If you're still stuck on gift ideas for the holidays, I've got a few suggestions for you to consider! :]

2012 Werewolf Calendar

You're in luck! There's still some available, but don't wait too long! The remaining supply will probably go fast!
Click here: www.werewolfcalendar.com !
Lots of beautiful art from a variety of artists, and would make a great gift for anyone!

Comics and Books!
Across Thin Ice, Dogs Days of Summer, and all the other fine Sofawolf Press products! Click here to browse!
Sofawolf's domestic shipping cut off for the holidays is December 19th, so don't wait!



Nordguard Patches!
Yup, I've got 'em! Well, at least, the 3.5" white bordered ones!
I set up a site to make it nice and easy to order! Click here...

Lastly, the ultimate stocking stuffer, Scratches Vol. 5!
Drop me an email screwbald[at]gmail.com if you've been wanting a copy!

For the Nordguard patches and Scratches CDs, you'll have to order between now and the 16th to get it in time for the holidays (if shipping within the US--I fear it's likely too late to say things will get overseas in time.)
Everything will be shipped by the 16th by USPS First Class (typically 3-6 days.) I can't guarantee 100% things will arrive before the 24th, but I can guarantee everything will be in the post by the 16th.


There's a ton of great stuff fandom-wide, too! Feel free to suggest anything from other folks (or yourself!) in the comments! :]

For instance, Con*Tact Caffeine. Caffeine+soap. Two things people will always need-- in one!

Thanks for looking!


Cheers,
-Blotch

Last weekend, the temperature was hovering around 5. I took the excuse to stay inside, drink spiked hot chocolate, and changed up https://www.nordguard.com a bit--you should check it out, if you like!

I also posted an inked page from the second Nordguard book, which you may or may not have seen before! You can see it either here, or on BlogSpot.

Anyhow, I just wanted to say--It's been really cool seeing copies of Across Thin Ice popping up in comic book stores around the country, as well as Canada! (You can still ask your local shop to order it in for you, you know! Here's some information.)

However, if you'd like to get a copy in hand sooner, read on!



Get a Copy of Across Thin Ice for the Holidays!

With the holidays coming up, I thought it'd be good to mention you can still order Across Thin Ice (or anything!) from Sofawolf Press and have it shipped in the US/Canada/Europe, and get it before December 25th!

Just click here!

What better gift to give someone than a bunch of talking dogs who enjoy running around in the snow, or football playing tigers and foxy adult situations, or gun-slinging lady rabbits, or humorous spelunking wombats?

The cut-off for domestic orders is December 19th, so don't delay!
(There's more information on shipping cut-off dates from Sofawolf Press, here!)



Cheers,
-Blotch

The festival of turkey consumption is behind us and hopefully everyone finds themselves fatter and sassier!

Into December we plunge. Now we begin the slow decent into madness as holiday jingles blare over every loud speaker, the shopping frenzy takes hold, and goodwill comes liberally seasoned with nutmeg and rum.

That said, I'm sure you've all considered how great a stocking stuffer Scratches Vol. 5 would be!


Since I'll be home for the next few weeks, diligently dividing my time between painting and sketching, I figured I'd put another stack of Scratches Vol. 5 CDs up for sale!

They're still just $25 USD, which includes shipping everywhere.
Scratches Vol. 5 has over 120 adult sketches, colored pencil, marker and painted works, with 90 before never posted online!
Must be 18+ to buy, due to the CD's high content of manly fraternizing.


If you're interested, feel free to drop me an email at screwbald[at]gmail.com
(In case you missed it, you can read the full Scratches Vol. 5 announcement from a few weeks ago, which more information, here-abouts!)



Cheers,
-Blotch

Midwest Furfest:
I left it up until the last minute to know if I’d be getting on my flight for Chicago, due to a recent family emergency I mentioned in my earlier post. However, I’m very glad to say that over the last few days things have stabilized, all loved ones are accounted for and on the (albeit long) road to recovery. As such, I’ve gotten the first good night’s sleep in a week, eaten a full meal, and rounded up my convention-stuff. In a few minutes, I’ll be headed to the airport, inbound for Midwest Furfest.

I’ll have all the usual fare with me in the Dealer’s Room, including prints, a metric ton of original sketches for sale, Nordguard patches and stickers, Scratches CDs, and so on.

In the art show, I’ve got a few things, most notably the originals "Murderous,” and “Trondheim” in the general show. In the adult show, the full (uncropped) cover for Scratches Vol. 5, plus a couple other un-posted things.

I should note, since the half of me who was planning on running the graphic novel panel at MFF will not be able to make it to MFF (due to staying home to monitor events mentioned in the first paragraph,) the panel was graciously taken over by one of MFF’s GoH, Rick Griffin.

Nordguard: Across Thin Ice Copies at MFF
Sofawolf Press will have a bunch of softcover copies of Nordguard: Across Thin Ice with them, and a few hard cover copies—so if you missed your chance on the hardcovers, this will be your second-to-last chance to get one!
(After these, the very last of the hardcover first edition/first printing will be going to FurtherConfusion in January, and as of now, there’s no plans to reprint the hard cover anytime soon. There’s loads of soft covers, however, so if you just want a copy, don’t worry!)

Also, I’d like to say—if you’ve got a project, be it a comic or a novel you’ve been wanting to pitch to Sofawolf Press for publication, Sofawolf will be hosting their first ever Pitch Night at MFF! Click here for details!

2012 Werewolf Calenders:
If you haven’t ordered yours yet—what are you waiting for! Friday the 18th is your last chance to order a copy of the 2012 Werewolf Calendar online!
If you’ll be at MFF, you’ll be able to pick one up at the convention!
[More information on the calendar can be found here!]


Have a safe trip out for those headed to Chicago! Have a safe time at home for those staying put!


