the minds, I

Gran finale!

2007-12-17T08:57:00.000+11:00

No one likes looses ends, or at least that's what I told myself during the 'Yamba Straights' conclusion. So I've drawn an ending that I think will please all comers and ties up all those issues I've raised during the series.

Cat Animation

2007-12-11T10:36:00.000+11:00

Here's something I'll never work on again!

It's got no sound...

'Batman smells'

2007-12-10T09:29:00.000+11:00

There comes a time in every mans blog where he needs a break, to reflect, revise, recoup and various other re words. Basically, a chance for me to do bugger all for a while...

Until next time...

nicos

Title Vergessen!

2007-12-03T09:49:00.000+11:00

Once again must I apologise to the millions of adoring fan for failing to give the sweet nectar which is 'Yamba Straights'.
It's true, I've been somewhat lazy watching oodles of anime... and it is from this that I bring to you the following entry.

I drew up a quick front and side to model off (perhaps I should have planned this stage a little more)

I was trying to create a cool anime head in 3d.
Here are a few renders plus some photoshop touchups.

This fella doesn't quite capture the anime spirit, so I added some manga notation to help the idea.

Rising Pressure

2007-11-26T09:46:00.000+11:00

Where will it end?

(points downwise)

Solly!

2007-11-19T10:09:00.000+11:00

Similar to that other time I didn't have a glorious new strip to upload, is now, when I don't have...it!

Sweet Rebuke

2007-11-12T09:08:00.000+11:00

Well, it turns out that there is a hi-fat milk and it is apparently rather tasty.

Maybe I should keep my ideas to myself!?!

Hahahaha... suckers!

You'll never stop me!

(unleashes picture)

And above all else...

2007-11-05T09:19:00.000+11:00

You know how peoples get low fat milk and the like?
Well, I thought it'd be cool to have High fat milk, 5 or 6% fat. I think it would be a hit with the kids and other types who feel the need to fight the power.

Ready yourself to be disappointed...

And above all else...

2007-10-29T09:35:00.000+11:00

If I wrote a movie I would call it, 'Dude, where is my foreberence?'

Here's another crafty IT joke,
Q. What did the cpu say to the peripheral?

A. I don't node?

Now be amazed by my pictures!

Second Best Eva

2007-10-22T09:30:00.000+10:00

Here's a joke that I made.

Q. Why did the IT guy unplug his computer at the wall during the thunderstorm?

A. Just in 'cache'!

More, after this...

A weekend of MAYHEM!

2007-10-15T10:22:00.000+10:00

I was in Syd for the Supanerd convention.
You're thinking, 'How did you draw your strip then, if you were away?'.
I guess you'll never know... (taps nose)

The TUTE!

2007-10-08T08:57:00.000+10:00

If you have sound, turn it off!

Low Concept

2007-10-08T08:45:00.000+10:00

It's below understanding!

Commentia

2007-10-01T12:58:00.000+10:00

If I had a readership in the billions, there'd no doubt be an over zealous person eager to critize. I've taken the liberty of supplying a hyperthetical comment and my humble reply...

To whoms it may concern...

2007-09-24T09:37:00.000+10:00

It's official, city hockey club is the greatest sporting club in the world!
I won the grand finale!

I think I've used that title before.

True or false

2007-09-17T10:00:00.000+10:00

Nickos once consumed perfume believing it would improve his breath?

Truth and Dare

2007-09-10T09:42:00.000+10:00

Press 1 to see nick consume the remaining port shots
Press 2 to hear nick tell a racist joke
Press 3 to feel nicks pain

hin und zuruck

2007-09-03T10:13:00.000+10:00

I had last week off work, as you were no doubt informed by your various agencies and spy forces.
You'd think this strip would therefore be polished, funny and moving... this is not the case!

Post 84

2007-08-27T09:31:00.000+10:00

???????????

2007-08-20T11:56:00.000+10:00

????????????????????????
????????????? 100 ???????????
???????????

????????????????????????
???????????????????? 45 ??????
????????? ???????????/
????????????????

??????

More B, Less Me!

2007-08-13T09:30:00.000+10:00

I'm not in this one either! (sigh)

Not ME!

2007-08-06T09:45:00.000+10:00

This strip doesn't contain me, so you may not want to read it!

