A follow-up to the earlier post, I never meant to imply a manga vs. American comics debate, I was just posting about how I personally found it a bit depressing that there are very few kids who seem to want to draw American comics anymore. It's my opinion and a reflection, and not a condemnation on one form or another, and getting kids to draw in any way, is a great thing in today's age of computer games and entertainment bombardment. I really like teaching the kids who seem interested and want to learn.
Now, onto other things. Set your Tivo, DVR, VHS, Betmax, whatever you have and be sure not miss the premiere of THE MIDDLEMAN on ABC Family on Monday night. Based off of the Viper Comics series of the same name, I'm proud to call Les and Javi friends and very proud of them to have gotten this show made. I contributed a very small bit to the 2nd Middleman volume in a back up feature called "Legends of Middleman" where I illustrate a WW2 version of the Middleman. It was my first published work and while it has many flaws, will always have a soft spot in my heart. So don't miss out, if I recall correctly Javi has an Emmy for working on LOST, so he knows what he's doing.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Manga killed the Comic Book Artist
First off, I do not dislike manga in all it's forms. I read some when I lived in Japan and despite it's flaws, I still have a soft spot for old Dragonball cartoons and comics and I think Battle Angel Alita was wonderful sixteen years ago.
For the past week (and for the next three weeks) I have been teaching a series of lectures at the Phoenix Library branches. The lectures/workshops are designed to introduce teens to proper sketching and gesture drawing, basic anatomy and storytelling techniques. Over the course of the last five classes and roughly fifty kids, one, only one, has admitted to reading American style comic books, and many of them, probably about 50% do not read any types of comics.
The breakdown generally goes like this, a 70/30 girls to boy ratio and 99% to 1% manga reader to american comic book reader. They all ask about Fruit Baskets and Naruto and they all draw in a strictly manga style. They also have a hard time understanding what I am trying to teach them, because I don't draw the way they like to draw, even though I reinforce the fact that the rules and guidelines are universal.
At the end of the class I recommend books by Scott McCloud and Will Eisner, and they all ask me if I've read "How to Draw Manga". There is good manga and good manga art out there, but the problem is I don't see any kids out there right now, at least in my neck of the woods, learning how to draw like Jack Kirby, John Buscema, Ron Garney, Ryan Ottley or Eric Canete. They all want to draw gigantic eyes, tear drops on the forehead and spiky hair.
Bottom line, I don't hate manga; but if I'm part of the last generation of comic artists influenced by Kirby, Toth, Lee and Mignola, then we are in sad, sad shape, because I am neither that good nor influential.
Please deposit hate mail and support for the manga art form in the comments section. Here is a recent commission.
*edited to remove a line that makes me sound very rude and conceited, my apologies.
For the past week (and for the next three weeks) I have been teaching a series of lectures at the Phoenix Library branches. The lectures/workshops are designed to introduce teens to proper sketching and gesture drawing, basic anatomy and storytelling techniques. Over the course of the last five classes and roughly fifty kids, one, only one, has admitted to reading American style comic books, and many of them, probably about 50% do not read any types of comics.
The breakdown generally goes like this, a 70/30 girls to boy ratio and 99% to 1% manga reader to american comic book reader. They all ask about Fruit Baskets and Naruto and they all draw in a strictly manga style. They also have a hard time understanding what I am trying to teach them, because I don't draw the way they like to draw, even though I reinforce the fact that the rules and guidelines are universal.
At the end of the class I recommend books by Scott McCloud and Will Eisner, and they all ask me if I've read "How to Draw Manga". There is good manga and good manga art out there, but the problem is I don't see any kids out there right now, at least in my neck of the woods, learning how to draw like Jack Kirby, John Buscema, Ron Garney, Ryan Ottley or Eric Canete. They all want to draw gigantic eyes, tear drops on the forehead and spiky hair.
Bottom line, I don't hate manga; but if I'm part of the last generation of comic artists influenced by Kirby, Toth, Lee and Mignola, then we are in sad, sad shape, because I am neither that good nor influential.
Please deposit hate mail and support for the manga art form in the comments section. Here is a recent commission.
*edited to remove a line that makes me sound very rude and conceited, my apologies.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Summer Comic Workshops
I'll be giving workshops all this month at the branches of the Phoenix Library for ages 10-18. We'll be covering anatomy, sequential storytelling and drawing construction. If they have been to a previous workshop, this will not cover anything new however.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
New Stuff
Here is a cover for the War Heroes cover competition, I'll link to it when the voting begins.
Here is a quick sketch of the old Milestone/DC Comics character HARDWARE
and here is a quick re-imagining of B. Clay Moore's Mid-Nite Hour character from his Battle Hymn series.
I have been keeping extremely busy and will be so throughout the month of June, but I'll still try and post as often as I can.
Here is a quick sketch of the old Milestone/DC Comics character HARDWARE
and here is a quick re-imagining of B. Clay Moore's Mid-Nite Hour character from his Battle Hymn series.
I have been keeping extremely busy and will be so throughout the month of June, but I'll still try and post as often as I can.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Something I forgot.
