« November 2005 | Main | January 2006 »
Thanks to Matthew for the mention over on Bugpowder.
Also, if you've ever wondered where some of the ideas for my comic Monstrum come from, check out my new Flickr set. I found some old photos of my Dad from his seafaring days and thought I'd add them to my album.
Mmmm! Sharks love santa too.
Merry Christmas! (No presents for you this year).
...And you thought Dr.B couldn't out do his Miami Vice outfit.
Phoenix Christmas party on Friday included guest appearances from Hulk Hogan and Freddie Mercury.
Party photos
And thanks to Ian for mentioning me on his blog, I thought I'd return the favour. Check it out for news on gigs at the Cooperage, new music from Telos and comedy from straitjacket:
When I first started this graphic novel, I was determined to do it in colour. I could never have guessed that I would end up painting it. I have something against painted comics.
(Warning: If you decide to read the rest of this entry, be warned that it contains strong language such as 'Alex Ross')
A painted panel in progress.
In the 90's, I thought painted comics were cool. However, I think around they became a bit of a gimmick, so a lot of rubbish was being produced which put me off them. Some people can really do painted comics, like George Pratt or the guy that does Blacksad. But then there's the Alex Ross stuff. Don't get me wrong, the guy can paint and when he first started doing photo-realistic superheroes it was a neat idea. But, that doesn't make him a good comic artist. He's a great illustrator, but I've yet to read a great comic by him. I read an interview with Scott Hampton the other day that really put things into perspective for me. He made some really interesting points about painting, illustration and comics. He also had a lot of the same problems that I've been running into lately. For example, paint alone can lose the representational qualities of a line drawing, making the viewer relate to it in a different way. Reconciling the painted image and line work can be difficult. Scott has found a way to use it when he needs to change the pace of the story. This was a similar conclusion to the one I was beginning to reach, which is very reassuring. Also, he talked about how there is still lots to explore in terms of painted comics. He talked about the bad points of painting and how it can be an unsuitable medium and I found myself thinking, "yeah, but if you did it this way then it would work..." and by the end of it I'd talked myself into doing a painted comic.
Lucky I've already started one.
Still working away on the essays etc. and a lot of freelance work which should have been finished by now but just seems to be dragging on. But, it is Christmas and there are parties to go to and presents to be opened, which is far more important. Yesterday's party was for the Design staff and students and tomorrow is the Phoenix party. Tis the season to get stressed out, but luckily tis also the season to get very drunk and eat too much. Hurrah.
I'll leave you with this gem from Doug TenNapel:
Baby aslan
I think the presentation went very well, my work is coming on in leaps and bounds, my dissertation research is getting very interesting and my story is working out well. However, the 4,000 word essay is still looming, as is a 1,000 word write up for a presntation of work to date I knew nothing about until yesterday. Oops.
On a happier note, Finchy sent me this amazing link. It's one of the bestest shark things I've ever seen, and I've seen a LOT!
Megalodon
As the cold weather sets in, spare a thought for our little Wookie friends. This poor fellow was found abandoned at a Burger King, alone and scared. Many people take out their anger at Mr.Lucas on these innocent creatures. Sure, they don't have it as bad as Ewoks, but it's still not right. Thankfully, this little guy has a loving home now, but all Wookies aren't that lucky. If you'd like to adopt a Wookie, call your local shelter to find out more.
I have my presentation tonight, 20 mins to talk about my work in some kind of academic way. I've been so stressed and busy lately that if I manage to stay awake through it I'll be doing well. I put it together on Director, which I hadn't used before and had to go back and redo bits when I made the discovery that I'd neglected to put forward or back buttons on it, so I couldn't get past the first page. Duh. Once this is over I need to write 4000 words roughly along the same lines too. Then, maybe I can get some sleep.
I've finally put up some photos from the Brighton comic Expo. Enjoy!
Here's a thought for the weekend: according to Drawn, Vikings are the new Pirates.
Have those Expo photos back, will put them on Flickr next week.
Here is a page of my rough layouts, even from this blurred image you can see they are very rough. But, they make sense to me and that's all that matters!
Still messing about with watercolours, the book will involve watercolour in some form or other it seems. This one was done last night.
My desk is a mess, but that seems to be the only way I can work! Compared to how it looked at the start, you can see I'm making progress (or just a mess, depending how you look at it.)
You may be able to see some of the stuff on my notice board, a lot of it is work that has influenced me or inspired me. It includes some Mike Mignola, Eric White, Alex Toth, Arthur Rackham, Robin Joseph, an old print from a Jules Verne book, pictures from magazines like Dive and New Scientist and some plastic beasties from the sea life centre. It will be interesting to see if any of it makes it into the final book in any way.
