Creating a Graphic Novel : Art – Food – Photography

Australian Paul Summerfield has some of the more amazing and imaginative artwork. He was kind enough to spare the time to answer some questions. More artwork has been showcased at the end of this post.

Fishing for Dreams
40 x 40 cm, Limited edition 15

Thanks again from your time!
So where you always interested in art?

From an early age I had a thriving imagination and was a very dreamy kid. After completing high school and a few tafe art courses, I set off for the big smoke (Canberra) to study 3d Animation.

So how was Canberra like?

Canberra (Australia’s Capital) was and still is a very nurturing place and kicked started a career in digital arts that has spanned the last 10 years. Here in Canberra I’ve found arts patrons and fans who have supported my art making and this in turn has allowed me to keep doing what I’m passionate about and contributes to my motivation to create new works, evolve and experiment with new styles and media.

After meeting my partner in a life drawing class, we had many adventures together in Australia and overseas. In 2011 our baby daughter was born and our lives have been turned upside down in so many amazing and wonderful ways.

Congratulations! There’s nothing like a baby girl to change your perspective on everything. Just watch out when she turns 16! How would you be describe your works?

I’ve always been fascinated by imaginative worlds, so being an artist and a commercial artist has always been a dream. So I’d say by dreaming, experimenting, traveling, failing, succeeding and evolving images to tell a story though image making is what I strive for.

Your artwork is amazingly complex!
What is your process to build up your works?

I first started using computers to make pictures on my parent’s macplus in the early 90s. Using macpaint and a clunky one button mouse I used to draw all sorts of things. The immediacy of drawing on the screen and then being able to manipulate it instantly and change it really got me hooked.

From my first exhibition I decided to make my work very limited yet affordable and strived for quality printing and framing. I’ve been apart of many group shows in Australian, overseas and had three very successful solo exhibitions here in Canberra. A recent career highlight was being apart of the The Canberra Enlighten Festival and having my work projected onto iconic Canberra buildings including The National Library, Old Parliament House, The Portrait Gallery and Questacon. After seeing works projected multiple stories high, it made me really hungry to do larger works. I’m striving towards a really large scale work, once I can figure out the logistics!

Is this still the process you use or have you developed new techniques?

These days I’m using tech that gives me freedom like never before. A large Wacom Cintiq tablet allows me to work more directly with the artwork and working with 10gb Photoshop files is a breeze. Gone are the days of constantly flattening works so I could save it without the computer crashing. More importantly tech is affordable and accessible like never before. So it’s a very exciting time to be a digital artist.

In the years to come I am looking forward to having a powerful mobile setup that will open up many exciting opportunities.

I think its fantastic that technology has developed to a state where it’s possible to create when we can imagine in our heads. I’m also thinking of the movie effects in this day and age when “almost” everything is possible!

You mentioned you had a done several artshows.
When was your first solo exhibition?

My first solo exhibition in 2008, I’ve had a big solo show every second year. But I feel like I’m at stage now where I want to have a big solo exhibition every year!

Actually I want to have big exhibitions in other cities like Melbourne, perth, Sydney and Brisbane. So if galleries are interested in taking my work on . .

Is there a piece of artwork you feel attached to?
A favourite?

A recent commission project I’ve started called House Portraits has given me a unique opportunity to work closely with people to create a work that combines both of our imaginations.

The process involves meeting with people in their house/dwelling. We talk about their house/dwelling, their interests, where the picture will go and what they imagine the work could look like. We brainstorm. From this initial meeting I come up with a concept sketch and we nut out the finer details.

House Potrait
Bigg-wither house portrait, 90 x 120 cm, Limited edition 5

I’m planning to exhibit all the works in 2016 and the show will present an interesting snapshot into many peoples lives.

Is there any future developments which you find exciting?
Being a digital artist, is there any technology you are looking forward to?

The ever moving bullet train of tech development….when do you board the train… Its a tricky question, because as an digital artist its great to have new tech to work on, because you can do even more then you could before and experiment.

I try and upgrade every 3 years or so, but to be honest I’m still using an old 2008 macbook with dents, scratches and pieces broken off, it just keeps chugging along. I also have a killer pc box in the studio and I am in awe with it. It’s a bit of dream machine really, 32gig ram, super fast SSD drives, decent video card and what not. Its really amazing, but already there is far better gear out there. But it does exactly what I want to do for now.

Going back to the house portraits which are awesome.
Can interested people email you?

Yes, anyone interested in a unique one of a kind commission, please visit my website and we can talk further. I want this project to capture dwellings and peoples life’s across Australia and even internationally if possible.

That’s a fantastic concept!
Hopefully you’ll get more enquiries to kick this project off.

Thanks for your time and all the best in your future endeavours.

Be sure to check out his exhibition (details below) also his website Age of Wonder. The new artwork will aslo be showcased on the site on 01-Nov-13.

NIGHT FALLING
New Works – Paul Summerfield

30th October – 18th November 2013
The Front Gallery, Lyneham, Canberra, Australia

Official opening 31st October, 6pm
Poetry performance by Andrew Galan and music by duo Dollface.

The Jam Makers
120 x 68 cm, Limited edition 15

The fire below
66 x 35 cm, Limited edition 15

The Secret Stratification
60 x 40 cm, Limited edition 15

A sneak peek into upcoming featured Australian artist Paul Summerfield. Starting from 30-Oct-13 to 18-Nov-13, his works will be on show at the The Front Gallery Cafe, Canberra. Drop by and check out this artwork.

