Operation: All Hallows Eve

Week one-thirty-nine of Operation Graphite – theme: All Hallows Eve.

For the first time in years, I don’t have a Halloween costume. I’m feeling a little down about that; it’s the first time in ages I don’t have any crazy, elaborate costume plans for my favorite holiday. But things aren’t all grim, the focus has shifted. With a munchkin to take care of, dressing him up for the holiday is the new focus. I already have a few costume ideas for the future. Perhaps one day he will take Halloween costumes as seriously as I once did. Actually, I hope he doesn’t take it THAT seriously, I definitely went overboard one or two times.

Contributing Trick or Treaters:

Drafturgy – Jack Pumpkinhead

Micah -Hollowman

Sethomatik – Michael Myers

shawnbrookwilliams – Trick or Treat

Shock – The one night a year little Diaemus can come out of hiding.

 

Thank you for frightening the neighbors!

Week 140: James Bond

The theme selected for week one-fourty of Operation Graphite will be: James Bond.

From the original Ian Fleming books, to the films which later evolved into a ridiculous parody, and more recently to the Jason Bourne style action movies, James Bond is the most recognizable figure in the spy and espionage genre. While often hailed as the ultimate incarnation, those early Sean Connery films are now more recognized for Bond being a misogynistic asshole. Not too long ago I re-watched Goldfinger, and was a bit taken back by a few scenes. Perhaps Pussy Galore got more respect working for the villain than she ever did working for the Good Guys. Of course, when I was little, all of that went completely over my head. All I saw were cigarettes that shot rockets, a Lotus Esprit that transforms into a submarine, jetpacks, ninjas and wristwatches that do everything from shoot darts, magnetically attract objects, and shoot freaking laser beams.

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: James Bond.

All art work is due on Thursday, 11.6.14 Submissions will be published the following Friday, 11.7.14

Operation: Agincourt

Week one-thirty-eight of Operation Graphite – theme: Agincourt.

 

This Saturday is the Feast of Saint Crispin, and if it were not for Shakespeare, that day would likely be as forgettable as the Feast of Castor of Tarsus. But a play, and its often rehashed soliloquy, centered around the Battle of Agincourt. One of the bloodiest battles of the Hundred Years War, and perhaps the reason for much of the lingering animosity between French and English, took place near the town of Azincourt, where a chunk of France once belonged to the Kingdom of England. A battle where the pinnacle of plate armor technology was no mach for a muddy field, and repeated volleys from English long bows led to victory for an army out numbered four to one.

Contributing Men-at-Arms:

Sethomatik – Agincourt

shawnbrookwilliams – Anachronistic Anatomically Incorrect Agincourt

Shock – Henry V

Week 139: All Hallows Eve

The theme selected for week one-thirty-nine of Operation Graphite will be: All Hallows Eve.

To finish off October, we’ll have our self a nice Halloween free for all. How the the early Christian church co-oped a pagan harvest festival, and never thought that would come back to bite them in the ass, is beyond me. A holiday that for some celebrates passed ancestors, for others its about monsters, demons and the darker side of human nature. And yet for others it is really about dressing up. The rising popularity of cosplay is one indicator that, for some, only one day a year to be someone else is just not enough. And of course, its also about pumpkin spiced EVERYTHING!

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: All Hallows Eve.

All art work is due on Thursday, 10.30.14 Submissions will be published the following Friday, 10.31.14

Operation: Spider-man

Week one-thirty-seven of Operation Graphite – theme: Spider-man.

Spider-man is both delightful, and frustrating, to draw. It is a character whose mastery is more academic than others, for every pose requires a level of dynamicity far beyond the others. Poor Spidey is stretched, crumpled, and contorted into position after position. The weight and pull of G-forces tear at his body as we swings thought the air. Preforming acrobatics only a mutant could achieve he is always depicted flipping, jumping, or crouched and ready to strike. It is that dynamic quality that keeps him a favorite subject.

Daily Bugle Photograph Submissions:

Sethomatik – Spidey

shawnbrookwilliams – Spider-man

Shock – Web-slingger

Thank you for contributing.

Week 138: Agincourt

The theme selected for week one-thirty-eight of Operation Graphite will be: Agincourt.

In four days short a fortnight be the feast of St. Crispin. That it lands in the month of macabre is rightly so, for once a grave horror befell la francophonie. To be tasset deep in muck and scum whilst a hail of English arrows blot out the sun, those poor armored chevaliers, more trapped than guarded, suffered woe and vicious routing by a meager band of brothers. For it if was not for the bloody slaying of these twins in Gaul, a feast there would be not, and if not for a bard, this condemned holiday would long ago have faded. That the bloody battle of Agincourt landed on this day for slain martyrs keeps both memories steadfast.

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: Agincourt.

All art work is due on Thursday, 10.23.14 Submissions will be published the following Friday, 10.24.14

Operation: John Carpenter Films

Week one-thirty-six of Operation Graphite – theme: John Carpenter Films.

Horror films are usually playing around the clock this time of year, and so many of the modern films owe something to the work of John Carpenter. Halloween, is often thought of as the first slasher film, but it is actually a lesser known film, Black Christmas, that was the first true Slasher film. Believe it or not, that film was directed by the same guy who did, A Christmas Story. That’s almost as strange as the fact that George Miller, director of the original Mad Max movies, also directed Happy Feet and Babe. Carpenter was still a master of horror, and while he excelled at that genre, he also directed some great action movies too, and that one sci-fi, romantic, road trip movie staring The Dude that inspired me to visit Berringer Crater when I was traveling cross country. That one was pretty cool too.

Shock – …and I’m all out of bubblegum.

Week 137: Spider-man

The theme selected for week one-seventy-three of Operation Graphite will be: Spider-man.

Greetings true believers! Prepare to be dazzled and amazed by the spectacular, the sensational, web slinging Spider-man. This next, action packed week, we will follow the only superhero with a hyphen. Whether you prefer Peter Parker or Miles Morales, this week is all about your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. And what character better fits in with the other creepy crawlies in this macabre month, not only our arachnid, Spidey, but also his entire catalog of frightening villains.

Congratulations if you read that entire thing with Stan Lee’s voice in your head.

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: Spider-Man.

All art work is due on Thursday, 10.16.14 Submissions will be published the following Friday, 10.17.14

Spiderman lineup by Evan “Doc” Shaner.

Excelsior!

Operation: Monster

Week one-thirty-five of Operation Graphite – theme: Monster.

We imagine monsters as grotesque abominations, as hideous beasts, but sometimes the truly monstrous hides behind a facade of charm and beauty. The ugliest creatures hide in the deepest depths of the ocean, away from the repulsion of the land walkers, but are they truly the things we should fear? Is it required that a monster be some chimera that only Bellerophon could contend with, or could the real monsters be something much different?

Shock – Lamprey Spider

Week 136: John Carpenter Films

The theme selected for week one-thirty-six of Operation Graphite will be: John Carpenter Films.

Diving right in the Month of Macabre, it seemed like a good time to explore another director’s filmography. John Carpenter has made some great action and sci-fi films, but also some of the most iconic horror movies in cinema.  So iconic, his are some of the most remade film properties today. What is your favorite John Carpenter film?

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: John Carpenter Films.

All art work is due on Thursday, 10.9.14 Submissions will be published the following Friday, 10.10.14