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Interview: Jason Week on the Barradrewda

May 11, 2013 By Drew Tetz

I’ll admit that I’m biased, but the art that Jason Week provided for a certain signature Barracuda is among my favorite yo-yo graphics of all time. We spoke with Jason earlier this year about his background as an artist, his introduction to the yo-yo world, and (very briefly) the mating habits of puffins, but I enjoyed the Barradrewda design process so much that I had to bring him back. Read on for exclusive concept sketches and the art of balancing panels on an arm cannon.

YoYoNews: When we contacted you, the idea was still pretty simple. Brandon noticed that putting together black & grey halves made for a colorway reminiscent of the original NES, and because Rafael & I have bonded over old school video games, we wanted to draw inspiration from that aesthetic. Also, I wanted to be a robot boy fighting an evil fish. How did you take this dream to reality?

Jason Week: It wasn’t exactly a hard gig to daydream about. If you set me loose on a project referencing Osamu Tezuka, Mega Man, and 8-bit nostalgia it’s going to take over my brain. I did a lot of sketching on the shower door, believe it or not. Really helps to work out composition. Then I just piled up images from the Mega Man games, mostly Mega Man 2, game sprites and illustrations from the manuals. I like the wonkiness of the manual art, and the simplicity of the sprites. Then I did the same with images of Astro Boy, and just let them sit in front of me while I worked stuff out. I like to have reference all over when I’m drawing so I can get it in through osmosis. I think it keeps things original to pull from all over and mash it all together. At a certain point though, I lose all the reference images and just make the illustration work. That’s my contribution to the style, I guess.



The Drew-Bot side was definitely the more challenging side. I went through multiple sketches to get to it. Damn legs took forever to work out, and they really only make sense in that one position. The Barracuda side came out right pretty much on the first try. The craziest thing I probably did was essentially finish inking both of the sides, and then decide the linework wasn’t crisp enough. So I zoomed waaaaay in and went over every edge with a one pixel wide brush so I could absolutely control how it turned out. I couldn’t deal with what I thought were sloppy lines.

We talked about a few cultural touchstones to get a start on the graphics – Bubble Man’s stage in Mega Man II, Dr. Tenma’s hair, etc. – but one of the most impressive things to me was the subtle homages you snuck into the details. What were some of the inspirations you drew from on this project? 
JW: Yeah, the original inspiration for the Barracuda were the water enemies from the original Mega Man series, but his detail is much more involved. The eyes and the fins are the only true lifts from the games, the rest is just me problem solving to get from point A to point B. I really do try to let my reference drive me more indirectly most of the time. The big bolts and X pupil are all me. I love Xed out eyes, and I’ll put bolts like that in any drawing I can. I like the idea that you could defeat this guy with the right size socket wrench.



For a brief period of time, I was worried that people would think I was dissin’ Rafael because of the X-ed out eyes on the Barracuda. He was fine with it, of course, but I still had Jason draw these angry alternate eyes.

With your side of the Yoyo, it’s quite a bit more direct – Although the Tenma hair was a happy accident. I was just trying to draw your actual hair on the robot! But the cowlick and the reflections in it are straight from Astro Boy. I had some issues sticking the keypad on the Arm Cannon, but it had to be there for the Mega Man reference. But at one point it was strapped around the arm and it was veering a bit too close to Liefeld territory. The way it ended up is much, much better. The rest of the bot is just a mash up of stuff I like to draw, really. Especially the elbow patch. It makes me picture the Drew-Bot as a street urchin. Which I find funny. 

What’s more fun: drawing robots, or drawing monsters?
JW: I probably have to give the edge to monsters, but robots are a blast, too. When they overlap it’s the best. Monsters work really well with tubes and jar brains. I mean, Mother Brain has got to be considered a cyborg, right?

Part of the inspiration for this yo-yo was the previous collaborative effort I had with Rafael, which was the Red vs. Drew video battle. If you could choose any two yoyoers to go head-to-head in a video battle, who would they be?
JW: Tough question. I always love when you and Ed go fixed axle against each other, but that’s already happened. Maybe Chris Mikulin vs John Higby? I’d kill to see just how goofy that would get. The tricks would be incredible. Definitely a fun watch.

