Art of Michael Borkowski

A look at my next Iron Man covers!

2010-05-26T16:56:00.003-04:00

Here's a look at the covers I did for the next Iron Man Children's Book that I am currently working on. It will be released on 1/11/11 and is available for pre order here!

There are two covers because it's a flip book. One side is the main story and the other side shows all of Iron Man's cool armors. I'm having a lot of fun drawing all the armors and villains from the show!

Syracuse Book Cover

2010-05-17T15:40:00.004-04:00

I Illustrated a cover for a book by Sean Keeley, the founder of the web site Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician. The book is now available here!

Purchase My New Sketchbook "Bust It!!"

2010-04-05T16:00:00.004-04:00

My new (and first!) sketchbook is in my grubby little hands and ready to be purchased! This book is a compilation of 24 of my favorite warm up sketches from the past year! The entire book is in full color on nice glossy paper! Each copy is signed and numbered up to 500! Also, I will personalize each copy with a marker sketch of YOUR CHOICE!

Here's an example of the marker sketch included in each copy! Be sure to let me know what character you'd like!

The books are $10 (plus $3 shipping & handling) and are available by clicking the "Buy Now" button below!

Iron Man Cover From Sketch To Final Art

2010-03-29T09:17:00.018-04:00

I thought I'd give a looksee into how I go about doing my artwork. Here's a step by step look at how I created the art for the cover of "Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Deadly Dreadknights". I hope ya like!

First step, of course, is to rough out ideas for the cover. Many times, as is the case with this particular cover, I pretty much know what I am looking for before I even start sketching. The trick is to get it down on paper. Or, in this case, onto the computer. For this book 100% of the artwork was done on the computer. I rough out the cover in Sketchbook Pro. It's the program I am most comfortable drawing in, especially when I am doing quick sketches. It's very intuitive and I barely have to think at all about the tools involved and just concentrate on drawing. Here's my sketch.

The sketch is pretty rough. I'm not even really that concerned with how good the drawing is. The most important thing is the composition. How the piece flows. If I'm pleased with the sketch I send it off to the Editors and wait for further instructions.

So after I hear from the Editors, it's on to the next step. I'm given the go ahead to move forward, but there were a few notes that the Editors would like me to address in the next step, which is another, tighter, rough sketch.

As you can see, some changes were made. The guy getting blasted in the foreground is now just rubble. There was concern over such violence on the cover of a book that is aimed at young children. I also added another Dreadknight in the background to fill up some dead space and to add more of a threat to Iron Man. I didn't draw in Iron Man's Repulsor Ray blast because that will all be done in color. Also, in this step, I am more concerned with the actual drawing. I need to not only make sure the drawing is good, but that the characters are "on model" and look like they do on the Animated Series. After this is approved it's on to inking this thing digitally!

I "ink" digitally in Photoshop. It gives me an inked look that I can't get from Sketchbook Pro (at least I haven't been able to figure out how to achieve it on there). I work at double the print size and 400 dpi. I feel that gives me a better control of the line. I tried working at actual size and I just couldn't get the clean look I was going for. I ink each figure and/or object on it's own layer. That makes it easier for me to separate anything down the road in the coloring process. If I need to change black line to color, I can select it easily without having to separate it from the rest of the black line art. It also makes it easier to select whole figures or objects if I need to put an effect or anything behind a character or object. Once the black and white art is done and approved it's on to color!

Here's the final color cover art. All done in Photoshop. Because I drew everything on separate layers, it's easy to add in Iron Man's Repulsor Blast behind the rocks in the foreground but in front of the Dreadknight's sword. I hit the sides of the rocks with a little white airbrush so it (hopefully) looks like they are getting disintegrated by the blast. It' also quite easy to pop in the glowing symbols behind Iron Man and the Dreadknights but in front of the background. Although creating those symbols was NOT easy at all! After hours and hours of detail after detail it's finally time to send this away for final approval!

Once the cover is approved, Random House slaps on all of the titles and logos and this thing is good to go! Also, I just noticed while putting together this post that Random House also added in some extra rocks in the blast. I'd never even noticed that before!

