Art technique

In continuation to my last post...

I recently started using this technique for my comic book art, and am having surprisingly good results from it. It's nothing startling or "new", just a different way of working that I've started, and am so far very pleased with the results. Basically, here's the steps:

1. Draw the pencil sketch. I do this in my regular old sketchbook. I usually use something light, like a 2H. I bring it up to the point that the main features are all there, but without really any shading, etc.

2. Scan the sketch. I adjust the midtones, highlights. etc and darken it a bit. Then I can put away the "original" sketch for posterity. If I screw-up in the later stages (as I often do), the original is still "clean".

3. Print out the scan, just on regular old computer paper. When the scan prints, everything has a nice grey cast to it. It's just "warmer" over all & automatically "fill" shaded a bit in the background, which works out nice for the B&W format of the comic book.

4. Ink over the print out. I use a variety of ink pens, with varying tips and widths. I don't use a brush, although I do use a brush-pen (ie., an ink pen with a brush tip). I like cheaper supplies because then I don't feel bad when I use them up & dry them out! I usually use Faber-Castell inking pens, in combination with just plain old dollar store Bic markers and Sharpies. **One caveat: I have noticed some of the cheaper markers and Sharpies are total shit on the computer paper! They bleed heavy & run. Therefore, I'm trying to use those less on this project. All I can say is it's a good thing I have the "back-up" of the original on the computer!

5. After inking, I shade and basically "colour" (ie, various tones of grey/black) with pencils. Lately I find I use 2H, H, HB, 4B and 6B the most. As you know, it's always best to start light, then move up to the darker pencils as you go on. This is the step where I add the most details. Lately I'm really into trying to add "textures" to things, so I'll try cross-hatching, or adding any little patterns, dots that look like zip tones, etc. I may use the inks a bit more to bring out little details.

6. Re-do any inks if necessary. That is, if the ink got pencilled over & doesn't look as crisp anymore, darken it in again.

The end result has been looking remarkably like an ink "wash" (which I wouldn't know how to actually do because I suck with a brush!) or sometimes like a "cell shaded" piece. At least, I think so. I've been pretty impressed with the results I'm getting. I'd love to show you an example, BUT I really can't without giving away a "spoiler" for the comic. So you'll just have to take my word for it. Sorry.

7. Once it's "finished" scan it back onto the computer again. This is the working copy for the comic.

Obviously, for some doing all the artwork digitally on the computer in the first place would've yielded the same results (or better) without all these manual steps. Yes, of course it would... BUT I haven't been able to master the technology & I find it very frustrating. For me, it's always easier to do things manually, even if it is more time & labour intensive!

Anyway, nothing startling new. Just wanted to talk about how I draw & what I'm learning in the course of doing this little comic.

Long time no write

Hey. Long time no write.



Well, actually that's not true. I've been writing a lot lately. In fact, I've written more these past few months than I have in years!



I guess over the past few months I've eschewed this blog in favour of the paper zine. True to form: I've always preferred doing things the old fashioned & outdated way! Doing the paper version, although maybe not as "immediate" as the blog, is just more fun for me these days because it brings together writing, drawing, planning layouts, etc that I can't really do in electronic form and so I find it to be more satisfying as a creative outlet.



There will be an issue #3 of the paper zine but probably not until the new year. I've got some sexy ideas for it -- which I'm dying to tell you about...but won't -- but I haven't really had the time yet to sit down & write anything. One slight change with #3... it may be all black & white this time. The costs associated with making colour copies for everyone is getting up there. We'll see... I may change my mind if the material warrants colour. (Some pieces just demand colour!) After all, if a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well.





What I have been working on for the past few weeks is my anthology comic book. It's been a fun and challenging project thus far. For one thing, I'm not a "fiction" writer. Back in my most depressed days (when I wrote copiously and constantly) I dabbled in poetry, drama, and even attempted a script for a graphic novel! But writing "short stories" is something I've never really done before. Although I don't think I have any skill at it I do find it a nice change of pace. Surprisingly, the little bit I've written thus far has come very easy to me...which probably confirms my suspicions that it's complete tripe. But I hope the reader will find it "interesting" at least! It's been nice to get back in touch with writing again -- sans depression! Writing is quickly re-claiming it's place as my favourite thing to do.




The artwork is certainly the more frustrating part of the project. My art skills peaked around high school, and I admit that I don't "practice" enough to improve or learn any interesting techniques. So, there's a gap between the idea I visualize in my mind and the finished image on paper. Also, I am completely useless when it comes to doing digital art on the computer. It's just too frustrating for me! But, so long as the drawings I scratch out are "passable" I plan to use them in the comic. My dream is to see this comic book completed and say "I did that" and hopefully with some level of quality!





Otherwise, not much new to report. My fixation with Dark Shadows is ever-growing...





Speaking of which, I'll end with a pic of my favourite Irish con man, Jason McGuire.

And a very cute piece of parody "slash fiction" from YouTube that makes me LOL...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4PHXRxDP4E

issue #2

Expect issue #2 of the paper zine SOON! (approximate ETA in 2 weeks!)

More vampires than you can "count"...!

These vampires are cool...





















But these vampires just plain suck...











Frankly, I'm getting a little sick of vampires everywhere.

In memory

Goodnight, Harvey. We never met yet I feel I knew you so well.

