The Age of Enlighteneers

So new year means new sketchbook and new scribbles. Here are...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:24:10 -0500

So new year means new sketchbook and new scribbles. Here are just a couple of ideas I’ve been working on and off with. You will probably be seeing these guys much more.

The heading comes from this very good book here. However, a really good place to start if you’re just getting into Native American history is Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. Or better yet, pick up something by N. Scott Momaday and just go wild; he’s got a large body of work to choose from.

Your comic about Jacques Louis David and young Napoleon is SO so similar to a kate beaton comic it hurts my brain. The layout, facial expresions, lettering! it just looks like you coloured in one of hers, but with no link or reference to her I am wondering if you are just bad at crediting others or if you are activly ripping her off.... This seems to happen frequently in your newer one-off comics. You are a good artist, whats going on?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:36:24 -0500

Hi there; I wanted to answer this publicly because I think it’s important for everyone to know this as well (if they don’t already): I love Kate Beaton. She’s brilliant and an amazing inspiration and I love her work. If it’s the similarity between our styles of humor, then yes, that would be because she has had an effect on my own sense of humor and how I see things. If that is what’s upsetting you, then I’m sorry you dislike my hobby of making comics about history too.

If it’s a change in the art style, then I’m sorry that upsets you as well; comics can be tedious work and I simplified mine out of necessity for time. If they look like hers it will be because it’s her influence creeping in again. Artists are sponges as I am sure you know; we absorb things and there is not much I can do to change that. If you were hoping I would own up to having Kate Beaton as an influence, then yes, I will gladly state again that she is an influence to me. And I have got many others as well like Brett Helquist, Scott C., Mary Blair, Edward Gorey, Shinzi Katoh…too many to list in this little box whose styles I use as examples and inspiration.   

However, I absolutely, most certainly, do not lift any of her drawings or comics, color them, and then claim them as my own. I do not copy any dialogue. Kate Beaton has got a very distinct style that is very much hers and I like it that way. I purposely try to stay away from particular history subjects she covers because she already does such a great job already. But I’ve combed through her website and both her books and I haven’t seen her cover Jacques-Louis David before. If you have a link to that comic, I would love to see it since it seems I’ve missed her do one of my favorite artists. And if I still make your brain hurt then I can rescan my original inked panels and send those to you along with the Photoshop files with unmerged layers if you wish.

Plagiarism is a serious thing; I understand your suspicions since, with the Internet, people can pretty much do anything. But I am not taking Kate Beaton’s work and claiming it as my own. I don’t know how else to prove that other than sending the files to you and re-iterating everything I’ve already said.

One day I am going to stop being lazy and actually finish the...

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:11:00 -0500

One day I am going to stop being lazy and actually finish the comic I have lying around. In the meantime, I offer a couple of book recs for your viewing pleasure (and to keep this place alive)! They are a pair: Signing Their Lives Away and Signing Their Rights Away. Packed with mini bios of the men who signed the Declaration and the Constitution. They are both fun books, quirky from the awesome Quirk Books, and the book jackets FOLD OUT into the Declaration and Constitution just for your history nerd joy! These books are good for the general reader wanting an introduction to the people and times of 1776 and 1787, but of course, they are just as enjoyable for the history nerd as well :] And if you already have them? You are awesome.

On a sidenote, I am going to have to close requests for the time being; I actually didn’t think I’d get so many! So now it is just a matter of picking and choosing which ones I feel like doing first. I shall be sure to give a shout-out whenever I post one and give credit for a comic idea that was suggested to me. In any case, all your suggested history tidbits in my inbox make me happy; there are some events and people that I get to learn more about which is always the best!

Oh my GOD. Your drawings are just about the most awesome things EVER. Especially the ones about the presidents and such. XD YUUUS. I want a pocket Constitution!

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 17:48:10 -0500

Ahaha thank you! It is a good thing for me that you like the president comics because I tend to make a looot of those. I’d love a little pocket Madison, too! It would totally beat having a real, pocket book Constitution or phone app…(not that having either of those is a bad thing though, I have got one on my phone) :]

I know there are some Lewis and Clark lovers out there (*wink...