Cheers,
-Blotch

Thank you to everyone who ordered Scratches CDs or prints over the weekend! I have gotten the vast majority of packages out this morning, and plan to get the remaining few out tomorrow. They should be wending their way to their final destinations shortly.

It’s been an especially long weekend for me, print sale aside, as a family emergency has kept me near a critical care center since Saturday morning. As such, I’m not entirely sure if I’ll be making it to Midwest Furfest next weekend, but we’ll see what the fates have in store.

Lastly, and least, by comparison: the issue with a couple of my websites—on Friday my webhost, Bluehost, was attacked. Mine and a bunch of other sites at random were compromised. Everything on my end has been taken care of, and now it’s just waiting for Google to review and remove its warnings.

So that’s all for the moment! Thanks again, and here’s to a fine week ahead!

It’s been more than a year now since the last, so get ready for a Winter Print Sale!
Even if the sale is shorter, the deal is the same!

Regular Matte Prints - $10 USD
Full Bleed, Glossy Prints - $15 USD
Buy three & get a fourth FREE!

EDIT: *laughs* Okay, of all nights for my webhost, Bluehost, to go down, it had to be tonight! Sorry if my website is timing out or slow for everyone. However, all the important information you need can be found in this post! Any questions and I am happy to answer 'em!


Sale will last from November 9th – November 13th!

I can make prints of just about everything I have online.
(Click here (photobucket link) to see the different between Full Bleed/Glossy Prints and Regular Matte.)


How to order? Just email me at: screwbald[at]gmail.com!
Tell me what you have in mind and I’ll get back to you with more details!
If I don’t get back to you right away, I will as soon as possible!
If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to email!

===
Scratches Volumes, Nordguard Patches, Playing Cards and Matted Prints

Scratches Volume 5!
The fifth installment of the Scratches CDs is now available! It features 120+ adult male/male sketches and color works, over 90+ unposted online! (Each volume has unique content, and I have all previous CDs available as well.) Read the official release announcement by clicking here!

Nordguard Patches & Vinyl Stickers
I have Nordguard Patches, specifically the 3.5” white edged ones (click to see), back on hand! Also, I have indoor/outdoor vinyl Nordguard stickers available! The patches are $6.50, and the stickers $1.75 per, (though please note, I wont be doing orders of just stickers, unless you'd like to order 3+.)


Endangered Ark Card Deck
I have Endangered Ark Card Decks, and they are gorgeous and suited for everyone! Makes a great birthday/holiday/anything gift for someone who loves animals. The deck features 20 different artists and 52 endangered species—see some photos here!

5x7 Matted Prints
--Ah, seems like they've all been sold! Still plenty of regular and glossy prints, of course! :]

===
Payment Options

PayPal or AlertPay is preferred.
AlertPay may be required for some orders containing adult material. I can accept a Credit Card payment through PayPal or Alert Pay without you requiring an account.

Shipping/PP fees is $5 in the USA/Canada/Mexico and $8 internationally. Prints will be shipped in a padded envelope backed by cardboard, by USPS First Class with delivery confirmation in the US.
(If you’re just picking up a card deck, Nordguard patch, or 5x7 matted print, shipping will be less.)


That email again is screwbald[at]gmail.com!
https://www.blotchinc.com/printsale

Thank you very much!

Cheers,
-Blotch

Good People of the Internet, I know it’s not been long since last time, but something so good has got to keep giving! Autumn has come and gone, the leaves have changed, and now we’re back to a regular November release! And good friend, what a release it will be!

The days are short and the sun sets too early, but that doesn’t have to put a damper on your own rise! There’s plenty of wood to fuel the long winter’s night, and I’ve got just the spark to light the candle! What’s that, you say you’ve heard it before? Then you know just what’s coming! It’s a carnal concoction of concupiscent creatures, sure to add some length to your stride, and slip to your slide! With just a glimpse, it’ll limber up the limp, cure the crooked and take the work outta your jerk!

Be you pent-up, down-low, over-sexed, or un-sure! Sure to add kink to your kangaroo, put spunk in your sheepdogs, and have your cheetah seeing spots! It’ll have you stiff and steady, up and ready to rub up against the day! Never bottled, diluted or modest—brand new, bawdy, and delivered right to your doorstop!

Yes, this miracle cure is finally here! Ready after months of refinement to add spice to your life, dirty deeds to your days, and naughty notions to your nights! Coming for the fifth time—some kind of record, I’m sure!

I offer up to your amative appetite this morsel of masculinity, this most filthy menagerie-- Scratches Volume 5!

The 5th installment comes right on time, with a release as hot as ever! Crammed with cheetahs, tight with tigers, packed with piles of porny pups, loaded with lecherous lions, heaps of hot hoofstock helping themselves, squirrels squeezing in on the right and horny horses coming up the rear, there’s nowhere to run from the orgiastic onslaught!


But just what is it, you want to know!

It’s a CD collection of sketches and such, oozing with over 120 high-resolution porn-o-graphic images, over 90 never before online!
This lovingly handcrafted collection of graphite, paint, paper and perspiration has can bring fulfillment where needed, enjoyment where wanted and messes to many!

So here’s the short and sweet! For a mere $25 (which includes shipping) you get this fine new Scratches 5 CD filled with over 120 adult male/male sketches, colored pencil works and painted pieces—all at a higher-than-web-resolution, at 1200 pixels long or wide.

*Over 120 images, 90 never before seen!
*All male/male, or in some cases, m/m/m/m/m/m/m
*Only $25, which covers shipping to anywhere!



