Holdens on the Move!

Guess what, everybody?  We're moving to Oregon!  These past couple of years at DreamWorks has been amazing and leaving is bittersweet, but opportunity has come a'knocking and we are northward bound.  I'm very excited to be starting at Laika soon and I hope to be back on my bicycle and posting more cartoons when we get settled in.

Take care of the internet while I'm gone!  (And don't forget to feed the fish.)

How To Make Animated GIFs: a Brief Tutorial

Dudes and dudettes of internetville,

In my spare time, I'm making a lot of looping gifs these days.  I've been hearing from lots of folks who want to know how I'm making these little moving images.  Making them has been so much fun, so I figured I'd try and share a little of what I know.  Keep in mind that this is, of course, just ONE WAY of making animated gifs, so it's hardly authoritative or exhaustive.  Mostly it's just a working method that I've discovered--and it's bound to change over time.  I'll update again when I figure out some new things.  "Like" my page on Facebook to check out when I'm putting stuff like this up.  Also, feel free to drop a line and ask questions about whatever.

Until then, on to the show!

In-process line drawing of Usopp-kun

 

Magic Tofu

My family stayed on vacation in Washington without me.  I miss them.  Especially at dinner time.  The most interesting things happen at our dinner table.

Father's Day Doodles!

I'm not being trite when I say that being a father is the very (second)* best thing that has ever happened to me.  Everyday I am thankful to God that I am able to live life with those that I love--and to make drawings with them on occasion.

My four year-old son, Sawyer, has grown increasingly interested in drawing over the last year or so, and I love sitting with him to talk and draw.  The mark-making of a four year-old is so intuitive and unrestrained by ideas of what's "right."  It is really freeing to sit and talk with him, and then explain our drawings to each other when we're done.  Frankly, I love that he's never offended when I ask him what he drew.  I've made it something of a personal goal to become a little more fearless when making things.

Happy Father's Day to my family!  Thanks for making me a daddy.  I love you!

A drawing I made, after the unfiltered genius of a child

 The aforementioned genius drawing

The artist, in his post-modern period

*Incidentally, the very best thing that ever happened to me is that I somehow convinced my wife to marry me.  She is as talented as she is lovely--and a heck of a cook.  Check out her blog for delicious vegan treats and more pictures of my adorable children.  I love you, my dear!

Lunch Comic