Feel free to ask any questions you might have that I didn't cover here!

"Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Deadly Dreadknights" is available August 10th, 2010!

My Cover to "Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Deadly Dreadknights"

2010-01-23T01:11:00.003-05:00

Here's the cover to my next Iron Man Children's Book "Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Deadly Dreadknights" The book is due out in August 2010 and is available now for pre-order here!

The Venture Bros. Storyboards "Revenge Society" Eon 1/2

2009-11-16T08:26:00.001-05:00

The Venture Bros. Storyboards "Revenge Society" Eon 2/2

2009-11-16T08:22:00.002-05:00

The Venture Bros. Storyboards "Revenge Society" Opening scene 1/3

2009-11-16T08:20:00.002-05:00

The Venture Bros. Storyboards "Revenge Society" Opening scene 2/3

2009-11-16T08:18:00.001-05:00

The Venture Bros. Storyboards "Revenge Society" Opening scene 3/3

2009-11-16T08:15:00.001-05:00

Venture Bros. Season 4.1 Opening Scene Storyboards 1/4

2009-10-19T19:39:00.001-04:00

Venture Bros. Season 4.1 Opening Scene Storyboards 2/4

2009-10-19T19:37:00.003-04:00

Venture Bros. Season 4.1 Opening Scene Storyboards 3/4

2009-10-19T19:35:00.003-04:00

Venture Bros. Season 4.1 Opening Scene Storyboards 4/4

2009-10-19T19:30:00.003-04:00

TV Appearance

2009-08-07T21:29:00.001-04:00

I did a local TV appearance in Syracuse, NY to promote my Iron Man Children's Book and the upcoming signing I'll be doing. Check it out!

Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Deep Freeze sneak peek!

2009-08-06T08:28:00.003-04:00

I got an advanced copy of my new children's book "Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Deep Freeze"! Here's a sneak peek. The book is released on August 11th, 2009!

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs!

2009-07-01T14:47:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone!

Haven't posted lately because I've been super busy but I couldn't let today pass without posting something about the first movie I was fortunate enough to work on, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs! It's released nationwide today and I am super excited! I know I may be biased but I think it's the best of the 3. So in honor of this day I did a rough warm up sketch of Sid the sloth! Go out and see Ice Age 3!

Warm Up Sketches

2009-05-30T13:51:00.005-04:00

Lately I've been doing a warm up sketch to start my day. I've never really done this before but it really does get the juices flowing and loosens up the hand as well as waking up the brain. I plan on updating these every day I work on Twitter.

Iron Man Package Art

2009-05-18T21:45:00.002-04:00

A few months ago I did some package art for Hasbro for their new line of Iron Man figures to support the Iron Man: Armored Adventures show. I just saw the packaged pics on a toy site so I figured it's okay to share these. Here's Stealth Iron Man and Silver Centurion Iron Man.

Animated Superheroes: Interview with Mike Borkowski

2009-05-18T13:21:00.000-04:00

I was interviewed for the great blog animatedsuperheroes.com

Animated Superheroes: Interview with Mike Borkowski

Check it out as well as the rest of the site. There is some really great stuff on there.

Pre-order my new Iron Man book!

2009-04-15T10:42:00.004-04:00

I haven't been posting here in a while because I have been busting my hump on a new Iron Man children's book for Random House. I can't show any of it yet, but it is available for pre-order at Amazon and other fine book retailers.

This book is based on the new Iron Man: Armored Adventures cartoon that is premiering on the NickToons Network on April 24 at 7PM.

By the way, I didn't draw the cover. It's stock art from their style guide. I did, however, draw (and color) the action packed 23 pages inside! The book comes out August 11th, 2009! Check it out!

Ten Minute Wolvie

2009-02-08T18:22:00.003-05:00

Here's another 10 minute Jelly. Can't do Hulk without Wolvie. I loved the Hulk vs. Wolverine DVD which I am sure inspired both of these. Of course, I did the brown costume Wolvie, as that is what he was wearing when I got into comics.

Ten Minute Hulk

2009-02-08T11:19:00.002-05:00

This month's topic at Jelly of the Month is "10 Minutes". We have exactly ten minutes to draw whatever we want. I was feeling pretty frustrated so I drew the Hulk.

