Author: Cedric

blackout.jpg This article is primarliy aimed at two groups of freelancers: Californians who have been experiencing massive power outages, and Minnesotans who live in my blackout-proned neighborhood. In recent months I've had three major power outages lasting several hours each, plus a few minor ones. Twice, in order to meet deadlines, I've had to pack up my computer, drive across town, and set up a temporary studio at my mother-in-law's house. She was very sweet for letting me impose on her, but it was an enormous hassle nonetheless. (Untangling a rat's nest of computer cables in the dark is not what I would call fun.) After the third outage in two months, I'd had enough.

OK, one is a Top Twelve list and the other is a Top Thirteen list. Still, these are some terrific articles from one of my favorite blogs, FreelanceSwitch.com: 12 Breeds Of Client And How To Work With Them Thirteen Breeds Of Freelancer And How To Up Your Game FreelanceSwitch has also started a podcast. I haven't had a chance to listen to it...

I received a letter from a man in Germany who collects autographs and sketches from cartoonists around the world. In broken English he politely asked if I might someday have time to send him an autographed sketch. He also asked that it be of a pig, since his wife likes to collect little pig knick knacks. Normally I don't make a...

Yesterday I covered part 1 of my latest schoolism.com assignment (my instructor is Stephen Silver). Part 2 was to do a memory sketch. "Memory sketching" is an exercise designed to strengthen your observation muscles. It works like this: Go to a place where there are a lot of people (i.e. a mall, airport, coffee shop, etc.). Choose someone in the...

For eight weeks now I've been posting my assignments from a character design class I'm taking at schoolism.com (taught by Stephen Silver). Only one more week to go! This week's assignement was another two-parter. For Part 1 we had to go to a busy public place and fill a page with observational sketches. The Mall of America is near my house,...

For the last few months I've been working as a freelance character designer on 3-2-1 Penguins!, a new animated series on NBC. The premiere episode airs this Saturday (10:30am Central, check your local listings). 3-2-1 Penguins! is about four wacky penguins (Zidgel, Fidgel, Midgel, and Kevin) who travel the universe along with two kids, Jason and Michelle. Imagine Star Trek...