4 beers

2007-07-30T09:38:00.000+10:00

Every now and then, you gotta lower the bar...
There's nothing overly wrong with the drawings themselves but the final rendering and overall composition is a little inconsistent and poorly executed. Just like that sentence!

2 wooden men done battle on a yellow road

2007-07-23T09:22:00.000+10:00

They said I should avoid the ogling strip but who am I to deny the past?

... And I, I took the one travelled infrequently,
But I was always trying to get on the main road
Or even get a hover car with which to bypass roadery in general!

2007-07-16T09:46:00.000+10:00

The 1st panel is a pretty average drawing but I think it looks funny and sleazy and reminds me of the bad guy in astroboy when he smiles!

Hmmm, something humourous...

2007-07-09T08:50:00.000+10:00

...

i got nothing...

EXCEPT THIS BRAND NEW STRIP!

Lucky/Sweet Thirteen

2007-07-02T09:01:00.000+10:00

At some lengths do I struggle to meet the guise which (almost) weekly, I propagate but who or I could match those standards drawn by lines and the second derivative that is your mind?

LOOK AT ME!

bolda and balda

2007-06-22T09:36:00.000+10:00

I was planning on making a big deal out of my bday but as i was house sitting, I was unable to use my computer etc.

This drawing may need some explaining! Cancer is fighting Gemini, I'm on the cusp and can choice the best qualities from both signs (I don't make the the astronomy rules) that's just how it goes. Plus I'm the year of the dog hence the little glyph. It sorta like a powerup I use. The only thing I can't work out is why the twins are spartan warriors...

HA ha

2007-06-14T09:47:00.001+10:00

Just when you thought I'd forgotten what happened next in the story...

'RELEASE THE PROBE!'

anyways...

2007-05-28T11:02:00.000+10:00

okay, so here's how it stands!
The site where I usually steal the awesome 'Niche' strips was broken. All I have for ye is a few pictures of a soap stone sculpture I made in year 11. It's my tribute to Samo hung and is better than Pepsi's sculpture...

baby@

2007-05-21T09:42:00.000+10:00

is what i'd probably called my kid when i made em.

Also, don't you hate it when you find out your jokes are funny to no one but you and that you're more handsome than you thought and have wasted your time not chasing fancy womens? well? ANSWER ME!

chorlak

2007-05-14T10:04:00.000+10:00

i may have used this one before, so bear with me; if i had a line of camping equipment i'd call it 'in-tents' but i would need to make the 'in-tensity' more obvious!

the foraye

2007-05-07T12:40:00.000+10:00

recent studies indicate that 9/10 womens aren't afraid of me...

ROLL THE NEXT CARTOON!

Ummmm.... gee, ahhhhh, hmmmm

2007-04-30T09:06:00.000+10:00

2007-04-23T10:45:00.000+10:00

{}{}{}{}{}

2007-04-16T12:45:00.000+10:00

If I'm getting carried away with the action panels and choice of angles, I blame Naruto!

This is probably the time to disclaim the liknesses of all characters in the strips so they won't sue me and take all my gold.
So, I made em all up!

Part 2 - Niche Wang!

2007-04-11T15:42:00.000+10:00

HAHAHAHAH... very funny but it's not true! I'm not a dickhead like many of yuse think and the penis tutorial shall have to waits its turn!

I was 'tossing' up earlier whether or not to use the dong joke as it may have crossed the boundaries of luridity that I try to deny the public as much a possible, to help maintain this facade of decency and good humour. But then I decided to satisfy myself... further lowering this blogs gdp or something.

Unleash tha babes...

2007-04-10T09:20:00.000+10:00

If I had a gardening company, I'd call it 'Cutting Hedge Gardeners'! I hope I didn't rip that off unconciously...yeh, the more I think about it the more likely it seems I stole the idea. Just forget I wrote anything.

Part1 - tha forehead upon the sphere...

2007-04-03T13:29:00.000+10:00

For homework, stare at your favourite niche cartoon and see the forhead in full glory. For those of you lucky enough, take my photo off the altar an have a good looksey!

The how to's and where for's...

