Taking a peek into Jesse Balmer's sketchbook is like stumbling upon an alternate dimension. His drawings feature bizarre environments and even more bizarre creatures inhabiting them. Sometimes you'll see exciting action sequences frozen mid-scene, or beast-like characters with just enough peculiar details on them to make you imagine what their story could be.

The Essential Draw showcase challenge is over. We have a winner, but before I get into congratulating them I'd like to share some really cool news I just received courtesy of our sponsor. The awesome folks at TOM BIHN appreciated your "essential" doodles so much that they'd like to offer all of you that participated a limited edition Organizer Pouch in exchange for your drawing. Mail your doodle, along with your return address to:

TOM BIHN
Attention: Doodles
4750A Ohio Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134

and they'll send you the Organizer Pouch. The really cool part: your doodles will be put on permanent display in their Seattle factory. Amazing!

A round of applause to all 70 of you, with a special cheer to Mr. Ramsey O'Brien who took the top spot with 64 of your votes (his submission above). Cheers! Now sharpen those pencils and ready those pens, we've got another sweet challenge going live next week. Subscribe to our RSS and Twitter feed for updates.

Ryan Rhodes and Caleb Owen Everitt work as a company called LAND. I can't really say enough about these guys, they're good friends and rad dudes all around. Plus they make some of the coolest work I've seen in ages. Their sketches are very classic in nature and reminiscent of a simpler time.





These dudes do some great branding work, but my love for them lies in their hand drawn artwork and graphics. See more »

Raffaele's Bafefit's biography describes the creatures in his portraits as "characters caught in between the thin line between life and death." This ceaseless purgatory, where even the smoothest of curves feel as sharp as Fugubiki knives, binds the personalities of each piece in a state of agony. And although you might not hear their caterwaul, you can certainly feel their desperation.

Everyone has played the game: what would you take with you if you could only bring along one thing? We all have something, something essential or entirely superfluous, something kinky or sentimental, something cerebral or trashy. Out with it. What's your thing?

In this challenge we ask that you draw something you wouldn't leave behind. Wait! Before you get to it, it MUST be something that could fit in a backpack. You're confined only by the size of your item, nothing else. Deadline May 23rd by 4pm EST, go here for complete submission details »



Draw your thing, your take-along, and win this incredible backpack to hold it. Trust me, you'll want to get your hands on this, because the folks at TOM BIHN design and make each product with tremendous craftsmanship, and all within the U.S.

Sretan Bor is a master of the colored felt-tip marker pen. If you don't believe me, have a look at a feature we did on his sketchbook back in February 2011, titled Heavy Color.

Now he's back again, with this fresh hand-drawn wallpaper for all of you to enjoy. Download it free and make these captivating eyes part of your everyday. If you’d like to be notified when the next wallpaper is released, sign up to our newsletter.

How do you get from A to B and everywhere in between? Showcase #17 challenges you to share your mode of transport -- doodle your ride! Skateboard, segway, scooter, canoe, minivan, sports car, bicycle, whatever! You ride it, you draw it.

Thanks to the folks at Thumbtack Press, and their incredible online store of wall to wall art prints for sponsoring this month's showcase.

Deadline fast approaching (April 25th). Go here for prize and submission details »