How do you get this fine CD into your collection, you want to know!
Just email me at screwbald[at]gmail.com and I'll tell you all you need to know about getting this miracle product in your paws!
I’ll be selling them online until the 13th, since shortly after that I’ll be east-bound for MidwestFurfest in Chicago! I’ll have a bunch of CDs with me at MFF as well, possible again online after the convention.
[And in case you some how missed it, between now and November 13th I’m having a print sale—buy three, get one free! Details here!]


The CD will be shipped in a slim DVD case for your own (and it's) protection, packaged in a bubble mailer by USPS First Class.

BUT WAIT! That’s not all!
For those who’ve recently arrived, I’ve also got Volume 4 available for $20.
I also have bundled the first three volumes on one CD, for the low price of $45—you get Vol 1, Vol 2 & Vol 3 on one disk, so you can save a little space and a little cash! Right there is over 350 images, packed with prurient ponies, lewd leopards, orgiastic otters, dozens of depraved dogs and concupiscent cats and so much more!
For a limited time, Get the Collected 1-3 Volume, +Volume 4, + Volume 5 for $80, including shipping!
That's 600+ adult situations! Wow!

Now it’s time for me to skedaddle, but if you’ve got your sights set on securing this seedy CD, direct your homing pigeon to screwbald@gmail.com!


Cheers and Salutations,
Dr. Blotch*

*Has acquired an honorary PhD in Pornography from the College of Copulation

Things are finally starting to slow down, travel-wise, at least for a little bit. I just got back from New York, and NYCC, and have to say--I had a stunningly hella wicked* time. Before that, I was on the west coast for RainFurrest having a great time, and driving all over the mountains and forests in between. This weekend, I'm catching another flight, southward. No rest for the wicked, they say...


-I'm toying with the idea of having a print sale toward the end of this month, or mid-November-ish. I have a fair amount of work that's nearly done, (or nearly started,) so we'll see if that comes together.

-I reordered the white bordered Nordguard patches, so I may have those in time to put some 'up for sale before MFF. (The black bordered ones are all sold out now, and I don't plan on restocking those until the next book comes out.)

-I will be at MidWest Furfest in Chicago in mid/late November!
I'll be in the dealer's room, with some stuff in the art show, yada yada, more on that later.

-And around the same time, Scratches Vol. 5 will be coming out! It's brimming with bawdy bears, indecent dogs, lewd lions, horny horses** and all the rest!

-Time allowing, I'm kicking around doing a short 4-5 page comic for Scratches V.5, but I can't settle on an idea. Roman lion and a Pictish wolf? The punk lion from Scratches V4 and something outrageous? A more modern setting with a cheetah, cougar, and a mysterious third party, or something all together different? Hhm.

-To better keep track of upcoming weeks and months in the future, you should consider ordering yourself a copy of the 2012 Werewolf Calendar! While you're at it, you could get some holiday shopping out of the way and get a few for friends! (Check out the art for the Werewolf Calendar, here!)



Between this and that, I'm also working on the next Nordguard book. I hope to start LiveStreaming some pages and such again before too long. (Follow either @nordguard on Twitter, or @screwbald for updates on when I'm on LiveStream.)

In regards to Nordguard, Across Thin Ice is still listed in Diamond, so it's not too late to get your local comic book shop to order it in!
You can, of course, skip all that and order a copy from Sofawolf Press right now, by clicking here! ;]


That's all for now. Back to the paint-mines with me!


Cheers,
-Blotch



*Yeah, I totally just said that.
**Unicorns, yeesh. Get your mind out of the gutter.

Tomorrow I'm off again into the great wide world (and back into the realm of radio-silence.) Let me say... It's been a tough few months to keep up with any correspondences. For anyone who's dropped me a note or email in the last couple weeks, I'm sorry I haven't been able to get back in a timely fashion. It seems I've spent only a handful of days in one place at a time, and most of those places haven't had any of these new-fangled series of tubes you call the Internet. Things start to return to their normal "wake, coffee, art, sleep" routine next month, but for now I've got miles of brand new roads to explore.


Ultimately, I'm bound for the Seattle/Tacoma area and RainFurrest next weekend! There, you can find me in the Dealer's Room, camping in a small corner of the Sofawolf Press table. I'll have the usual stuff with me: original sketches, prints, Scratches CDs, Nordguard stickers and patches, etc. Sofawolf Press will also have copies of Nordguard: Across Thin Ice, and Dog's Days of Summer, HEAT, Kyell Gold books--not to mention a Kyell Gold himself, unveiling a new novella--plus a ton of other fine reading material, so come by!

(Also, I have a couple things in the art show as well! Click here to see some!)


Both before and after RainFurrest, I'll be sleeping under open skies and drinking my wine from a tin cup. Needless to say, no email, no phone, and I doubt even the carrier pigeons could find me this time. So in short, find me next at RainFurrest, and after that, sometime next month whenever the roads take me back home! :]

==Sold Out For Now!==
Wow, those went a bit quicker than I thought they would! If you missed your chance, don't worry! I'll have some with me at RainFurrest later this month, as well as MidwestFurfest in November.

Thank you to everyone who picked one up!
===

As promised, I have the Nordguard patches and indoor/outdoor vinyl stickers up for sale! They'll be available for a limited time, since I'll soon be out of town again for RainFurrest!

Check 'em out if you're interested!
http://blotch.bigcartel.com/products


I also put up a couple matted prints for good measure! (There are only one of each for sale, so if something catches your eye, it might be best to pick it up sooner rather than later.)

