Creating a Graphic Novel : Art – Food – Photography

Scott See is a very talented 21 year-old artist from Las Vegas. For his showcase piece, Scott provided this amazing Cowgirl piece in negative lighting. The white outline juxtaposed against the black background really grabs your attention!

What do you do for fun?

I watch movies for fun and that inspires me to draw especially seeing movies like Dark Knight and Ghostbusters.

I know this is a difficult thing to ask any artist but how would you describe your style?

My style of art is hard to describe because I try not to have a style. I want to be able to do so many different styles that I can do the one the fits the piece I’m working on. I see a lot of great artists with only one style and that to me seems sad. Leonardo da Vinci once said “If you are good at one thing but lack in the rest then you’re really not good at all”. I really look up to him. He was good at everything.

I’ve seen some of Leonardo’s work in person when I was travelling around Europe. I have to agree with you that his stuff is amazing! Anyway, how did you get into illustrating?

My dad went to Art Center and as a kid I would correct his homework. He’d laugh only to have the teacher tell him the same thing. I’m mostly self taught. My dad taught me a trick or too but ever since I was 3 you keep a crayon away form me. I’ve been drawing ever since. The one Artist to really get me going was Akira Toriyama.

Thanks for your time and sharing your artwork!

As a little extra Scott has also provided another of his full colour works. This one is of one of Batman’s femme fatale, Poison Ivy. For any questions or commission requests please email scottssketches [at] yahoo.com or check out his website to see his other works http://www.scottssketches.com.

In the search for more Green Tea Latte, I discovered another shop in the Sydney CBD serving this beverage. With a slight bitter taste and green tea powder sprinkled on top, this one was particularly delicious.

After asking why she was known as the Brisbane Catwoman, previous featured artist Noelle Dreves provided this site with the below picture. It’s a very impressive costume with homage to Michelle Pfeiffer‘s look in Batman Returns. Be careful sharing the bench with this cat!

For another cosplay photo of Noelle as Juno Eclipse from Force Unleashed or to view her artwork : Featured Artist – Noelle Dreves

Troy is an illustrator from the greater Seattle area (although he doesn’t drink espresso) who’s a self confessed Hello Kitty fan. With a fluid style his sketch work is one of the best I’ve seen with a very nice sense of movement.

Besides Hello Kitty what do you do for fun?

I am a judo player going on two decades now and like to snowboard, draw, play with legos and (re)read comic books. My family is a big part of my life, so I am always blending time with them into my fun pursuits.

How would you describe your artwork?

Ugh – that’s a hard one for any artist.

I know it’s a tough question but it’s always nice to hear it from the artist’s point of view.

The host of Dr. Sketchy’s described my style as “every line means something… each line is vital with nothing extra added.” Other folks have called my approach “line art” or “sexy lines”. I can’t argue with that last one . . . its what I am trying to do.

Are you self-taught? Training?

I have always drawn, but I did not take formal art/design classes until college. I use how-to books, web tutorials, life drawing classes and ask other artists for suggestions and pointers. My philosophy is you can learn from everyone, even if it’s what NOT to do.

Artistic influences?

A look around my studio walls has work by: Patrick Nagel, Take Hama, Adam Hughes, Trent Parke, David Mack, Matt Tamaru, eboy, Travis Charest, Dan DeCarlo, tokidoki, Michael Schwab, Alphons Mucha, Shane Glines, Phil Noto and my daughter.

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

For his artwork sample, Troy provided two Wonderwoman sketches for approval.

Sketch 1 :

Sketch 2 :

I much preferred Sketch 1 as it gave the character a better presence, like she was staring you down. Troy also mentioned “I can finish either one with an inking style that is more quick and loose (Dr. Sketchy’s) or more polished and slick.” I requested a Dr Sketchy’s still and the below is the finished result.

Final :

For more information on Troy check his website :
http://www.tparke.com/
or email him at troyparke [at] gmail.com

To meet Troy in person :
March 7 & 8
Sports Cards / Collectibles Show at the Tacoma, WA Days Inn
He will be donating sketchcards for the March of Dimes

April 4 & 5
Emerald City Comicon
http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

Last year I picked up a Transcend 32Gb USB Stick which was one of my fun purchases. It was great and I managed to get it full within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately the firmware on the stick died and would not detect properly. It was exchanged for a new one and it has been working very well.

During the christmas break I saw the Kingston 32Gb Data Traveler with much faster read / write speeds. I have to admit I gave in to temptation, after all you can never have enough space. It’s slightly larger than the Transcend but noticeable speed difference especially if you are moving volumes of data. Also comes with 5 years warranty (as opposed to Transcend‘s 1 year).

