The Fortress Lab

Taaak… Aku belum mati lagi…

2009-09-28T20:40:00.001+08:00

I need to finish a few more projects before I can get back to this thing. Rest assured I will be back with more ink scratchings.

Yours in Cthulu,

NNA

Teh Sketchbook

2008-12-20T10:26:00.004+08:00

Oh, hai. Squash or stretch?

My biggest problem has always been giving faces convincing expressions. I just could not make myself to mix really gung-ho cartoonish expressions with what I pass off as 'realistic'. I do want to be comfortable with giving pretty faces strong emotional expressions even if I have to exaggerate just a little bit. I need to draw more...

Not quite there yet. I need to relax and just let rubber faces emerge.

Of course I can't resist another random creature feature. I sort of like this one, maybe she can be redesigned and developed further.

It's a whale squid, or should that be a squile? wheid? Or maybe say paus sotong? Pato? Sotu?

You know what? Never mind, I'm just being weird again.

hnhnhn

2008-10-30T00:30:00.001+08:00

Kau belum bangun lagi ke?

2008-10-24T16:43:00.001+08:00

Oh. Hai, I'm back.

2008-10-14T00:35:00.002+08:00

Tiny nonsense noise

2008-09-15T02:28:00.002+08:00

I'm still not really enjoying my week.

Moar Projek J

2008-08-19T17:58:00.002+08:00

More creatures today, let's see where I can take this.

Lagi Projek J

2008-08-06T14:13:00.003+08:00

I think I got most of the materials I need to get started on this. I'll probably should start working on the landscape and final look of Projek J. In the meantime, here's another sketch of other characters that I've slotted to appear in this story.

Oh, yeah! I should get more creature sketches in here too. Gotta remember that. If you haven't been to the Komik Box for a while I don't blame you, I've been rather neglectful of it for too long. Hopefully with Johan and Shaz on board I can get it rolling again!

Buang

2008-07-14T11:46:00.002+08:00

Lagi Projek : J

2008-07-06T17:32:00.002+08:00

Two more characters out of dozens that I think will work with the plot at hand. Meet Salimandra and 3id.

Projek : J

2008-06-16T09:14:00.003+08:00

Dalam frasa menjana karekter.

Huh

2008-06-07T21:45:00.001+08:00

I'm starting to see the benefits of using a tablet (yes, I'm late).

fixing things

2008-06-02T17:17:00.002+08:00

yeahyeahyeah

2008-05-29T17:40:00.001+08:00

Satria Alam versi 0.1c dalam pembikinan. Gurrrh? Gurrrrh.

linkcoda

2008-05-23T02:22:00.001+08:00

salur

2008-05-10T17:31:00.003+08:00

griz

2008-05-08T12:55:00.002+08:00

reDesignreDesignreDesign

2008-04-16T10:32:00.001+08:00

scratchscratchscratch

2008-03-16T01:16:00.002+08:00

Blurgle

2008-03-09T12:13:00.001+08:00

WIPs

2008-03-05T12:08:00.004+08:00

While it's nice to get back to the ol' pen, pencil, paint & paper, I shouldn't neglect any meager digital skills that I learned these past few years. Here some line art I'll be digitally coloring soon.

(by soon I meant at times I'm bored redrawing Satria Alam)

Ya

2008-03-02T11:48:00.002+08:00

I'm back with a little more free time now and looking forward to start posting again!

Mawar VS The Shadow Minotaur

2007-10-01T15:50:00.000+08:00

WIP : Taking a break

2007-10-01T12:31:00.000+08:00

Yeah, yeah I know I've been slacking lately but come on now, better late than never right?

WIP : Out to lunch

2007-07-23T11:44:00.000+08:00

My artbook+comic is coming along okay, but its still rough around the edges.

Jalan-jalan

2007-07-18T14:41:00.000+08:00

Random crap I don't feel like finishing

2007-07-10T01:53:00.000+08:00

Deeeeaaaaaaad Treeeeeesss

2007-07-08T13:07:00.000+08:00

I guess the only way to heal depression is to keep doing what you love.

Random sketch : Gergasia

2007-05-12T19:24:00.000+08:00

I'm still filling up a new sketchbook and haven't scanned a damned thing. So instead here's something a little older from my "not-really-cheesecake" folder. I dunno, what the hell possessed me to color it so horribly.

Random sketch : Dreaming of stars

2007-05-05T23:02:00.000+08:00

I've been offline for a while, but now I'm back.