Thanks for looking! :]


Cheers,
-Blotch

I am back home once again, though only for a couple of days. The coyote half me has recently returned from the wilds of Canada and Camp Feral! Feral is best described as a summer camp, rather than your traditional "hotel con." In fact, it takes place just about as far away from a hotel-con as you can get, in the middle of the Algonquin park in Ontario. This, along with it's staff and fellow campers, makes Feral unique. My days there revolved around archery, canoeing, swimming, watermelon basket ball, camp-wide games, B-movies, listening to loons and wild wolves, hiking, moose hunting, dodge ball, improv, art workshops, delicious food, amazing home-brew beer, excellent company and new friends. (The other GoH Rikoshi, a writer, put together a photo-blog post which helps explain why Canada is Magic.) In short: Camp Feral really damn fun. I can't wait to go back in the up coming years. :]

I'm not sitting still for long. In a week or so I'll be off in a north-westerly direction for RainFurrest! I'll be in the dealer's room, camping a corner of the Sofawolf Press table. After that, a few more little things (which mainly revolve around beer,) and then I'll be in New York for a couple days hanging with friends and scoping out the NYC Comic Con. I'm excited!

In the times between, I've a few things keeping me busy--regular ol' art, and of course, book two of that comic. ;]

A couple quick things: If you want a copy of Nordguard: Across Thin Ice for your very own, you can of course get it right now online from Sofawolf Press!
However, you can still ask your local comic-book store to order it through Diamond. Diamond has re-listed it for September (awesome!), but don't be afraid to mention it was a Staff Pick in Diamond's August previews! (And if you're in Colorado [or Albuquerque,] I've left a few signed copies with various comic book stores--here's the current list. So if you're really impatient and want a book, check 'em out! I'll try to hit s'more places between CO and WA state later this month and update the list accordingly!)

Either tomorrow or the next day, I'll put the Nordguard patches and indoor/outdoor vinyl stickers up for sale! I'll keep them up for about a week (or until supplies last,) and after that, you'll be able to get 'em at RainFurrest, and MidwestFurfest later this year.

Lastly, the 2012 Werewolf Calenders are now on sale! Order a copy today! There's a bunch of awesome artists involved, and it's crazy to think the calendar project is now in it's fifth straight year. Check out the art for the 2012 calendar on the site, plus art from previous years! I'm happy to be a part of it! :]


That's all! Time to go out and try and hold onto summer while it lasts!

For the Coloradans:
In the few days I've been at home this month, I've been rampaging around to comic-book shops in the surrounding area, with Across Thin Ice copies in hand. I'm happy to say, everyone who saw it was very enthusiastic about the book! Several comic book places will be ordering from Diamond (and have books hopefully in October,) but a some places picked up some copies on the spot. So if you're in Colorado, want to get yourself a copy of ATI, and would like to support some super friendly local businesses, check out:
- Kilgore Books, Located 624 E 13th Avenue, Denver CO 80203 (signed copies)
- Calico Books, Located at 300 Nickel Street, Broomfield, CO 8002 (signed copies)
- I Want More Comics! Located at 1020 W 104th Ave, Northglenn, CO 80234
- Time Warp, at 3105 28th Street, Boulder CO! (signed copies)

I plan on hitting a few more places along the road south tomorrow, namely the 'Springs, and I may stop in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. If you know of any good places to hit up, let me know! I'll try to post an updated list if any more places want to pick up copies on the spot. :]

For the Canadians:
Half of me has the utmost pleasure of being a GoH of Camp Feral next week! I'll be running a couple of workshops there during the day, and drinking by night (maybe by day, too.) With me, I will have a small assortment of prints, Nordguard patches, stickers, about a bajllion original sketches (been spending most of my time sketching, as it were,) and some Across Thin Ice copies in tow. There are good times ahead!
(In the Feral raffle, I'll be donating a copy of Across Thin Ice that I have lovingly defiled with a Nickel. ;] )


For Everybody:
If you want to see Nordguard: Across Thin Ice in your local stores, it's not too late!
If you haven't already, you've got between now and September 1st to ask your local comic purveyor to order it through Diamond. Let 'em know it's a Diamond Staff Pick, it's #318, and it's full of awesome! There's more information over here about what to do if you want to help!

(And of course, you can also just order a copy of the comic right now from Sofawolf Press!)

Once again, thanks for everyone's enthusiasm and support!

(Also, I am over on LiveStream painting for a little bit on some Nordguard related things. I'm putting together a cast page of sorts and a few other things for the site, so if you're interested in seeing a growly Geri, come check it out!)



Cheers,
-Blotch

I had a wonderful time this weekend at Rocky Mountain Furcon! In short-- it's a great convention, with an awesome staff, and lots of friendly attendees! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the dealer's den, and I'll see you there next year!


EuroFurence 17 is coming up fast--just this next weekend! While I won't be able to attend, some of my art will be there. I sent along the last three unsold interior illustrations for Kyell Gold's novel, Isolation Play (the sequel to Out of Position,), Surge, and a few others. Check 'em out if you've a mind to! For everyone at EF, I hope you have a fantastic time! I'll toast some Jagermeister on this side of the pond and wish I could be enjoying some of that famous German summer! ;]

As for me, (aside from drinking Jagermeister,) I'm running off again for the hills. The aim is to spend some time relaxing, catching fish, and eating the previously mentioned fish. I must make the most of the dwindling summer before winter catches up again and I resume full time work on the next Nordguard book, you see!

In short, once again, it'll be radio silence for the next week or so. It's so difficult to find aspens equipped with WiFi or trout that come with dial-up. (Which, really, is fine. Who'd want such a silly thing, anyway?)


Cheers!
-Blotch

I’m very happy to say Nordguard: Across Thin Ice has been chosen as an August Staff Pick by Diamond Distributors! Take a look! Diamond is the largest comic book distributor in North America—essentially, Diamond puts out a giant catalog which comic book stores/retailers order the lion’s share of their product from.
So what does that mean?

It mean’s I’ve got a small favor to ask! If you’re interested in seeing Across Thin Ice carried in stores around the country, you’ve got until the end of this month to ask your local comic shop to stock it!

