Creating a Graphic Novel : Art – Food – Photography

It’s been almost 6 months since I got my iPhone and I’m still loving it, especially playing around with the applications. Thought it would be fun to try out some wallpapers based on the artwork (from Supergirl to Bizarro Superman and even one food photo) I’ve collected on this site! Which wallpaper do you like best?

Supergirl by Marcio Takara :
Clean, simple lines by Marcio Takara makes this a hot Supergirl wallpaper!

DC Women (Harley Quinn and Batwoman) by Cedric Poulat :
There were several different DC Women I could have picked from Cedric but I think these 2 really work well, it’s almost like they’re eyeing each other.

Black Cat by Jon Riggle :
Black Cat in a skin tight outfit? Yes!

Bizarro Superman by Adam Cline :
I think Adam has an awesome style and his surreal Bizarro is fantastic.

Ghost Rider by Dion Hamill :
I really like the flames in this wallpaper.

Tiramisu from Burlington :
Makes the iPhone looks good enough to eat!

On another note, still contemplating the iPad. It’s not a laptop replacement but could find the niche area between the iPhone and the laptop. Simple to use and easy interface made me consider picking up one for my parents who primarily would use it for email and browsing. Might wait a couple of months and before deciding.

Featured artist Pasquale (who also recently showcased a cover Route Des Maison) is showcasing a recent private commission Angelus. Inks by Lorenzo Ruggiero and colours by Alessia Nocera. Looks like a cross between scantily clad angels and Witchblade.

Final :

Layout :

Pencils :

Inks :

Upcoming featured artist Rémi Dousset has allowed me to showcase a sneak preview of his work, some amazing Iron Man 2 sketch cards. It’s hard to capture details in sketch cards but these are great. I particularly like the Iron Monger one (bottom left). Would love to hear in the comments which ones you liked.

A quick thanks to all the readers of this site, Sigmate Studio – Creating a Graphic Novel is now the top most visited site (averaging over 3000+ visitors daily) on the comicblogelite. There’s a lot more interviews and artwork to come, so please keep watching this space.

Previous featured artist Cedric Poulat is showcasing a study of the faces of the prominent women in the DC Universe, namely Donna Troy, Zatanna, Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn,Batwoman, Mary Marvel, Powergirl and of course Supergirl. Cedric also provided a fantastic explanation to the faces used for the characters below.

I think this is a fantastic showcase. What prompted you get started on these pieces?

This is a study compilation. Basically I like to have a model for reference when drawing a character’s face (I don’t care about the body). It helps avoiding the “clone syndrome”.

We all have a basic way of drawing a face which you may keep when you have to draw 22 pages every months but you WANT to avoid that when producing a cover or pin up illustration. Keeping a typical face for the majors roles in the comics page is a great advantage. If the minors characters are too similar (and faces of crowds etc), it’s not that important.

It’s hard thing, sometimes you think “Oh I’m going to make him a bigger nose and big ears and voila!” but that’s not how it generally works. It’s easier with women because you can still make the tricks with their haircut and makeup/accessories. Even if they do all have the same face, you can make differences with that. However that trick won’t work forever!

I did a “casting” years ago, asking myself “Who would be fine to play this character?”. I usually kept the models that popped in my mind without letting me the time to search for them (spontaneity is often the best choice) however some of them ended not being the best outcome and I had to experiment other kind of faces.

Donna Troy, Wonder woman and Mary Marvel are on their second version actually. I might change again Donna’s model because I found someone else even better to fit the character.

That’s a fantastic study. I think too often artists settle down to one type of face which makes the artwork a little bland. Unfortunately Jim Lee comes to mind. Anyway for this study, what medium did you use?

100% digital.
Not too used to do that because I’m not a big fan of digital drawing. Drawing and coloring on Photoshop 7 with a A6 Wacom tablet.

How long did it take you complete this piece?

No idea! Like always. I just remember I’ve spend a lot of time
painting Supergirl (can’t found the right tones) and Wonder Woman (She was the first I did and I hadn’t finalised a good method yet).

Thanks for the explanation of this piece. I love it!

For more comments on this piece :
http://j-estacado.deviantart.com/art/DC-WOMEN-FACES-160912063

Would love to hear your comments on which is your favourite piece and if you can pick any of the people that has their faces modelled after. I’m pretty sure I can pick an Angelina Jolie here.

Was doing a little bit of a clean and found this will tidying up my commissions folder (Collection is growing!). I posted a Wonder Woman by Nicola Scott a while back but this time it’s Huntress from the Bat family!

