Category Archives: It Came From the Sketchbook

The Frugal Review • The Pen+Gear Sketch Diary

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Joe_Williams

When my wife and co-host of this fabulous site, Tina, calls about a cheap sketchbook she’s found at a big box store, I’ve learned not to question her. I just say, “Buy it!” She’s got a knack for spotting art … Continue reading →

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The Cheapskate Strikes Back!

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Joe_Williams

I was in an art supply store recently to pick up some gift items for a friend, and I thought I would pick up a smallish, mixed media, sketchbook for myself. I was thinking a 7-inch by 10-inch sketchbook would … Continue reading →

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Burn, Baby, BURN! Punk Rock Inferno

Posted on September 16, 2025 by Joe_Williams

I’ve been pouring my heart into Teenage Beast, a punk rock horror story set in the 1980s that’s slowly clawing its way out of my brain and onto the page. Right now, it’s a chaotic mix of notes, half-formed scenes, … Continue reading →

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When does the band go on?

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Joe_Williams

Here is another sketch from my developing Teenage Beast story. The crowd awaits the arrival of Brian Bubonic and the Plague. I drew this with sky blue mechanical pencil leads and Sailor Fude De Mannen fountain pens in a small … Continue reading →

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Larry Hughes, Born to Lose

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Joe_Williams

Before my monster became a monster in Teenage Beast he was a human being. I have a name for him — Larry Hughes — but I wasn’t sure what he was going to look like.

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Punk Rock Girl

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Joe

Although it’s been a while since I have posted drawings on this site, I have still been plugging away in my sketchbooks continuing to make my dirty little marks within them as one of my teachers in art school used … Continue reading →

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Keeping Good Habits

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Joe_Williams

This is the thin 3-ring binder I bought from a dollar store near work and filled it with 97¢ worth of looseleaf paper in order to work out the story of The Teenage Beast. I am writing an outline for … Continue reading →

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