March 16, 2024 by Hab Oh

Happy Saturday, Habgoblins! Y’all been feeling the weather? Spring is upon us, it seems and I’m ready to bust my shorts out, haha! This blog will cover some info on the future of livestreaming for Habtoons and The Shop.

A BREAK FROM STREAMING

You probably noticed I have not gone live this week and if you’re not following me on my socials, you may have been confused. I’m not quitting streaming on either YouTube, Twitch, or TikTok. What I am doing is taking a short break. I need it.

Around the middle of the pandemic, I picked up livestreaming which I never thought would be possible. It wasn’t even something I had ever considered doing and eventually, I fell in LOVE with it. Livestreaming had been a great way to keep myself occupied during lockdown and meet new people. It also turned out to be a great way to make an income, 2020-2021 was a great time for my Twitch channel! Unfortunately, due to some missteps, drama, and my lack of foresight in building a strong community, all of that dwindled. It is what it is.

Since then, I’ve tried just about everything to reignite the magic the permeated through my burgeoning livestream career. Nothing’s really sticking, and it’s been affecting my mental health. I’ve “rage quit” a few streams where nobody showed up for the first 45-60 minutes. I’d get so hype with topics to discuss, new art, or ideas I’d want to share only to sit there talking to myself the entire time. I tried daily streams, morning streams, night streams, pop-up streams, you name it, I’ve done it and to no avail, the channel wasn’t seeing growth. You can imagine how frustrating that can be.

I also got sick of “just playing games”, I’m not a gaming channel and I resented the way I approached Twitch without incorporating more of my artistic career at the forefront. Just sitting there playing games has become boring to me and I’d much rather just talk or work on art projects. With gaming, you either have to be a total expert at the game (like I am with Mass Effect) or jump on whatever how new trending game has everyone going wild, which is MAD expensive to do. All of this was driving me crazy.

So, I’m taking an extended break to reevaluate how I want livestreaming to serve the Habtoons/Hab Oh brand, how I’d want to build a new community around it, and how I continue to broadcast without draining my soul. I know that last part sounds dramatic but who would I be if I wasn’t extra? Haha!

I don’t know when I’ll be back in full capacity BUT you will be the first to know when we’re back on and poppin. In the meantime, you can always check out my YouTube Channel where I’ve transitioned into creating short video essays, art timelapses, and animation.

THE HABTOONS SHOP, SOFT RELAUNCH

Just like with livestreaming, the shop has seen a decline too. To be frank, I wasn’t feeling the apparel as much as I originally thought I would. And, as a whole, I was starting to feel that the merch itself had no personality or direction. I spent some time with everyone’s favorite mod, Cocoqueenie, over the week discussing what needs to change. Shoutouts to Coco, for real, our conversations gave me great insight in what I need to do next.

I want to create designs and merch that really speak to YOU. Not just slapping an illustration on a crewneck and calling it a day. While some folks don’t mind that, I just don’t like the idea of being another run of the mill brand in that way. As of right now, all merch on the shop is DOWN until I come up with fun designs I wouldn’t mind wearing on my own body, let alone the rest of y’all.

The Habtoons Shop isn’t entirely offline though as I’m offering new and returning Art Prints, Phone Wallpapers, and E-Books. Prints will now have a standardized size and price. For our Patreon Members, there is a Flash Sale Code available to you now, with the sale ending on Monday.

PATREON IS BETTER THAN EVER

I’ve been spamming the mess out of my Patrons this week with new art, phone wallpapers, and other goodies. I know their emails been going crazy and I am not sorry, haha! There’s plenty more on the way and I am incredibly grateful for your continued support of the Habtoons Brand, keep an eye out this coming week for a very special announcement.

You can be part of this wonderfully expanding list of folks by signing up for the Habtoons Patreon for just $1. The new and improved $1 Membership Tiers offers amazing benefits for those who would love to support but may not have the funds for higher tiers. Here are six (6) reasons I’m sure will convince you:

1. The first 500 people to sign-up for the $1/Month Tier ($12/year) are locked-in for a Lifetime, gain Founding Member/VIP Status on my website (The Hall of Habgoblins), and the added benefit of a rewards from higher tiers. Quite a steal!