2007-04-03T09:02:00.000+10:00

The other day, my friend asked me, 'how can I be a big man like you?'
I says to maybles, or 'buddy' as is more accurater his sobriquet, I says, 'Well the first trick is to be a drawer. Not like the ones in your desk but a drawer with the doodles and pictures and the like.
Ya see, the womens find nothing more attractive than the humble drawer... and I know.'
I thinked I winked or something.
'And a mans bigness can only be measured by his allure; the calibre, frequency and velocity by which the fairer sex around, impart!'
To be sure this was no proper sentence but I had not prepared a response in advance, having not thought so much upon myself.
'But it'd take months to be awesome like you!', he says, 'I want my own 'Niche' now!'
This intrigued me, I hadn't considered others wanting to be me, to wear my skin and do sexy dances in front of the mirror.
'Perhaps I'll do a column in my blog, 'How to draw your own Niche', thought I, aloud.
And so, with these simple steps, you and buddy too, will be able to induldge your pathetic fantasies...

IG-Niche-N

2007-04-02T08:55:00.000+10:00

...

Behold!

2007-03-26T10:02:00.000+10:00

I've slipped an hour. 'Tis a chilly thought, sharing time with those north of the border!

And I'm spent!

2007-03-23T10:43:00.000+11:00

This is it! I got no more wampire strips left in me. I initially wanted to do a sitcom take off, using the lyrics/song of the nanny to send up our favourite vampire but with my lack of rhyming humour and my lack of time, this didn't not happen!
Things should return to chaos next week...

worn like a glove... that is worn often!

2007-03-22T09:52:00.000+11:00

These dead lines are killing me. I'll be glad when Eman stops making such a big deal out of his birthday. I don't think I even have enough energy/time left to ruin the strip with a, 'niche the vampire slayer' appearence, which would entail everyone reconcilling their differences in a fancy dance number.
And to top it all off, my editor is breathing down my neck for the next 'Yamba straights' enstallment...
I'm just glad I still have my looks!

2007-03-21T09:25:00.000+11:00

...bloody work...

2007-03-20T09:03:00.000+11:00

I did this one last night, among other things... eating, drinking, maths homework etc

Yuletide

2007-03-19T12:47:00.000+11:00

As you all know, my friend who lives in Brislame is having a Birthday this weekend. To celebrate his coming of age, New South Wales has decided to hold an election!
And I, in my modesty have decided to make much ado, marking each day leading up to his 25th!

This first post has nothing to do with him but...

Drawing Bored!

2007-03-19T10:41:00.000+11:00

look what i done...

(dances about all fancy like)

I think I need a different design though.

Erratico

2007-03-11T13:32:00.000+11:00

I was pretty t/o-ed about this one. Having sketched the panel, I decided to try and colour it but being a dumbass (I know! some or all of you have told me in the past), I flattened the image and converted it to RGB... then saved!

This strip was originally inspired by the master of design, Alphonse Mucha but ended up with little of his genius.

Anyways, here's the b&w and the colour version.

By request!

2007-03-09T10:56:00.000+11:00

This is an oldie from over a year ago, commemorating the Stooges tour of Japan. I was lucky enough to see their rat nest!

Work doodle...

2007-03-08T09:42:00.000+11:00

Here's a little doodle I whipped out during renders...

The rumours are false...

2007-03-06T09:26:00.000+11:00

I can almost see you greedily rub your eyes about your monitors hoping to drive the wonderous pixels into your brains.
At first I wasn't sure whether to revisit this character. He'd already touched and molested most all the boundries or limits of the strip medium. He seemed somewhat weary, perhaps too warn by passers bye!

Me rashly delved reality still rapted in my allusions only to be twisted and repelled... stripped naked, like I was about to have a shower or take part in some other act which requires high level nudity. But the nakedness was of my mind and the undresser was reality!
Mildy unsettled, I... wait a tick! I'm ruining my material for the next series of 'Niche' and the perils proscribed in,
'YAMBA STRAIGHTS'!

IN association with my benevolence...

2007-03-01T09:26:00.000+11:00

I've spent my life scraping the bottom and it's really quite surprising how much crud you find down there/here!

Pathetico

2007-02-26T09:14:00.000+11:00

You know how some cats on the tinternet do fancy painting tutorials?!

Well I figured I'd try and do one an' be all cool etc. But I got impatient when my colourin-er-ing went to the $#!T.

enjoy...

A show of ambiguity...