Keep checking back on this site for the full interview in the next few days! Be sure to check out his site Age of Wonder.

The Walking Dead has really kicked into gear. In the comics, the latest story arc “All Out War“ has just started. This will see Rick’s group banding with the Hilltop and the Kingdom to challenge Negan. Should be a great read especially with the forthnightly schedule!

Season 4 on AMC has also just started. There should be plentiful to fulfil your Walking Dead fix! In the meantime, I thought I’d share this sign that I drove past! (It seemed very apt for this post.)

One more awesome Elektra piece by featured artist Marcelo Mueller. He’s previously mentioned Elektra was one of his favourite characters to illustrate.

As a follow up from the last post, artist Frankie Washington and writer James Biggie provided some additional follow up to their work Robot God Akamatsu (RGA).

For sample issues check out :
http://issuu.com/robotgodakamatsu

What was the original inspiration for RGA?

Frankie :
The Marvel Comic series Shogun Warriors was the main inspiration for me. I remember getting the issue #1 comic as a pre-teen and just falling love with Doug Moench’s storytelling & Herb Trimpe’s stellar artwork. The weekly Jim Terry show called Force Five also enhanced my desire to illustrate “super robots”.

Who came up with the original idea?

Frankie :
After bouncing ideas around for a “super robot” comic way back in 2009. James came up with the name Robot God Akamatsu and I began designing the character from there.

What was your original design?

Frankie :
I knew from the beginning that I wanted RGA to be a combiner robot. In my mind, characters like Combattra, Voltus V, Dancouga, Godmars & Dairugger XV to name a few were powerful because of their component units. The Robot God moniker is way to place Akamatsu above other super robots in our universe.

About the story, how far along has it been planned?

Frankie :
I think James can supply the answer to this one.

James :
Frankie and I have had high level discussions on the larger story arcs early on before I launched into writing the scripts. But in a nutshell, we have the major arcs planned for the next three volumes.

Sounds great!
What is the current major arc?

James :
For volume one, the major arc was really showing the reader how Aka-Mat’Xu has affected our world especially those around him. We also wanted to set up the main characters as being flawed individuals. No one in our book is 100% good or 100% bad and some folks are more easily swayed by negative influences than others.

It can be difficult to take a concept and build get it to the market. How long did it take to get the first volume?

Frankie :
Surprisingly, it’s taken us three years from the conception of RGA to actually find an amazing publishing house like Zetabella. Who is 100% behind the material and really believes in what we’re doing. I truly believe that universe made us wait because we needed to go thru some trials & tribulations to prove that we have a place in the business.

What steps did it take to get it published?

Frankie :
Zetabella actually posted a notice on Facebook asking creators to submit for possible publication. We technically already had a chunk of the series online at ISSUU and so the publisher was able to read it. I think that this is the best way for new creators to help pitch to potential publishers. There was the nervous waiting period of course but we were finally accepted and James was able to take some copies to G-Fest 2013.

Thanks again for your time and wish you all the best on this project!

For more information about RGA, please check out the below links :

Amazon
Twitter
FaceBook

Robot God Akamatsu is a project of love illustrated by previous featured artist Frankie B Washington and written by James Biggie with lettering and editing done by Josh Van Reyk. It’s part of a Super Robot revival battling giant monsters! Think of it in the same vein of Evangelion or the recent movie Pacific Rim. Volume 1 is available from Amazon.

Cover to Volume 1

One more showcase from Marcelo Mueller. If you didn’t bid from the previous post, Marcelo’s Elektra and Spider-Man has sold. If you like his work you can still request a commission!

One of Di Amorim‘s friends, artist Marcelo Mueller is being showcased today! He has done some absolutely amazing works!

How did you get involved in your craft?

I started drawing cartoons illustrating for a daily newspaper (Jornal de Santa Catarina) before providing illustrations for infantile Studio site (Belli Studio). It’s been a great ride and through my agent I have done works on various projects like Aliens and Ghostbusters. My major work is being the penciller for Lady Death for just over two and a half years!

Who is your favourite character to illustrate?

I love all the superheroes from DC and Marvel but Elektra has to be my favourite.

FYI – The below Elektra and Spider-Man are both currently on sale through eBay. Click on the picture to be taken directly to the auction.

How can I ask for a commission?

If interested in a commission, please email amorimxx [at] yahoo.com.br and we can work somethiong out.

Thanks for your time!
Wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Check out Amorim Comic Art for more artwork!

Di Amorim has some amazing character studies from Peter Vale (She-Hulk) currently on sale at eBay. These are some phenomenal pieces on offer! Click on the picture to be taken directly to the auction. Remember to bid high and bid often.

Check out his Deviant Art page for more his work. He is a Brazilian artist who has done pencilling work for both major companies, namely Superman (DC) and She-Hulk (Marvel).

Captain America and Falcon Character Study :

Hulk Character Study :
This study is from a cover of Ultimates (2002) #5 cover by Bryan Hitch.

Check out Amorim Comic Art for more artwork!

Some of Frank Kadar’s sketch cards from the upcoming DC Women of Legend card set (Release date is 13-Sep-13). It’s a 63 card base set with Sketch cards (1:24 packs) and Totally Fabricated costume cards (1:96 packs). Be sure to check out Frank’s Facebook Page!