RODD RACER article...only on The Pulse!!

http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=005127
Follow this link to my article on RODD RACER at The Pulse.
It will shed some more light on my latest project, along with a few new images.
-T

RODD RACER a work in progress

Rodd Racer is a story inspired by the old adventure strips of Milton Caniff, and Frank Robbins.

It takes place in a fictional 1930's environment which slants towards the futures of Fritz Lang.

A story about a young, ambitous racer who risks it all to win greatness, but finds more than he gambled for in the violent world of the street derby run by gangsters known only as...Thunder Road.

RODD RACER

a story by T.Cypress

coming soon

RODD RACER

RODD RACER...the recent book I'm working on. Written/Illustrated by myself.
More pages/info in a couple days.
-T.

MAGNUS the robot fighter

The Trench is painted in mixed media.

Magnus the Robot Fighter measures at 34"X11". Someday I hope to produce 5 more of these drawings in which tell something of a story, and combine into a giant "comic page" with a narritive to hang on somebody's wall.

Next week...I post some samples of "Rodd Racer"...my next book following The Tourist.
-T

The Tourist...coming this April

The Tourist: a graphic novel written by the brilliant Brian Wood, illustrated by Toby Cypress.
IMAGE comics: Due out this April 6. 104 pages.
Comic book store order code: FEB061767

required listening: Portishead, Interpol

"The Tourist" is about an American GI that goes AWOL in search of his future, and finds himself in a remote Scottish fishing village while pursued by his past. A dangerous game of cat/mouse threatens himself, his dreams, and those he's come to care for.

"The Tourist"... brings a bag of trouble for an innocent fishing village that has risked it's happiness for a stranger, and his bag of secrets.

Brian Wood, is simply one of the most brilliant, and passionate writers of our age.

His work doesn't pull any punches, and speaks with a voice from a gut level viewpointed reality.

Brian, and I have been friends for a long time since meeting at a comic book show years ago as art students.

He's continued to create with a sense of passion, and contributed a brilliant voice in the independant publishing artform.

The Tourist is a remarkably different from some of his other works. Sorta' a mix of Demo, Couriers, and recent works such as DMZ...yet still unique. A study of people like much of his work is, but expanding his diversity still again.

Order youself a copy of The Tourist...available this April 6.

comic store order code:FEB061767

Rodd Racer on my table...

So, I'm finishing Rodd Racer pretty soon.

The top photo is a sketch of one of the characters "Drag'on" for a student of mine for his sketchbook... from my book "Rodd Racer".

The second photo is a shot of my drawing table with some of the "Rodd Racer" pages kinda spread out as I try to figure out what the hell I'm doing...as I try to figure out when the heck I'll finally be done drawing the book...

that's all your getting as far as a preview for now.
But I promise a fitting preview of the artwork soon!!
-T

Tetsuo

This is my first drawing of the new year 2006.
The character is Tetsuo from the film "Akira".

"Akira" had the same important infuence to me as a kid as films such as Star Wars, and Citizen Kane.
Akira was the first time I realized that animation was an artform, and not just a medium for children...but a medium with vast potential for an adult market that could interpret the craft of storytelling.

Now, as a kid (14-15 years old) I had no idea what the movie was about...musta took me a dozen viewings to interpret, but eventuallly things made some sense to me...And I appreciate Katsukiro Otomo's respect for his audience.

Tetsuo was something of a tragic figure in the film, and it was my first time seeing antagonists portrayed realistically... imagine that in an animated film!
Mind blowing stuff.

P.S.
also make sure to check out the films of Miyazaki playing all January on the Turner Classic Movies network. That's another master of storytelling using the animated medium.
-T

Have a "Savage" New Year!!

Here's the finished colors for my Conan pinup.

I've warmed my color pallete up with earth tones, and warm greens.
The idea is that I wanted a creepier, "sicker" environment/mood. At the same time, I wanted a bit more graphic contrast without being to obvious...
...Compare this color to my earlier attempt...what do you think?

As for the drawing...well, there are still some things I could tweek, such as proportions. But I've got to move on to new drawings. It's not always good to grow to attached to your work, better to move on to the next batch.

Overall, I feel pretty comfortable with the design I'd like to go with for a Conan story...'wink'.

Now that 2005 is finally coming to an end, let's hope we all have a great 2006...
Happy NEW YEAR!
-T

The Savage Sword...

...of CONAN!!

This sketch was done just in time for the New Year.

Actually, I hope to do some Conan work some time in 2006, and this sketch is my first attempt at the character study.

Jorge Zaffino (comic artist) has always been a big influence of mine. Thus inspiring my choppy brush work, and subtle zip-a-tone use for a little graphic design.




Overall, I'd like to make some changes to the head...not sure I'm happy with this design.

The color is a color rough completed in photoshop, and it reads a little dark...still working on a final version which I hope to post soon.

-Happy New Year!!
-T

temporary photo 

Website?

My official website is still under construction.
Yes, I told everybody it would be done last summer...but hey it'll be done early 06.
Here's the address
www.tobycypress.com
please bookmark it, and check back for new artwork.

In the meantime, you can see some of my work here...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CypressArt/
Join the group, and become a member...then click the "files" section to view work.

I'll update everybody as to when tobycypress.com features new artwork, and design!
-T

Welcome to Punkrock*Jazz

12/22/05
Welcome to the official blog of artist T.Cypress!

After many requests I've taken some time to start a blog.
This blog is basically about my work, news/appearance updates.

I've often been asked about my process, my inspiration, and this blog is an effort to create a little journal about what's going on in my daily operations, and to help shed some insight on what makes me tick.
Future posts will include examples of my work in progress.

Nothing is really out of bounds!
Some days I may post political interests, other days I may post critiques of film/music. Still, most of the time I'll be posting updates about my work, it's evolution, it's release schedule, and any concerns/interest I might be having in my work.
-T
toby cypress
artist