Smash Radius

2007-04-29T17:20:00.000+08:00

It's a panel from Satria Alam 2. Nope, don't know when we'll be publishing.

Burn the town and save the kitty.

2007-04-18T00:24:00.000+08:00

While working on my dad's political history graphic series, this idea came to me. It only took me an hour since the vision and plot was so clear. An alternate world in Georgetown, Penang where I spent most of my teen days. Let's see if I can develop the concept into a ten issue story arc. Why ten? I don't know, it sounds like a nice round number.

Satria Alam : Delayed again!

2007-04-07T20:59:00.000+08:00

Well, I guess it's official. Satria Alam and all other comics due to be published this April are put on indefinite hold by PTSM. Since it seems we can't get any feedback for now, the actual publishing date will probably be much later... or even (ulp!)never.

Team Satria Alam will take a "wait and see" approach for now and I'll post any new developments. I just hope they realize the time I spent plotting and drawing is not FOC.

I really do.

Random sketch : Vulk will add more!

2007-04-04T10:38:00.000+08:00

Stuck in an infinite loop due to a bad update script, Vulk the Golem will keep going and going and going and going!

Random sketch : Come alive

2007-04-03T19:08:00.000+08:00

I remember I used to stare at paintings during electrical blackouts as a child. I always fancied the paintings to move slightly while they basked in the flickering light.

Random sketch : A revisit

2007-03-31T23:18:00.000+08:00

I was cleaning up when I came across some superhero sketches I made back in 1999. We had such great parties then.

The guy is Haris Rosh, a former doctor who lost his arm in a botched raid on an organ harvesting operation he was running. Instead of simply jailing him, the authorities decided to reuse him in an experimental propaganda project. Yes, I know it doesn't make any sense but it sounded dark, gritty and cynical therefore cool at the time. His arm is a highly modular multi-tool and his other implants make him one of the most versatile cyborgs in the world.

The lady goes by the name of Redscape, an expert illusionist, athlete and escape artist extraordinare. Get it? Red cape, escape artist... yeah, goofy as hell. She's a full-time government sponsored superhero and has the added responsibility in making a hero out of Haris. She has no real superpowers except for a mysterious shape shifting cape. What do you think?

Random sketch : Circus Ink

2007-03-30T00:24:00.000+08:00

I'm slowly filling up a new sketchbook.

Drawing blanks here Mat...

2007-03-29T01:55:00.000+08:00

This is a part of a cover I'm making for an anthology that I haven't finished yet. I'm still stuck on how to actually make this awesome. If I can't then I'll just have to scrap this.

As for the launching of Satria Alam, I've yet to be contacted by PTSM for any details though. I'll post more later.

This random day in video : 1

2007-03-13T00:56:00.000+08:00

Yeahyeahyeah! WOW! YEAHYEAHYEAH! WOW!

MALAKA : Send in my deathbots!

2007-02-19T21:52:00.000+08:00

MALAKA : Passing by a fuel cell vendor.

2007-02-13T23:14:00.000+08:00

Preview : Satria Alam #05

2007-02-11T00:27:00.000+08:00

Just so you know I'm not slacking off or in a coma somewhere. Well, no more than usual anyway.

Travelling Needle

2007-02-10T00:06:00.000+08:00

MALAKA: Game world design sketches

2007-02-03T16:21:00.000+08:00

I really don't know if the Malaysian public will be accepting of a homegrown tabletop role playing game, but I'm working on the general story and design. Now, I'm not sure if this project is a go or not so don't get your hopes up (or down) just yet.

I've been offline for awhile...

2007-01-29T22:33:00.000+08:00

I would like to apologize to the two or three people who actually come here with hope of being entertained. I'm on a little Linux tour de distro right now, hopping from Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Mandriva 2007, Knoppix and now back to Ubuntu 6.10. I can't wait for a real multimedia Linux aimed for artist to be released.

After several false starts in the beginning and confusion on my part, I discovered that Linux today isn't as horrifically difficult as it was portrayed to me not long ago. It's just different. Still, I wonder why some people are put off by the command line. It's not as if a lot of us haven't used DOS to boot Windows, games or applications to finish those college assignments back then. In fact, setting up Ubuntu to work felt exactly like futzing around with DOS trying to squeeze the best out of some game I installed into my school's 386 pcs.

Oh, man I feel old.

