Think Loud Pro

Wolverine Sketch

Rob Cartwright — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:34:22 +0000

I was in an X-Men mood so I started a Cyclops speed sketch/paint. I quickly decided it was something I didn’t want to rush through, so the next time I took a break, I grabbed a reference and did the quickest Wolverine sketch I possibly could. Here’s the outcome!

Comic In The Works

Rob Cartwright — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:51:56 +0000

It’s official, we’re working on a comic. I can’t release the details yet, but I will hopefully be providing plenty of teaser images and concept art. What I can tell you is this comic will be a free, web-based, motion comic; set in the tech-noir genre. And oh yes, there will be robots…and they won’t suck. When the team is ready to announce the comic, behind the scenes looks, concept art, story boards, etc. will all be posted here! This is a passion project that is fairly new to us, and we’d like to take you along for the ride.

I’ll be serving as creator, editor, sound designer, and plotter of the project. I’ll also be coming up with a lot of the concept art, but will be handing it over to a local artist(s) for the official product. Here’s a quick concept of our main character, Elias.

Super Art Upload

Rob Cartwright — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:38:36 +0000

It’s been a busy few weeks, keeping me from posting, but not keeping me from working! Here’s a small taste of what I’ve been working on!

All Things Aquatic is going to be a free online comic that I’m working on for the band of the same name. The comic follows the band as they meet each other in high school and go on to develop super powers, both fighting evil and rocking your face off. Here is my first character design of the band’s bass player, Patches Minor (aka Synergy).

My first speed painting! I decided to try my hand at speed painting. My first is based on my own interpretation of the Green Lantern.

Lastly, I planned on doing a quick warm-up sketch of Superman and Batman one day, but I seem to keep forgetting that I’m still honing my anatomy skills. It took longer than a warm-up sketch should, but I still consider it a quick sketch because I didn’t put too much time into the detail.

Later!

Comics and an Overgrown House

Rob Cartwright — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:54:51 +0000

I am issuing you a challenge. If you’re a fan of great stories and amazing artwork, and you’re not currently reading comics, I urge you to try one out. Comics are not just for kids anymore. The content is broad, ranging from the Saturday morning cartoon variety, to crime dramas, to sci-fi horror, to superheros, to dark mysteries. You typically won’t find the kind of childish stories you probably expect when hearing the word comics either. Modern books are now written by novelists, and TV and Film writers. You can expect to be engaged by well thought out stories; almost as if you’re reading a novel with illustrations (hence the term graphic novel).

And don’t forget about those illustrations! Some of the most exciting, modern artists are currently illustrating comic books; like Jim Lee, who I mentioned in my post yesterday about inspiration! He is currently writing DC Comics’ New-52 relaunch of title, Justice League America. Here’s a quick peek at a page out of the first issue:

Also, keep in mind that many of the past few years’ blockbuster films have been based on comics! Comics can provide cheap, worthwhile entertainment that you just may grown an attachment to if you give it a chance. DC’s New-52 relaunch begins today (August 31) with Justice League America #1! Head out to your local comic shop, drop a couple bucks, and try it out! Now for some art.

I saw a version of an overgrown house on a Photoshop technique site and decided to try my own version. Check it out!

Jim Lee Inspiration, Quick Superman Sketch

Rob Cartwright — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:05:23 +0000

I have been focusing more on my drawing lately, trying to hone my skills. Most of my life, I have dabbled in very cartoon-style drawings, but have shifted lately toward the kind of art represented in comic books. Though it may be a bit cliche, Jim Lee became a hero of mine when I first picked up an issue of X-Men when I was a kid (yes, it was that famous #1). Since then, he has been a great source of inspiration, especially through his current position at DC. With Hush being my all-time favorite graphic novel, and DC’s New-52 launching this week, I decided a quick sketch was in order.

Note: This was not completely out of my head. As I am still rebuilding my figure drawing skill, I had a reference for this sketch.

Shaun White Unofficial Promo Poster

Rob Cartwright — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 03:44:20 +0000

I have a ton of artwork to upload here, but I wanted to quickly upload an unofficial promo I did for Shaun White. I used a great action shot of Shaun along with some stock photos. The font is Sega.

Hello World!

Rob Cartwright — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:04:56 +0000

My name’s Rob Cartwright. Welcome to the very informal project blog for a production company I’m attempting to start. I welcome you to follow my progress from conception of this idea to one of two outcomes: I succeed, or I fall flat on my face. So what is Think Loud Pro?

The idea for Think Loud Pro started a few years ago. A good friend and I were writing and arranging music, and designing shows for a few high school music departments around the St. Louis area. At first, we had thought it would be a good idea to start a company solely to make it a easier to publish our original works and arrangements. At the time, we were also both working for Six Flags Ent. as performers in the park. In the Spring of 2008, I signed on as show writer and designer of a percussive show at Six Flags Mid-America, and also choreographed percussive elements of the park’s “Glow In The Park” parade. Though we had not yet implemented our idea, given both our backgrounds, we decided writing theme park entertainment could be a logical focus for the company.

Sadly, life got in the way over the next year. My friend began working for more and more music departments in the area, while I picked up a few side jobs and went back to school to complete a music degree. I then received a full-time job as a spokesperson for Young & Free, a program established to help credit unions across North America better market to Generation Y. I spent this time working for a marketing department, developing and implementing strategies to better promote the brand, maintaining the website, writing blogs, and filming and editing the program’s weekly web show. This job pulled me back to a former passion of mine, videos and graphic design.

My plan was always to attend art school and work for the Walt Disney Company in some capacity (a career I still wish to achieve someday). Music quickly consumed my life, however. I began drumming for various bands and artists, touring, and recording. I marched Drum Corps and WGI, and was even lucky enough to perform with Keith Urban in the summer of 2007! Obviously, music had taken over. I was enrolled in a music conservatory, slowly working on a degree in between performing gigs. And that brings you back to the start of this post.

So again, what is Think Loud Pro? Not even sure yet… I’m finally back in school completing my degree, but I’m also working as a freelance graphic designer, videographer, voice-over actor, and still working for school music departments. A few local artists and I even have a plan to create a motion comic. So at this point, I’m assuming Think Loud Pro will be fairly multi-faceted.

Here’s to hoping at least one idea makes it off the ground!