One quick, but very interesting event that I forgot to mention happened a few weekends ago while I was in the middle of all the Free Comic Book Day events. Mike Malve, the owner of Atomic Comics ran into me in the lobby of the hotel, and while I wanted the key to the hospitality suite, and the free beer inside it, he needed someone to hold onto a comic he had encased in plastic while he ran out to his car for a minute. So I says "sure Mike, it's the least I can do."
Needless to say, it was a nerve racking 5 minutes.
Needless to say, it was a nerve racking 5 minutes.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Special Spring Commission Drive
For the next 2 weeks only, 9x12 b/w commissions will only be $20 + shipping, but I'm only taking a small number for the time being. Message me if you're interested. After this batch, I should be pretty busy for the rest of the summer.
hurricanekids(at)gmail(dot)com
hurricanekids(at)gmail(dot)com
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Monday, May 05, 2008
Real quick FCBD re-cap
My weekend was rife with little problems and inconvenient issues, but overall was pretty great. Starting out with my car breaking down on Friday, which isn't terrible as I luckily have access to plenty of others, so I ended up driving a car much better than my own for the weekend, but it did eat up some time and cause some headaches. Saturday I met up with Ben Glendenning and we rode over to our Free Comic Book Day signing together. There we met up with Tony Parker, and a few other local creators, and spent the next 6 hours sketching for the Hero Initiative, and goofing off, it was a great time and the staff at Atomic Comics Chandler was fantastic. Ben and I started a jam piece, that should be added to over the next couple months, I did Cap and he did Iron Man and here is one of the sketches I did for a local Dad of his 2 boys, they picked their powers, the younger one wanted to be able to turn into anything, and the older boy wanted to breath fire.
After the sketching I went back to the hotel to meet up with everybody, got to chat with people, very briefly with Whilce Portacio and Jim Valentino. At dinner I was able to be part of an amusing roundtable of chaos led by Jim Lee for a few minutes but I had to duck out early to rescue my girlfriend and friend from the clutches of a sadistic tow company. So I missed the rest of dinner, and the after party. I wish I could have met a few more of the Image guys, but it was a great time over all. Big thanks again to Mike Malve, the Glendennings, and everyone else.
Also! I contributed a Punisher pin-up to the Josh Medors Benefit Auction, to help him with medical costs as he battles cancer. There is a link up at the Emerald City Con site, my art is lot 21, I hope I can help out, at least a little.
EDIT - Check out this great photo post Ben put up on his deviant site.
After the sketching I went back to the hotel to meet up with everybody, got to chat with people, very briefly with Whilce Portacio and Jim Valentino. At dinner I was able to be part of an amusing roundtable of chaos led by Jim Lee for a few minutes but I had to duck out early to rescue my girlfriend and friend from the clutches of a sadistic tow company. So I missed the rest of dinner, and the after party. I wish I could have met a few more of the Image guys, but it was a great time over all. Big thanks again to Mike Malve, the Glendennings, and everyone else.
Also! I contributed a Punisher pin-up to the Josh Medors Benefit Auction, to help him with medical costs as he battles cancer. There is a link up at the Emerald City Con site, my art is lot 21, I hope I can help out, at least a little.
EDIT - Check out this great photo post Ben put up on his deviant site.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Free Comic Book Day 2008!
Mike Malve of Atomic Comics has done it again. He brings the "noise" as the kids would say.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Art for sale!
Selling (or trying to at least...) my second favorite cover of the Villains run, issue #2.
Go here to bid on the awesome.
Go here to bid on the awesome.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Interview + Gimoles
Recently I was contacted by a 9th grader from the Denver School of the Arts and he wanted to interview me for an assignment. I don't know if he just chose me randomly from deviantart or what, but here's the quick interview.
1. How long have you been a working artist?
I've been cartooning and drawing comics since I was about 12 years old, however my first professional work was done in 2005, so for about 3 years now.
2. What media have you predominantly used?
Well, as far as comic book work, for penciling and sketching I use non-reproducing red colored pencils and sometimes a tablet for my PC and Photoshop. I ink with a traditional brush and India ink and Pentel brand brush pens, as well as an assortment of markers and pens, and for coloring I use my tablet with Photoshop.
3. Did you go to art school, if so where? Do you have graduate degrees?
I am an Honors Graduate with a degree in animation from The Art Institute of Phoenix.
4. When did you become interested in art?
I've always enjoyed reading and writing ever since I was little, I became interested in art around the age of 12 or so.
5. How did you get involved with a gallery?
I haven't had any solo gallery shows, although I was part of a group show early this year and I have also worked with galleries in the past doing lectures and presentations. Usually they contact me through local store owners and friends.
6. Where do you get your ideas for your art? Do you research, sketch from life etc?
My ideas come from everywhere, I watch a lot of documentaries, historical and scientific programs and they generate thoughts and story ideas for me, and I also try to keep up on current events and they can influence me as well. Once I have an idea I try and do as much research as possible until I know exactly what it is I want to portray. Often times I develop concepts with writers and other artists, so that's a great way to think of new and inventive stories and visuals. I don't do nearly enough life drawing or sketching, but it is something I highly recommend.
