The Art of Mike Schwartz

I picked up the books yesterday from the printer and they look GREAT!  The colors on the cover are crisp and the spot gloss on the logo gives it a nice pop.  The natural paper stock and ink color are EXACTLY what I had in mind when designing the book.

So now I need to start mailing out the books to my Kickstarter backers AND I need to start sketching.  I’m a little worried about that.  I’m not sure how long that will take until I get going.

I’ve had a few people ask when they can buy a book.  Soon.  As I’m sending out the Kickstarter copies, I will be overhauling my online store.  As soon as it’s ready, you can buy a book.

Mike

Here are a few photos of the Oceanverse Kickstarter Sketchbook.  After receiving a few print quotes higher than I would have liked, I printed them here at work and cut and assembled them myself.

The text in the sketchbooks offer an honest and critical looking into the development of Oceanverse.  I wasn’t expecting to be so open with my work, but when I started typing, I couldn’t stop.  You will find out which drawings I think are junk.  There are plenty.

I am planning to include the sketchbook in the PDF version of Oceanverse: The Collected Edition.  I will let you know when that becomes available.

Mike

I’m not going to apologize.  I’ve been busy!  Frankly, I found it hard to comment on my book progress because I was SO in the thick of things.  Now that most things are out of the way, I can relax, reflect, and start looking forward.

Oceanverse: The Collected Edition is currently at the printer.  The books should be ready by May 7th.  As soon as I get them, I’ll start sending them out to my Kickstarter backers.

Here are the remaining pages of new art for the book.  Three pages are being sent out to backers, the rest will be up for grabs.  I’m considering selling them at my store when I revamp it, hopefully in the next few months.

Regular updates coming soon!

Mike

Oooh, it’s already been a week since it happened, but on February 15th, Oceanverse: The Collected Edition was successfully funded through Kickstarter!  The experience was incredible and I encourage anyone with the next great idea to give Kickstarter a try.  I mean, it’s not like they’re going anywhere.  Over the past few weeks, Kickstarter has had three projects cross the $1 million mark, one project being a reprint of a webcomic (sadly, not mine).  But it goes to show you that Kickstarter has a community of its own and if you make a project that looks exciting and compelling to them, they will contribute.  About 60% of my pledges came from Kickstarter viewers along.

So, moving forward.  I have been completing the new art for the book.  Wanna see?

These pieces will act as title cards for each of the eight stories in the book.  Plus, if you pledged $200 during the campaign, you get to have one!

And it goes from there.  I need to finish the rest of the cards, get the cover wrapped up, then assemble the contents of the book.  It’s my goal to have it in the printer’s hands by the end of March.  Then I can rest for a bit, then I need to make sure I have all the prints, t-shirts and stuff ready to send to the backers.  I have a feeling that will be more work than I’m expecting.  But , you know, it’s a good problem to have.

Mike

Just passed the $6,000 mark yesterday!  Still, there are seven days left to pledge.  Pledge and get a book (at least).

Progress on the book is nearing the finish line.  I am actively inking the new art pages.  I hope to post some completed art soon.  Also, the cover is just about there.  It’s looking pretty good.

Actively working with the printer.  Just about got my paper picked out, ink chosen, all that.

I know this post seems a bit like my previous posts, but everything is still nebulous.  When I’m ready to start showing some art, then things will be a little more exciting.

Mike

Here’s hoping that the Oceanverse Kickstarter campaign crosses the 200% funded line today.  There’s still 19 days to go, so if you haven’t pledged and would like a copy of the book, please consider donating.

In terms of production, things are moving along quite fast now.  The new pages of art (chapter titles) are all nearly drawn.  I’m waiting to break out the ink brush until I know exactly what I want.  I’m a bit afraid to ink waves.  May have to practice first.  A lot.

Also, the cover is looking good.  I’m cleaning up what I already had, plus expanding it to include the back cover, french flaps, things like that.

And, I’m going back and forth with the printer to finalize production aspects like paper stock.  I want this book to look beautiful and thanks to the overwhelming response to the Kickstarter campaign, I think that wish can become a reality.

HOPEFULLY, I will have some semi-finished work to show off next week.

Mike

From this week’s St. Clair Shores Sentinel, my local newspaper.

As I type right now, the Oceanverse: The Collected Edition Kickstarter campaign has crossed the $4,700 mark.  That’s 170% of what I asked.  Unreal.

With that being said, it’s not over.  In fact, there are 29 days to go.  So how do I convince you to pledge to a campaign that has, in theory, already crossed the finish line?

Because you want a copy of the book, right?

Currently, the Kickstarter campaign is the only way you can get Oceanverse: The Collected Edition.  Yes, there will be other ways in the future, but for now, pledge $20 and you buy the book.  It’s as simple as that.  Buying it upfront will help me determine the amount of copies I need to print and also gives me a little more freedom as to the quality of the book, as well as marketing and distribution going forward.

Additionally, I’ll have something cool to show you on Thursday.

Mike

Project launched on Sunday, funding met on Saturday, crossed the $4,000 line yesterday.  Amazing.  Thank you.

Here’s a flyer to help push Oceanverse: The Collected Edition.  Please post them in accepting places, like coffee shops, libraries, things like that, ok?