"Baked Alaska" #45 - #48

So this is my missing post from the end of last year’s supposed thrice-per-year review of the “Baked Alaska” feature panel, as appearing in the pages of the Alaska Cannabist magazine. Expect another one shortly, as the “normally” scheduled one for 2023 will pop up shortly after I upload this one too. More below the fold...

Inordinately proud of the convoluted path taken to run this exceptionally bad (ie “so bad it’s good”) gag down. The real rabbit hole happened wrestling with the official signage, a ubiquitous sight while strolling across the tundra in our neck of the woods. But like many things that you’ve seen all the time you can’t really remember exactly what it actually looks like when it comes time to draw the damn thing. So off to Google Image you go, which ensures accurate color-sampling as well.

Here's the original concept sketch on a scrap of paper together with the ballpoint pen doodle version done in the omnipresent sketchbook.

One can plainly see the historical inspiration behind the Ol' Timer character (not Sourdough Jack or my own father for that matter). It was evidence during a semesterly outing with a Beginning Drawing class to take a quick value study sketch from one of Fred Machetanz's lithographs on display at the Rasmuson library on campus. Also "Exhibit A" in "my art teacher is burnt out and needs to take some time off."

This is a great transitional panel between the two pieces, both sharing a character. The final print version went with a Castor Canadensis though, which was equally effective in carrying the cartoon.

A keen, discerning eye will catch the change that happened here as well: this particular panel marks the first appearance of the new caption font, from the weird parchement-y one that’s been used. technically it's the third font for the feature, as the first few were handwritten.

This would be an opportune moment to extend an invitation to support the feature with a subscription or perhaps advertising with - link here - my thanks!

My take on the venerable and iconic dancing bears. If you know, you know... “And for me there's still more material than 20 lifetimes that I can use up.” - Jerry Garcia

Actually there is a more history associated with the original artwork, as appearing below most notably on LSD blotter. And yup - there's one extra Jerry Bear so as to represent the Alaska grizzly.

For the final and fourth funny we have a whale-sized case of the munchies. I mean, cartoon animals sitting around smoking dope is inherently amusing, so there's never, ever gonna be a shortage of material. Not at all any different than the Nuggets and normal life.

The colors as the piece appears in print are just so yummy: they really pop and are so much fun to see. I always have to remind myself that my perspective on the process is from a fairly unique point of view: that of someone who saw it emerge from the idea to a doodle to a pencil then ink then digitally colored (and often a watercolored version on the original art).

Closing out with one of my favorite parts of the process: inking. I love the look and the feel, the flow, how it glistens & glides across the white paper. Many a cartoon can capture a passing laugh, the way a picture posted here can preserve the perspective of the action, especially since it's not ever noticed in the middle of it and all you have afterwards is just the end product, leftovers.