Hi there, peeps – this is a quick update about the new site, which is still under construction but gaining momentum. Also a little preview of a latest cartoon, the style of which is much the flavour of recent creative direction. (Although my repertoire of fruit porn ends here )

I have installed NextGenGallery and have posted around 20 existing TipTop and other cartoons converted to TipTop, and am enjoying creating some new ones. I am focusing on themes of parenting, well-being, wisdom and quirky (like the new one above) and am creating some greeting-card type designs for all occasions. Also, I am currently trying to integrate a plugin called Comic Easel into the new theme I’m using (Minimum) which will help with navigating and show the latest cartoon. That’s proving tricky technically as it involves messing with code, but the theme support staff are kindly going to help out! Nice.

It’s getting there!

Have a TipTop week,

Rob

I am now the incredibly fortunate owner of the new Wacom Cintiq 13HD. Yahoodydoodie!  It was very expensive but easily the best investment I have ever made in my passion of cartooning. It is such a pleasure to use and such an immersive creative experience. It motivates me to get up at 5.30am or draw late at night (the only time I can create with a busy job and a family).

Anyway, I wanted to share some of the experimental sketches I have done with it and with Manga Studio. I have made a bit of progress with the web site and am beginning to understand the customisation process of WordPress.org themes.

One of the ideas  below may be familiar to you (Mantas) – I wanted to trial drawing an old idea with the new gear. The sketch of the old man with the bird is a style I used to work with back in the day: watercolour with pen and ink – now possible again in the digital realm with the new equipment. Anyway, these are just ideas I’m throwing out there.

TipTop tips his hat to you and wishes you an awesome bank holiday weekend!

Rob

Hola!

The new TipTop web site will take a while to get it the way I want it, so I will post some TipToppy  ideas here every now and then:)

I’m enjoying the panels and speech bubbles in the new software. This idea was another experimental affair. We’ll get there!

Have a TipTop evening,

Rob x

Hello peeps! Another update.

Development in graphics software I’ve just bought Manga Studio 5, some software for comic creation and have just started mucking around with it, that I am keen to grow my style into. The picture above is a random idea that came to me when trying it out tonight.  I had been using the excellent Sketchbook Pro  and ArtStudio.

Hardware developments: I have been using an iPad for drawing up until now but Manga Studio works with a graphics tablet. I currently have a Wacom Bamboo, which is great, but you don’t draw straight onto the screen, which is what I much prefer, so I’m saving for the new Cintiq 13HD.

Website developments: I have started creating a new website using WordPress.org, under the  title of “The World According to TipTop”. Technically, I am finding it quite challenging but it is good to learn. It won’t be visible until I’m happy with it and until it has been populated with drawings but I wanted to give an update every now and then.

Hope you are well. I am now back at school, teaching on not much sleep, what with all the baby business, but I am a very happy daddy.

Catch you later!

Rob x

Hello, fine people. You may have noticed the recent lull of Mr Oh blog activity. I’ve been kind of busy as I am lucky enough to have become a dad for the second time very recently. I now have a second daughter, Lana, who is a bundle of joy. As a result, I have had less time to draw. Nappies and wotnot!

However, it has given me space to think about Mr Oh and come up with lots of ideas, so I wanted to update anyone still reading (bless you, you loyal lovelies) as to what’s on the horizon.

What now?

Essentially, through the blog so far, I have been posting all different types of cartoons: self development, off-beat, character-led comics…After reflection, I am now going to endeavour to take it on a new, more focused direction. I’m going to give TipTop a go and create a focused TipTop website via wordpress.org and a new theme. Also, I want to create enough content in advance so that there is a constant trickle, rather than any embarrassing lulls. Essentially, I guess it’s a bit of a relaunch but I see it as a development from what I’ve learnt so far and an attempt to get more loyal readers who may like TipTop specifically.

What’s the site going to be like and when’s it coming?

In the new TipTop site, there’ll be cartoons about parenting, Health & well-being, Uncle Bob, and general quirkyness, all hopefully held together by the characters.
I’m also trying to develop my drawing and colouring with new software and equipment to up the quality as best I can.
Down the line, I also want to incorporate recordings of songs I’ve written with the characters too. It’s all too much excitement for my little head so one step at a time!
I’ve got a fair bit of work ahead of me to make this fly, and with fatherhood and a busy teaching job to manage, I don’t want to kill myself getting thing live. Still, the passion is there, so I will work hard to get things going and hope to have something for viewage before too long!

I’ll keep you posted here on developments if you would like to track my progress and let you know when it’s ready. I am using twitter a fair bit if you would like to say Hi. I’m @MrOhComic

Thanks so much for staying with Mr Oh thusfar and hope your world is good. I hope you’ll keep in my loop and stay tooned,

Mr Oh x

Inspired by the majestic Perry Bible Fellowship.

And apologies to Elton John – I saw you in Plymouth 2001, Elt’ me ole mucker, and you rocked the joint!

How “Pooh” caught on is anyone’s guess. After all, it’s a synonym for excrement.

Still, the name was always going to be first choice over  Winnie the “Piss”. Just doesn’t have an endearing ring to it, does it?