Blogcha!

Cartoon Network Animation Academy

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:19:00 +0000

I was contacted by TBWA/RAAD to design and illustrate characters to appear
on a series of advertisements for Cartoon Network's Animation Academy.

The characters are in three separate groups (humans, monsters and superheroes)
and all are in unfinished states, bored and waiting to be completed by animators at the school.

Character development and exploration below the ads.

The Twelve Burps of Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:04:00 +0000

The Twelve Burps of Christmas

George Brown, Class Clown's First Super Special!

Green burp juice on Santa's beard, ugly Christmas sweaters, embarrassing holiday decoration destruction all in the latest George Brown book!

Synopsis-

"In the first Super Special of Nancy Krulik's popular series, George stars in two stories! Between the class play and his old best friend's surprise visit, the Christmas celebrations are shaping up to be a season of fun! But of course the magic burps--an even dozen of them--put a crazy spin on all his plans. If only Santa could leave George a cure for burps under the tree!"

Buy it online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound.

A few fun festive spreads-

Dracola- RC Cola Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:57:00 +0000

Dracola! Special-edition, glow in the dark, blood-red Halloween label for RC Cola UK.

At Asda stores throughout England. Or order online HERE.

O.D.H.O.R

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Introducing the stinky agents of...

Over-the Hill Disgruntled Henchmen Organization Reunion (O.D.H.O.R.)

All of your favorite evil underlings from 80s TV shows, all together in one place, complaining about their demanding bosses and annoying goody-two-shoes enemies.

For the upcoming Strange Kid Club's Strange Kid Comix Magazine - Issue #3

Pocket God- The Perfect Swarm

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:03:00 +0000

"The Perfect Swarm"

Here's a new poster I've illustrated for the popular "Pocket God" iOS game. This episode is titled "The Perfect Swarm" and is a 2012 Apocalypse themed update. More from the Bolt Creative blog-

Episode 44 introduces a new room inside the temple’s Chamber of Time, and it’s truly yucky and weird! Once you go inside, an enormously disgusting Locust Queen awaits who can birth to a swarm of locusts, as long as she is given sustenance. And you probably know what that food is.

With this episode, there's also a cool Mondo expansion pack to decorate your islands in nerdy fashion- designed by friend and awesome illustrator Josh Ellingson. Read more about the update at Bolt Creative's website.

Bolt Creative also asked if I had any ideas for Pygmy locust related deaths.

Here's my two death concepts- both are in the game-

Poster Design thumbnails-

Locust Queen Final Design Pencils-

Locust Queen In-game Concepts-

"The Perfect Swarm" trailer-

Speedo Sea Squad

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:07:00 +0000

Sea Squad Assemble!

For the last few years, I've been designing, illustrating and animating

a re-branding project for Speedo "Learn to Swim" children's product range.

The five Sea Squad characters appear on swimming suits, pool products, packaging, in-store advertising, online game and website.

See more here-

Speedo Sea Squad website

Battle the evil Dr. Kittycrab and his nasty minions in-

Attack of the Robofish game

The Speedo Sea Squad website, packaging and logo design
by the talented crew at The Late Night Salon

Action Pose!

Sea Squad buddies

In-store characters in Asia

Swim Toys and Accessories Packaging

Learn to Swim Products and Toys

Evil Robofish

Attack of the Robofish game background

Attack of the Robofish game background 02

Website

New Year! New Work! New Website!

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:22:00 +0000

New website design is up with new work!

monstersquid.com

Giant Nostrils and Burp Boxes!

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:50:00 +0000

The Burp Box

There's been two new belchy releases in the George Brown, Class Clown world recently!

First out is the noisy Burp Box! It's the first George Brown box set containing books one to four. Plus there's a button on the box that unleashes a super burp sound effect to help with your reading.

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Help! I'm Stuck in a Giant Nostril! Cover

Next out is book six in the series- Help! I'm Stuck in a Giant Nostril! It's my favorite cover so far and it was lots of fun drawing up moldy toes and dripping noses. The book bio-

Despite George's best efforts to rid himself of the curse of the burps, those magical and pesky belches are still following him everywhere he goes - even on his class trip to the science museum. If circulating through a human heart or sliding down the nostril of a giant nose sound wild, just wait until the burps attack!

Find out more at the George Brown, Class Clown website.

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Spreads from the book-

All six George Brown, Class Clown covers (so far) -

Planet of the Living Dead

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:41:00 +0000

I was asked by the guys at Pocket God to illustrate a poster for the new episode of Pocket God- Journey to Uranus (the spin off from the popular iPhone/iPod/iEtc app). The new episode is titled Planet of the Living Dead- featuring undead zombie pygmies... in spaaaace! I love the game so jumped at the chance to work with them on this and future updates.

Full poster/splash screen-

In case you've never heard of Pocket God- here's some game play of the new episode.

Poster sketch-

The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 09 May 2011 09:13:00 +0000

Warning! Beware! Danger! Caution!

The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless- the new book series I'm illustrating is out on evil shelves now! I'm so thrilled to be working on this fun and funny series written by Allan Woodrow and published by Harper Collins.

