Inspired by Rob Richards fantastic Animation Backgrounds website, I’ve recreated a background from a classic 1942 Tom and Jerry short called “Bowling Alley Cat”. By recreated, I basically mean I take screenshots as the camera rolled by the background, then overlay them like the pieces of a puzzle. I used pieces to cover up any character animation and digitally airbrushing in any holes. This allows for a pristine version of the original background art.

I probably shouldn’t be wasting my time on recreating others people’s artwork, but I have a fondness for these cartoon backgrounds. A lot of amazing talent went into creating them, and I imagine many of the originals don’t exist any more. If I do others like this, they’re likely to be of similar mid-century and retro futuristic subjects.

Click on the image above for a super-sized panoramic version of the artwork. And if you like this sort of thing, be sure to check out Rob’s website. He’s apparently on a bit of a hiatus right now, but his archive of restored animation backgrounds is astounding!

jelly babies doctor who art

“Would You Like A Jelly Baby?” – Original art by Jason Snyder.
An illustration I finished recently. I’ve been obsessed with retro candy packaging recently. This is the Jelly Babies packaging used during parts of the 1970s and 1980s. Also, I couldn’t help throwing references to the Tardis. My wife suggested that I indicate the tail end of Tom Baker’s scarf on the table. Maybe a 2.0 version of this, just for Who geeks.
This was done completely in Illustrator and Photoshop. No 3d software was used in the final composition, though I did use Sketchup to create the perspective reference.

This artwork is available as a printable digital download on Etsy.com. If you’re interested in framing it and hanging it on your wall somewhere, here’s where you can get it! It’s only $5 dollars, and you’ll receive access to five high resolution digital download sizes. You can print it yourself, or have it professionally printed and framed. You can even use it as a Windows wallpaper for your PC gaming rig, or your phone.

I’ve created a Valentines Day themed papercraft robot for the month of February. If all goes according to plan, I’ll do one of these a month, each with a calendar on the back. Check back often to download the latest! Read more


I occasionally root through all the sketches I’ve amassed throughout the years to see if there’s anything that gives me inspiration. Once and a while, I’ll find something in that sketch bin that just begs to be finished.
Yesterday, I pulled out a two minute sketch of a little astronaut, holding a tray with a burger and fries, looking for all the world like he was traveling by jet-pack in the same way that carhops of a bygone age would have gone by roller-skates. You see that sketch below.
 
 

Anyway, I spent a few hours turning this little character, who I’d previously named “L’il Astor,” into a Googie / retro-futuristic restaurant sign.