For the recent Thor movie, I thought it would be fun to showcase a recent Thor sketch by featured artist Pasquale Qualano. Also in case you missed it previous check out Frankie Washington’s Thor sketchcard post for more things Thor related.

Thor Sketch :

I’ve been meaning to do a short write up since I saw the movie a few weeks back. (Better late than never, right?) Absolutely loved it! Went it with very small expectations and it performed. Chris Hemsworth does a great job portraying arrogance to humility. It’s also incredible how much Hemsworth bulked up for the role, previously he was acting on an Australian soap.

The effects were amazing especially the shots of Asgard. However I think the crux to any of these films working is a good story and characters you can relate to. Even though Thor was a god, it’s still a story about redemption which let’s face it . . I’m sure everyone has screwed something up at one point in their life. Anyway check it out if you get the chance! Stay past the credits for a little extra scene with Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson).

Canadian born Chrissie Zullo is the cover artist for the Fables spin-off Cinderella. She’s lived up and down the East Coast, from South Florida, to North Carolina, and moving soon to New York. She’s allowed me to showcase Cinderella – Fables are Forever #2, the process from a preliminary sketch to the final product below.

Cinderella – Fables are Forever 02 – Final :


Preliminary Sketch :


Arylic Wash :

Final (Finished with Photoshop) :

Thanks for your time and agreeing to answer some questions.
Before we discuss your Cinderella work, how would you describe your artwork?

I’ve heard people describe my artwork as “flowy”, “dreamy”, and “whimsical”, all of which are fine with me! I just try to draw something visually satisfying, and hopefully something beautiful.

How did you get the job doing the Cinderella covers?

I actually got my start at San Diego Comic-Con. I submitted my portfolio to the DC Talent Search and was able to meet with one of the editors at Vertigo. Once I got her name and number, I was determined to do whatever it took to keep bugging her for a job!

How long before you got offered?

It took about 6 months from meeting an editor to getting a gig.

Since you’re in DC (Vertigo) any other characters you’d like to draw?

Any female heroine would be fun, maybe Zatanna or Batwoman.

Zatanna is one of my favourite characters!
I like magic and fishnets. Go figure.
Anyway besides drawing what else do you like?

I suppose I’m like everyone else; I enjoy movies and music. I have a strange collection of all things “yeti”, and also a pretty embarrassing LEGO collection since I was a kid, that still grows to this day. I love to travel the most, so I try to do whatever I can to attend as my conventions as possible, if only for an excuse to visit a new place.

Who do you rate as artistic influences?

This is always a growing list, but mostly James Jean, Winsor McCay, Alphonse Mucha, French art history, Japanese art history, and current comic artists like Adam Hughes and Travis Charest. I really love so many artists though, and take a little bit from everyone.

Where can we see more of your published works?

Published works include:

• Covers for “Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love”
• Covers for “Cinderella: Fables are Forever”
• Sequentials on interiors for “Madame Xanadu”
• Sequentials on interiors for “Fables 100”
• Variant cover for “Hack/Slash”

Thank you so much for your time!
Hope to see more of your artwork in the future.

To contact Chrissie for work (or commission) email chrissiezullo [at] gmail.com

More of her artwork :

• Blog
• DeviantArt

Thought I’d sneak one last showcase and since it’s my favourite character Zatanna by Chrisse Zullo.

More auctions listed by featured artist Di Amorim. (Click on the image to be taken to the respective auction.) It’s great to showcase an auction by Walter Geovani who has previously pencilled Witchblade and Savage Tales. He’s currently working on a Red Sonja. Hopefully an interview with Walter will be coming soon. Love the Supergirl artwork he currently has up!

Supergirl :

Lady Death :

Some of the Marvel Beginning sketch cards by Frankie Washington are currently on sale. This is a unique opportunity to pick some amazing pieces of original artwork. Remind to bid high and bid often if you like ’em! Click on the respective card to be taken directly to the eBay auctions. (More sketch card auctions are attached to this link.)