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:30:00 -0400

I know there are some Lewis and Clark lovers out there (*wink wink* mrsmerilew) so I thought I would share this graphic novel with you peeps (if you haven’t checked it out already)! It is an awesome comic by Nick Bertozzi about the expedition; really fun, a little sad, but still very great! It’s a fast read at 144 pages, but it’s got wonderful brush pen work. A nice introduction to get anyone interested in learning more about Lewis and Clark.

There’s no chasing-bear-with-underwear or eating-dick-shaped-plant scenes in it like my comic suggests, but there is a hardy Clark and a neurotic Lewis getting sick…getting angry…getting shot in the butt scenes, ya know, fun stuff like that. Enjoy!

Moar answers!

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:14:45 -0400

Hallo! susiebox, shadow-pop, the-vorpal-pen, sugarrainy, and devils-grass

These replies are like the White Rabbit, just late, late, late for a very important date. I am sorry!

susiebox asked:

this blog is fantastic. one of my favorite time periods in enchanting cartoon form <3

Ah yes! It actually started out as a blog for any historical period, but I find I’m partial to the eighteenth century :] Thank you for the kind compliment!

shadow-pop asked:

I just found your blog and i must say i do love all your artwork!! EVERYTHING IS BRILLIANT!

Ahaha thank you!! I’m glad my silly work can be found to be brilliant!

the-vorpal-pen asked: Your blog.. your art… it’s just… *single manly tear of joy*

I am honored by your single manly tear :]

sugarrainy asked: How is your original French Revolution work going? I’d love to see more of it.

Ah! You like it? Thank you! The original stuff is on a bit of a hiatus as I’m doing other projects, but I have got some FR comics planned for your viewing and giggling pleasure.

devils-grass asked: You are the best, so is your blog so many funnies

Awh thanks! I hope I can keep you chuckling!

Ansewerers

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:59:47 -0400

Hey there omnivorousstegosaurus, pennants-aloft, therothwoman, therothwoman, and nota-lone!

AAAAH I am sorry these replies are so late, but replies I have!

omnivorousstegosaurus asked:

i wish for your blessing to marry this blog

If you can tolerate its insanity and deal with it when it gets out of control, you have my blessing ;]

pennants-aloft asked:

You are brilliant. Thank you so, so much for your many doses of historical humor, particularly the comics about John Paul Jones. It makes me feel better about calling Alexander Hamilton “Hammy” and Jefferson “TJeff”, and so on. Opinions on “1776”?

Dawh thank you! Really, the best part about this blog for me is being able to meet people who actually know and appreciate these historical figures! Kudos to you for knowing JPJ, too, he tends to get lost amongst everyone else… Haha welcome to the community of Hammies and TJeffs! There are loads of peeps here who have got the same enthusiasm :D I like “1776,” but I only started to appreciate it after watching it a second time around when I was older and could understand the events more clearly.

therothwoman asked: You. Draw. Silly. Cartoons. Of. Lafayette. I think you are my new hero and I bow down before your glory and amazingness.

Uh oh, if you bow down to me I may get haughty ideas in my head! You’ve got to give me 12 labors so I can work for it like Hercules. But thank you! As for Lafayette: silliness is what he’s here for!

nota-lone asked: I love your art like Louis XIV loves gold and courtesans. <3

Oh my! *flutters eyelashes and a lacy fan*

Here is a Napoleon for Miss oneangrypixie! I regret there is no...

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:09:54 -0400

Here is a Napoleon for Miss oneangrypixie! I regret there is no Josephine though :[ But that just leaves options for the future!