Just a Quick Monarch Sketch

2009-02-05T00:04:00.004-05:00

Santa Claus (as I imagine my 3 year old daughter sees him).

2008-12-15T15:18:00.003-05:00

Here's a drawing of Santa Claus as I imagine my daughter sees him. That would explain why she never wants to go anywhere near him. Merry Christmas everyone!

Venture Bros. Warm Up

2008-11-15T18:44:00.001-05:00

I usually don't do warm up drawings but felt the need to today after a rough start on my boards. So here's Hank and Dean-o!!!

Aunt Petunia's Favorite Nephew

2008-11-06T16:13:00.001-05:00

Here's my entry for October's Jelly of the Month. The topic was "Favorite Monsters". I love the ever lovin' blue eyed Thing.

You dirty rat.

2008-11-06T14:31:00.003-05:00

Haven't really posted anything in a while because, well, I haven't really been doing much. At least not anything I can post here. This is something I did for the Hamline University basketball team. It's going to be used for a t-shirt.

The Family That Slays Together Stays Together

2008-08-15T21:06:00.004-04:00

The first part of the season 3 finale of The Venture Bros. is here! This time there is a special prologue that will only be seen online. It won't be on the TV version! There just isn't enough time! Check it out right here!

"The Venture Bros." ORB Storyboards

2008-08-09T11:48:00.003-04:00

Here's a snippet of my storyboards (along with video of the entire scene) from one of my favorite scenes from the new "Venture Bros." episode, "ORB." The boards continue in the two posts following this one.

ORB Boards Continued

2008-08-09T11:46:00.002-04:00

ORB Boards Continued

2008-08-09T11:44:00.003-04:00

Old School

2008-08-08T12:48:00.002-04:00

Here's a character I created close to 15 years ago that I haven't drawn in a long time. I thought I'd take another stab at him. His name is Captain Capacity. I'd love to actually do something with him someday but never seem to have the time.

Assemble Ventronic!

2008-08-05T20:29:00.003-04:00

Here's another scene I was lucky enough to be assigned for the latest episode of The Venture Bros., "The Lepidopterists." This episode was a lot of fun. (Heck, most episodes of VB are a ton of fun to work on, but they can also get to be a ton of work, which can suck fun out of any room.) Enjoy!

Venture Bros. Scene/storyboards from "Tears of a Sea Cow"

2008-07-19T12:37:00.005-04:00

Here's a scene from The Venture Bros. episode "Tears of a Sea Cow" (formerly "Murder O'Clock" as you can see on the boards) that I storyboarded. This time I have also uploaded my actual boards for this scene. You can see them in this post and the two following it. These are actually pretty rough for me, but they have all the information the animators need (except that I forgot to draw the Monarch's wings! Actually I think in this scene they were supposed to be charred from the lasers on the Venture Compound lawn as well as the septic tank explosion.). Enjoy!

Venture Bros. storyboards from "Tears of a Sea Cow" continued

2008-07-19T12:35:00.002-04:00

Venture Bros. storyboard from "Tears of a Sea Cow" fin

2008-07-19T12:25:00.004-04:00

Space Ghost!

2008-07-09T11:54:00.004-04:00

Not a whole lot of time on my hands lately as I am super busy with work. I managed to whip out a new Jelly, though. (That sounds kinda gross.) This one only took me about 20 minutes. This month's topic is Hanna-Barbera. So here is my abomination of the great Alex Toth's creation, Space Ghost!

Mixxy

2008-06-09T23:51:00.002-04:00

Here's another for the DC Comics topic at Jelly of the Month. I wanted to do something wacky so I drew Mr. Mxyzptlk. Came out pretty wacky, I think. Sketchbook Pro/Cintiq.

Deathstroke the Terminator

2008-06-05T11:49:00.006-04:00

Here's my latest Jelly of the Month entry. This month's topic is DC Comics. Here's one of my favorite characters, Deathstroke the Terminator. Done in Sketchbook Pro on the Cintiq.

The Venture Bros. season 3 Clip!

