Second Installment of Pedro & The Clown

My new monthly comic strip, dealing with issues in our nation's oldest city.

December Dr. Sketchy's - Sugar Plum Fairy - LaMuse

This might be the last post of the week.

Hope everyone has a GREAT holiday!

Stay well.

-Ed

Today's syndicate toon

I really enjoyed drawing this cartoon. It was fun and easy to draw. Growing up with these characters, it's like they're imprinted on my brain or something. And don't tell me you didn't also suspect that there was something going on between Hermie and Rudolph (not that there's anything wrong with that).

We'll be meeting up for coffee and sketching again tonight at the Lakewood Starbucks. If you happen to be reading this and would like to join us, grab a sketchbook, and come on down. 5:30 til close.

Cheers,

Ed

Dr. Sketchy's on the iphone

Dr. Sketchy sessions have become difficult for me due to the smoke in the bars. It seems like every time I go I get sick from breathing the second-hand smoke. Last night I decided to brave it, just to say hello to my fellow Jacksonville artists. "I'll just pop in for one beer, wish everyone happy holidays, and be on my way." Yeah right. I couldn't do it. The poses, stage set up and company were too good. With no sketchbook in hand I planted myself behind the stage and sketched on my iphone with Sketchbook Pro Mobile. These are rough and gestural as the iphone (and ipad) have no touch sensitivity yet, but I still enjoyed doing them. Thanks to the Dr. Sketchy crew for another enjoyable evening. Now I need to go gargle and drink some OJ.

Cheers,

Ed

Monday night figure sketch

We sketched at Dat's studio last night. New model. Busy day today so only time to post a few - the 5 minute warm-up, a 30 minute and then the 45 minute pose.

A few cartoons that didn't get posted last week

Two of these are local, and one is a national issue. I'm hoping they're pretty much self-explanatory.

It's been a VERY busy week, and an even busier weekend. On top of doing 6 editorial cartoons, I finished a cover illustration, and the latest installment of my new comic strip. But it's finally slowing down now, so I can paint.

Cheers & Happy Holidays!

-Ed

New cartoons

I did 6 cartoons this week, but because of time restrictions I'm only gonna post the last 2. Now I've only got 5 days to knock out my comic strip. Looks like another working weekend.

Cheers,

Ed

Waitin'

So I'm sitting at a stop light yesterday, when I happen a glance to my right, and see this guy sitting, waiting for his bus. His face had history written all over it, so I managed to fumble for my iphone and get a snap off before the light changed. Last night at coffee I decided to sketch him up from the blurry windshield photo. I guess he made an impression on me because the drawing came out much better than the photograph. I may do more of these as I spot people with alot of character in their faces.

Moto Guzzi Moleskine Monday

We brought Dat's Vespa into the studio yesterday to set up for another themed figure drawing session. What a great time, and the inclusion of the motorbike made for some really interesting poses. For the second one I sat on top of a ladder to get a bird's-eye view of the model. I think I like this one the best. Hope everyone is staying warm, and enjoying the season.

All best,

Ed

Latest Elephant

My latest ink brush painting is now up at the gallery. I did a quick sketch of this guy the last time we were at the zoo, and then finished it in the studio from a photo.

(24" x 36" ink on watercolor paper)

Click to see brush detail.

Game changer

So, this Julian Assange caricature that I hammered out last night on my iphone got unexpectedly picked up by my syndicate this morning. That means that along with my trusty new stylus, I've now got my entire studio in my pocket. No inky fingers, no smudged paper, no scanner, no computer. Just draw it and send straight from the phone. Damn.

Today's cartoon - run run Rudolph

When companies eat their own.

Don't forget, we've got coffee & sketching tonight at Starbucks Lakewood (5:30 til 9:00). Join us if you can, and bring your sketchbook!

Cheers,

Ed

Today's cartoons

I'll post yesterday's syndicate cartoon, and one of today's local cartoons. It seems that Jacksonville Beach City officials aren't too keen on displaying a menorah alongside Christmas trees, wreaths, and festive holiday lights. The Rabbi went through all of the proper channels, and went as far as getting the Mayor to go to bat for him. But City Hall still found a legal loophole to get the festive Jewish symbol snuffed out.

Monday Night Figure Sketch

We met up at Dat's studio last night for our Monday evening figure drawing session. Good times with fellow artists. It was great seeing everyone, and great getting back to the figure. I'll post the 5 minute gesture first and then the longer 30 & 45 minute poses I did in my Moleskine.

As usual, I got a little bored with just the straight figure. So, about half way through, I decided to draw people drawing people again.

We finished up with a 15 minute pose that got stretched to about 30. I think I like this one the most. Pressed for time, I wasn't thinking too much, just drawing, and I think for that reason, there's more life in it. Awesome pose too! Thanks to Dat for continuing to put this on, and get cool models. We're talking about another "themed" session for the next one, so stay tooned for that.

Cheers,

Ed

Syndicate cartoons

Here's my 2 syndicate cartoons from this week. It's been a busy one, so I'm just now getting around to posting these. BTW, I'm in a group show that opens tonight at The Corse Gallery. If you happen to be in Avondale between 5&8 stop by and say hello!

Cheers,

Ed

Pre-ArtWalk Starbucks sketch

Before heading out to Art Walk last night I popped into Starbucks for a quick Chai and the place was packed. I decided to sit for a while and sketch the usual suspects. This guy in the foreground was escaping the cold and eating his dinner - Vienna Sausages from a can. Not sure what he was reading. Art Walk was pretty fun. Had a chance to see some old friends and catch up. Looking forward to working in the studio today.

