The Art of Mike Schwartz

Black Friday Sale!

OptimusArt82 — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 04:48:28 +0000

Black Friday sale at my store! 40% off EVERYTHING!

More Art!

OptimusArt82 — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:08:48 +0000

Funnybook Fish, a custom comic strip, and the Crimson Scarab!

If you want to commission a piece of art, go to Oceanverse.com!

Mike

Art Dump!

OptimusArt82 — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:40:52 +0000

Here are my most recent illustrations.

Spawn Vs. Grendel

OptimusArt82 — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:02:27 +0000

My newest commission, Spawn vs. Grendel.

If you would like a commission, please visit oceanverse.com

New Art Coming Soon!

OptimusArt82 — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:48:47 +0000

I am actively drawing new commissions, a comic strip (one-shot), and I ALREADY have something ready to go! I will try and post that soon.

Done and Starting Again

OptimusArt82 — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:06:55 +0000

Full hustle mode was on as I shipped out the final box of Kickstarter packages last week. Up until then, I was sketching, printing, packing, wrapping, taping, and hoping that everything would work out. Looks like it did.

In all, it was almost exactly six months from project launch to final shipment. Having a Kickstarter project can be great, but be aware of the time investment.

Maybe I can put together a file of all the book sketches I did. Hmmm…

So, what’s next?

Well, here’s a big announcement: I have a new online store! Check it out at oceanverse.com.

It’s the ONLY place to buy Oceanverse: The Collected Edition both in book AND digital download formats.

Also, there my Funnybook Fish, t-shirts, and original commissions. I will draw anything you want (within reason, you know?) for a fair price. Just head over to the site and take a look.

Thank you for your continued support,

Mike

They’re HERE!

OptimusArt82 — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:20:15 +0000

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

Sketchbooks!

OptimusArt82 — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:18:43 +0000

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

Getting Back Into the Swing…

OptimusArt82 — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:51:08 +0000

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

Funded!

OptimusArt82 — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:23:26 +0000

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