7. What percentage of your income do you make from art?
Currently, very little, but the potential is there and if I chose to adjust my lifestyle and cost of living, then I could make a living directly from my art and freelancing work. Hopefully within the next year or so I can move into freelancing full time.
8. How do you decide how much to charge for your art?
In my particular line of work, I don't get much request for original art sales, but when I do sell sketches or pages, I usually look to see what peers at my level are selling their work for and try to stay in the same price range. I want my pages to be affordable so there is an interest in it, but it is also work, and one should be compensated fairly for their time and effort.
9. Do you have any advice for someone in high school who is studying art?
Practice as much life drawing as possible, learn as many techniques as possible and study art in all it's forms from painting, to art history, film, comics, animation and everything in-between.
10. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Does the place you live influence your art?
I was born in Minnesota but have lived all over the place, including Okinawa, Japan, which really affected my outlook on society and culture, and helped breed my love for comics and animation. I currently live in Phoenix, Arizona, and the only affect it has on my career is the limited opportunities available here. Since my artwork all comes from my imagination, my surroundings have little influence on it.
And here is a pin-up I did for my buddy Mike (Lions, Tigers and Bears) Bullock's GIMOLES graphic novel, it's out in June I think, from Image Comics, go here to get ordering information.
1. How long have you been a working artist?
I've been cartooning and drawing comics since I was about 12 years old, however my first professional work was done in 2005, so for about 3 years now.
2. What media have you predominantly used?
Well, as far as comic book work, for penciling and sketching I use non-reproducing red colored pencils and sometimes a tablet for my PC and Photoshop. I ink with a traditional brush and India ink and Pentel brand brush pens, as well as an assortment of markers and pens, and for coloring I use my tablet with Photoshop.
3. Did you go to art school, if so where? Do you have graduate degrees?
I am an Honors Graduate with a degree in animation from The Art Institute of Phoenix.
4. When did you become interested in art?
I've always enjoyed reading and writing ever since I was little, I became interested in art around the age of 12 or so.
5. How did you get involved with a gallery?
I haven't had any solo gallery shows, although I was part of a group show early this year and I have also worked with galleries in the past doing lectures and presentations. Usually they contact me through local store owners and friends.
6. Where do you get your ideas for your art? Do you research, sketch from life etc?
My ideas come from everywhere, I watch a lot of documentaries, historical and scientific programs and they generate thoughts and story ideas for me, and I also try to keep up on current events and they can influence me as well. Once I have an idea I try and do as much research as possible until I know exactly what it is I want to portray. Often times I develop concepts with writers and other artists, so that's a great way to think of new and inventive stories and visuals. I don't do nearly enough life drawing or sketching, but it is something I highly recommend.
7. What percentage of your income do you make from art?
Currently, very little, but the potential is there and if I chose to adjust my lifestyle and cost of living, then I could make a living directly from my art and freelancing work. Hopefully within the next year or so I can move into freelancing full time.
8. How do you decide how much to charge for your art?
In my particular line of work, I don't get much request for original art sales, but when I do sell sketches or pages, I usually look to see what peers at my level are selling their work for and try to stay in the same price range. I want my pages to be affordable so there is an interest in it, but it is also work, and one should be compensated fairly for their time and effort.
9. Do you have any advice for someone in high school who is studying art?
Practice as much life drawing as possible, learn as many techniques as possible and study art in all it's forms from painting, to art history, film, comics, animation and everything in-between.
10. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Does the place you live influence your art?
I was born in Minnesota but have lived all over the place, including Okinawa, Japan, which really affected my outlook on society and culture, and helped breed my love for comics and animation. I currently live in Phoenix, Arizona, and the only affect it has on my career is the limited opportunities available here. Since my artwork all comes from my imagination, my surroundings have little influence on it.
And here is a pin-up I did for my buddy Mike (Lions, Tigers and Bears) Bullock's GIMOLES graphic novel, it's out in June I think, from Image Comics, go here to get ordering information.
Monday, March 31, 2008
HERO - HULK
This is my sketchcover for the HERO Initiative's HULK #1 project, hopefully it raises some funds for the Initiative, a wonderful charity that I have written about, and worked with before.
and page 7 of the in-progress Villains sequel, colors by Anthony Nixon, pencils and inks by me.
and page 7 of the in-progress Villains sequel, colors by Anthony Nixon, pencils and inks by me.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Spicy Space Tales!
Here is a page I whipped up real quickly for a community jam-type blog I'm part of, not the best, but not too bad for only a few hours work
Spicy Space Tales!
Spicy Space Tales!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
A quick Hulk face this morning for a 4th grader's birthday card, per demand by my 4th grader,(notice I didn't say request). Spent a good chunk last night inking, and contemplating a decision.
Should I do hours of work for free, in order to get a job that will give me hours of paying work? I think it's kind of a slap in the face to do this work for free, knowing that they already plan to hire me, but I also could use the money and it's a good contact to have.
Ugh.
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