Creating a Graphic Novel : Art – Food – Photography

Previous featured artist Frank Kadar is showcasing an amazing Megan Fox as Aspen. Megan’s evidently a huge comic book geek and loves Michael Turner’s Fathom series. With rumours of Fathom being set to grace the big screen and Fox set to star as the lead, it’s nice to see how she would look in this role.

Inked :

Preliminary Sketch :

Previous featured artist Frank Kadar has up on eBay some amazing artwork. These are all original sketches on the Marvel Projects variant cover. This is a rare opportunity to own some original work. Bid high and bid often! Click on the picture to be taken to the auction page.

Poison Ivy

Harley Quinn

Black Cat

Jean Grey

Link to :
Frank Kadar’s eBay page

More of Adam Cline‘s work. This time a sequential showcase. He has a distinctive story telling style. Enjoy! This one is titled “Black Grim the Devourer”.

Page 1 :

Page 2 :

Born and raised in Delware, Adam is showcasing an impressive Conan cover he did for “Covered”. The detail and the inks are incredible and the final coloured piece is extremely detailed.

Final Coloured :

Preliminary Sketch :

Inked :

Where you always into comics?

Ever since I was a young kid, during the early 90’s, I collected comic books of all genres, but mostly super-hero ones like Spider-Man (Todd McFarlane), Wolverine (Marc Silvestri), and X-Men (Jim Lee). My love for the comic book medium (and Ninja Turtles) is what introduced me to the world of art and it’s been a constant throughout my life. At the age of 20 I moved west to Fort Collins, Colorado. Ever since then, I’ve simply been working at improving my style and trying to get my art out to the public as much as possible.

You’ve got a very distinctive style. Kind of “Hellboy” (Mike Mignola) like! Can you elaborate on your work?

It’s always changing, so it’s difficult to explain, but right now I’d say I like a lot of black. I like a lot of dark, low-contrast, flat colors. Sometimes I’ll throw in some bright colors, but I believe that’s just to make the darks stand out even more when necessary. It seems I outline just about everything and I tend to utilize sharp angles as opposed to curves.

As far as the mood of my art goes: the gloomier, the better. I think my art reflects a lot about who I am as a person. I’m usually a pessimistic, dim-witted mute.

How do you develop your art?
Any special training?

Until high school came around, I was strictly self-taught. I’d say my only exposure to art was comic books. I’d emulate a lot of the poses and character designs. A ton of my time was spent mostly on creating my own characters, giving them storylines, and basically making my own little universe.

However when high school came, I learned so much more about art outside of the comic book scene. My vocation was Visual Communications so it was much more commercial art-based like designing logos or magazine covers and that sort of thing.

It wasn’t until I went to art college that my art skills dramatically improved. While there, I was introduced to many classic fine artists like Howard Pyle and El Greco. My major was Illustration, but I also learned about photography, graphic design, and even web design. Visiting museums gave me a huge abundance of knowledge as well. I’ll always be self-taught, but schooling was a fundamentally strong base for me. I took what I was taught and brought it back to where my love for art originated.

Thanks for your time and comments as well as letting me showcase your work!

For more on Adam Cline check out his website :
http://www.adamcline.com

I’ve talked about burgers before but I now have a favourite! It’s a local place which sells mini cheeseburgers (chilli optional extra but highly recommended) that’s a perfect snack. It’s not squashed like in fast food chains but stacked tall with a delectable beef patty.

I know it’s not quite Christmas yet but I’m a little behind showcasing Puny Parker strip. Early Christmas wishes y’all!

Yesterday’s featured artist Marcio Takara with another step by step showcase. This time of Supergirl. Enjoy!

Sketch :

Inked :

Preliminary :

Brazilian Marcio Takara (although living in Toronto) is showcasing an amazing Sue Storm. The lighter colouring gives her the “invisible” feel.

Final :

Preliminary Sketch :

Inked :

Have you always done comics?

Actually I used to be a designer but life was boring so I switched to comics. Life is good now :)

So is comic your main interest?

Well I also play soccer every week. I love soccer. Still watch my hometeam games through the web. I did get a PS3 a few months ago. (Hehe . . . editors love them!) I like to ride my bike whenever the crazy Toronto weather will allow me to.

How would you describe your artwork?

I try really hard to pay attention to anatomy without being realistic. and cartoony without being crazy. Depends what you call “cartoony”. That being said, I think my work is still evolving. Trying t find my own voice but people seem to recognize my drawings more and more, so who knows?

How did you develop your skills?

I’d say most of the knowledge I have came from my own experience. But I did go to some schools here in Canada and back in Brazil. I’m not saying I didn’t learn anything there, but the real hard work was all me. Still is :)

Any artistic influences?

Oh so many guys… let’s see Stuart Immonen, David Lafuente, Adam Hughes, Chis Sprouse, Kevin Maguire, Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, Cheeks, Ben Caldwell, Karl Kerschl, Alex Raymond, Joe Mad, Chris Bachalo, Disney animations, Manga I guess, though I couldn’t name any Japanese artist… I don’t know, the list goes on and on…

Thanks for your time!
And of course for your artwork.

For more of his work check out :

• Marcio’s website
• Deviantart

Previous featured artist Lee Sargent was kind enough to post me the completed Hulk and a Wolverine done with Copic markers. The Hulk will be given away soon in an upcoming competition. (Details soon!) The Wolverine is awesome and I’ll have to find a place to put it up! Thanks again Lee!

For more of Lee’s work :

• Set 1
• Set 2

This reminds me when Troy Parke sent the awesome Emma Frost sketch! Always love nice things arriving in mail.

One of my favourite strips so far with Puny Parker not only getting back at Flash, cheering up his friend and getting the photo of the girl.