Ask for "Across Thin Ice," mention that it’s a staff pick on page #318 in Diamond’s August Previews Catalog, and that you’d love to order one or a dozen copies. ;]

If you have a copy already, bring it in to show them!

So, if you read the book and liked it, or just want to get a copy for yourself without shopping online, or just want to get the word out there--I’d be really appreciative if you ask for Across Thin Ice at your local comic store, anytime between now and September 1st!

Also, if you’re over seas and want to spare yourself shipping from the US - Across Thin Ice has already started to pop up in many comic book stores online—for you UK folks, Forbidden Planet [link] has listed it as a pre-order! Same with Archonia [link] in Belgium! (If you don't order it, they may not stock it--so if you've had your eye on a copy but want cheaper shipping, this is the time to buy!)

Alopex from Sofawolf Press wrote a longer explanation about Diamond’s role and what you can do to help! Check it out! :]

Thank you for the moment of your time, and once again, a big thanks to everyone who’s already gotten a copy of Across Thin Ice!


And, in other news—I hope to see you at Rocky Mountain Furcon this weekend! I’ll be in the dealer’s room most of the time, and since I’m local, I’ll be bringing a bunch of stuff I don’t usually take with me to conventions, such as poster prints. I’ll have the typical fare with me as well: original sketches, prints, Scratches CDs, and so on. Commission-wise, I’ll be doing quick $1 Sharpie badges on Post-It notes. I’m also debating taking a sketch commission or two, but we’ll see how the weekend plans play out!

Nordguard Reviews:
First things first! Have a couple Nordguard: Across The Ice reviews!
-Across Thin Ice review on IGN
-Across Thin Ice review on FurryNewsNetwork

…And of course, you can still pick up a copy online from Sofawolf Press! Click here! ;]


ComicCon:
In a nutshell, ComicCon was fantastic! I haven’t been in a few years, so it was great to get a chance to run around, buy art and books, find cool comics, canoodle, break out some dice for a spot of gaming, be spoiled by San Diego’s weather and delicious sundries, and generally be entirely overwhelmed by the 150k+ people. I’m also pleased to say Nordguard: Across Thin Ice was very well received! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to pick up a copy and have it signed!

Pi was roaming around a bit every day at SDCC!
(Click here for some photos!)

Away Again:
Granted, it’s a little late to be reporting back about ComicCon. The day we flew home from San Diego, a (small? Do they come in small?) emergency called us away again. So, we tossed the already packed suitcases into the car and started driving. I’m glad to say all things are well and in order now, but we’ll likely be staying on this mountain in the middle of nowhere for a few more days. There’s no Internet, barely cell service, good beer, afternoon thunderstorms, plenty of paint and great scenery, so no one is complaining. (Though I should add, if anyone has emailed me, or noted, or sent anything other than by carrier pigeon, I apologize for a slow response time. The nearest available wi-fi is at the nearest available coffee shop, and that is to say, much too far.)

That is all from me for the moment! It’s time to pack up, buy another coffee, and start the drive back to the heart of nowhere. :]

Tomorrow afternoon I'm headed west for San Diego and ComicCon 2011!

I'll be running around most of the time, but you can catch me at the Sofawolf Press booth various times during the weekend. I'm more than happy to sign anything, as always! I'll be using my @screwbald Twitter for the convention, and to alert folks to when I'll be at the Sofawolf Booth in case you wanted to swing by!

So stop by Booth #1236 (in the webcomic section, that orange one, on your map!)
You can grab a copy of Nordguard: Across Thin Ice, or Dog's Days, or any other books!

Sofawolf Press' will also have the last hardcover Across Thin Ice copies, so if you wanted one and missed out at either AnthroCon or the online pre-sales, now may be your last chance to get the first print/first edition hardcover!

Also, you might catch sight of Pi running around ComicCon! ;]


Anyhow, in other news, it's been a perfectly lazy summer. I am enjoying the brief respite to loaf about and concentrate on important things somewhere between "nothing," and "very little." Time starts to speed up again in August, however, between a bit of travel, RMFC and Camp Feral, concluded by returning to full time work on the next Nordguard book. Not bad, I say. :]


(And, for any one interested--I'm resuming my painting from last night over on LiveStream. Stop in, if you want!)

Just rolled in from the last (very long) leg of my journey home from Home again, Across Thin Ice Available Now! The way home was meandering to say the least, with family visits in Chicago, followed by a swing up north to stop by Sofawolf Headquarters to eat good food, relax, and sign a bajillion of the Nordguard pre-ordered hardcovers.


AnthroCon--to be brief for now, since I have a fair bit of unpacking ahead of me-- was awesome! Dare I say... magical? ;]
As always, it was great to chat with folks, put some real faces to e-names, hang out with old friends, and become acquainted with new ones. A huge thanks to everyone who stopped by the table, and for those who picked up a copy of Across Thin Ice! And thanks for those who attended my Graphic Novel/Comic panel on Sunday--it was a pleasure to run, and hopefully informative! :]

===

As to Across Thin Ice--starting today, it's available now to order from Sofawolf Press' website!
(They've also rolled out their fancy new website, so you should check it out!)

Click Here to get your own copy of Across Thin Ice!
Softcovers are $19.95, 75 full color pages of arctic adventure, suitable for ages 13 and up! (There's some violence and language!)

Pre-orders of the signed hardcover ATI books also hit the post office today!
I also have some Nordguard patches and vinyl stickers left over, and soon as I'm settled back in, I'll see about making them available for sale online.

===

The rest of the summer promises to be a pretty busy one:
-I'll be at ComicCon in San Diego at the end of this month, mostly just running around in a daze from all the awesome, but you will be able to catch me at the Sofawolf Press booth to sign stuff, if you so desire! They'll have Across Thin Ice, of course, and Dog's Days of Summer and the other things I may have had a hand in, plus all their other fine and furry publications! :]

-I'll be at Rocky Mountain FurCon in the middle of August, and I may or may not wear a cape.