The Yoyonews site takeover is a little bit different from most of your yo-yo work. Now that you’ve redesigned websites, illustrated classic tricks for trading cards, created comics about that lovable ol’ Dirtbag Yeti, and turned me into a robot wonderboy… what’s your next dream yo-yo job?
JW: Oh man, they’re ALL dream jobs. I’m pretty sure I’m one of the luckiest people on earth.I’d love to see a yoyo that was driven by the art that can be put on it. Maybe interchangeable plastic caps on a good metal. It’d be like changing your skate deck, you know?  I know caps aren’t necessarily that popular, but it’d be a great way to personalize your throw. And it’d be a great venue for guys like Escolar, Higby, YOU, Steve Brown, and Jensen to go wild. There are a lot of pretty incredible artists and designers in the community that could contribute. It’d be wild. I’ve got a big mental storehouse of goofy ideas that I’d like to stick on the side of Yoyos. So, yeah. Oh, and I definitely want get some more Dirtbag Yeti comics done. Maybe a longer story that I could really dig into. 

Now the real important question: who would win in a fight: Astro Boy, or Mega Man?
JW: Astro Boy, hands down. He’s the original, he’s stronger, and he’s got butt guns. I love Mega Man, but Astro Boy would clean his clock.


Big thanks to Jason for all his awesome work on the yo-yo and the site, and for letting us pester about his art sorcery once again!

Filed Under: Art & Toy News, Interview Tagged With: art, barracuda, drew tetz, Duncan, Interview, jason week

Sponsor News – Vannen Watches Lucky Bags

January 17, 2013 By Steve Brown

 

Our awesome sponsor, Vannen Watches, has a special one-day-only deal going right now…Lucky Bags!

Unreleased watches, sold out watches, t-shirts, strap sets, and other special surprises could all be part of the Vannen Lucky Bag. 

Inside each Vannen Lucky Bag you’ll find:
• 1 Advance Release Vannen Watch
• 1 Mystery Watch
• 1 Mystery T-Shirt
• 1 Mystery Strap Set
• 2 Secret Surprises
 
Vannen Lucky Bags are on sale TODAY ONLY at VannenWatches.com and are available in very limited quantities. DO NOT DELAY.

Filed Under: Apparel, Art & Toy News Tagged With: lucky bag, triple crown of yoyo, vannen watches

Sponsor News – Vannen Watches x Blink 182

December 28, 2012 By Steve Brown

Our friends at Vannen Watches have teamed up with Blink 182 and artist MUNK ONE to release the super limited “El Conejo” watch. Available in two colorways Blue (available only direct from Blink 182 SOLD OUT) and Grey (available only from VannenWatches.com) and limited to 182 pieces per color, each box is numbered and features full wrap-around art from MUNK ONE.

Watches are only $82 each, and Vannen only has a few left….grab one quick before they’re gone!

Filed Under: Art & Toy News Tagged With: art, blink 182, designer toy, munk one, sponsor, vannen watches

Sponsor News – Rotofugi Releases Abominable Mini Marshall

December 20, 2012 By Steve Brown




Our friends at Rotofugi have just broken the Cute-O-Meter with this new vinyl toy designed by 64 Colors…the Abominable Mini Marshall. Is it even possible to get any cuter than a mini yeti marshmallow man? Seriously?

Following the adage that smaller=cuter, we’ve teamed up with Squibbles Ink and taken the popular Marshall character by 64 Colors and created a new, tinier version: Mini Marshall! Standing just over 2 inches tall, Mini Marshall has a much smaller footprint than his older sibling. To kick off the Mini Marshall line we’re coming out of the gates with a new design by 64 Colors just in time to celebrate winter and all things snowy, Abominable Marshall!

Marshall was a little boy who enjoyed watching TV and eating marshmallows…lots of marshmallows! One day he ate so many…POOF!…he turned into one…True Story!

Please enjoy this special limited edition mini-sized Abominable Marshall…The Wild Boy of the Snows!

Please note: Toasted Marshall shown for size reference only and is NOT included. Thanks!

Filed Under: Art & Toy News Tagged With: 64 colors, abominable mini marshall, art, bigfoot, kidrobot, marshall, rotofugi, sasquatch, squibbles ink, toy, vinyl, yet

Sponsor News – Rotofugi Releases New Dredge Figure

December 13, 2012 By Steve Brown

 

Our friends at Rotofugi have just announced the release of a new colorway of the Dredge, a vinyl figure designed by Chicago artist Brian Morris and produced by squibbles ink + rotofugi.