FF vs Doom Puzzle Card 1 :

FF vs Doom Puzzle Card 2 :

I’ve started reading the FF (Future Foundation) series that picks off after the death of Johnny Storm. Artwork by Steve Epting is crisp while I really enjoy Jonathan Hickman‘s writing as he takes on an expanded family cast which includes Reed’s father returned from an alternate timeline.

FF 02 Cover (Epting) :

While on the subject of Fantastic Four, (had to come up with a segway!) I found the below exchange extremely amusing, firstly that the FF considers that Spider-Man might actually be “smart” followed by the awkward silence as a solution gets formulated. The fact that they compared Doom’s brain damage to a data issue is hilarious. Definitely check out the series if you haven’t already.

Featured Artist Frank Kadar has some amazing sketch cards from the Marvel Beginnings set on eBay. Click on any of the below pictures to be taken to the respective auctions. I’m so glad there’s a Squirrel Girl sketch card in the mix! She’s definitely building up a cult following. Bid high and bid often!

Black Cat :

Hellcat :

Ms Hand :

Squirrel Girl :

Featured artist Pasquale Qualano (artist for Grimm’s Fairy Tales and The One) has recently launched an amazing website with lots of his work. I loved his sketch work! I included one of his recent Wonder Woman sketches in this post as a reminder of how awesome his artwork is. Be sure to take a look at his site.

http://www.qualanoart.com/

For commissions or to contact Pasquale email :
info [at] qualanoart.com

It’s always good to thrown in the occassional food post. A recent visit to Pancakes on the Rocks, I can’t resist but I usually go for one savoury dish (mexicana with mushrooms on the side) and one sweet (blueberry pancakes with one pancakes substituted for crepes). All photos taken with a Canon 40D paired with Canon 17-55 f2.8 lens.

Mexicana Crepes

Blueberry Pancakes

In the last post, I showcased a sneak peek into the artwork of Uko Smith. Over the years, Uko has done freelancing work for a multitude of companies including White Wolf, Green Ronin, Lucasfilm, Topps, Hasbro, DC and Marvel Comics providing cover work and concept designs.

FX Trade Cover :

Prelim :

Pencil :

Inked :

FX Page 4 (Sequential) :

I’ll start with an easy question. Where are you from?

I grew up in Washington, DC and later went to college at the Columbus College of Art & Design in Ohio. Art has been a part of my life ever since I was 4 years old.

What are you working on currently?

I currently teach the comic book illustration class there, going on 4yrs. now. I have also completed a graphic novel, FX The Lost Land, with writer/creator Wayne Osborne, to be published by IDW. This is the second series in the story of FX.

Besides illustrations, what else takes up your time?

Outside of being behind my drawing board, I love cycling. For those road bikers out there, I love my Cannondale road bike. I bike as much as I can. I’m on the road during the warmer months and on the trainer in the winter time.

How would you describe your artwork?

Over the years it’s been hard to describe my work, but as time goes on, I tend to think of it as a stylized realism.

Are you self-taught? Training? Art School?

I would like to consider myself self-taught, other than the 4 years in art college. Outside of art school, you pretty much train yourself by getting involved in the things that interests you. And to me, I feel that you would want to naturally get better as an artist whether you have art training or not. There’s got to be a motivation there.

Who would you consider your artistic influences?

There’s so many, but for those that got my interest at an early age where, in no certain order here are Michelangelo, Velazquez, Vargas, Frazetta, Mucha, Sorayama, John Byrne, Patrick Nagel. Looking at these artist, really helped me take a closer look at my own work in order to take those steps to get better.

Thanks for your time and allowing me to showcase your works! Good luck with your future projects.

For more of Uko’s work :

• http://www.ukosmith.com
• http://www.ukosmith.deviantart.com
• http://www.ukosmith.blogspot.com

Sneak peek into some artwork by Uko Smith! 2 very sexy sketches from the Bat-family. This site will be featuring an interview (and more artwork!) with the artist in the next post so be sure to check back here. Also check out his website and blog for more works.

Catwoman :

Huntress :

A lovely Huntress piece of original art by featured artist Di Amorim. Currently on sale on eBay but that’s not too much time left if you want to get a bid in. Remember to bid high and bid often! I like how the shadow hides away some of Huntress’s form.

Huntress :