I have really wanted to do something with Jacques Louis David for a while now; he’s one of my favorite artists and artists’ obsessions are sometimes quite amusing. Like David’s fascination with Napoleon’s “classically structured” face. Hear, hear, this artist certainly agrees; young Napoleon’s portraits are pretty rawr

More hallos for some more lovelies

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:58:50 -0400

The lovely from-space, supermegatotallyawsome, guaninecytosine, and spiffingsailor!

from-space asked you:I JUST CANNOT HANDLE HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU. HAMILTON. AND DERPING LAFAYETTE. AND SEXY JEFFERSON. AND FATHER FIGURE WASHINGTON. I just creepily reblogged your entire tumblr…oh yeah :D

AHAHA YES! I am glad you have found me, fellow history lover. It is always good to know that someone else finds my silly thoughts to be funny, too X] That way I know I am not QUITE insane yet. Thank you!!

supermegatotallyawsome asked you:I love this blog! (Jefferson is one of my many history crushes) But this is a question out of pure curiosity, but….did you ever watch “Liberty Kids” on PBS as a child. Becuase I kid you not, that’s why I love the American Revolution (and all other revolutions) so much. It was about these kids who met Benjamen Franklen and Washington and all these other people! I’m just asking because when people animate our founding fathers, I think of the show….

Ooooh yes, Jefferson ;D He’s a major history crush for me, too; you can never have too many! And yes! I have seen Liberty’s Kids, but I found out about it only a couple of years ago. I’ve only seen bits and pieces of it online, although I must say, I did enjoy the episode with John Paul Jones being voiced by Liam Neeson XD

guaninecytosine asked you:

My friends and I are currently take US History at school, and we all adore your comics! We end up being silly and giggling in class whenever Hamilton or Jefferson or Lafayette or any of the other presidents/Founding Fathers/~*~John Paul Jones~*~ come up in class discussion. Thanks for making class fun!

Aaah that makes me so happy! Thank you!! Those Founding Fathers could be pretty silly, so there’s no shortage of entertainment. I hope I can keep you guys chuckling :D

spiffingsailor asked you:I’ve seen your comics floating around but now I have found your blog and it is AMAZING! I’m partial to British history, myself, but anything 18th (/early 19th) century = LOVE. Thank you for making such fantastically hilarious comics.

XD Thank you thank you! I am just glad you decided to drop by! I hope the silliness here doesn’t chase you away; I’m prone to immaturity and there may be some forthcoming jokes about breeches and stockings ;D

Why hallo!

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:35:39 -0400

aniskywolf, gyrengimble, imanapricot, and bribee, answers all for you!

aniskywolf asked you:You and your comics and art are beautiful. NEVER CHANGE.

DAAWH thanks! I am feeling the inspiration from your epic words dude, it is keeping me going XD

gyrengimble asked you:YOU ARE BACK MY LIFE HAS MEANING ONCE MORE.

Aaaah you missed me!? THAT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY; history enthusiasts like you are the only reason why I try to keep up this blog!

imanapricot asked you:Can I just say that you are an incredibly amazing artist and your comics are incredibly hilarious. It’s nice to find people out there that love history, thank you for sharing your wonderful art ; u ;

Awh thanks! It IS nice to find history lovers; makes me feel less nuts when I get ridiculously excited over something like building restorations or Washington’s shirt XD Thank YOU for dropping by!

bribee asked you:my family just moved to virginia and the childhood home of Washington! finding your tumblr could not coincide better!! everyone here seems to decorate their homes as if Washington slept there….obviously Washington love lives on. your combination of history and hilariousness is pure GENIUS! i will follow you anywhere :)

Follow me anywhere eh? Turns out I’ll be going on an adventure soon to find a mystical sword in a land of never-ending night filled with burping bogs and monster frogs; it would be a pleasure to have your company! Haha but seriously, thank you! :D Long live Washington love!

These were supposed to go with the other one, but I ended up...

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:32:02 -0400

These were supposed to go with the other one, but I ended up having to split it in half because it would have been a file the size of Godzilla @.@

Oh man, I think it is about time I ended this unexpected hiatus....

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:24:56 -0400

Oh man, I think it is about time I ended this unexpected hiatus. Real Life has an annoying tendency to get in the way of more important things like drawing silly pictures and lounging around. Anyway, things are getting done and suddenly I have time!