January 2011 Figure Drawing Workshop Dates Announced

I will be teaching a figure drawing workshop at Reddi-arts in Jacksonville on January 15, 22 & 29. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jim Colney via email for the specifics: jim@reddiarts.com
or call him at: 398-3161 X319

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Figure Drawing Workshop
Featured Instructor:
Ed Hall

MFA, University of Florida

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Where:
Reddi-arts Art Supply Store, 1037 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida

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When:
January 15, 22 & 29, 2011 - (3) three hour sessions over three weeks (all Saturdays - 10:00am to 1:00pm - contact the store for available slots, but hurry, the class is limited to 5 or 6 students and it will fill).
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Class Structure:
Week One:-Skeletal relationships to the figure, structure & proportion, mass & variation of line

Week Two:-Space and spacial relationships (negative space, picture plane, composition)

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Week Three:-Value, contrast, shadows, final analysis - rethinking the figure, creative/experimental images
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This workshop is primarily an investigation of figure drawing techniques and new ways of seeing. Along those lines we will be using a nude model. For centuries, artists have utilized the unclothed model to better understand the human body and our physical relationship to the world around us. This requires a close examination of anatomical relationships, structural elements, form and movement - all difficult things to see with a clothed model. This workshop is for experienced artists.
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Cost:$225.00 per student - (includes modeling fee, but not materials)
Contact: Jim Colney at Reddi-arts Phone: (904) 396-9167
Materials:Bring materials for a typical figure drawing session. At the minimum have: charcoal (vine and compressed), kneaded & hard erasers, and a new, large pad of Canson Biggie Sketch 18" x 24". You will be using a lot of paper.

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Here's a link to last years participant's work: http://halltoons.blogspot.com/2010/02/januarys-figure-drawing-workshop-reddi.html

New Series & gallery opening announcement

Here's the first in a new series of watercolors I'm developing around elephants. BTW, if you're in Jacksonville on Friday Dec. 3, be sure to stop by The Corse Gallery and Atelier from 5-8 to see a collection of work by all of the gallery artists. 4144 Herschel Street. Look forward to seeing everyone there!

Cheers,

Ed

Oops! Forgot to post this one last night

First syndicate cartoon of the week

Look deep into my eyes, ask me some questions, and THEN, if you feel the need, you can touch my junk. Common sense should trump extreme measures every time.

Another Monday Moleskine sketch

I'll post these as I get them scanned. All deadlines have been pushed up by a day for the Thanksgiving Holiday, so it's a busy (quick) week. Stay tooned.

-Ed

Monday Night Moleskine

We had our weekly figure drawing session at Dat's studio last night. The model was awesome - still as a stone, and she hit some great poses. Here's the first 15 minute sketch I did. I have several others, but I'm pressed for time today, so I must post those later in the day.

Cheers,

Ed

Wednesday night Starbucks sketch session

Painting in-studio today, but thought I'd post this process drawing I did last night at Starbucks.

Hello new blog followers!

-Ed

Today's syndicate cartoon

I kept hearing about "orientation" for the incoming freshman class of Republicans, and this image just kept popping into my mind. Had to get it out of there and onto paper. Enjoy. -Ed

PS - I wanted to take a second to welcome to all of the new followers! The Halltoons Weblog now has followers in areas as far away as Columbia, Taiwan, & Singapore. Don't miss out on updates; sign up at the bottom of this page to be a follower of Halltoons blog. I've got some interesting projects coming up as we move into 2011, so stay tooned! All best. -E

A productive Saturday in the yard studio

Nice to get back outside and sling some paint around. I'm trying to get some new work done for my gallery's upcoming Holiday Show, A Grand Affair. The opening is Friday, December 3rd, and runs thru December 23rd. Hope everyone can come out and join us for a great evening of art and celebration.
Cheers,
Ed

Wednesday Night Starbucks Sketchin'

We had a good turn out last night - 6 sketchers and everyone was working on something a little different. Here's my contribution. For some reason I'm very interested in rabbits & hares now. That's Phillip on the left and Dat on the right. I'm experimenting with getting the body language of the individual (human), and transposing an animal head onto that person's body to get a kind of expression of the personality. People say it's working, and that they can "see" the person through the caricatures. We'll see where this leads me. For now I'm having fun doing these.

Veteran's Day 2010

Inked this a couple of days ago, and I'm finally getting around to posting it. Thank a Vet today. They were over there so you wouldn't have to be.

Fat n' Happy

Maybe there's a reason one California County is boycotting so called "happy" meals. I'll post my Veteran's Day cartoon in the morning. We have Wednesday Coffee and Sketching tonight. Be sure to join us, and, as always, bring a sketchbook!

Snake Bit

Careful what you wish for. OK, the Republicans have won. Now what? You want control? That's fine, but eventually you're gonna have to show some progress on the econmy and jobs, or in 2012 you're going to get the exact same thing - a shellacking.

Today's cartoon

Wednesday Night Starbucks sketching

We had a crowd of seven last night, and I was kind of pinned in the corner, so I sketched people at our table. I liked Jimmy's drawing posture so much, that I decided to transform him into another elephant-headed doodler. Enjoy Jim.

A day at the Zoo

The Jacksonville Zoological Gardens welcomed Emmy, Henry & myself last week for a full day of sketching and enjoying the beautiful fall day. I concentrated more on the gestures of the animals, while I think Henry tried to do more finished drawings. I sure wish he'd start a blog. You guys would really like his work. Anyway, I'll post these in no particular order, although I will tell you that we started with the wart hogs and ended with the giraffes. My favorite drawing turned out to be my least favorite animal - go figure. The topper of the day was definitely the Silverback Gorilla. What an amazing animal - HUGE. You have no idea how big he is until there's only 18" of space, and a 2" thick piece of glass between you. He seemed to be posing for us, and he definitely drew a crowd.