2. You get EXTRA art & content, we’re talking EXCLUSIVES.

3. Ain’t NOBODY on the internet creating to the quality, depth and detail I am. My art style, stories, and opinions are unique!

4. Equipment Maintenance, Software, Art Materials/Supplies, and Printing Costs are EXPENSIVE.

5. I’m a one-man team. All the art, livestreams, videos, editing, research/development, filming, animating is all done by ME (among other things).

6. The preservation of Black Culture & Stories without the quality being diluted by outside forces that would seek to alter or censor the narratives we need and deserve.

So, what are you waiting for? Join Us Today! Click Here To Become a Habtoons Patreon!

CATCH UP ON MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS

NEW ART, REVERIES AND YOU // THE UNIT 333 PROJECT / February 14, 2024 by Hab Oh

YURR, Happy Valentine’s Day, Habgoblins! Whether you’re with someone or alone, I hope you’re having a phenomenal day. I just dropped an incredibly important video on YouTube today, you should watch it! And, without further ado, let’s discuss more about my passion project Unit 333: Reveries.

As you know, development of Unit 333: Reveries is well underway! I want to thank everyone who attended the opening reception of my exhibition, and those who pulled up for the duration of the show. That exhibition was the start of this grand narrative we’re going to experience throughout the year. Unit 333 is going to be the next big horror epic spanning across multiple artistic mediums: comics, animation, exhibitions, performance art, and beyond.

Unit 333: Reveries is a cosmic horror narrative about an Aspiring Artist from Brooklyn that wakes up in a familiar yet unsettling place, stripped of his possessions and fragments of his memory. What appears to be just a psychiatric ward is anything but as the space around him begins to twist and warp; feeding off his depression. The only means of escape is confronting the trauma head-on, battling the extra-dimensional manifestations of his insecurities. This is the continuation of a series I began in 2018 about a mental health breakdown they led me into living within a psychiatric facility, the atrocities I witnessed, and my road to recovery.

To say Unit 333: Reveries is close to my heart is an understatement. This is what I believe some would consider my "magnum opus". It is my mission to continue this narrative, to advocate for holistic conversations about mental health in the Black Community, while introducing you to new forms of art. The next phase of this saga will be told in the form of a graphic novel and webcomic.

*The Ladies Out Front, Close-Up, Unit 333: Reveries (2024)*

A brand-new illustration for the Unit 333: Reveries Project has dropped! Titled “The Ladies Out Front”, you can view this work in full detail here: The Unit 333 Virtual Art Gallery.

You can support the development of this project (and others) by joining our budding community of Habgoblins over on the Habtoons Patreon! On Patreon, you’ll be treated to an ever-expanding multitude of exclusive materials. Here are six (6) reasons why you should join today:

1. The first 50 people to sign-up for the $1/Month Tier are locked-in for a Lifetime, gain Founding Member/VIP Status on my website (The Hall of Habgoblins), and the added benefit of a rewards from higher tiers. As of this writing, there are 37 Slots left!

2. You get EXTRA art & content, we’re talking EXCLUSIVES.

3. Ain’t NOBODY on the internet creating to the quality, depth and detail I am. My art style, stories, and opinions are unique!

4. Equipment Maintenance, Software, Art Materials/Supplies, and Printing Costs are EXPENSIVE.

5. I’m a one-man team. All the art, livestreams, videos, editing, research/development, filming, animating is all done by ME (among other things).

6. The preservation of Black Culture & Stories without the quality being diluted by outside forces that would seek to alter or censor the narratives we need and deserve.

So, what are you waiting for? Join Us Today! Click Here To Become a Habtoons Patreon!

