F#ck You

...pay me.

I get asked a lot about payment/cost issues when it comes to illustration. While I'd rather be thinking about color and form, this is how I pay my rent. While there really are no set answers, (especially when it comes to cost), there are some great bits of information floating around the web. Here's one, about having a lawyer and solid contracts with clients. About 40 minutes, but nothing's visual, you can just listen if you're working, though there is NSFW language, obviously.

2011/03 Mike Monteiro | F*ck You. Pay Me. from San Francisco Creative Mornings on Vimeo.

December 10

That's forever ago. This blog needs updates.

Last couple months: I got a dog; I got real sick with that stupid flu; someone stole my car (which is not SO bad because...), someone awesomely lent me a car for as long as I need; I wrapped up some big corporate stuff and now I'm going to take a few months, take a breath and figure out what I'm doing. Having the dog has really pried me out of my comfort zone, drifting between coffee maker and desk. Getting outside is good.  

Even though I haven't had time, I've still been trying to do color studies and sketches for when I get my chops. Here's a few, they're based around the idea of the Inferno.

I want to start painting again and I never felt I had a good foundation in traditional media, so I'm going to take some classes. This'll force me carve time out of my schedule and get some community. Working at home is really solitary, and it really can get you down.

2013 Calendars are available!

I should have posted this earlier! This time of year is so busy...

Available at Crompton Collective and That's Entertainment, this is my offering for the 2013. Fifteen measley bucks! Scroll down to earlier posts to see previews of the inside pages...

Lethal Toilet

Whipped up a poster for a private screening event for my buddies over at Mcfarland and Pecci.

The Rabbits

Did a quick sketch a few weeks ago and touched it up this morning. Just doodling, really.

Preview for 2013 calendar

Just wrapped up the last piece. Here's a teaser for next year's calendar, available in December. Leave me a comment here or on the facebook page to reserve a copy. Should be $15, as always. 

Bride finished

I think it makes a good month of April.

Quickie...

Quick Bride of Frankenstein sketch. I don't sketch in Photoshop as much as other artists. No real reason for it, it's as good a format as any. I might move that lightning bolt around so it spans the sky and hits that small castle silhouette.

 

EDIT: Yeah, I think I like this better. I like how feels like a crown, maybe even a crown of thorns.

Drew this during the debate

It's a grim reaper with monster truck tires.

Ellen Ripley

I never posted the final on this. The Alien page from last year's calendar, finalized.