And then I make something stupid like this

YOU ARE FABULOUS. YOUR COMICS ARE FABULOUS. THIS IS A FABULOUS TUMBLR OF FABULOUSITY.

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:14:23 -0400

AAAAAH I’m so so sorry this reply is super late D: But I just wanted to thank you for your fabulous compliment!!

More sketches, this time based on the leaders of the War in the...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:31:24 -0400

More sketches, this time based on the leaders of the War in the Vendée, a very violent, very bloody revolt that added to the turbulence of the French Revolution.

Slowly getting my art groove back, slooowly

I’m alive, really. Just some face practice with some...

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:55:18 -0400

I’m alive, really.

Just some face practice with some characters. Comics went on a bit of a hiatus since Comic Con…busy busy! I’ve got all my notes jotted in my sketchbook though, so something is bound to pop up once I get some downtime.

Speaking of comics, if you’re a French Revolution lover and need your fix, check this out! It’s called “Sky Over the Louvre.” It’s very short and features two fantastic artists: Jacques-Louis David is the subject and Bernard Hislaire is the one who brings him to life! Even if you can’t stand artistic liberties being taken with history, you don’t even have to read it, the gorgeous line drawings will be enough to keep you turning pages

Answers answers!

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:38:12 -0400

zom-be-gone, conquestofarevolutionarysspark!

zom-be-gone asked:

Your blog is the absolute best! I cant get over your comics. I love them.
Though, as much as I love Hamilton, I have to say that my favorite historical person is General Patton.

Glad to be of service! Oooh Patton, now that is a BAMF through and through ;D

conquestofarevolutionarysspark asked: I absolutely love how you illustrate Lafayette and Washington. Most adorable relationship in the history of ever. I love your blog! I agree you should do more stuff with Greene. How about Henry Knox?

Adk;fs;jeeee thank you so much! And YES! I love the relationship between Lafayette and Washington like woah. Hmm I hadn’t even thought of Henry Knox…I’ll see what the muse has in store for him :]

As long as everyone's dropping requests in this here box, would you consider drawing something across the Atlantic? I'm a big fan of the Marquis du la Lafayette, and he got into some pretty cool stuff not only in the American Revolution but also in the days leading up to the French Rev.

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:32:20 -0400

Oh yes; the French Revolution is the other subject I tend to lean towards in this blog, so you will be seeing lots of that. The Marquis will definitely make an appearance.

While the subject of requests is up: I am always open to requests, suggestions, etc., but I must warn everyone that it can be quite a while before you see it come up…or it may be a day later! It just depends. And it may not be a comic, it may be a little illustration! Anyhoo, my main point is that when a request is made, it is jotted down in my mess of a sketchbook and it is there in my head. A Lannister always pays their debts! Or, in this case, an inkyparthia always fulfills…their…requests?

Haha I am sorry, I’m tired and not making much sense, but there it is

You should do some comics with Nathanael Greene! My love for him will never die. NEVER.

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:53:11 -0400

Awh Nathanael Greene; a good man, good man. You chose your history crush well! He is on my list of subjects to do, but I admit, he is low on the list because I always get sad when I think of him… He did so much for the revolution and then he had such a rough time afterwards, then died young. But he’s there in my mind, nonetheless.

A friend of mine was just lamenting that only the same two pictures come up on Tumblr when she searches for Teddy Roosevelt. I was wondering if you happen to have anything in mind for a comic featuring him some time in the future. Not a founding father, sure, but certainly an interesting guy.

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:31:44 -0400

Only two pictures!? This must be remedied. I agree, Teddy is too interesting and awesome, he must have more than two pictures show up on tumblr. Well if he was not on my mind before, he certainly is now!

You're one of my favorite people ever. Thank you. Can you do a comical retelling of the XYZ affair?

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:25:27 -0400

Woaw I am greatly honored my friend; I give you a big Lafayette-style hug, kisses and all!

OOH the XYZ affair, I had never thought to do that one (and it is a good one!). Your request is being taken into serious consideration, processing starting…NOW