Zachary Ruthless is a ten year old boy determined to become the next big super villain. Along with his henchman, Newt, they set out to turn Plentyville's mayor into a zombie and make him do their evil bidding. They hope to be inducted into S.O.U.R.B.A.L.L.S.- the evil society of super villains, led by Mr. Maniacal.

Learn more about Zachary Ruthless, tremble at the Rogues Gallery, and browse the shop at Evilbadguystuff.com (the number one evil gadget web site on the planet, and probably the universe). There's a super villain posted very month so keep checking the site. This month- Knock Knock (The Joker's third cousin, once removed)!

You can buy the book at these places-
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Indie Bound

The next book - The Stench of Goodness is out later this year.

Cover for Book 1

Zombie Laser

Evil Blimp Headquarters for S.O.U.R.B.A.L.L.S.

What's Black and White and Stinks All Over?

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 09:51:00 +0000

What's Black and White and Stinks All Over?

Book four of the George Brown, Class Clown book series for Penguin I'm illustrating is out now! George and the gang head to the park for outdoor class scavenger hunt and run into a stinky skunk.

Check out the George Brown Website for more book and purchase info. You can also send a Super Burp to your friends.

Sample spreads from What's Black and White and Stinks All Over...

Baseball Player Characters

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:07:00 +0000

There were two things I hated while growing up - math and baseball. So I couldn't pass up an opportunity to face my demons and design dozens of baseball players for a project that would meld the two together. Glad I did it because it was fun going back to look for characterful players from my youth- especially the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers. The project was to create several players for each position for a series of baseball cards that would come in a workbook for classrooms to help teach students about math and statistics.

Above are some of the front action shots and below are the character's profile mug shots.

I'll leave you with this-

Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win, it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game.

Awards for Paul Bunyan Graphic Novel

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:37:00 +0000

The Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan, the graphic novel I illustrated last year has won a few awards!

Paul Bunyan has been selected for 3x3's Children's Illustration Show in the Book Cover division. 3x3 is a magazine showcasing the best of contemporary illustration around the world. Big honor to be a part of it. It's appearing in their Illustration Annual No. 7 now. Order it here.

Paul Bunyan also won a gold at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards for Best Children's Graphic Novel of 2010. "The Moonbeam Children's Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to celebrate children’s books and life-long reading." What awesome news- thank you!

You can buy Paul Bunyan at Amazon US, Amazon UK or a buncha other places!

Paul Bunyan, written by Martin Powell, is the third graphic novel I've done in the Graphic Spin series for Stone Arch Books. First two were the The Three Little Pigs and The Ugly Duckling.

******

I also did an interview with Literary Asylum back during the Halloween season and forgot to post about it. Read about my process, inspiration and other nonsense HERE.

Matt from Literary Asylum has also interviewed the authors I collaborate with - Kevin Bolger (Zombiekins) and Allan Woodrow (The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless).

OK- that's enough of that. I'll post some artwork soon! Promise.

Zombiekins in the New York Times!

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 08:44:00 +0000

Zombiekins has made an appearance in last Sunday's New York Times. Thanks to 10 year old Marvin for reading it (and liking zombies)!

Here's the link on their website.

Zombiekins Animated Book Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:22:00 +0000

World's Worst Wedgie

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 09:51:00 +0000

World's Worst Wedgie, Book 3 of the George Brown, Class Clown book series I'm illustrating is out now! It's my favorite of the series so far- full of slimy worms, a backyard circus, mischievous hamsters and a mega embarrassing/painful wedgie! I forgot to mention in the last post that the George Brown books are hilariously written by Nancy Krulik, author of the popular of Katie Kazoo series.

Check out the George Brown Website for more book info and to send a Super Burp to your friends!

Synopsis-

In his continuing but mainly disastrous efforts to be an upstanding, responsible ten-year-old, George Brown decides it's time to earn some money. (There's also an expensive remote-controlled toy that he's been coveting.) But no matter what he tries whether it's working at his mother's craft shop, opening a lemonade stand, or setting up a backyard circus for neighborhood kids the magic burps erupt at exactly the wrong times and wreak havoc on George's entrepreneurial plans.

Pick your own Wedgie at-

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Indie Bound
Borders
Penguin

Sample spreads from World's Worst Wedgie...

George Brown, Class Clown!

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:27:00 +0000

B-U-U-U-U-R-R-R-P!

Introducing George Brown, Class Clown- the new book series I'm illustrating for Grossett Dunlap (a division of Penguin)! The books center around George trying to fit into a new school and to behave himself despite his past reputation as a troublemaker and class clown. But he is victim to the Super Burp- a humongous belch that makes him do weird and crazy stuff at the worst possible times. The first two books Super Burp and Trouble Magnet are out now. The third book in the series, World's Worst Wedgie will be in bookshops next month. Check 'em out in all of their belchy (and Blecha) glory!

Email a Classic, Long, Frog, Ripper, or Super Burp to special someone at the George Brown, Class Clown website.