2007-02-20T09:13:00.000+11:00

The soft screams filter up through my various listening devices, the confused murmurings of a few who see my re-emergence into this virtual realm we call 'Webternet'.

'Where were you? I was worried?' yadda yadda yadda

Well after much happiness and transforming, emoticon like feelings, I've transformed.

'But will this transformation help the world?'

I'm not sure yet but so far things don't look good.

'Okay! But why this sudden return? Haven't you destroyed enough lives so far?'

I guess but I just wanna wish two peoples happy birthday even if a myriad of individuals lose their well-earned dillusions. These two lucky sods were born on this day a while ago. Coincidence, I hope so!

Now, I'm not one to believe in astrophysics but I thought it'd be cool to draw the star sign pisces with me own twist. LOOK! (If you didn't make the connection, pisces are fish and the 20th of feb is the day of the fish or so you're told).

A Battle of Twits (two wits)!

2007-01-18T09:19:00.000+11:00

Hacky Delusions...

2007-01-17T09:50:00.000+11:00

You know when one of your friends thinks they're really cool and powerful and you don't have the heart to tell them they're gay and weak and you hate them and their unborn chilluns...

Read all about it!

2007-01-16T08:03:00.000+11:00

Now, I'm not usually one for slander but I found a most interesting article the other day that surprised me not at all...

...Look! And be unsurprised as I.

Good intentions

2007-01-14T14:34:00.000+11:00

I was doing a sorta fantasy poster a la 'frazetta' but the drawing was taking too long so I moved on to the colour-in-ering which was it's own struggle and so it shall remain unfinished full of untold potential... much like me, the untold potential part that is!

Predelictions

2007-01-02T16:56:00.000+11:00

It's true, I've decided to have another crack at the cat animation... among other things.

I'm not sure of the titles meaning and I'm not sure if I want to know.
I was going to write 'predictions' as in the spirit of the new year and because of peoples desire to guess our futures using random numbers and signs.
Well, this year a certain good friend of mine is going to get lucky... that's right! Pepsi will win the lottery!
I also intend to better my self, gosh willing!

A little frayed...

2006-12-24T11:23:00.000+11:00

Yeah, well, it's not very original and the joke's a little ill defined but all in all it fills a space!
This may be the last Niche as I move onto similar things. Not quite sure what those similar things are yet.

Anyways, Merry Christmas... Eve!

mild dissapointment

2006-12-18T07:24:00.000+11:00

I just want to apologize. I've seen this singular scenario for each and all.
You blissfully awake, the sun shimmering on your sill. As your first thoughts gather into comprehension, you are overcome by the familiar epiphany. So racing to the Internet cafe, still dressed in your PJs (whatever they may be). Acknowledging nothing and no one you click on your favourites only to find the horrible sensation of no cartoon. Reaching up into the sky you rave,"Where's my Niche? by what yardstick will I measure life? etcetera..."
Anyways, here's the chrissy e-card thing. My original concept was the biblical art done in the chiaroscuro style but alas, failure awaited my impatience. The pose is in style, I think but the rest has gone seemingly askew and so it is unfinished. Don't let my inadequacy ruin your Christmas time. Have a, "Merry Christmas!" and a fairly enjoyable New Year!

If you're late buying gifts perhaps a his or hers t-shirt will fit the bill. I haven't made any so let me know if you're interested.

Complarceny

2006-12-11T07:59:00.000+11:00

In his early days, McNick was a common thief but took exceptional pleasure in stealing from wowsers with monocles! Not disimilar to the english folk hero, James bond...

The best defense...

2006-12-04T07:11:00.000+11:00

... is love!
Sometimes women need to be co-erced into making the right decision.

When's the last time this has happened to you?

(And don't write to me about how you don't get the complexities of the thought bubble interplay!)

Outer Demons

2006-11-27T08:02:00.000+11:00

Buster Keaton is a man after my own heart. His spectre has followed me since the day I was born... give or take a week.

This strip has a monster... but which one is it?

NitWit

2006-11-20T07:19:00.000+11:00

This one defies convention but it's up to you to glean the humour. I'm sure there's a joke there, I just don't remember, so keep reading until you do (it's to early to write whole sentences with a single line of thought). It's like a magic eye without the enjoyment of losing focus and if nothing else there is a spaceship!

How does it mend?