-Half of me will be at Camp Feral August 31st-Sept 4th, generally up to no good, and teaching a workshop or two, and absconding with all your nice Canadian things (like Coffee Crisps.) Feral's theme is a wonderful theme: B-Movies! You can find the trailer for the "It Came From Camp Feral!" here!

-As August wraps up, I'll begin my serious work on the next Nordguard book, and resume posting development of the comic on the Nordguard blog, streaming stuff, and so on. In the meanwhile, I foresee barbeque's, concerts, beerfests, random art and other fun summer-related things!


Have a great weekend!

Today, I start down the long road east for AnthroCon in Pittsburgh!

For me, the biggest part about AnthroCon this year is the release of Across Thin Ice!
(In case you somehow missed all my previous flailings and postings from the last two years, you can find more information about it at www.nordguard.com, or, just check out the FAQ.)

Anyhow! You can get copies from Sofawolf Press’ island in the dealer’s room, both softcovers and hardcovers (while supplies last,) get a t-shirt, as well as pick up anything you pre-ordered. I am more than happy to sign things, so if you want, you can bring it by me at my dealer’s table, G15 (which is across and down a bit from the Sofawolf Island, here.)

This year, among the normal prints, Scratches Art CDs, and original sketches (like this one) I’ll have for sale at my dealer’s table, I will also have Nordguard vinyl indoor/outdoor stickers, a “special edition” patch to coincide with Across Thin Ice’s release, as well as some of the normal patches (see here). So, you’re welcome to stop by my table if interested, or just to say hi! :]

Also, Nordguard and comic related, I am running a panel Sunday at 1pm in the Somerset room on Graphic Novels. The panel with cover our method for making comics, from a script to a finished page, and share some tricks we’ve picked up, pitfalls to avoid, and so on. The aim of the panel is to help get you going on your own comic projects, but you can also come check it out to see the Across Thin Ice (and Dog’s Days) originals and ask questions.

In the art show, I’ll have a bunch of stuff for sale at auction, from all across the board.
“One out of Five” and “Avian Postal Strike” will be going, plus the cover for “Isolation Play,” the chapter heads from the book, and a smattering of original interior illustrations from the book (see a photo). While I have no plans to part with any pages from Across Thin Ice anytime soon, I’ve decided to sell “The Nordguard” and this original study for the comic, cleverly now titled, “Lookouts,” (another photo!)

In the adult auction will be “Down by the River,” “Game Face,” “Upswell,” “Divine Intervention” (which will be hanging on Dark Natasha’s artshow panel, and it looks snazzy – click to see!), “Minimum Security Prison,” “Who’s There?”, and a couple other pencil and mixed media things I haven’t posted (hyenas, cheetahs and bears, oh my--here's a NSFW photo.)


I’ve emailed back folks who can be expecting a Hogwarts badge waiting for them at AC! Just swing by my table whenever during the weekend, and I’ll have them for you. :]

I think that covers everything! Safe travels to everyone on the move!


Cheers,
-Blotch

Tomorrow morning the pre-orders for the hardcover editions of Across Thin Ice begins!
(Not to mention the hardcovers of Kyell Gold's Out of Position and Isolation Play books!)


Sofawolf Press has posted information on ordering, how to get your copy and how to be kind to their servers. Give it a read, over here on the Sofawolf Press Livejournal!
In short, there's no need to slam their servers at 8am, since there should be plenty of books to go around--and if you want to slam their servers anyway, you can save yourself the time and make an account on their website before hand. ;]

Also in the Sofawolf post, there's a bit of information on international shipping options, and links to Sofawolf's German and Brazilian distributors, which may provide you a cheaper shipping option.


As a reminder, this is just pre-orders for the signed hardcover edition, which you can either opt to pick up at AnthroCon (with a valid ID), or have it mailed to you July 1st. The hardcover edition is $39, and the softcover edition will be $19.95. Both editions are full color, the softcover is 9x11.5 and the hardcover is a bit larger. The hardcover also has a snazzy map on the inside covers, which the softcover does not. ;]

There will be no pre-orders for the softcover edition and those will go for sale first at AnthroCon June 23rd, and be available online July 1st from the Sofawolf Press website. Later this year, you can also pick up a softcover copy at many major comic and fandom conventions that Sofawolf Press attends or distributes to, such as ComicCon and EuroFurence.

That's all, back to painting I go! :]


www.NORDGUARD.com || Nordguard Development Blog || @nordguard on Twitter

I am very happy to write this journal, and to have finally come to this day.

Across Thin Ice, first of the Nordguard books, is finished.

That small statement represents the culmination of two years of work: close to 3,000 hours of layout, sketching and painting comic pages, snow and sleddogs. I am excited, not to mention relieved, for it feels like the weight of the world has come off my shoulders. The last four months I was working on it were especially monotonous: rolling out of bed, pouring coffee, and painting for fifteen or eighteen hour stretches.

Some days (alright, a lot of days toward the end,) I'd catch myself wondering why I'd ever done something so stupid as pick up a pencil in the first place. I'd rather be a fish monger, or a cowboy, or wear a gorilla suite outside a car dealership than have to draw another comic panel. But, the desire to tell a good story won through and kept me motivated. Most days, the work came easily enough, and I loved the challenge of it. Here, at the end, I'm proud of the work. I feel like I've accomplished what I set out to do. I did it to the best of my abilities, and learned a whole lot along the way.

It's done. I can't say that enough. It's done. Well, I won't kid myself--the first book is done, but it's that first step that is usually the hardest.