Only $60 gets you this amazingly creepy 8″ vinyl figure to full up your shelf and creep out your friends. The last release of a Dredge was two years ago, so snap this one up quick before it’s gone! Available only at Rotofugi.com.

Filed Under: Art & Toy News Tagged With: art, brian morris, chris ryniak, figure, lake monsters, monster, rotofugi, skull, squibbles ink, toy, vinyl

Vannen x Triple Crown of YoYo Watch

December 4, 2012 By Steve Brown



Vannen has teamed up with the Triple Crown of YoYo to release a very limited matte grey watch, featuring their contest mascot designed by Chris Ryniak. Limited to only 50 pieces, this is one of the smallest runs of a Vannen watch ever produced and sure to disappear quickly.

The Triple Crown of YoYo is one of the largest professional yoyo contests in the United States, drawing World and National champions from the US, Mexico, Japan, Philippines, and more. Hosted by Millennium Park in Chicago, the event has drawn more than 10,000 people to watch the best yoyo players in the world compete for cash, prizes, and amazing trophies featuring the Triple Crown Monster vinyl figures, produced by Squibbles Ink + Rotofugi.

The Triple Crown of YoYo Watch features a matte grey band and body, with face art of the Triple Crown Monster created by Chris Ryniak. With special engraving on the back and crown, this watch is a minimalistic piece that gets right to the point….three-headed monsters are pretty damn cool.

Available Wednesday, December 5th 2012, only online at www.TripleCrownYoYo.com. All orders placed on the release date will ship in time for Christmas delivery.

Filed Under: Apparel, Art & Toy News, Manufacturer Tagged With: art, contest, featured, toy, triple crown of yoyo, vannen watches, watch

Vannen Watches x Triple Crown of YoYo

December 3, 2012 By Steve Brown

Available this Wednesday, December 5th at 10 AM EST, Vannen is pleased to announce a very limited collaborative watch with the Triple Crown of YoYo, with artwork by our friend Chris Ryniak.

Limited to only 50 pieces and available online only at www.TripleCrownYoYo.com, this matte grey watch is sure to sell out quickly. Check back tomorrow for pics and availability.

Filed Under: Apparel, Art & Toy News, Contests, YoYo Drop Tagged With: chris ryniak, limited edition, triple crown of yoyo, vannen watches, watch

Sponsor News – Roto-A-Matic Helper Dragon Figures @ Rotofugi

December 2, 2012 By Steve Brown

Our friends at Rotofugi have announce the December colorway of their Helper Dragon figures…Army Man Green! This nifty art toy is the perfect gift this holiday season for that friend who has everything…everything except a weird cyclops dragon toy made from an old blow-molding toy machine in Chicago.

For December 2012 we’ve taken inspiration from the classic plastic Army Man and made the Helper Dragon the same shade of green. Put a Helper Dragon under (or on) the tree this year!

Designed and sculpted by Tim Biskup, the Helper Dragon is the very first Roto-a-Matic figure. Made in a vintage Mold-a-Rama machine that we’ve rehabbed and renamed the Roto-a-Matic, the Helper Dragon is 4.5 inches of blow-molded polyethylene art! Each figure comes with it’s own Certificate of Authenticity indicating the name of the figure, name of the artist, date of manufacture and color.

About the Roto-a-Matic

The Roto-a-Matic™ began it’s life as a vintage Mold-a-Rama* machine, invented in the mid-1950’s by Tike Miller, formerly of Quincy, Illinois. If you are lucky enough to have lived in the few midwest states (as well as some parts of California and Florida) where Mold-a-Rama machines have been operating for the past 40-plus years you have probably seen one at a zoo or a museum making souvenir animals, dinosaurs and the like.

Our machine once lived in the Los Angeles Zoo where it last made kangaroos, but was retired after decades of service. We have lovingly rehabbed this machine, re-christening it The Roto-a-Matic™. Then we asked some of our artist and toy designer friends to make new sculpts for the machine so it now makes art “toys” instead of zoo souvenirs, but the spirit is still the same…visit us in Chicago, put in your token and see your toy made right before your eyes! There’s nothing better than the feel of the warm plastic as you reach into the bin to pull out your newly made treasure. We sincerely hope you enjoy this figure as much as we have enjoyed making it possible.

For more information please visit the Roto-a-Matic Project Blog at http://roto-a-matic.com.

Filed Under: Art & Toy News Tagged With: awesome, chicago, helper dragon, illinois, rotofugi, tim biskup, toy, triple crown of yoyo

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