Harvey Pekar
October 8, 1939 - July 12, 2010

Issue #1

Sweet dreams

Yesterday I dreamt that T.S. Eliot and I were playing in the snow with Nyla. It was late at night so it was dark, but the moonlight was bright, reflecting beautifully on the snow banks. Nyla was frolicking around like a little snow leopard. <3 (Note: It's not unusual for T.S. Eliot to be in my dream -- we seem to hang out together fairly often on the subconscious plane!)


A few years ago I started a "dream journal" in which I record some of my more notable dreams. I don't write down every dream; just the ones that seem significant, either because they were particularly funny/odd/scary or the more "insightful" dreams that felt like they have some important message or psychological significance. I seem to come up with some pretty "out there" stuff whilst sleeping....although I'm sure most people feel that way about their dreams. You may remember that one of my dreams was featured in Jesse Reklaw's "Slow Wave" web comic. One of these days I'd like to do a small "anthology" publication of excerpts from my little dream journal. (It would have to be a "best of".) Every now & then I flip through & re-read some of the dreams recorded in my journal. Some things in there are really bizarre and funny. Other entries are completely terrifying and violent.

Generally, dreams are my happy place. Even the nightmares are a form of "escapism" for me. In my dreams I get to hang out with cool people and do interesting things -- it's much better than real life!

Silence of the Lambs: The Musical

This is quite old now, but "Silence of the Lambs: The Musical" still cracks me up. This is my favourite tune from it. This Lego version is a YouTube classic! :)

Famous Monsters

I caught this documentary on tv several weeks ago and thought it was very interesting. It's the story of Forrest J Ackerman, founder of "Famous Monsters" magazine and the world's original "fanboy". Although I'd heard of "Famous Monsters" magazine before, and heard the name Forrest J Ackerman before, I wasn't really aware of what an interesting character he was!

Affectionately known as "Uncle Forry" he is known as the earliest rabid fan of the sci-fi and horror genres. In fact, it was he who first coined the term "sci fi"! Over the course of his life he had personal encounters with legends of the genre (having personally met H.G. Wells, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Bela Lugosi... the list goes on and on! It would be shorter to list who he hadn't met!) He had a vast collection of movie props and memorabilia long before the advent of ebay or the notion of "collector's items" existed, and for many years actually ran a museum out of his home (the "Ackermansion") that was open to the public! He was involved in one of the first ever fan conventions and showed up dressed in costume -- and thus he invented cosplay too! In fact, the extent of his fandom was so legendary that he was actually given a special Hugo award: "#1 Fan Personality" (never awarded to anyone else)! His list of accomplishments is long, varied, and completely remarkable. Take a quick look at Wikipedia to get an idea of all the pop culture phenomena that Forrest J Ackerman was involved in -- it's quite astounding!

Another small thing that I didn't realize that Forrest J Ackerman "invented": Those horror movie still photos with the joke quips on them (which we've all seen copied on The Hilarious House of Frightenstein, in some of the Marvel comics "magazines", Cracked magazine, etc.). Anyway, that's just a small example of the far-reaching influence this fan had.

As I was watching the documentary I was getting excited at the prospect of someday visiting the Ackermansion, but sadly Uncle Forrie passed away in 2008. Ah well.

Oh, and of interest to Lost fans: Daniel Roebuck, the actor who played "Arnzt" is in it! Turns out he is himself a huge fan/collector of Famous Monsters and all things Ackerman. Neat.

I guess one of the things I find so fascinating about stories of collectors and fans is that really, in some cases, it's a strange "alternative lifestyle". Their love of a genre is like a religion to some of these people... or a form of obsession! Personally, I've never found any one thing in my life that I could devote myself to that completely (well, apart from my family, of course!) Another aspect I find so interesting in the case of Forrest J Ackerman is how one person can attach himself to so many diverse and influential people (authors, filmmakers, etc.) and forge his own little niche in that world. (He was even Ed Wood's "illiterary agent"!) And of course, the retro-addict and pop culture junkie in me loves to just ogle at these kitschzy old collections! If you get a chance to watch this short little documentary, I recommend it.

The Swap

I've been kicking around this idea for a party for a while and one of these days I'd like to try it out. This would work best around the holidays but it could work anytime as a just for fun event.

The Rules:

Everyone must bring 1 "gift" item to the party. This item must be either:

a.) Used. (Either something you found at Value Village, etc or possibly something you had and no longer need. If buying from a thrift store we'd agree upon a spending limit of $5 or something like that.)

OR

b.) Something you made. (For example it could be a CD, a pie you baked, a drawing, etc, etc.)

The overall rule is that whatever you bring, it must be something "cool". (This is not an opportunity to get rid of old junk from your basement!)

From there I figure it could work one of two ways: either a straight-up gift exchange (people drawing names beforehand), or perhaps more interestingly as a "Yankee swap". The swap idea adds the extra fun of people fighting over items that are particularly cool. The drawing of names is fun too because it would be neat to see what you could find at Value Village with someone else in mind.

I just think it would be interesting to see what people would find/bring. Also, I hate the expense of the holidays and this would be a fun alternative to the traditional gift giving.

So, what do you think?

(Yes, I know this post isn't exactly topical. Just throwin' it out there while I think of it!)