2006-11-13T07:17:00.000+11:00

Back to 'onesies' with no story...
Here we see the lighter side of our favourite gunfighter, the heavier side being hidden behind the girl kneading him.
Also, I thought up this silly narrative during my waking process this morning. You shall now read it. 'The backlit apparition pointed into the mirror and delivered his clouded message, "You're you!" then faded' or something like that, I think I dozed off again...

Out of order, Partly!

2006-11-06T07:57:00.000+11:00

Yo, read this strip first but stem your burning hatred till my explanation is complete.
ya see, I figured all o' yous 'ould read the first strip at the top and I also knew this strip wouldn't maintain the tension my stories create. So, I put 18 on top and 19 just below, meaning I'm not cheaper than slice bread but also, the strip order is out (hence the brilliant title).

Another good title would have been '2 for the price of none'...

Here's a good one!

2006-11-06T07:47:00.000+11:00

A joke to impress your collegues and wow your co-workers. This joke has no bearing on the strip, which is also good...one.
What do you call an all girl musical group which only performs live over the internet?
Broadband! YEAH! (saying 'yeah' at the end usually does the trick).

This joke will bring tears to your eyes as you begin to hemmorage (that's how we spell it online!)

...and then some!

2006-10-30T07:41:00.000+11:00

Okay, this never happened but what better way to visualize an inner monologue than in the mirror of a mens room? It does sound a little odd when I write it down but fear not, this panel bears its own truth. Who am I to write a thousand words? 'Tis me Nick, HAZAAR!

It's all smoke and morals!

2006-10-23T07:11:00.000+10:00

Okay, so, I should probably disclaim the likness of all those I dain to draw, to ensure the safety of my meagre fortunes from the petty, the ignorant and the defaced.
If you find a likeness then it is merely your own vanity and not my stealing your precious identity and filling it with mindless drivle, casting aspersions on your fine character.

Now that I've set concise barriers with which to view with, enjoy my version of a certain I don't know who... and his silly mate (some refer to him as bone child)!

It was earth all along!

2006-10-16T17:42:00.000+10:00

That should be, 'it was 'here' all along'!
C, I'm not crazy, just big boned (turns and winks to all the ladies).

Freak all!

2006-10-16T07:44:00.000+10:00

The bloody picture won't upload. I shall endeavour to set things right tonight, one stroke after midnight or any time leading up to that...

... away with me...

Little did I know...

2006-10-09T07:46:00.000+10:00

...and not that much more these days as can be gleaned from this here picture panel.

Check it oud!

2006-10-02T17:29:00.000+10:00

This is the first of a run of 'Modern Ruminaries' which explicitly analyzes the male psyche and his struggle with life as we shouldn't know it!

Sup?

2006-09-24T15:11:00.000+10:00

Good tidings y'all, the niche famine is over so be prepared to see a strip almost every week...

...Wow...

To begin this new trend which seems fairly similar to the old trend, I've rummaged and (another verb) and have come up with a rare gem. With it's intricate storylines and complex dialogue McNick was a fan favourite, enjoy...

The one that got away.

2006-09-17T09:49:00.000+10:00

Who knows what may happen further down the line, we call time?

The answer was yes!
Better luck next 'time'.

Birthday Raps...

2006-09-16T09:03:00.000+10:00

...should be outlawed!

Hopefully most of you have not received the audio to go with!

Because you didn't demand it...

2006-09-05T09:45:00.000+10:00

... I shall continue me struggles with animation and the singles moments in time that go together to make us whole.
This was done before I went to Japan... and that has a big affect on stuff.

Blogger Me!

2006-09-05T09:40:00.000+10:00

here's the picture i didn't post...

Long time no re:

2006-08-31T12:19:00.000+10:00

I've used that title recently in an email but thought it was so good that I use it again so everyone knew just who they're dealing with... me!

I use to think Singapore was just below the equator, it's not!

... erm, I'll get back to you with the picture. I haven't copied it to this machine yet!

Nickel Cadnium...

2006-08-04T09:35:00.000+10:00

... is sort of like and anagram but without the tricky use of the correct letters and that.

They said I should learn how a cat moves and what they look like and how to use colour, draw, animate and the like, they were right but being stubborn and unable to do the things 'they' say, you can watch me flail in the myre.

