DAY 3ish

So this is my progress so far.  I've been working on it little by little when I can find time.  The inking took WAY longer than I had initially anticipated.  I guess working at such a large format will do that (and dry up pens!).  The watercolor, on the other hand went rather quickly.  I had some problems with color...  I think the car is less white than I'd like and more baby-blue.  I think the red came out pretty well though.  Anyway this is only part of the piece.  There will be smaller panels on the right side that will feature different parts of the car and a close-up of the boy, who incidentally looks like THIS!

So adorable!

Speed Racer Inspired Commission

So good news!  A wonderful couple out in Florida stumbled across my blog searching for Speed Racer images and have decided to commission a Speed Racer inspired piece  for their son's room.  

Anyway, it's day one and I've sketched out what will be my Mach 5 knock-off.  Also pictured is my trusty sketchbook and some thumbnails.  The finished piece will include the car as a centerpiece and 4 panels to the side depicting other aspects of the race and a close-up shot of the boy.

I actually took quite a few cues from a 70's Hot Wheel car called "Second Wind."  Apparently Mattel was interested in releasing a Mach 5 at the height of the Speed Racer cartoon's popularity but couldn't secure the rights.  They re-released the car in 1997 (pictured below).  The Mach 5 stylings are clear.

All in all I'm pretty happy and excited about everything so far.  More updates will be coming!