure they worked correctly...they do.  And the blurred image in the background is part of the second deck.  Check out www.xtremehandz.com for updates and release dates when we know them!

MMD #2 Finished images

So, it's not a big secret that there will be a second deck for Magicians Must Die.  These are some of the final images of the next deck.  My personal opinion, and it's simply that, is that this is some of the best artwork I have ever done.  There are some scenes that make me proud to do what I do.  It's the first time in a LONG time that I feel like I am near a truly professional level of artwork.  So I hope you enjoy and as soon as I have a release date...you'll know where and when to get it.

Thumbnails for a new project

So, I got probably my biggest commission as of yet last week.  I can't talk about it much yet because it's not announced, but it's going to be my first international comic, and it's going to be released and distributed in May.  I'll let you know more, and see more, when I am allowed.  For now though, enjoy the thumbnailing process!!!!

MMD #1 w/ sketch cover!

Check it out!  The official post has been made.  De'vo has decided to do a reprint of the first issue of MMD with a customizable sketch cover on the back.  There is no release date yet, but I'll keep you posted when I know!  Check out the official post from Xtreme Handz here: http://www.xtremehandz.com/catalog/item/1177704/9554633.htm

Magicians Must Die

So, MMD #2 is coming along nicely.  We are approaching the printing deadline for release at this year's Denver Comic Convention.  The art is finished, just working on the box layout and such.  This is a color test for an alternate cover for MMD #1.  We are using the image, just not the color.   And there is a very good reason for that...more coming on THAT soon.

MMD #2 Teaser

This is a short preview for MMD #2, which is releasing May 31st at Denver Comic Con. You can also see the official announcement at the facebook page of De'vo, the writer and creator.

MMD #2! and ECCC

So, we are working hard on the second installment of MMD for Denver Comic Con coming up at the end of May.  These two characters are the supporting character and the main villain of this issue.  This will become a theme as more decks are produced.  Of course, to do that, we gotta SELL these!  Will keep you informed on release dates and such.
Also, off to Emerald City Comic Con!  It's my first time at the Convention and it's been a LONG time since I've been to Seattle.  I am looking forward to seeing old friends and making new connections!

MMD #2 and Appearances

I apologize about the lack of artwork lately, I have been running hard towards a deadline at the end of the month.  I am putting up a quick post today to talk about upcoming appearances and such.  First of all:  I'll be at Emerald City Comic Con coming up at the end of the month.  I am not tabling, but I'll be around, follow my twitter feed to see where I am.
I'll also be at Denver Comic Con this year with Handlordz, LLC.  Check out my post on the website here: http://www.denvercomiccon.com/2013/jay-peteranetz/  And that's all for now, art coming soon from MMD #2

Toothy 3: Colors

Here are the final colors.  The images came out pretty well I think.  Anyone with thoughts?  I'll be putting up lettering tomorrow.

Toothy Flats...prelim

So, for the latest installment of The Adventures of Toothy, I decided I'd show the process of coloring.  First step for a colorist, after getting the prepared scans from the inker/publisher, is to flat the drawing.  This creates flat planes of color for the colorist to select and render.  This is a separate layer in photoshop and can be used as a safety net if the colorist screws up.

Comics: Grade Four

In my opinion, one of the best comics on the list.  This is a great book for fourth grade, not only because they are getting introduced to superheroes in everyday media and cartoons, but because their sense of humor can appreciate the superhero humor and parody in this book.  Check out the review: G-Man

More Comic Recommendations: Grade 3

Once again, Grant Thomas of Making Visual Narratives has been nice enough to put up my third grade comic recommendation on his site.  Check it out: Mo and Jo

More Toothy Coming soon...it's a secret

Hey all, over the next couple of days I'll have the third installment of The Adventures of Toothy ready for Comfort Dental...but shhh...it's a secret.  NOT REALLY!

More GrailKnights

So, the Grailknights (a melodic Superhero Metal Band) in Germany have a new drummer.  He is the same character as before, but a new person is drumming for them.  So, I was able to just change the head on the drawing...ahhh, the beauty of photoshop.  And next is replacing him on the T-shirt.

Outlaw Star

So...I made a bet with a Domo Stanton, a friend from school.  He is a Ravens fan, I am a Broncos fan.  All indications last week showed the Broncos were going to DESTROY the Ravens...I was wrong.  The bet was a 4x6 of any character and if the Broncos won, three of his amazing Fanboys vs. Zombies covers.  If the Ravens won, he'd get a deck of my sold out MMD #1 Limited Edition decks.  Needless to say, he'll enjoy the decks and this drawing of Gene Starwind from Outlaw Star...

Hellboy Interlude: inks....finally

Remember this?  Me too....here are the final inks.  If you don't remember this, try this link:
Hellboy Interlude

Logo Design

A friend and co-worker is an Independent Intimacy Consultant on the side.  I recently created a logo for  her company.  The company is called Metro Cherry, and this is the logo design.  It was created in Adobe Illustrator CS5.