CATCH UP ON MY RECENT YOUTUBE VIDEOS

UNIT 333: REVERIES // A NEW SERIES BY HAB OH / January 26, 2024 by Hab Oh

YURR! Happy Friday, Habgoblins! Keeping up with these newsletters and blog posts have been really great and I hope you’ve been enjoying these updates too! This one focuses all on my latest project: Unit 333 Reveries.

WELCOME TO DISORIENTATION

Unit 333: Reveries is a cosmic horror narrative about an Aspiring Artist from Brooklyn that wakes up in a familiar yet unsettling place, stripped of his possessions and fragments of his memory. What appears to be just a psychiatric ward is anything but as the space around him begins to twist and warp; feeding off his depression. The only means of escape is confronting the trauma head-on, battling the extra-dimensional manifestations of his insecurities.

Is this all in his head? Who are The Figments?! The walls cry and the floors laugh! Labeled as "C25", a man must uncover the mysteries of the unfamiliar space known as The Unit before he is lost within it's unhallowed halls forever!

ABOUT THE SERIES

Unit 333: Reveries is a sequel/reboot of the 2018 graphic novel, Unit 333: Introspect. A gripping narrative, based on my real-life experience living in a psychiatric facility, that highlights the struggle of mental health and wellness within the Black Community. The aim is to center the conversation in order to create better circumstances and understanding for those who continually struggle without adequate support. This story is told across multiple mediums: animation, graphic novels, performance art, exhibitions, and beyond.

Page Panel, Close-up, Unit 333: Instrospect (2018)

SUPPORT THE SERIES

You can support the development of this project by:

Joining the Habtoons Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/habtoons

Buying Merch
https://www.habtoons.com/shop

Order Commissions (when open)
https://www.habtoons.com/contact

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals: 1-800-273-8255. Click this sentence for additional resources.

GET INTO OUR FALL FLOW // THE HAB-O-VERSE EXPANDS! / August 23, 2023 by Hab Oh

YURR, waddup Habgoblins! August has flown by way to fast. Are we sure we’re not in some sort of time warp? Regardless of the time travel, I hope you had an amazing month full of growth and prosperity. It’s been a minute since the last blog so it’s about time we caught up with each other.

DA ART BLOC SEASON 2 PREMIERE DATE

Yes, we finally have a date! The premiere of Da Art Bloc, Season 2, drops on September 6th, 2023! Season 2 improves greatly over the first with improved visuals, more structured segments, and even more bombastic ART! The line-up for this season is purely immaculate and you won’t be disappointed! Check out the teaser trailer now.

As a Habtoons Patreon Member, you’ll be able to watch the first episode right now!

ARTISTS MEETING ARTISTS

One of my favorite pastimes is meeting fellow artists in-person. I’ve never been a celebrity fiend but when it comes to artists whose work or work ethic I admire, I’m all-in. So, when I saw that Aaron Long, the creator of the indie series Sublo & Tangy Mustard, was going to be at BAM for the Animation Block Party Event; I had to go! It was great to see that the auditorium was filled up with fans of his show, ready for the Q&A Segment. As a fellow creator, I know that feeling of wondering just how many people are THAT dedicated to show up to a live, in-person, event. So, I was very happy to see all those folks pop up for him.

*Hab Oh with Aaron Long, Kevin Doan (Tang Mustard), and Ryan Long (Sublo)*

Disclaimer: I wasn’t ready for that photo, but it was still a vibe, haha!

The best thing about this experience was when Aaron spoke on his career. He isn’t just an “indie artist”, Aaron had experience within the animation industry proper; with credits on shows like Bojack Horseman and Tuca & Bertie. Even with these shows in his toolbelt, he much prefers working independently…creating his own projects. That spoke volumes as many people always assume it’s the dream of every artist to work under a big studio when that isn’t the case at all. What Aaron actually homed in on was being picked up by a major studio or benefactor to bring his original projects to a broader audience. Spot the difference?