The book covers-
Synopsis-

The first day at a new school is always the hardest, right? No, not always as George finds out the hard way. On the second day at . . . Sugarman Elementary School, he is suddenly seized by uncontrollable burps, burps so loud they practically break the sound barrier, burps that make him do wild and crazy stuff and land him in trouble with a capital T. One thing is for sure: these are not normal burps, they are magic burps – and they must be stopped! But how?

Sample spreads from Book 2 of George getting in various forms of trouble, courtesy of his Super Burp!

Lunch Lady trouble...

Doing his best squirrel imitation...

Playing with his band, "The Runny Noses"....

Stage diving after an infamous Super Burp!

Zombiekins!

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:41:00 +0000

Unbelievable, Uncontrollable, Undead... FUN!

I'm thrilled to announce that a new book for Penguin I've illustrated, Zombiekins, has shambled to the bookshelves! It's been over year in the works and I'm very happy how it turned out. The zombie book for kids is hilariously written by Kevin Bolger, whom I worked with previously on Sir Fartsalot vs The Dragon cartoon.

You can check out book excerpt, news and more at at www.zombiekins.com.

The synopsis-

The little town of Dementedyville is as boring as they come--but a mysterious stuffed animal is about to liven things up . . . Stanley Nudelman buys Zombiekins at the yard sale of his neighbor, the Widow Imavitch. It looks cuddly and creepy-cute--but expose the TEDDY OF TERROR to moonlight, and strange things happen. . . . When Zombiekins gets loose at his school, Stanley finds himself in GRAVE danger. Because if his teacher Mr. Baldengrumpy discovers he turned the whole school into zombies, Stanley will be in detention till he's, like, 80! Can Stanley and his best friend Miranda save their schoolmates from eternal zombiefication? If not, will Mr. Baldengrumpy even notice?
A few early reviews for Zombiekins-

“A contemporary riff on Dahl, but perhaps even funnier”
- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“A very lively zombie tale that will no doubt be gobbled up by readers”
- Quill and Quire
You can buy Zombiekins at-

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Indie Bound

Powell's

A few samples of zombie mayhem...

Illustration Pages

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:15:00 +0000

My work is now featured on the excellent Illustration Pages- a site dedicated to showcasing artist's Facebook pages. Check out the rest of their inspirational posts.

Illustration Pages on Facebook

Thanks Lou!

Paul Bunyan Characters

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:56:00 +0000

Character designs for the
Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan graphic novel.
You'll find them lurking in the dark woods of the ol' Midwest.

The Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan Graphic Novel!

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:46:00 +0000

Ol' Bunyan is so big I could barely fit him on the cover!

T-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-MBER!

The Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan, a new graphic novel I've illustrated has lumbered to the shelves! It's a classic American Tall Tale hilariously retold by Martin Powell.

In this story we discover the Paul and his blue ox, Babe are the cause of the Grand Canyon, Lake Superior, the Smokey Mountains and many more American landmarks. The giant twosome also have epic battle royales with Bee-skeeters, Giant Saber-Toothed Beavers and Old Man Winter himself!

This is the third graphic novel I've done in the Graphic Spin series for Stone Arch Books. First two were the The Three Little Pigs and The Ugly Duckling. But this story was especially close to me because I grew up in Paul Bunyan country and have heard his legend told around campfires and have spied him looming over diners and rest stops throughout the highways of Wisconsin.

Paul Bunyan was designed by the super talented Bob Lentz- an art director at Stone Arch. Here's the Olde Timey Northwoods Shoppe (and character page) in the front of the book...

The climatic ending with Ol' Man Winter...

Other "Big Men" Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill and John Henry round out the Graphic Spin Tall Tale series. Have a look at John Henry- beautifully illustrated by Nelson Evergreen.

You can buy Paul Bunyan at Amazon US, Amazon UK or a buncha other places!

Three Little Pigs Graphic Novel- Best Illustrated of 2009

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:49:00 +0000

Original Sketch of The Big Bad Wolf

Ashbooks, a book review and community website has named The Three Little Pigs Graphic Novel one of the fifteen best illustrated children's books of 2009. Wow!

Read more HERE.

Santa's Little Helpers

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Happy Elfin' Holidays Blogcha Readers!
Here's the Blecha card for this year. Hope you all are filled with the holiday spirit (vodka)!

Yes, Virginia Animated Holiday Special

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:32:00 +0000

This summer I was hired to design some background characters for an already-in-production animated Christmas special of Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.

I'm not sure if any of my creations (below) made the final cut, but if you watch it, be on the lookout for any of these unsavory characters lurking in the background crowd scenes. It was a good exercise for me to keep my usual cartoony style to a minimum and try to keep clothing and facial features closer to realistic proportions.

The special is showing on CBS in the States on Friday, December 11th, , 8/7c. Sponsored by Macy's.

Directed by the talented Pete Circuitt.

Digital Arts Showcase

noreply@blogger.com (AARON BLECHA) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

I'm one of the spotlight artists in the December issue of Digital Arts magazine. See my page below or I recommend buying one for tons of helpful tutorials and inspiring artwork.