Doodles and more

I’ve very recently begun the practice of rapid fire doodling while on my lunch break at work. I feel as though it’s a great exercise for not only keeping my sketching technique loose and lively but also for brainstorming ideas. Contrary to that notion, I initially couldn’t think of just what to sketch. Then I found inspiration from a source which was literally right under my nose, lunch. So began my series of lunchtime doodles about lunch. For those who don’t already follow me on twitter (which you really should @AJSchumacherart) or are currently a fan of my facebook page (which I urge you to be at www.facebook.com/AlexSchumacherArt), I am presenting said doodles here for your enjoyment.

This weekend I reached into the annals of my journey through creativity and decided to reimagine a character I had concocted with a friend in summer school when we were fifteen or so. To entertain ourselves an entire cast of ridiculous and wonderfully wacky characters were generated and I may at some point get around to updating them all. Today, however, I am presenting the madcap Calculadora Man! Here he is doing what he does best, playing with himself.

Calculadora Man-webLastly, today I want to share a beautiful model sheet from Fritz the Cat by one of my favorite animators Ralph Bakshi. These expressive poses are spectacular examples of line-of-action utilization. If you are a fan and/or student of animation and haven’t already explored Ralph’s ample catalog of films and series, I highly recommend you do so immediately.

Fritz model sheet

Have a great weekend everyone!

Wet, Hot American cartooning

A big ole’ American howdy to everyone on this weekend of The U.S. of A’s birthday! Did everyone enjoy a few days of food, family, friends and FIREWORKS? I know I did. Just for the hell of it, and because I’ll be in a food coma for the foreseeable future, I’m posting some random recent doodles. A wacky character design for a new comic series (though the writer decided to go with a more traditional look)…

Lenny animated_websome figure/line-of-action studies…

Figure study-line of action(2)

And a rat riding a huge rocket in honor of our Independence Day.

Rocket Rat(2)

Enjoy folks and I hope everyone had a happy and safe(ish) 4th!

Memorial Day catch up

Howdy folks! Here’s what’s been going on at studio Schumacher the past couple weeks…

Last weekend was the great Big WOW! convention in San Jose which just seems to grow exponentially every year. It’s wonderful to see as there has been a definite void in Northern California cons since Wondercon moved to Anaheim a few years ago. I was there on Sunday squatting at booth 410 with my cartoonist pals Betsy Streeter and Bridgett Spicer. It was a lot of fun and I’ll definitely be attending again next year. Thanks to everyone who came by and hope everyone had fun.

As of this weekend I have finalized all interior art as well as the cover for my very first picture book, The World’s Crummiest Umbrella, to be released soon by Wandering in the Words Press. It will be available to purchase through the website as well as on Amazon. Check back here as I will be announcing the exact release date very shortly. There are some other exciting picture book/children’s literature projects in the works so this is only the beginning.

Cover image 2I have also been diligently working with my agent on animated series projects and pitches though there isn’t too much that I can share at this point. We are talking to a few networks you may have heard of though… I’ve already said too much. Just know there is a lot of thrilling things in the works which I hope to be able to share with all of you lovely people very soon. Thank you for all the support and love throughout the years!

On a final note, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day. While we enjoy our beers and BBQ let us take the time to remember what this day is actually about. Thank you to all the service men and women who bravely gave their lives defending our freedom.

Memorial-Day-Slider2

It’s almost spring…

… And I just cannot believe how fast 2014 is cruising along already. I know there has been a lapse as far as updates on this site as I focused for a bit of time on some music and songwriting (check out my music site here), but rest assured I have not been resting on my laurels on the cartooning and writing front. Here’s a bit of a rundown on what’s been happening lately here in the studio and beyond:

First, I can’t believe I haven’t shared photos on this site from my trip to LA a couple months ago! My agent booked me some really amazing meetings with some of the best animation houses on the planet and I couldn’t be more grateful. There was lots of confidential (and awesome) stuff going on in theses buildings so there are unfortunately no interior pics that I can share. While there I met some wonderful people, talked about some potentially very cool things and I look forward to sharing more as the journey continues and hope to have some news for y’all soon! In the meantime, here’s the photo tour:

If you haven’t had the chance to check it out already, my guest chapter for Betsy Streeter’s Neptune Road is live right now! This is a great sci-fi comic series and I am very proud and humbled to have been asked to take part. Click on the image below to read the chapter with accompanied by my artwork…
nr 5 page 1 panel
Next up on the boards is the release of my first children’s picture book, The World’s Crummiest Umbrella! I’m very excited to finally have the chance to bring this story to families everywhere and none of it would be possibly without Wandering in the Words Press. They are great supporters of artists and truly believe in the people they partner with and their work. The book will be available soon and I’ll be sure to break the news here first as soon as I know!
WCU_Promo 2014
Thanks for the continued love and support y’all! I truly appreciate it and creating wouldn’t be worth it if there weren’t at least a few folks to enjoy it with me.