I am a comic book illustrator living in Seattle.

People often ask me how I create detailed artwork on computer. The answer is: I don't. Here's how it works:

1) on 11x14 vellum-finished bristol: sketch the design in pencil
2) ink over the pencil with speedball india ink and a size 2 or 3 point brush
3) erase the pencil (speedball doesn't smear)
4) scan the artwork to PDF
5) clean up in photoshop using "curves" feature and save as PSD
6) open PSD in Illustrator and do a "live trace". this turns the artwork into vector.
7) drag the vector object back into photoshop.
8) add a transparent layer underneath the vector object and paint on it with a wacom tablet (but you don't really need one)



About my rating system:
I used to get upset about the bad designs but now they just make me tired so I try to be as helpful as possible leaving comments to make sure that the designer learns where to make improvements. I myself am nowhere near perfect so I really appreciate all the constructive comments folks have provided me in the past; I want to know what you are looking for in a shirt. Here's a little insight into my thought process for rating designs:

5 - If your design is clearly brilliant and deserves to be printed.
4 - If you have a wearable design that's in good taste but it could be better.
3 - If you have a good design idea and decent art but missed the mark.
2 - If you have skills but failed to put together a decent design.
1 - If your design or sense of humor really sucks.
0 - If I am actually offended or think you are mocking me because you think you are the cleverest person alive. That just pisses me off.

Designs that I never want to see again (but know I will):
- little girls with bloody knives
- peace signs
- clip art collages
- the planet earth
- polar bear balancing on an ice cube
- women who are naked for no reason
- skulls and skeletons
- zombies
- sex jokes
- chicken and egg
- guns shooting hearts