Speartoons: comics, cartoons and illustrations from Kevin Spear

Making a Change

2009-11-11T08:57:00.000-05:00

I have decided to change my blog posting focus. For the last two months, I have posted a daily cartoon on this site. While I have enjoyed that, I have decided to become more focused.

Now, I am concentrating my new comics at my other blog site. I will be posting three days a week to http://www.devotoons.com. This site will have a cartoon with a devotional thought.

In the meantime, I'll use this blog site. to post some of my work in progress and interesting tidbits about children's publishing, book publishing and the comics industry.

Blessings,

Kevin Spear

Webcomic: The Plague of Chores

2009-11-08T08:00:00.002-05:00

Cartoon of Moses and a boy. Boy says, “It’s not fair being Moses’ son! If I don’t do my chores, you send a plague."

Have you ever noticed life isn't fair if you make someone work? What they're really saying is "It's only fair if I don't have to lift a finger!" Oops! Looks like I better change my attitude and do a little more work!

I drew this web comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Panting for School

2009-11-07T08:00:00.002-05:00

Cartoon of two boys. One says, "If a dog goes around with his tongue hanging out, it's okay. But if I do it, I get sent to the school counselor."

There are so many things our pets do we think is cute. But if a person did the same thing, trouble would be brewing. Be sure you do your panting at home. It's safe that way.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Illustration Friday: Blur

2009-11-06T09:03:00.002-05:00

Cartoon of boy and mom. Son says, "I don't know what the principal told you. For me, the food fight was a blur."

I have to admit, I wasn't usually the boy starting a food fight in the cafeteria. I was the kid observing the whole melee, hiding and admiring the troublemaker for his chutzpah. It's much safer that way, and the teachers like you better.

I drew this for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "blur."

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Dignity Insurance

2009-11-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

Cartoon of boy and girl. Boy is wearing an eagle costume. Boy says, "I agreed to be the school mascot if they would pay for my dignity insurance."

You have to be a special breed to be a mascot. You have to be able to fire up the crowd while ignoring those who fear you or want to humiliate you. It's a good lesson for life in general. I think it would have been good for Charlie Brown to play a mascot. It builds character.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Internet Language Lessons

2009-11-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

Cartoon of boy at a computer. Mom says to him, “We didn’t get you a computer so you could learn how to call someone a moron in seven different languages.”

This is an illustration I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

I envy today's kids. The Internet is a vast resource for people looking for subversive ways to insult friends and loved ones. It's one giant thesaurus, baby!

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.

Blog link: What size should I illustrate my children's book?

2009-11-03T11:42:00.004-05:00

Heather Castle's blog has some great information for aspiring children's book illustrators. Her latest post tackles the question, "What size should I illustrate for children's books?"

http://blog.illustrationcastle.com/2009/11/03/faqs-what-size-should-i-illustrate-for-childrens-books/

The biggest takeaway from this is don't provide finished illustrations for the whole book. It will take you forever and won't help you sell the book. Provide sketches and perhaps one, finished illustration.

You never what to hear from and editor who says, "The story was great, but the illustrations are a bit off." I've seen it before. It happens. Your illustrations may be great, but not quite the angle the editor would like to go. Or it could go the other way. The publisher loves your illustration style but thinks the story is drivel. If that's the case, you have quite a portfolio piece, but a couple of illustrations would have sufficed.

It's the KISS method, friends! Keep it simple, Silly!

Webcomic: Health Insurance

2009-11-03T08:00:00.003-05:00

Cartoon of boy sick in bed. He says to his mom, "But if we have health insurance, why didn't it keep me from getting sick?"

Have you ever tried to explain insurance to children? It's not the easiest thing. One would assume health insurance would keep you from the flu bug. Then again, that same logic would say life insurance would keep you from dying. I suppose it depends on whether you get term or whole life.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Internet Play

2009-11-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Cartoon of girl at a neighbor's door. Girl says, “Can Michael come over and surf the net?”

This is a comic I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this web comic. Please do not use without permission.

Webcomic: All Saints Day

2009-11-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

Cartoon of an angel and vampire. Angel says, “Halloween is over, Bub. It’s All Saints Day. Beat it!”

All the spooks and sweets are over. It's time to count the loot and bring out the saints again. Only fifty-five days until Christmas. It will take that long to get the saints in order.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Hairy Halloween

2009-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

Cartoon of a vampire and werewolf. Werewolf says, "Halloween is the one night of the year I don't have to shave."