Aaron with the Sublo & Tangy Mustard Fan-Art

If you know me, I like to leave my mark. I gifted Aaron a traditionally drawn fan-art piece of his characters Sublo & Tangy Mustard (had to throw Bebe into the mix too). He was pleasantly surprised and very appreciative of it! So much so that he posted it on his social media, so it was nice to see that out in the wild.

Overall, it was a fun time and they were all some truly cool dudes.

PATREON ARTIST WORKSHOP

This just was certainly the highlight of my August, and I was hype to finally host the first Habtoons Patreon Artist Workshop!

WHAT IS THE PATREON ARTIST WORKSHOP?
Everyone’s an artist, that latent ability just needs to be nourished within you. The Workshop is for those folks who have had the slightest of interest in creating but could never muster up the courage to do so. This is a safe, judgement-free, space where you’ll learn how to create your own original characters & stories.

Turn that “I can’t draw this” into a “I can draw this”!

*Hab Oh and, Patreon Member, Cocoqueenie*

Disclaimer: Somehow, I wasn’t ready for my own photo here too. Don’t judge me, haha!

WHAT WILL WE LEARN?
With each session of the Habtoons Patreon Workshop, you’ll come away with something new. The goal is for you to not only improve your character design skills, but to gain knowledge about the amazing world of cartoons & comics. For this first session, pictured above, we designed our very own version of Scott Pilgrim while learning the history of the Scott Pilgrim franchise, itself. As you can see, Coco did an exceptional job!

HOW OFTEN ARE THE WORKSHOPS?
Currently, sessions occur once for month, lasting between 1-2 hours. As the Habtoons Patreon grows, the number of sessions will increase. In between sessions, you’ll have access to worksheets, videos, and art prompts to practice with before our next meet-up.

HOW DO I ACCESS THESE WORKSHOPS AND CONTENT?
In order to participate in in the Habtoons Patreon Workshop, you must be a member of the Habtoons Patreon as the “Great Goblin Tier”, which is $5 per month.

CURRENT + UPCOMING PROJECTS

This is more for me to keep myself in check, but I figured why not share what’s coming down the pipeline for late 2023-Early 2024 in the Hab-O-Verse. Here’s what I’ve got going on at the moment:

CONTROL + STARFIELD Playthrough
I have a massive backlog of video games that I really want to get through. I thought, why not stream these experiences for everyone to see. The CONTROL playthrough has been a lot of fun with you guys to chat with along the way.

The goal is to stream these live but also edit the streams down into video you can watch on YouTube once the full playthrough is completed live. Stay tuned for details!

HAB OH DRAWS…THE 90s

This has been VERY fun so far. A lot of the suggestions you’ve been coming up with have been really interesting so I’m glad y’all are just as creative as I am. There’s currently a Patreon Member vote for the next pair of characters to be drawn for Episode 3.

If you’re scratching your head trying to figure out what this is, Hab Oh Draws…The 90s is a new series where we work together to create amazing illustrations of our favorite characters from the best eras for animation. This will comprise of 10 episodes, 10 illustrations, and plenty of suggestions from YOU. Check out the second episode here featuring Eustace Bagge (Courage the Cowardly Dog) and CatDog (CatDog).

If this series performs well enough, I’ve considered diving into different decades. I’ve been dying to draw The Flintstones, to be honest, haha!

REDRWN SERIES VI: CANDID

For those who’ve come through to the Drawing Sessions, you know I’ve started development of the next series of reDRWN Portraits. I haven’t decided on how many I’ll do but I’ve already got 8 portraits done so far and it’s been fantastic to flex the animation muscles. Here’s a first look at the series below…

UNIT 333: REVERIES

Last but certainly not least, let’s chat about the “requel” (reboot + sequel) to Unit 333; Unit 333: Reveries. As you know, “Reveries” will be a retelling of the events that occurred in “Introspect”, with better writing, character design, and [ redacted ] of the [ redacted ]; plus plenty of [ redacted ].

I can’t speak too much on the project right now BUT development is well underway. I look forward to sharing more details very soon!

Patreon Members will get to see a teaser this week!!