The season finale of Supernatural plays more like a series finale (although there is a little tidbit at the end for Season 6). Season 6 will see Eric Kripke depart as the showrunner. The original plan was for the series to end with this episode but due to increased ratings, one more season was greenlighted. I’d share my thoughts on it but first some previews of the episode.

Swan Song Promo :

Swan Song Promo 2 :

This episode closes off the Apocalypse story arc with the final battle between Michael and Lucifer. I really enjoyed the episode and the foreshadowing (and narration) by Chuck the prophet. While not the perfect happy ending, it is an ending that closes off a lot of the loose ends. While I’m trying not to spoil too much of the plot, if you haven’t seen the episode, you might want to stop reading now.

Last chance.

I thought the writing was exceptional without a deus ex machina (pun intended) to stop the final fight between the Michael and Lucifer. In the end, Dean and Sam chose family and both Michael and Lucifer (of is he?) trapped again. It was a great wrap up and nice to see Dean finally getting some happiness with Lisa. (Wow . . this is really being to read like a soap opera!)

Anyway . . I’m a little iffy on Season 6. I’ve read it’s a return to the monster of the week episodes whilst trying to repair the relationship between the brothers. Will definitely check it out when it returns to air. Also it would be nice to see if Chuck is really Gabriel, which was hinted at as well.

The Kirk Lindo competition has ended with the winner decided by the artist. Thanks for all those who entered and Kirk for providing the prizes.

Winning Print (selected) :

Kirk was kind enough to leave a message for all the participants.

First of all I wish to thank you and your incredibly generous readers for their kind words about my art. Most artists toil in solitude in their studios so opportunities like this to have others view and comment on the work we do is a great treat. This contest of yours is a great idea and I hope you continue it for as long as we artists will participate.

Choosing a winner was much harder than I thought. I ended up deciding to choose the post that made me smile the most. Also it just didn’t sit well with me to not give at least something to each participant. So to the grand prize winner goes all that was promised. But I also wish to give a little something to all those who participated. With that said here are my winners and prizes.

All Participants :
You have won a free digital download of any of my books from http://comics.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=366.

2nd Prize – Mark Rhodes
Though not an actual comment on a print, it made me literally laugh out loud. Congratulations! Mark you can pick which of my sketch books 1, 2 or 3 you want.

Grand Prize – Jack D. Graham (Vampirella)
Thank you jack, for such a thoughtful and dead on comment on my art. Your insight and appreciation for the art I create is greatly appreciated. I don’t know if you write professionally but you should consider it. You could possible start a successful blog showcasing art that you like. I would certainly be a reader of it.

Comments for all the particpants!

David (Crimson Dusk)
That is one of my favorites as well. I have been a fan of Georges work since I was a teen ager. I once ended up in George Perez’s living room one day by accident but that’s a whole other story.

Kirk Basone (Vampirella Sitting)
Kirk is an old friend and fan from way back. He is much kinder to me than I deserve. When you get a chance I would love to see a snap shot of your lovely sister-in-law.

Steve Zink (Powergirl Supergirl)
Steve and I also go way back and he is a fantastic supporter of my work. I’ve done a few combinations of superheroines and I enjoy them greatly. I plan to do a few more.

Dan (Catwoman)
I absolutely agree! And that is a perfect description of Catwoman.

Dan (Catwoman Sexy tail)
Thanks Dan. I love your comment about that image and share your feeling on it!

Drumczar Alan (Soujorn)
Thanks Alan. That image is one that I am extremely proud of. Many time I look back at a drawing and see thing I would do differently. That one however is an image that I think needs nothing added or taken away.

Tim (Poizon Ivy)
Hey Tim. The lucky owner of my all time best image ever of Ivy. And hopefully my next best image of Ivy on the way! ;-)

Matt (Dark Phoenix)
One of the things I love the most about Jean/Phoenix is are the many looks I can give her, from retro to evil!

Farmer’s Wife (Tigra)
What a fantastic compliment that an image I made caused you to discover a new comic character to enjoy.

Brent Albert (Batgirl Tat)
One I enjoyed drawing quite a bit. The tease is often more fun than the payoff!

CS (Baroness)
I just love the curves on that one as well!

Sean Harrington (Widow Don’t Move)
Hey Sean! Thanks a bunch. I LOVE YOUR COMIC!!!!! Keep up the GREAT work!

LK77 (Sojourn)
The next one I do will absolutely have the bow!

All relevant details have been emailed to the respective parties. Thanks again for your entries and look forward to running more competitions.

Zombie vs Cheerleaders is anthology featuring stories by different creators every issue. It is currently on a bi-monthly schedule and can be ordered from April 2010 Previews (Diamond). I read through a preview copy and it was hilarious. Combine some teen angst, cute cheerleaders and oh . . a zombie invasion and it’s a very interesting formula! It’s short stories and definitely a lot of fun, not to mention sensational pin-ups.

