Creating a Graphic Novel : Art – Food – Photography

Marooned on Mogo is written by Andrew Leiter and illustrated by Frankie Washington. An easy reading book with a story set in space and great drawings will appeal to most kids. The author Andrew was nice enough to provide an insight into the book.

Cover :

I suppose the first question . .
What’s the book about?

Light-years from Earth exists a planet like no other. A spiraled world which humans have colonized , mining precious fuels, and erecting powerful force fields which hold the most deadliest creatures of the wild at bay.

Four space traveling kids (Clark, Chelsea, Caleb and Cali) embark on the adventure of their lifetime when space pirates attack, separating them from their parents. Stranded on this alien world alone, their only hope is to find their uncle, who holds the key to deciphering an ancient treasure map and unveiling the treasure of MOGO.

Interior Art – Page 1 :

Wow . .
What was your inspiration for the story?

The main reason I wrote this story was because I was asked to. I had a number of people tell me I should write a children’s easy reader book. My son’s preschool teacher and my wife were discussing that there were not that many books geared for young boys in the schoolastic magazine and that I should write one. I didn’t have any intentions of writing an easy reader book, but an idea popped into my head. I loved the idea and it formed into Marooned on Mogo.

Interior Art – Page 13 :

Have you done much writing before this?

I began writing when I was in second grade. I used to create books out of blank newspaper that I had gotten from my parents’ friend who worked at the local paper. I would write the stories and illustrate them my self in crayon. I would take them into school and my second grade teacher, Mrs. Anglin, would take time out of class and allow me to read them to my classmates. I discovered I had a natural talent for writing.

I had continued practising writing up into adulthood until I felt ready to write a novel. My first novel, The Chameleon Chronicles: Colors of Fate, was written for teenagers. The main character, who was based off a younger version of myself, discovered he had the ability to change the texture of his skin. He was being stalked by an unknown adversory and discovered that he was prophesied to save the world.

That sounds very interesting too!
Thanks for your time.

For more information check out the official website :
http://www.maroonedonmogo.com

It’s going to be a short post but . . .
It’s back!
New TV Season!

Doesn’t seem that long ago when I last mentioned New TV Season but it’s definitely the return of old favs like Heroes, Supernatural and Big Bang Theory. So much to watch and much too little time. *happy sigh*

A couple more Marvel Project covers by Frank Kadar. If you missed out last time, here’s another opportunity to pick up a piece of original art from Frank. Bid high and bid often!

White Queen

Loki

Keith Dotson was also kind of enough to show us the tools of his trade and walk through a quick tutorial of a concept to final piece.

A) #102 Crowquill
B) Mirado HB pencil
C) Lead holder with a 2H
D) .05 Mephisto HB
E) 4h pencil
F) Magic Rub eraser
G) Kneaded eraser
H) Micron Pigma disposable tech pens 01, 05 & 08
I) Stick eraser
J) .07 HB pencil
K) Windsor & Newton series 7 sable brush #2
L) flat head brush – 1/4 inch I think

So what do you use and when?

I do thumbs with the .07 or the 2h lead holder (I have several of these and use an H lead as well.) I rough out a sketch or a page with the 4H then finish the pencils with the HB or the 2H. When inking I usually ink sketches with the Pigmas and a brush. For sequential pages I do most things with a brush. I’ve been trying to learn to use the crowquill better but I’m still not very good with it. The big brush is for knocking out large areas of black. Much better than using a Sharpie.

What’s the character you’re showcasing?

The character is an original character of the client that he’s had drawn by several artists so I had reference. He wanted a fun design so I didn’t have to go overboard with the realism on the drum kit.

Thumb Nail :

Thumb Nail (Variations) :

Selected Thumbnail :

Inks :

Coloured :

From previous featured artist Keith Dotson, another one of his works is Rogue (X-Men). This piece of original art is currently available on eBay (click here) so make a bid if you like his art! You can click on below picture to be taken to the auction page.