Update on Joker by Michael Bridges :
For anyone still interested in this piece from a previous post, it is still available. Click here for details on how to purchase if interested.

A nice easy dish if you are running a little short of time. Cook the spaghetti (as per packet instructions), drain well and return to pot. Add in a splash of olive oil, jar of sundried tomato pesto, canned tuna, chilli flakes (to taste) and sundried tomatoes. Season well with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Wishing y’all a very happy year of the cow!
Moooooooooo . . .

Noelle Dreves is a 22 year old freelance artist from Brisbane, Australia. Her Powergirl illustration captures the subject in a very dynamic pose in a difficult angle to draw. The final coloured picture helps to bring out the highlight in the hair and costume.

Powergirl Preliminary

Powergirl Final

Although the artist was not entirely happy with the result on Powergirl’s cape, hopefully you were too distracted by the anatomy detail to notice.

So Noelle, tell me a little about yourself.

I’m studying a double degree in Science of Psychology/Criminology and Criminal Justice. I’m a crazy animal lady (8 pets and counting), I love cats, comics and deviant psychology. I also do booth babe duty for Krome Studios (The Force Unleashed, Blade Kitten). My guilty pleasures are gaming and costuming (I’m known as the Brisbane Catwoman).

Cosplay? That’s very cool! You definitely have to share a photo now. (Note : Noelle was nice enough to supply a photo of herself as Rogue Shadow Pilot Juno Eclipse)

Anything else that interests you?

I also love to work out and study history. I also research serial killers and psychopaths in my spare time, since I have a huge fascination for how the human mind works. At least now I can say it’s studying for my degree!

That’s fascinating! Must be interesting to try and decipher what makes certain people react in certain ways. How would you best describe your art style?

I love dames, gun bunnies, tough chicks – you name it, girl power! My art is defined by women with big eyes, pouty lips, wasp waists, curvy legs and a defiant attitude. My fellas tend to have an overabundance of scar tissue, brooding eyes and wicked grins. I love noir, horror and sci fi, but the most used element in my art is duality. No, I’m kidding, it’s cheesecake bondage. Yes, I seem to have carved a niche for myself in the super heroine pin up bondage market. It’s never blatant, never gross, never misogynist – and a whole lot of fun planning out the knots.

Did you go to any art classes or specific training?

I’m self-taught. Both my grandfathers and my great-grandfather were artists, so it runs in my blood. I don’t do well in art school situations, frankly! I even got an E for Art in high school, despite constantly drawing during my other classes.

Are there any artist you look up to?

J Scott Campbell was my earliest influence – my first TPB was Danger Girl. Right now I’d say my work is a combination of Alessandro Barbucci (Sky Doll, W.I.T.C.H), Disney, Frank Cho and Bruce Timm. Throw in a little Frank Miller with my work on Strange Case and a little Jim Balent with Atomica Bang Bang.

I loved Balent’s work on Catwoman, especially liked how he captured movement. Of course Cho’s Liberty Meadows is a guilty pleasure! Anything else you would like to add for any aspiring artists?

The best advice I can give to any struggling artist is keep on keeping on. The more you draw, the more you experiment, the better you’ll get! Don’t be afraid to go new places with your work – you never know, you could discover your niche.

Be sure to check out Noelle’s Gallery and her webcomics:

• Strange Case
• Atomica Bang Bang
• The Ballad Maker

Click for Commission Information or email her quotidia_b [at] hotmail.com

Disclaimer : The reviewer has one submission within this anthology

I eagerly awaited my copy of Tango 8 and couldn’t wait to devour this romance anthology with a theme of food. The mastermind behind the anthology, Bernard Caleo assembles an eclectic variety of stories with different style of artwork. As you can imagine with any mix, there will be stories which you enjoy and some which you don’t.

Some story gems include :

• Zeldz Magoonis’ The Bitter Fruit Tree
• Dave Hodson’s Food of Life

and my favourite :

• Richard Butler’s You’d be so nice to come home to.

Definitely worth checking out and you get over 250 pages of comics! For more information check out http://www.cardigancomics.com for ordering information or which shops currently stock a copy.

There’s nothing quite like a hot bowl of soya bean to complete any chinese feast. This particular bowl was very smooth in texture (if it’s too thick, it’s not quite as refreshing) with ginkgo nuts adding to the taste. Mmmmm . . . .