Creating a Graphic Novel : Art – Food – Photography

Who would say “No” to a nice hot green tea cappuccino?

I was actually thinking of writing this post much earlier but I thought it would be better if I left it until the site was a little more developed. Well since I got the layout, banner and email up . . I think the time is now. The below information is covered in the link About on the left side.

Who am I?
I think like most people in life I took the “safe” option. I did a “safe” undergraduate course at university (Bachelor of Computer Engineering if you’re interested). Working a respectable job which I actually enjoy but sometimes find unrewarding. In an introspective moment however I wonder if that was the right move? I always had the dream to write and create. Maybe not the greatest or deepest novel but something that would bring some entertainment to the readers and hopefully something that would make them think. Anyway here I am at this point in time and I have decided I want to “make a go” of it. Mainly stop the procrastination and get on with actually creating something. What happens after that? Honestly I don’t know. Maybe it will get published? Maybe it won’t? However right now . . it’s time to create!

Bio
When I’m not working I read way too many comics and I have just re-read Miller’s Civil War. I watch way too many movies, with the Dark Knight (Christian Bale and Heath Ledger) being the last one I saw at the cinemas and the Girl Who Leapt Through Time on DVD. I’m also eagerly anticipating the release of Diablo 3 whilst searching for an art class to enrol in!

News :
Will be posting information about Current Projects late next week. I need to finalise some bits & pieces but you can find out what I’m working on. Also a call out for any illustrators interested in doing some sequential art. I can offer a reasonable page rate but it will be strictly “work for hire”. Use the contact tab to email me if interested.

Luis XIII is part of a Brazilian group of illustrators. He’s very professional and was very quick to provide the preliminaries and the final drawings. Unfortunately the below scan doesn’t do the final product any justice (pun intended) as a lot of the pencilling detail is lost.

This is a very different feel to Spidey by GW Fisher. There’s less movement in this piece compared to the the GW commission but it’s still incredible. Unfortunately I couldn’t get it inked at the time . . . something to look into in the future!

Check out more of his work at http://www.skrashdrawings.com

Background :
Generic Background

Characters :
Batman (left) / Wonder Woman (middle) / Superman (right)

Description :
Action picture of the 3. Very strong pose.

Update 19-Sep-08:
Found the original Preliminary Sketch! Post updated.

The email form on this blog is now up and running.
You can use the below or the form in the Contact link

[CONTACT-FORM]

Wanted to personalise this blog and had this awesome new banner designed specifically for this website! It goes great with the updated template. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think.

I enrolled in Drawing the Human Figure (8 week – 3 hour per week) course some time ago. I was really looking forward to it!! (Even purchased a few supplies.) It would provide a chance to improve my skills, as well as have a proper instructor teaching me but . . . it was cancelled due to lack of numbers. *sigh* The course won’t be offered for another year which is a real disappointment. It’s a setback but I hopefully should find another suitable course soon.

Was reading Writing for Comics with Peter David again last night. It does offer insights into crafting a good story! One point which I think was important is to arrange the story to make every page a mini-cliffhanger. As the writer you have to make your readers want to turn the next page. I highly recommended this book as a good starting point for anyone venturing in comic book writing.

I love dynamic comic art! Was lucky enough a little while back to convince GW Fisher to do a commission for me (and also fortunate to have some spare cash to pay for it). This was description I provided.

Background :
NY City

Characters :
Spiderman & Mary Jane

Description :
Action shot of Spiderman swinging on web carrying MJ. MJ looks very happy. MJ in skimpy outfit (maybe a little bit of panty line showing but no nudity). One or 2 stunned onlookers staring on.

Mood :
Happy, Carefree

And the final result! Haven’t had a chance to frame or put it up on the wall yet. I really love the movement of the piece. The inking is superb and a lot of detail has been put into the building.

Check out his website http://gwfisher.com for more of his artwork samples.

Update 19-Sep-08 :
Added the original sketch.
Awesome pencils and fantastic inking!

What is the dream?
What do I love? COMICS! I feel I have a lot of stories to tell and comics are the medium I want to express my stories in. However it’s often very difficult to “break” into the creative field and the comic industry is notoriously difficult to get into! No matter as it’s something I aspire to achieve ’cause I want to create something truly memorable!

Just as a bit of history, I remember my mum buying me my first Batman comic (which had Robin) and although I couldn’t really read at the time, I was blown away by the art. I don’t remember where that particular comic has gone to or even which issue that was but it was the start of something special.

What is this blog?
My endeavours will be recorded here, where I hope to do a multitude of things like breaking into the comic industry, writing and illustrating my own graphic novel and more. I would love feedback, reviews, comments and even a “Hang in there” would be appreciated! Keep reading and keep watching this space! Lots of updates to this site are on their way.