Shot 4 was meant to have the light switch on, making us more aware of the evening to come but the background without the light looks shit (okay! shitter) than the lit background... Look at them!

Rakmananov...

2006-08-02T09:42:00.000+10:00

... was born this day not too many decades ago!
Here was the hallmark card that didn't quite make the cut. They said it really didn't have wide enough appeal and barely enough for the person it portrays.

Who can guess these things?

YOU!?! (points roughly towards the east, hoping fu jackman will heed his query)

the bastered thing won't upload me thing. You get it later! Later, being now!

/

2006-07-28T09:35:00.000+10:00

There are times when even I question the relevance of the things I do... this is one of those times!

?

2006-07-21T10:14:00.000+10:00

Here are two frames from shot three!

What to write...

2006-07-15T08:19:00.000+10:00

...here's the second shot and its transition!

End of a mirror!

2006-07-10T09:56:00.000+10:00

I like to blame stuff on the intangible and so have found a slightly absurd scenario which can explain the 'pun-ish' title.
Okay, so, currently I'm having poor luck (stay with me here) and I'm guessing, at some time in my life I've broken a mirror (accidently) and am therefore fodder for the spirits (not unlike the one in final fantasy: the movie).
But now, even thought the 7 years, or whatever the timeframe may be, has yet to expire, I through sheer will will bend my luck to at least a perpendicular angle, practically ending an era!

Here's the first shot of me little cat animation. Basically the leaf comes into focus then falls off.

Canim

2006-07-06T09:48:00.000+10:00

Hey all!
I is workin' on an short animation with a cat and what have you.
I've done the storyboards and styleframes and have a pretty good idea of what I want it to be. And most importantly, I still have the enthusiasm to see it through!

...Whatever! Being serious can be fun too!

Styleframes (the more I drank the stranger they got)...

Hiatus!

2006-07-04T11:08:00.000+10:00

I'm sick and the editor demands too much!
here's an old one that you can pretend is new...

...I mean, this one's an old favourite which many of you have asked for, repeatedly, HERE!!!

They said it shouldn't be done...

2006-06-26T10:02:00.000+10:00

...though nick was feeling unusually spiteful and decided to drink, roughly 3 too many beers, give or take 4. It was amazing how he relearned his lesson once more (like married people who renew their vows).
To rub salt into his dying body he played hockey and was flogged 5 - nil though he blames the rest of his team.

this pic has a smudge filter i think!

Don't be so cheap!

2006-06-24T11:09:00.000+10:00

whatever! this is all I got!

They said he couldn't keep it up...

2006-06-20T10:25:00.000+10:00

... and he didn't! Though the inverse was true where ladies were concerned.

Here's one of the limited edition colour prints of the shadow star series.

And who could forget this one?

2006-06-16T09:18:00.000+10:00

The answer was, YES!

This series follows a number of events that won't happen but probably should.

They said it couldn't be done...

2006-06-13T09:02:00.000+10:00

... so I did this one instead!

Beastman... like a cake!

2006-06-09T10:40:00.000+10:00

Another origins piece focusing this time on Mr. Love.

Take me to the April sun in cuba, wo o o...

2006-06-07T09:05:00.000+10:00

Ah yes, the timeless words of Mark Hunter (no relation of mine).

Just when you think you understand logorithmic equations, you leave high school.

For the record, 'blog' is impossible to pun.

This says it all...

2006-06-06T09:45:00.000+10:00

... except for all the things left unsaid! DERP!

I done struck gold!

2006-06-05T08:54:00.000+10:00

Recently, have I tapped a secret vein of comic strips based upon my good self.
Shadow Star was the longest running of the sci-fi serials but I'll think you'll agree it's a non-stop, something, something, awesome to the max! Here's a snippet...

But what does it all mean?

2006-06-03T10:46:00.000+10:00

Many people should of written and asked about part of the domain name, 'nievhe', so I'll would answer them, "In websters dictionary, nievhe means: random collection of words from the base word niche!"
Anyways, apart from that important trivia (?), I've returned from business and am ready to once again sate your terrible hunger, yummy!

And he never posted again...

2006-05-30T09:08:00.000+10:00

That was the story of how this blog might end, a rather stirring journey.
But no, I've not written to spoil the ending, I'm just writing while I've got that new Blog sensation flowing in these wise, youngish veins...