Across Thin Ice will be released first at AnthroCon this summer, followed by ComicCon in San Diego. You'll be able to pick it up both places from Sofawolf Press, or, starting July 1st, you can buy a copy online. With fingers crossed, ATI should end up in Diamond Distributor's magazine, and be available at a wider selection of comic book retailers either later this year or next.

And, to the information you really care about! ;]
The softcover edition of Across Thin Ice will be $19.95, and be 75 full color pages and 9x11.5 in size.

There will be a run of signed hard cover books at $39 and preorders for those will begin this Saturday and run through the week (or until all of them are sold)--check out the Sofawolf website for more information. Pre-ordered copies of the hardcover edition can either be picked up at AnthroCon from Sofawolf Press with a valid ID, or shipped to you starting July 1st. There are no pre-orders for the softcover editions, since there should be plenty to go around at AnthroCon, and online afterwards.

I’ll also be posting the cover for Across Thin Ice this weekend.


Thank you everyone for your patience and interest in the comic, and for the moral support, buying Nordguard patches, tuning into the LiveStreams, and for the kind comments and encouragements.

For now, I'm off to do some more non-comic-related things, like have a social life. I'll just leave with a skip, one more "It's done!" and a short excerpt from Nansen of the North.

Cheers!
-Blotch


11 July 1885

A monotonous life this on the whole, as monotonous as one can well imagine it - to turn out day after day, week after week, month after month, to the same toil over ice which is sometimes a little better, sometimes a little worse - it now seems to be steadily getting worse - always hoping to see an end to it, but always hoping in vein, ever the same monotonous range of vision over ice, and ice again...We do not know where we are, and we do not know when this will end. Meanwhile our provisions are dwindling day by day, and the number of our dogs is growing seriously less. Shall we reach land awhile we yet have food, or shall we, when all is said and done, ever reach it?

...It is hard to go on hoping in such circumstances, but still we do; though sometimes, perhaps, our hearts fail us when we see the ice lying before us like an impenetrable maze of ridges, lanes, brash, and huge blocks thrown together pell-mell, and one might imagine one's self looking at suddenly congealed breakers. There are moments when it seems impossible that any creature not possessed of wings can get farther, and one longingly follows the flight of a passing gull, and thinks how far away one would soon be could one borrow it's wings. But then, in spite of everything, one finds a way, and hope springs eternal. Let the sun peep out a moment from the bank of clouds, and the ice-plains glitter in all their whiteness; let the sunbeams play on the water, and life seems beautiful in spite of it all, and a worthy struggle.

~ Fridtjof Nansen

Across Thin Ice, the first of the Nordguard books, is officially finished. While I wrapped up my part a week ago, the publisher has finished their end, of layout and final checks. They’ve sent it off to the printers and I can breathe easy again. I’ve been getting more than four hours a sleep a night for the first time in months, which feels amazing. Waking up with a clean slate, no deadlines and absolute artistic freedom again is pretty fantastic as well. No more sled dogs, no more snow, no more comic pages—for a least a couple months. It’s just the first book of three, after all. ;]

Anyway. In a few days, I’ll post more, with all of the official Across Thin Ice information, like the cover, the release date, the online sale date, and prices for the soft and hard cover editions.



But now, it’s time for something completely different. Free badges.

Earlier this year, while working on Across Thin Ice, I listened to the entire Harry Potter series on audiobook, narrated by Stephen Fry. I had read them before when they were coming out, but I loved listening to them again. I realized there was so much I had missed in my reading frenzy to figure out what happens. If you like Harry Potter and haven’t listened to the Stephen Fry versions, you are really doing yourself a disservice. No offense to the other guy who did the American audiobooks, but Stephen Fry is wholly awesome. And he does a great Ron. But, moving on…
I was already excited about AnthroCon’s theme this year when they announced it-- Anthropomorphic Institute of Magic. By the time I’d finished the 100+ hours of Harry Potter, I really wanted to do some Hogwarts themed badges, and the more the merrier. So, I figured I’d offer free badges. However, here’s the tricky part:

This is just for people who are attending AnthroCon, and it is only for Harry Potter/Hogwarts themed badges. I ask that people fill out the little questionnaire below and email it to AC.HP.Badge[at]gmail.com
I will pick email entries out at random, and do badges as I have the time between other paintings, before AnthroCon. You can pick up your badge at my table (where it will be delivered by owl) at AnthroCon—I won’t be mailing any, I’m sorry. I’m not sure how many I’ll be able to do, but more than six and less than could fit in a breadbox is probably a good estimation. ;]

Here’s a few samples I made. If your email is one that I pick, your badge will look akin to these, with your character in appropriate house robes, the house title below your name, etc.

So, if you’re interested and attending AnthroCon in June…
Email your answers for the questions below, to: AC.HP.Badge[at]gmail.com

1. Name displayed on badge:

2. A link to your character’s reference image (2 max, please.)

3. Which one of the four Hogwarts Houses you’d be in:
OR, if you’d rather be from Beauxbatons or Durmstrang.
OR, if you’d rather be disguised as a muggle…which means I get to dress your character in heinously mismatching outfits, as a wizard would wear who is pretending to be “normal.”

4. (Optional) Your favorite subject in school (ie Potions, Transfiguration, Quidditch, etc.):

5. (Optional) If you want to have an owl in your badge, let me know what kind! Same goes with small animals like snakes, rats or cats.

The cutoff date for entries is May 10th. Don’t submit more than once, please—if I see the same email or same characters, it’ll disqualify your entry. If I finish yours, I’ll let you know via email if you have a badge waiting for you at AnthroCon.
And if you can’t attend AnthroCon or hate Harry Potter, I apologize, and perhaps someday I’ll be able to offer something more up your alley. ;]


Cheers!
-Blotch

In this digital age, folks are always a bit more exposed. As an artist, you realize that once posted online, your art will get re-posted, traced, misrepresented, criticized and so on. That’s just the nature of the beast, and you learn to accept it when it’s harmless, and deal with it when it’s a problem.