Cover :

Alternate Cover :

Sample Interior :

I managed to get creator Steve Frank to answer a few questions.

What started you on this project?

We released the Zombies vs Cheerleaders sketch card series in December of last year to rave reviews. Collectors wanted to see more, but we were not ready to release another full blown sketch card release so quickly. We have a nice relationship with Moonstone (we released Moonstone Maximum, a sketch card series featuring many of the characters Moonstone publishes, like The Phantom and Buckaroo Banzai, at the same time as ZvC), so we decided to do a comic book and to release a limited amount of sketch cards with each comic issue as ordering incentives. So, 5FINITY produces the book and Moonstone publishes it.

Who have got you involved in this project?

The only commonality is I will write at least one story for each issue, but many different creators will collaborate. Rich Koslowski is bringing his popular The 3 Geeks characters to our second release, ZvC: Geektacular #1, for example. ZvC #1 features a different artist for each chapter, as well as different artists for the covers and interior pin-ups.

I would like to know a little about your company. How did 5FINITY start?

We started 5FINITY last summer to produce two officially licensed sketch card series to benefit March of Dimes, Archie Comics and Greatest American Hero, respectively. These two releases did very well, so we decided to start producing sketch cards mainstream and we have had a ton of success ever since. All of our projects sell out quickly (knock on wood) and we have received kudos in the industry. We did what no one else has done, provide one sketch card per pack. You get fantastic quality at an extreme value, plus we do cards of niche, cult favorites that have not had trading card treatment in years, if ever.

Thanks for your time and good luck with ZVC.
It was a brilliant read.

Zombie vs Cheerleaders is scheduled for a June 2010 release with 4 different covers! Make sure you ask your local comic shop to order copies. It was solicited in Previews (April 2010). 5FINITY direct buyers will get the comic and the tie-in sketch cards in early May.

More info can be found at :

• http://www.5finity.com
• http://www.5finity.blogspot.com
• http://www.5finity.deviantart.com

French artist Cedric Poulat (whose other interests include drawing, painting, comics, girls ,music,video games and horror movies) is showcasing an absolutely amazing Witchblade piece. Absolutely tremendous detail in this showcase, the final colours are absolutely sublime.

Witchblade Showcase :

Cedric has been awesome enough to show the breakdown of the piece and showing the details in the image.

And lastly of course . .
The Final Showcase :

Thanks for your time to answer a few questions.
Getting into you work, how would you describe it?

It’s basically Typical American comic book stuff; with a mix of pin-up, art nouveau and some underground stuff.. The “problem” is I like to go on too many directions. One week I’m gonna do cartooning and the other I’m doing extremely tortured stuff.
But yeah . . basically my artwork is mostly about good looking woman. One thing I still keep in mind is not making my ladies too . . . vulgar. I know that for a few people, they are (hell I can’t please to everyone ) but it’s one of my obligation. Sassy or sultry are OK however slutty is not.

It’s definitely a fine line. Some of people like their the female characters extremely voluptuous and it can be difficult to be sexy without be skanky. How did you learn and develop your art?

I did art school but it’s not here you will learn what you have to know about your pictural identity. Art School is great because you meet other people with different artistic culture. You share that with them then you learn new stuff. Also you do stuff you won’t do by your own. But you have to learn about your identity by yourself. Artschool is always a problem about that; cos’ there always will be one teacher or two to slow down your way. Then, mainly I can say I’m self-taught, like most other artist.

I guess for most artists, developing your identity is very important. Is there any other artists you like or can identify with?

J.S Campbell is the artist I follow since his early beginning; and I never stopped, so my style evolved a bit in the same way than his. By that time I was a die hard fan of McFarlane and Silvestri, but as I decided to make drawing without all these huge shads, I had to give up and go for other artist like Adam Hughes, Franck Cho and Terry Dodson. I studied a lot Ashley Woods work which was a useful stuff to go.

Are you working on anything at the moment?

In France I worked for a small time with a team of illustrators to make some kind of animated comics “Chronique des ombres” written by Pierre Bordage (distributed by Virgin). However this kind of project was very new in France and that didn’t last more than 6 months . I’m now working a small sequence for other french indie comics books and will begin to work on a creator owned in the next few weeks.

Good luck with that project and let me know how it goes. Thanks again for your time and the fantastic Witchblade piece!

To check out more of his work :

• http://j-estacado.deviantart.com/
• http://cedricpoulartworks.daportfolio.com/

or contact him cedricpoulat[at]aol.com