Final :

Artist and musician Keith Dotson is showcasing an impressive Flare final and sketch. He’s done work for a variety of small-press companies including illustrating a feature in Scary Monsters Magazine (circulation around 10,000 at the time) and Femforce from AC Comics. More of his work can be seen in a set of sketch cards for Archie & Catastrophic comics (Greatest American Hero) for the March of Dimes as well as an issue of Pitt (#17).

Final :

Sketch :

Wow . . your work has appeared in a lot of places. What other work have you done?

Other things I’ve done also include columns for Comics Avalance and the Pulse (www.comicon.com/pulse) and I’ve self-published several sketchbooks and comics.

You’ve also mentioned you were a musician.
Are you in any bands?

As a musician I’ve played in multiple bands and am currently working on a cd of original music.

How would you describe your artwork?

It’s a strange thing, most of the artists I like are sketchy with an emphasis of thick to thin line work, mostly inked by crowquill. My art, on the other hand is clean, with a fairly thick holding line. When I ink, I usually use a brush. Sketches are pretty easy and usually fun to do. I can usually tell what the client wants pretty quickly and the job is more enjoyable in those cases. To my eye, my sequential stuff looks like a cross between Adam Hughes, J. Scott Campbell and a Top Cow style. Perhaps not as accomplished as those artists but those are the influences I can see. I’ve been told that my stuff reminds people of Steve Rude a little bit, who I like, but I don’t consider him an influence and I really don’t see it. I try to work in different styles on sketches depending on the character. Photo-real, cartoony, illustrative, pin-up, etc.

How did you get started into art?

Lots of books, instructional DVDs, talking to other artists and editors (which can be a bad thing in a way because its all opinions. Art needs to be fun and people can give you complexes very easily. You need to be comfortable in your own skin.) I also started a correspondance course from Kubert’s but have yet to complete it.

It looks like you’re really studying your craft. Any books / DVDs you can recommend for an aspiring artist?

Here’s a few I can recommend.

Brigman “Complete guide to drawing from life” (I don’t recommend Hogarth for anatomy)

How to draw comics the Marvel way (the DVD is GREAT! Essential stuff.)

Comic book pencilling with David Finch

Comic book pencilling with Stephen Platt (These two have contrasting approaches. The Finch follows the Jim Lee/Top Cow approach of working the drawing up on the page. The SPlatt DVD demonstrates the method of blowing up the thumbnail to page size and lightboxing it. Neal Adams & Steve McNiven are a couple of artists that work this way.)

Wizard’s how to draw column collections

Neal Adams “The sketchbook” (Vanguard Press)

Thanks for your time.
I really liked your sketch piece of Flare. I’m sure we’ll see more of your work pop up from place to place.

For more on Kieth Dotson check out :

• Links Page Kieth
• Deviant Art

Upcoming featured artist has done an amazing Bayonetta for a competition for Wizard and Sega. Check out the finished product and the sketch below. More of his work and interview will be posted up soon!

If you do like his work, please vote for him :
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/bayonettavote.html
Scroll down to the bottom, select Jamie Tyndall and click Vote. Voting closes September 14.

Coloured Bayonetta :

Sketch Bayonetta :

Nice ending from last week’s Christmas strip. I think it’s a cute finish with Peter falling asleep waiting for Santa Claus.

I thought it’d be nice to contrast Frank Kadar’s Aspen with another rendition by previous featured artist Dean Juliette. Even though it was intentional, I think this one has some Megan Fox resemblances. She’d be perfect for the live action version!

Love to hear your thoughts on what you thought of Frank’s and Dean’s rendition of this character.

Over the weekend, I picked up Morrison and Quitely All Star Superman Volume 1 and 2. It collects the first twelve issues of the series and it’s absolutely a treat. This is one of the best Superman series I have read in a long while. It’s bring a lot of ideas into place from Bizzaro world to sun eaters and of course Lex Luthor.

It’s a fantastic premise, it brings the idea of world of Superman not only as a god but a scientist who looks upon the world with a certain curiosity. Morrison manages to combine elements of aliens, time travel into one heck of a story. Quitely’s art is extremely detailed and perfect for the writing. This is definitely one series to check out!

BTW if you’re looking for another good read try Pride of Baghdad.