2008-05-29T13:04:00.003-04:00

Here's a scene that I storyboarded from the upcoming season 3 of The Venture Bros.

The Venture Bros. Shirt of the Week Club!

2008-05-27T10:33:00.002-04:00

This season , the creators of The Venture Bros are doing a really cool promotion. Each week, with a new episode of the The Venture Bros., they are making a brand new t-shirt available! Each shirt will be thematically tied to that week's episode. Click on 21 or 24 above to check it out!

Season 3 of The Venture Bros. premieres Sunday June 1st at 11:30 PM on Cartoon Network's [adult swim]!

Venture Bros. Sketch Cards

2008-05-23T10:28:00.009-04:00

Hey everyone!
Recently I was approached to do some sketches on March of Dimes cards to be sold on ebay, with all proceeds going to the March of Dimes. I decided to do one of The Monarch and one with Brock, Hank and Dean. The auctions are now over and WOW! The Monarch went for almost $37 and Brock and the boys went for $51!!! Thanks for bidding!

here

and

here!

All money goes to the March of Dimes!

Thanks!

Wolverine and the X-Men trailer

2008-05-06T16:58:00.005-04:00

Here's a new trailer for the "Wolverine and the X-Men" cartoon that will debut in 2009. I had a ball working on this show and I was very pleased with the scripts and designs. I think this is going to be a great show. I think the fans will be pleased if they can get past the idea of Wolverine being leader. In my opinion it's not that big of a deal. Enjoy!

Self Portrait

2008-05-01T13:28:00.002-04:00

That's right. That's me. This was done for May's Jelly of the Month. The topic was, of course, self portrait. Get in line, ladies. Cintiq/Sketchbook Pro.

The Venture Bros. Season 3 Teaser!

2008-04-25T10:23:00.003-04:00

Here's the teaser for the 3rd season of The Venture Bros. that I was proud to be a part of. The new season starts June 1st, 2008 at 11:30 PM on Cartoon Network's [adult swim].

OTTO!!!

2008-03-04T22:01:00.001-05:00

Here's my March Jelly. This month is mascots so I drew the greatest of them all, Otto the Orange!

The Spectacular Spider-Ham

2008-02-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

Here's another one for Jelly of the Month. When I was a kid, I would go to the local Wilson Farms (a convenience store) and look for new copies of "Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham" with my friend Chris Bishop, who is now, and was then, an amazing artist. We were more interested in Spider-Ham than his human counterpart Spider-Man. We would draw those characters all day. Man, those were the days.

Silver Surfer

2008-02-06T14:33:00.001-05:00

Here's my Jelly for February. This month's topic is Marvel Comics. Sketchbook Pro/Cintiq

Boogie Nights

2008-01-14T01:48:00.001-05:00

Here's another one for Jelly of the Month. Another one of my favorite films. Sketchbook Pro.

Desperado

2008-01-07T20:53:00.001-05:00

Here's my January Jelly. This month's topic is movies. One of my all time favorites is Desperado. I wanted to draw Danny Trejo about to mess some stuff up... and then get killed. I like how this came out but I wish I went a little more abstract/graphic with it. Oh well, sometimes things come out how they come out and I don't have much control over it. Done in Sketchbook Pro on the Cintiq.

Fantastic Four sketch

2007-12-03T18:05:00.000-05:00

Here's a Fantastic Four warm up sketch I did. Just messing around with the characters to see how I might draw them. I'm thinking of doing some sample pages when I get a chance and I've always been a fan of the FF concept. There are so many different ways the Thing has been drawn. I am trying to come up with my own way.
Done in Sketchbook Pro on the Cintiq.

December Jelly

2007-12-02T21:21:00.001-05:00

Here's my December entry for Jelly of the Month. This month was to draw one of the pieces for those Art Instruction School tests but to put our own twist on it. I decided to draw Mikey posing as the turtle.

Xiaolin Showdown

2007-10-19T15:23:00.001-04:00

Here's another print I will have available at the Syracuse Heroes Expo (this Sunday, October 21st!) I haven't drawn these characters in over 2 years. It was fun going back and drawing them again. It all came back to me like I had never stopped drawing them! I loved working on this show and I wish they'd make more. Done in Alias Sketchbook.

