New Desktops

Finally created a desktop wallpaper for the Cop and one for Blockhead. It's about time I added something other than those crappy Time Squad screen captures, eh? Go set yours up RIGHT NOW.

1280x1024 / 1680x1050 1280x1024 / 1680x1050

I've also completed my Blockhead painted set. One will go to my parents as compensation for getting acrylic paint over all their outdoor furniture, one will go to the Newgrounds.com office as some makeshift form of a gypsy curse, and one will go to the winner of the Ghostmas Contest, which will be announced this weekend!



Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
Picture 6
Picture 7
Picture 8
Picture 9

I know they didn't take long to make, but I'm going to be sad to see them go. :(

Preparing for Racist Vampires...

... for real this time.



I am finishing the script for the 2-minute Racist Vampires segment I recently decided to make, a little something to get people warmed up the characters before I devote time and heart to a more full-length project. This, of course, will come after I've got the Ghostmas Contest flash done for you. On that subject, here is some progress on the award painting:



The left image is the Blockhead set with added lighting and background color. The right is me holding a Munny figure, which I have already started painting to look like The Cop from my Time Squad series.

Cameos, Paintings

Sorry for the late update, but I'm in Miami at the moment and content work is difficult to pull off. Doesn't mean I don't have news for you, though!

The Blockhead Ghostmas Special won 1st place for both the Newgrounds 2007 Halloween Contest and the Best of October awards. With all of this sweet victory in the air, I thought I'd talk about the prize I've been making for the winner of the Ghostmas contest. That's right, making. It's not just some sketch, but a set of three Blockhead acrylic paintings. One will go to the Ghostmas winner, one will go to the Newgrounds office as a little keepsake, and one will stay with me for the time being. They're all meant to be identical, so I wanted to share my progress with you and hopefully include you in the madness that has come out of this whole Ghostmas Contest thing. This way, everyone who didn't win will still get to be a part of it.



So far I've only painted the base color over the canvas, which is now awaiting the actual color areas that will appear on top. As for the Flash, hang tight - I'm in Miami, like I said, so progress has slowed, but I've already picked a winner. I just don't want to announce it. That's Blockhead's job :D

---

In other news, Blockhead also played a cameo roll in Squeakytoad's Halloween cartoon over on Newgrounds. He pops in near the end, so don't get to anxious waiting for him.

I also helped Tyler Glaiel out on some backgrounds and interface graphics for his new game, Blockslide 2. Pop over to his site to play it, and then tell me what you think :D

Mastermind

I'm just news-crazy, aren't I? You couldn't squeeze an update out of me more than once a month, but nowadays its twice a week. And not only that, I'm updating with content. I am a good Swain.

I wrote more dialogue than I intended for the Ghostmas Contest cartoon, so I have to finish recording those before I can post it (obviously). But I've already decided on the winner, and the prize, which will come in two parts. One will be a Blockhead shirt from the new shirt set that is being printed outside of Cafepress, and the other will be a personalized piece of Blockhead artwork. And no, not some crappy pencil sketch that took a few minutes to whip up and sign. I've got something up my sleeve and I need to spend this weekend collecting the supplies.

"So Swain, what content DO you have?", you might find yourself asking. Well, go watch Mastermind. It's not exactly rated G, but...well, you'll see.

And just to iterate what I posted yesterday: if you've got Blockhead-related photographs of your Halloween/Ghostmas, send them to me at mike@theswain.com. I'd like to put up an album of them if I collect enough!

Blockhead Ghostmas Special

Go watch the Blockhead Ghostmas Special now!

Next update will be on Halloween, when Blockhead announces the Ghostmas contest winners. Today is the final day to submit your work, so if you've been waiting, then now's the time to send it over to fanmail@theswain.com.

Merry Ghostmas! Wheeeeee!!

Preparing for Thursday Update

It's almost here! I've finished all but a few small details on the Blockhead Ghostmas Special; the cartoon will be done tonight, but I am waiting until Thursday to release it. I need time to make sure all the little glitches are worked out.

Thursday is the day I've been hoping to dedicate to major site updates. Tuesday is nice because I have the weekend to make up time if I am behind, but Thursday is just far enough into the week where everyone could use a little entertainment. Also, Thursday is the last day to submit something for the Official Ghostmas Contest! After that, I'll be putting the entries into a cartoon, they will be judged by Blockhead himself, and then the cartoon will be released on Halloween day.

If you haven't contributed to the Ghostmas Contest yet, you still have time...but not much! The deadline for entries is the 25th. The winner, determined by Blockhead, will have their work featured on the site and will also receive an UNDISCLOSED PRIZE. For contest rules, check this topic.


Blockhead feeds the Weevil at the ball toss booth

Halfway to Ghostmas!

We're nearly up to Halloween, which means another zany adventure from Blockhead as he pursues his favorite made-up holiday, Ghostmas. Along with the cartoon, the entries for the Official Ghostmas Contest will be reviewed by Blockhead himself. And if you can, print out a few Ghostmas decorations. Don't look away, YOU'LL MISS IT!


Cell in Progress: Blockhead takes the Weevil Ghostmasing

And don't forget the Official Ghostmas Contest!