However, it’s come to my attention that there is a fellow who has not only decided to re-post most of my artwork, but actually pretend to be me. Granted, identity theft is not so new and exciting in this day and age, either. It’s easy to brush it off as one of those “mostly harmless,” situations. I’ve had several folks approach me over months wondering, “Say, this fellow on xBox live says he’s you,” to which I politely reply, “Nah, that’s not me. I don’t even own an xBox.” No big deal.

…But now it seems he’s gone further and will actually approach people on the street who appear to be a furry, and profess to be “Blotch.” Not only that, but he will assure you, if he speaks to you, that whatever misleading rumors about “Blotch” being “two girls” you might have heard, you are mistaken. And, no, he can’t draw for you, since he only draws with a special “quill pen.” And yeah, his signature looks a little funny—he’s having an off day. Probably because he’s trying to rip off the wrong artist’s signature, but you can’t expect him to get every little detail right. If you comment about the tattoo of a (painfully) ancient sketch of my character which I drew in 2004 that takes up most of his arm, he will proudly display it for you and claim it as his own. He will further say he made the entire “Dog’s Days of Summer,” (you know, that webcomic that I made week-to-week in 2007 as readers voted on the next installment,) one day while he was in college, and these “two girls” unscrupulously stole the comic from him and published it. For shame really, what is the world coming to?

But that amusing bit aside, the fellow is allegedly taking “commissions,” for either art or fursuits, and I doubt he plans on delivering much in return. It seems he is primarily active on xBox live and the impostor-Facebook, both of which, I can assure you—are not me.

So this is just a heads up, and a reminder—the only places you will find me online are:
-Blotch on FA, Blogspot, ArtSpots, LiveStream and VCL
-Screwbald on DeviantArt, Livejournal, Twitter and AIM
...and my actual Facebook account is "Blotch Spotcat," though I'm very rarely active there.

And of course, websites and comics:
https://www.screwbald.com or https://www.blotchinc.com
https://www.nordguard.com
https://www.dogsdaysofsummer.com

And of the two halves who make up my whole, you’ll only find them online at their respective FA pages [BlackTeagan and Kenket], LiveJournals, or emails. And if you would ever like to contact me, you’re welcome to note me here, on DA, or most reliably, email screwbald[at]gmail.com, and I will reply diligently, as both time and wireless allow.

Anyhow, thank you and have a good start to the week! :]

Cheers!
-Blotch

I will be streaming some comic page painting over on LiveStream for the next few hours, a page which features bears, pine martens and explosives. It promises to be full of the usual paint-on-paper action!
http://www.livestream.com/blotch


And... speaking of martens!

I know some of you have an affinity for fuzzy, talking animals. Martin the Warrior is up in the Suvudu Cage Match this time 'round, and it would be pretty amusing if he made some Redwall-style fancy mustard paste out of his competitors! All you have to do is to vote for him! ;]
Martin the Warrior vs. FitzChivalry Farseer

(Though, Robin Hobb's books are a pretty good read, so you can vote for the other guy if you must, even if he is decidedly less fuzzy.)


==EDIT==

As of 7:30pm MST, I'm off LiveStream for about an hour or so. I'll use that Twitter thingy when I start back painting--just follow me @screwbald to get LiveStream updates! :]

Thanks to everyone who ordered one of the Nordguard patches! I got the majority out in the mail this morning, and the rest are packaged for tomorrow's post. I still have some left for sale (info here.) If you'd like one while winter coats are still fashionable, there's no time like the present! Spring is coming 'round with a vengeance. ;]
(I have some patches set aside for AnthroCon this summer, but once this batch of ones online are sold, I'm not planning on restocking until after AC.)

Also, on a Nordguard note--I'll be painting stuff from the comic on LiveStream well into the night. I'm starting on a new page which features a few characters you haven't yet seen. Their part is a bit small in this first book, but they will be back for the second and third. (Well, some of them, anyway.)

If you're interested in that kind of thing, there's a few previously recorded sessions from LiveStream that I've kept in the archive, featuring such things as inking and painting pages, warm-up sketches, spilling coffee on things and other technical difficulties. If you want to be notified when I start streaming, feel free to follow @screwbald on Twitter.

Nordguard on BlogSpot | https://www.Nordguard.com | Nordguard on LJ

And, as to life outside the comic--ah, who I am kidding. There is no life outside the comic! ;]

A few people have asked me over the last couple years, so I figured I'd give this whole Livestream thing a go!
Check it out, here: http://www.livestream.com/blotch

For the next few months, I'll be working pretty steadily on my comic, Across Thin Ice.
I'll be streaming off and on when I'm not working on pages rife with spoilers.

To minimize spam, I'll brush the dust off of my ol' screwbald Twitter account (here,) and finally put the thing to use. It'll update when I plan to be streaming for a fair period of time. (However, most of my waking hours are spent on art--a good portion of that painting--so you can always tune in to check if I'm up to something.)
From time to time, I will also announce when I'm streaming on the Nordguard Twitter, depending what I'm working on.

Since I'm painting and not really watching the chat, I probably won't be very responsive to questions.

From past experience, ones that come up often are:
What paint/paper do you use?
Winsor & Newton watercolors, and Arches 140lbs watercolor paper.
What ink do you use?
Speedball ink, and a small paintbrush
What is this comic thing?
Check out the Nordguard development blog, or https://www.Nordguard.com

Thanks, and if you decide to tune in, I hope you enjoy! :]

EDIT: The viewer limit will be raised soon as the channel gets verified in a day or two. :]

Cheers,
-Blotch