Wolverine Print

2007-10-08T21:24:00.001-04:00

Here's a piece I just did with everyone's favorite Canuck being hunted down by a Sentinel. I'll have prints of this available at the Syracuse Heroes Expo on October 21st. Check out the link on the right for all the info you need! This one was also done in Sketchbook Pro.

Halloween Jelly

2007-10-05T12:44:00.001-04:00

Here's my entry for this month's Jelly. This is just one of the Halloween disappointments I had as a kid. I always had grand ideas for costumes but the costumes back then sucked. If I am supposed to be Superman, why do I have a picture of Superman on my chest? Did Supes fly around with a picture of himself on his chest? It also sucked Trick or Treating in the Northeast. You always had to wear tons of layers either under or over your costume. A few times it even snowed. Today's costumes are so much better. I would have killed for the ones they have out today. Anyways, I hope you like the drawing!

"A-la peanut butter sandwiches!"

2007-09-21T15:21:00.001-04:00

Here's The Amazing Mumford, another entry in this month's Jelly of the Month topic. Done in Sketchbook and Photoshop.

Syracuse Heroes Expo

2007-09-06T12:50:00.000-04:00

I'll be appearing at the Syracuse Heroes Expo on October 21st, 2007! I was there last year and had a ball. They have everything there. Comics, video games, Anime, etc. I'll be doing sketches, signing stuff and hopefully selling prints. I've added a link to the Expo's web site on the right. I hope to see you there!

Sweetums

2007-09-06T00:20:00.000-04:00

Here's my Muppet Jelly. I love the Muppets. I'm just fascinated by the whole thing. Now my 2 year old is hooked on Sesame Street so I get to enjoy it with her, too. Here's Sweetums, a favorite of mine. I hope to do more this month. There are just so many great characters from so many great shows. Sketchbook Pro.

Chocolate Rain

2007-09-03T17:59:00.001-04:00

I'm chomping at the bit to do this month's Jelly (Muppets), but since I haven't had time to do one yet, I decided I'd post a sketch I did a few weeks ago but never posted. It's internet sensation Tay Zonday. I was so freaked out by him that I had to draw him. Done in sketchbook Pro.

Game Night

2007-08-06T12:52:00.000-04:00

Here is my entry in August's Jelly of the Month. The topic is video games. I spent many a night hooked on Puzzle Fighter II and Diet Pepsi. Too many nights. Sketchbook Pro/Cintiq.

July Jelly

2007-07-04T23:40:00.001-04:00

This month's "Jelly of the Month" topic is ZOMBIES! Here's me and a few of my friends as the undead. Sketchbook/Cintiq.

Mmmmm, jelly

2007-06-19T22:19:00.001-04:00

Here's another Star Wars piece for the Jelly of the Month blog. Also done in Sketchbook on the Cintiq.

Star Wars

2007-06-01T22:49:00.001-04:00

I love Star Wars. Luke is probably my favorite character. Here's my "Red-ized" version of the Jedi Master. Done in Sketchbook Pro on a Cintiq.

I did this art for a new blog I am doing with my friends. You can check it out here.

More Red

2007-05-23T12:59:00.000-04:00

Here's another Red. He's just been asked if "Jim Nasium" is in the bar.

*I should note that these Red drawings are in no way based on the way the actual Red looked. They are my interpretations of him based only on his voice.

Done in Sketchbook Pro on the Cintiq.

Red

2007-05-16T20:06:00.000-04:00

Red from the Tube Bar is one of my favorite things to draw. Here is one of my interpretations. I did this one quite a while ago completely in Photoshop on the Cintiq. I'll post more Red as I find old ones and draw new ones.

My turn

2007-05-16T18:32:00.001-04:00

So I guess I'll do a blog now, too. Hopefully I'll post some artwork fairly regularly as my schedule permits. Any comments are welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

In the meantime, here's a Flash I drew a little while ago just to get this thing started. I did the whole thing with Sketchbook Pro on a Cintiq.