This year I drew a WHOLE TON more Judas!

So people tend to know me as/for my character Kade, however I’m not Kade. I named one of my online gallery accounts “Kade” because it’s basically all about him, at least there and in a good portion of my work. But there’s a me behind him and that’s something that should probably be explored more.

I’ve been having an identity crisis lately...

Anyways, I don’t really have a self-representing furry character (these animal people things all over my gallery, otherwise known as anthropomorphic art, is often referred to as “furry” art). Back when I first started really drawing this stuff and posting online (2004) I slapped together this character as a companion to Enchained and to pal around with him and Kade in happy-fun-fantasy-land.

So after all this time I came back to said character and just started getting really into it.

(Don’t you just love the fact that even as a fantasy creature I depict myself as a complete doofus?)

First image: So this is the first time I’ve done my character in a while and it is a rough sketch, roughly inked, roughly coloured, shaky hand... I rather like it though. I tried to stay true to myself right down to clothes.

Second image: More of a character reference... Pictured with newly black hair, because I’d been acting like a prick and turning into a yuppie and that is my way of counteracting such nonsense (natural hair is pictured on the right). I even included my belly pudge even though it displeases me (I had become very used to my six-pack).

Third image: And while I’m exploring myself and likewise my personal character better I took a trip down memory lane (really more of a busy highway, during rush hour, in the fog). Back when it was a lot easier to be myself even when it was a battle...I had a great attitude and outlook, even when things were bad. I miss that part of myself.

_{On a side note; at the time of these drawings I'd felt strongly compelled to present myself differently , though whether that's a good idea is debatable. I actually went pretty yuppie for a while (khakies, loafers, sweaters) after I got into legal studies because I figured I'd have to present myself differently in a working environment, and I wanted people to take me seriously, that was the reason I gave. I really needed to separate myself from my old life (which is how Kade came to be, he was my outlet when I first tried to reform myself.) ...I hate thinking about this kind of stuff. Anyways, after I stopped worrying I reverted to army pants and flannel shirts. I'm much more comfortable, physically and otherwise. Now this is getting really disjointed, but at that time I was sort of like trying on a new role for myself. The downside is I developed one Hell of a bad attitude out of it. I ended up dropping the program, becoming manager of a comic book store and being much happier. That’s another story though. Through that time my drawings were probably the truest and most sincere part of myself. Interesting, yes?}

Fourth Image: Getting closer to who I am… What feels right and who I was. You can take that at face value or dig below the surface. Either way enjoy the pretty picture.

Fifth image: Dumb little adorable sleeping wolfie doodle. This was stress relief from too much studying (full time student working on three degrees with two jobs - you get the picture).

Sixth image: Half-assed reference of Judas and Kade to help with the art trades I was doing. Judas' markings are correct in this one and the hair and face look way better. Also, that thing hanging down from Judas' hair is a single dreadlock, which I had by the time I drew this. But I have spacial/directional problems (or I'm just dumb) and drew a mirror image (it should’ve been on the right side).

Seventh image: Wrapping up 07 with this one from December. I used one of those little wooden mannequins that you can pose and whatnot to assist with the anatomy but I think this turned out terrible and awkward looking. I cannot stand this. I promise a better reference sheet in the future!

(And because I’m a dork, the lighter colouring on the arms was suppose to end before the elbows on the first three images.)

Each image is marker and pen (two have a bit of coloured pencil as well) on 8.5x11" printer paper, except the last two are on cardstock, none of these are the full page though.

© 2007 by J. Bardon