Now I have an itch to actually try Debian Sarge... I dunno, maybe later. Then maybe, just maybe if the Satria Alam release date would stop getting delayed and starts to bring in some cash, I can finally get a scanner and a good DVD burner. Till then, watch this space.

A Passerby

2007-01-21T00:52:00.000+08:00

Well, hell...

2007-01-15T13:46:00.000+08:00

I messed up my internet connection playing around with the modem settings while having another go with yet another Linux distro. Everything got hosed of course but you can't learn a thing until you try, right? My conclusion is I need to get another computer or another hard drive for experiments so I don't kacau my work computer again.

Another thing was I couldn't believe how addicted I am to trawling news items... until I went without it. I actually lost sleep not seeing scraps of text crawling on my screen! A sort of nerd fever struck, I panicked and I put down my artwork and (not before harassing a few people in the dead of night, sorry guys) fiddled with the modem until I got it to reset.

Stupid? Yes, but worth it when I was able to log on to my precious Google reader.

Bit5Witch : Early design sketch

2007-01-09T17:17:00.000+08:00

Barbed Alice

2007-01-08T22:40:00.000+08:00

Well I needed to post something...

2007-01-02T23:12:00.000+08:00

I got a new blog.

Why? Well, I wanted a place to talk about new comics and alternative tools to expensive/pirated software. Not everyone is comfortable using pirated software you know, and if I can help convince one more artist to use an alternative then why not? The reason open-source stays in the sidelines is because its not known well enough. Just us geeks isn't enough, regular computer users should be roped in for the cause too. The way I see it, mainstream corporate support is proportionate to the support of regular users. Anyway...

The blog is over here.

I am pleased.

2006-12-23T00:14:00.000+08:00

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Milord Sir Lord Norman the Radiant of Throcking by Hampton
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Throcking really.

Damnation

2006-12-22T13:42:00.000+08:00

I've just finished reinstalling stuff on my computer. Almost everything was lost, now my old scanner won't work because I've lost the installer and the manufacturer (IntreSource, I think) has long since died from the looks of it. If they aren't, then they don't seem to have a website for customer services that I could find...

Bah.

I'll get back here soon as I can.

PEKOMIK membership drive!

2006-12-14T16:44:00.000+08:00

Just doing my bit.

PEKOMIK is a new club for anyone and everyone interested in cartoons and comics. A nationwide membership drive will start on the 16th December, Saturday during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy festival (see previous post), PEKOMIK is also open for international members as well. Fearless leader, Azhar will be there to greet you.

Again, you can get more information here.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Nerd Festival! Cartoon Carnage!

2006-12-10T17:45:00.000+08:00

Nothing to do this month? Do you like science fiction or fantasy? Head over to this link for further details. There shall be enough comics, shwag, games, movies and general nerdgasmic activities for all!

If you're a cartoonist willing to face other aspirants in deadly combat then you may test your steel in the Malaysian 24 Hour Comics Day. Should you be participating or simply watching from the rafters go before Cedko the mighty pit boss of this event for the scroll.

Manuscripts Don't Burn

2006-12-08T12:49:00.000+08:00

If you live in Malaysia or care at all about your freedom to read and express yourself, then you should take a peek at this blog. Bloggers Against Book Banning is a campaign to educate the public about book bans especially in Malaysia. They also have links to other participating sites.

Why did I decide to include a non-comic book item here? Well, I'm an avid reader myself and it'll be a shame if I let some dweeb in an office decide what I should think. If the citizens don't even make an attempt to check information bans then what's to stop them from tightening the ban to other media? Any government/theocratic bureaucrat worth his salt can make up any amount of reasons to do this and you know it. Which means local producers have to curtail creativity and constantly look over their shoulders so they don't get slammed by the mighty Ban Hammer. That costs money, lots of money...

Damn it all, I'm starting to rant!

See the link there in the side bar? Go click it to find out more.

Ho!

2006-12-03T14:22:00.000+08:00

I've added some more links for your perusal, hail the sidebar! Hail Hydra! I'll be damned if I can get my head straight this week.

As for my fellow local scribblers, remember we got a meeting coming up:

The Malaysian Comic Artist Association gathering
Location : Sekolah Al Ikhlas (opposite the Giant supermarket)
Time :11am
Date :9th December 2006, Saturday

Thumbnails: Just something I'm working on

2006-11-29T00:21:00.000+08:00

The Scarring

2006-11-17T13:23:00.000+08:00

We begin again...

