SDCC: Pre-Convention Exhibitor Set Up

Exhibitors at the 45th SDCC, July 24-27, faced a hectic Wednesday morning; the annual pop culture event featured over 600 hours of programming  and over 1,000 exhibitors on the convention floor, with a total of 615,700 square feet. 

 

I took these photos on our way to Steve Morger's Big Wow Art group, who Doug has exhibited with since 2007. 

 

More Wednesday morning, July 23rd exhibitor set up photos will be posted next week.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

SDCC: Quiet Wednesday Morning in San Diego

Doug and I typically fly into San Diego on Tuesday to avoid the frustration of a flight delay or "lost" luggage on Wednesday; by doing so, we don't have to set up at the last minute for Wednesday's 6-9 p.m. Preview Night.

 

We've stayed at the Hilton Gaslamp the past 4 years; it's across the street from the convention center, located in the Marina district of downtown San Diego, so we head over there mid-morning on Wednesday to pick up badges and drop off our banner at Big Wow Art, where Doug's exhibited since 2007.   

 

Although the San Diego Comic-Con International is the largest comics-cartoon convention in North America, it's surprising how empty the sidewalks and streets are only a few hours before it opens to the public for Preview Night. 

 

During SDCC, the sidewalk outside the Hilton Gaslamp is jammed with attendees trying to cross the street (on the right) to the convention center, walk down to the Omni Hotel (in the distance) or find a restaurant in the Gaslamp District (on the left).

 

During SDCC, it's hard to get a table at Lou and Mickey's, next door to the Hilton Gaslamp - not this early on Wednesday, though.

The sidewalk outside the Hilton Gaslamp and across the street from the convention center, with a capacity for 125,000, is deserted Wednesday morning.

During the convention, it's a LONG wait to exit the convention center, cross Harbor Drive and go to hotels and restaurants in the Gaslamp District.

No cars, trucks, or pedestrians outside of the convention center - hard to believe!!!

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

C2E2 Commissions

Wayne requested a harem commission in his sketchbook.

Unpublished Sneyd, now in a second printing, features Doug's 100 favorite gag rough "rejects" from the thousands he's submitted to Playboy the past 50 years.  He's happy to personalize each book with an original B&W profile bunny sketch.

Doug and I talk with artist Jeffrey Moy (from Madison, Wisconsin) at a number of comics-cartoon conventions during the year; he's a fan of Doug's detailed Playboy pencil prelims.  This is the final pencil rough for Doug's December 2000 Playboy cartoon.

C2E2 attendee is pleased with Doug's 10 x 14 pencil commission of Zatanna from the DC Comics Universe.  Her character first appeared in Hawkman #4 (October -November 1964).

Doug's classic profile bunny sketch on 10 x 14 Arches of France cold press watercolor paper is a popular convention souvenir.

C2E2 will return to McCormick Place April 24-26, 2015.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Sketchbooks at C2E2

Justin and Jen each wanted one of Doug's 24-page personalized sketchbooks.

Since Doug's celebrating 50 years as a cartoonist for Playboy (his first full-page color cartoon was published in the September 1964 issue), Luke decided to purchase Playboy Preliminaries.

Doug's first 24-page sketchbook was Playboy Preliminaries.

Followed by Limited Edition Prints Preliminaries,

Limited Edition Prints Superheroines,

Fabulous Faces,

and Gorgeous Gals.  Doug will debut a 24-page personalized sketchbook, titled Mermaids, in 2015.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Mermaid Watercolor Original

Doug just finished this 11 x 17 mermaid original, rendered on Arches of France cold press art board using Dr. Ph. Martin's aniline dyes - the same materials he's used for his 450+ Playboy cartoons.

His first full-page color cartoon was published in the September 1964 issue of the magazine.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

C2E2: Sales of Limited Edition Prints

Limited edition prints are a convention favorite, especially Doug's 11 x 17 classic winking bunny and lovely mermaid. 

Typically, prints are numbered 1-25.  When these are sold out (as the 2 above are), Doug works on new 11 x 17 watercolor originals for limited edition prints.  The winking bunny in black and mermaid will be available in 2015.

Please note: due to the size of the watercolor originals for the new winking bunny in black and mermaid limited edition prints, the above are photos of the originals.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Doug Talks with C2E2 Attendees

Jon Jordan, publisher/editor of crimespree magazine, stopped by Artist Alley to talk with Doug during the 3-day convention.

While Doug was talking with collector Taylor Ramsey (center), artist Adam Hughes stopped by for a hello.

Fans of Doug's full-page color cartoons in Playboy frequently bring in copies of the magazine for him to sign.  This *cartoon, appearing on p. 187 of the November 1967 issue, was also reproduced on p. 73 in The Art of Doug Sneyd.  The 248-page hardcover book, published by Dark Horse, was a 2012 Eisner Award nominee in the Best Humor Publication category.

*caption:  "You'll find the meter in the basement!"

A number of attendees recalled meeting Doug at the first C2E2 in 2010, including*

*Richard Pietrzky from suburban Chicago.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)