Happy Halloween. I think I'll celebrate by not shaving today!

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Skinny Halloween

2009-10-30T11:07:00.002-04:00

Spear-Cartoon_3551, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Cartoon of girl and dad. Girl says,"I don't know. I was hoping for a Halloween costume that makes me look skinny."

I've noticed Halloween costumes have gone from the old, traditional creepy crawlies to the more... oh... bewitching. Come one, people! kids have enough pressure on body image. Give them a break!

I drew this web comic for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "skinny."

I also drew this cartoon in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Trick or Treating

2009-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Cartoon of a trick or treating boy. Boy says, "Trick or treat! I'm dressed as your former stockbroker who fled to Cozumel."

Let's face it. Finances got scary last year. I still don't want to look at my 401k. Hopefully, most of the spooks have left Wall Street, but I'm not holding my breath.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Internet Love

2009-10-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Cartoon of a husband and wife. The wife says, “I’m sorry, Roger. I just have more fun with the Internet that with you.”

This is an illustration I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

I hope Roger and Carol got back together. The Internet is fun for a while, but it can't beat good old fashion human interaction.

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.

Webcomic: Scapegoat Spooks

2009-10-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Comic of a boy and a ghost. The boy says, "You're welcomed to stay here. I could always use a scapeghost."

I've been on the Halloween kick. I think I just discovered a very useful occupation for spooks. Everyone could use a scapegoat, why not use a translucent specter for one?

I drew this cartoon in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Origins of the PC's

2009-10-26T08:00:00.003-04:00

Cartoon of two archaeologists. The caption says, "Edward and Ulysses discovered the origins of the personal computer went back much further than anyone ever realized."

This is a comic I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

It amazes me how much we forget about recent history, let alone how little we really know about the ancient past. You can't really unless you were there in person. Anybody have a time machine?

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.

Webcomic: Monster Mashed

2009-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Cartoon of a mom and boy. Child reacts to monstrous plate. He says, "Mom! My favorite! You made Monster Mashed Potatoes!"

This is what happens when I have "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett running through my mind. I better stock up on some more candy.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Mom of Fear

2009-10-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Webcomic of two boys. One has a mask. The other says, "That's nothing. When I want to get scared, I look at Mom's to-do list."

Since Halloween is coming up, I've been looking at things that bring me fear. And yes, to do lists are at the top of my fear list.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Fast Trick or Treating

2009-10-23T08:55:00.005-04:00

Cartoon of trick or treaters. There is a clown, firefighter and a princess. The firefighter says to the running princess, “Are you saying we should skip this next house?”

I drew this for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "Fast." I'm guessing the girl is clocking in at sixty five miles per hour and qualifies as fast.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Home Based Napping

2009-10-22T08:00:00.002-04:00

Cartoon of a woman asleep at a home office. Caption says, "Carol discovers one of the benefits of a home based business."

This is an illustration I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages." New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.

Webcomic: Office Coffee

2009-10-21T08:00:00.002-04:00

Comic of two men in a kitchen. One says, “My major disappointment from working at home is I have no one to blame for a bad cup of coffee.”

This is a cartoon I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.

Comic: Reboot button

2009-10-20T08:00:00.003-04:00

Cartoon of kids and a dog. Boy says, “He won’t do any tricks. Where’s the reboot button?

I found the reboot technique for our dog. It's called a treat. Our puppy changes her behavior immediately if she hears the crinkle of a treat bag. It works for husbands too.

I drew this webcomic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Indoor Pool

2009-10-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

Cartoon of couple looking at a flooded basement. Man says, “Instead of fixing the basement, let’s convert it into an indoor pool."

This is an illustration I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.

Webcomic: Clergy Appreciation Month

2009-10-18T08:00:00.004-04:00

Cartoon of two men. A glowing halo floats between them. One man says, “Happy Clergy Appreciation Month! I polished your halo.”

I've known plenty of pastors. The very first one was my grandfather. I learned very early on they all have hearts of gold but are flawed just like the rest of us. Be sure to show your pastor appreciation. But don't put them or their families on pedestals. We're all afraid of heights.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS3. I also drew this for the CHOG E-newsletter.

Comic: Revising Dad's History

2009-10-17T08:00:00.005-04:00

Cartoon of a man behind a boy at a PC. Man says, “Mom told me you used the web to prove I really didn’t walk seven miles uphill both ways to school every day.”

This is an illustration I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.