2006-11-14T00:26:00.000+08:00

Fresh after a few days staring at a blank wall, I began to scrawl a new story for the second issue of Satria Alam. Thus with bloodshot eyes and fiery distaste towards mankind in general, here's a completely irrelevant cartoon.

Boo

2006-11-11T20:07:00.000+08:00

New garbage

2006-11-07T15:11:00.000+08:00

The Toughest Librarian in the Universe! It's part of an anthology I'm working on. Trying to push in a new direction with this in terms of story. We'll see what happens.

Cover : Satria Alam issue 1

2006-10-20T15:39:00.000+08:00

I think the colorist at PTS Millennia did a pretty good job. The rest of the team is okay with it, maybe I'll draw in more characters on the second issue cover.

Suddenly I smell burning

2006-10-17T00:16:00.000+08:00

After checking the pages for Satria Alam #2, I came to the conclusion that the composition was utter shit (see last post). Thus, these horrid pages will be thrown far, far away and reworked.

I'll be back later when I have something worth posting. Maybe after a short holiday.

Oh, Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Deepavali!

Starting on my second Satria Alam book

2006-10-09T13:59:00.000+08:00

I went out for just a moment

2006-10-02T00:49:00.000+08:00

Business is serious business

2006-09-24T01:24:00.000+08:00

Frustration Forum

2006-09-21T16:35:00.000+08:00

tvtvtvtv

2006-09-19T10:37:00.000+08:00

When your mind wanders...

2006-09-13T22:45:00.000+08:00

Old Character Sketch

2006-09-09T21:59:00.000+08:00

This was a character I developed for a writer some years ago. Too bad it didn't see print.

Pfft! Got nuthin'

2006-09-04T19:51:00.000+08:00

Wheeee!

2006-08-27T00:12:00.000+08:00

Dolly wants your treasure

2006-08-19T10:27:00.000+08:00

Random sketch : Random people

2006-08-16T00:54:00.000+08:00

The Sky Hiker's Legacy : The Che'ak

2006-08-15T01:17:00.000+08:00

The Sky Hiker's Legacy : Cloud Tower

2006-08-12T03:05:00.000+08:00

The Sky Hiker's Legacy : Figurehead

2006-08-11T15:25:00.000+08:00

Snip

2006-08-10T04:08:00.000+08:00

Something I'm working on:

2006-08-07T21:55:00.000+08:00

Ugly ain't it? Well, the second issue of Satria Alam calls for a trek into some alien structures. One of which is a central pillar that should look like tangled bark infused with warmth, life giving yet creepy.

I'll post the finished panel if the scene is approved for the book.

Worse than whips

2006-08-05T22:37:00.000+08:00

Scrawlings

2006-08-03T18:21:00.000+08:00

Random sketch : When I was young & manga-ish

2006-08-02T00:30:00.000+08:00

Bloody Fatima is the only female character out of four. Based on an inane script for a sport comic I had years ago.

Random sketch : Creature Z

2006-07-30T11:40:00.000+08:00

Kreeaak

2006-07-28T01:37:00.000+08:00

Random sketch : A slug is your friend!

2006-07-27T11:10:00.000+08:00

Pfft. Got nuthin'

2006-07-22T01:31:00.000+08:00

Let's try this again : Blood and Roots

2006-07-17T22:28:00.000+08:00

A page from Satria Alam

2006-07-14T23:52:00.000+08:00

You know, after looking at the scans several more times, I think I need a refresher course in drawing. I really need to make more improvements to the next issue.

Hopefully our inker, Faiz can save my ass this time.

Random sketch : I, Fingerman!

2006-07-12T23:30:00.000+08:00

MMMmmmMMMmmm

2006-07-12T01:51:00.000+08:00

Where to now?

2006-07-07T01:40:00.000+08:00

Random sketch : Villains

2006-07-05T01:32:00.000+08:00

The Eyefly

2006-07-02T22:16:00.000+08:00

Random comic panel : The Sea Mage

2006-07-01T03:22:00.000+08:00

Random sketch : Garuda Hitam

2006-06-30T00:37:00.000+08:00

Random sketch : Dr. K

2006-06-29T00:21:00.000+08:00

Random sketch : Rana

2006-06-28T03:46:00.000+08:00

The walls listen

2006-06-26T16:43:00.000+08:00

I saw what you did!

2006-06-25T17:55:00.000+08:00

Coffee and neon lights

2006-06-24T18:11:00.000+08:00