A cartoonist needs to have some fun every now and then. For no particular reason. When I want to have fun I always return to the muppets. I’ve been discussing starting up a Nordic muppet fan art blog together with a Norwegian colleague. Sorry Norway, but there’s only one possible character to host such a noble project…

While enjoying myself shamelessly making this picture, I also wanted to learn some new techniques. One was trying to mimick a water color effect digitally. Not sure I succeeded, but I quite like the texture I achieved in the clouds.

Another technique was importing patterns into cartoon artwork. Never knew how to do that before (it was really easy!). Neither did I know how to give the muppets a furry texture. I’m sure there’s a whole bunch of ways to do it better, but I think my method at least works. This would be my cover for a Muppet Show story featuring the chef. He’s been awarded a price for outstanding achievements in the muppet kitchen (against all odds!), now getting ready for the ceremony.

I would love to draw the muppets professionally at some point. I was really inspired by Roger Langridge’s Muppet Show Comic Books, and some of the other muppet titles from Boom Studios. I also got my hands on the Gilchrist brothers’ first collection of 80’s Muppets strips recently. That REALLY made my day. Digital coloring is great, but nothing beats a well drawn, well inked strip in glorious black and white.