Tom's Mad Blog
February 25th, 2021 | Posted in News
Yet another major company that should know better is conducting another of those online “art contests”, where they invite artists to create visual pieces of art for “a chance to win $$$” and of course to have your work recognized by “really important people”. This time it’s Universal Pictures, and they want artists to create a new horror character to go along with their famous line-up of horror/monsters for a chance to win $10,000 and to have your work “recognized by a panel of visionary Hollywood filmmakers and creatives”. And, of course, like all of these “contests” this is part of the rules: BY SUBMITTING… READ MORE
February 24th, 2021 | Posted in Daily Coronacature
Here’s my take on Nathan Fillion, drawn as Captain Mal from “Firefly”. Original available as always in the Studio Store. I have a story about meeting Nathan Fillion. Actually it’s a story about The Lovely Anna meeting Nathan Fillion, although I did too. This happened back in August of 2015 when Anna and I drove to Chicago for a comic book convention. Nathan was one of the big stars appearing at the con. The Lovely Anna loves Nathan Fillion. She has seen every episode of “Castle” multiple times. She has seen all the episodes of “Firefly”. I think she’s even seen “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along… READ MORE
February 23rd, 2021 | Posted in General
Just a reminder that you have about two weeks or so to get your birthday wishes for Al Jaffee‘s 100th birthday to MAD Art Director Emeritus Sam Viviano. Sam hasn’t set a deadline but he needs time to put all of this together, so I’d suggest you make sure your cards, letters, fruitcakes, or fresh fish arrive by Wed, March 10th. That’s only TWO WEEKS from tomorrow! What are you waiting for, clod… a furshlugginer invitation? READ MORE
February 22nd, 2021 | Posted in MAD Magazine
We continue our Monday MADness chronological crawl through my work for MAD with a look at my 14th appearance in the magazine, and my third movie parody. This one was a spoof of the Wes Anderson film “The Royal Tenenbaums”, written by Arnie Kogen and appearing in MAD #417, May 2002. This was (and remains) one of my favorite movie parodies I did for MAD. It’s not a favorite because of the work I did on it…I was still learning the ropes of doing these continuities. I loved working on this one because it was one of the most unique movies I ever got to… READ MORE
February 21st, 2021 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: I’ve read that your work for MAD is owned by MAD and they can reprint it anytime they want with no further payment to you. Is that typical, or do you have a different arrangement for other freelance jobs? A: When I do an illustration for a client, who owns the copyrights of that image depends on the agreement I have with that client. Sometimes they own the copyright in perpetuity, sometimes they are only getting the copyright for a single use with limitations such as time, market, etc. It’s important to make sure the copyright arrangement is clearly spelled out IN WRITING and… READ MORE
February 19th, 2021 | Posted in Freelancing
Here’s something different I’ve been doing for a client lately- watercolor caricatures of executives as gifts for promotions/retirements/etc. These are all physical ink/watercolors. They give me a list of things each person is “known for” and I do an illustration incorporating those things as gags or whatever. Having to haul out the old watercolors is what prompted me to take a refresher workshop from a former college instructor of mine who lives in the area. All of these were done prior to that afternoon. I’m looking forward to seeing the difference in my technique if/when I do more of these. These guys all like wine,… READ MORE
February 18th, 2021 | Posted in Illustration Throwback Thursday
I did this spot illustration for Scholastic back in 2007. I can’t remember what the feature was or what it was about, but it’s the four stars of “High School Musical”, Corbin Bleu, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Zac Efron. READ MORE
February 17th, 2021 | Posted in Classic Rock Sketch Series
Here’s my sketch of the immortal Tina Turner, which I guess is not just for “The Daily Coronacature” or a “Sketch o’the Week”, but part of my “Classic Rock” series also… a three-fer! Original sketch is available in the Studio Store as usual. This drawing is a good example of how a subject’s “physicality” can be an important part of their caricature. Tina of course has the massive hair, squinty eyes, big cheeks, etc, but she’s as much known for her dancing/poses and long legs when she performs. In fact, she has wide hips and kind of a thick waist that makes her torso seem… READ MORE
