FF's 50th Anniversary!

Many moons ago, I roughed-out a sketch of the entire 'FANTASTIC FOUR' group.. I'd bought a few of the Kirby/Sinnott ESSENTIAL trade paperbacks earlier; and found them really inspirational. That vintage artist team seemed to really click, on the series. And Joe Sinnott's slick inking, really made Kirby's pencilling sing!
Realizing that my original Layout would likely require some finessing, if I wanted all of the compositional elements to work.. I thought it'd be a good idea to put each character on a seperate page. They turned out pretty good, I thought. But unfortunately, I never got 'round to adding a background. Eventually I sold them all off thru a series of eBay auctions; promoting my 2003 self-published sketchbook..

More recently, I read that the 50th Anniversary of the FF would be one of many "themes" featured in the Souvenir Program Book at this year's San Diego Comic-Con.. So, I dragged out my old FF artwork & sketched out a Background that'd work behind what'd already been done.
There were parts of the old artwork that I was never quite happy with.. So, in addition to adding a background, I decided to "fix" stuff like Reed Richard's outstretched arm. As well as give The Thing a "new" face. Here's what I came up with:

It looks a bit odd, with some parts still missing.. But drawing all the Kirby -type machinery/gear, is always great fun.. And because I had the character placements already blocked-out, I was able to (hopefully) spot additional elements, without making the Layout overly busy & congested.. Even so, it still took a bit finagling inside Photoshop to get everything to fit properly..

The only thing I was sure of, for the Coloring stage,-- was that I wanted the back wall (with the large hole) to framed using a darker tone. Ideally, this would contrast nicely against the bright skyline..
I decided to add a colored line for the cityscape, so as to not distract too much from my Foreground details.
Here's how the Final Art turned out:

Even though I started working on this quite awhile back,-- the deadline of April 29th came up frighteningly fast. I barely got the image file sent off, just under the wire! With a bit of luck, the pic will see print at this year's biggest annual comic-book convention..
Anyways, it was a fun project. And one that I heartily recommend to any/all artists interested in self-promoting their abilities to a defined audience..
See ya!

Big Green HULK(s)!

Well, I've been shamed into a new Blog posting by my good friend: Dave.. He brought to my attention, that an entire couple of months had slipped by since my last post?!.. Thanks, Dave.. That's what friends are for!
Here goes..

Here's an old drawing of 'The HULK' that I just finished coloring.. My favorite comic-book characters are usually the most iconic characters; and HULK is certainly no exception. He reminds you first, of Frankenstein's Monster. But adds an interesting Jekyll/Hyde dynamic, too; which contrasts the anemic Dr. Bruce Banner against his angrier, green alter-ego..
I contributed this drawing to a Charity Auction at one of the early Paradise Comicon shows. And I found out later that it was won by one of the organizers of that convention: Kevin Boyd. He has the original black-and-white artwork posted in his CAF Gallery, here.

This was an attempt on my part to try and create a version of HULK, in the art stylings of Jack Kirby. The artist that invented the character.. And who (in my opinion) still epitomizes the best take on the character!
I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out. Though I noticed as I was coloring it, that I goofed on the Light Source. The shadows simply don't jibe with the position of the Moonlight..

Years earlier, I did a more-cartoony version of the character.. Which I included in the sketchbook that I self-published, in 2003. Different time of day, granted. But very similar.. I've always described this HULK as more of a confused, drunken midget wrestler.. I recall that when I e-mailed this image to Dave Stevens, his immediate response was: "Love the drool.. hah!"

My Good Friend, Sandy..

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to a longtime artist friend of mine: Sandy Plunkett..
Some of you may have noticed his name in the Links section, on my Blog? Though more of you likely, probably have never heard his name before?.. I'm convinced that this is due to change!

Charles "Sandy" Plunkett was born October 18, 1955. He spent his childhood growing up in New York City. And before he'd even finished high school, he had begun drawing comic-book stories professionally!
Here's what the man looks like..He made his debut in the comic book world in the late 1970s, creating artwork for 'Gold Key Comics'. But eventually, also completed assignments for Marvel and DC Comics, too. Thru the 1980s and 1990s, he did a lot of cover work for Marvel. And even wrote his own stories, for their EPIC Magazine imprint..
Sometime around 1990, Sandy made a move to Athens, Ohio. A small college community, where Sandy earned a solid reputation as "the Town Artist.." Working on all manner of art-related jobs: creating CD covers, wine labels, bicycle touring maps, brochures, political cartoons, business logos, and t-shirts..

Together, we've cultivated a really enriching (weekly) e-mail conversation, that's lasted over a decade. It's not often you get to connect personally with an artist that you've grown up admiring.. So, I consider myself quite lucky! We enjoy talking about everything, of course. But particularly about Art, including our own..
Here's another example of Sandy's artistic prowess.. He gave the 'Original Art' for this t-shirt design to me, after I did him the favour of hosting a number of eBay Auctions on his behalf..
In 2005, I talked local convention organizer: Kevin Boyd, into bringing Sandy up to Toronto as a Guest Artist, for a comic-con. I helped pull together a Poster for the event, using some of Sandy's CONAN artwork. And Sandy even conducted a very successful seminar on "Inking", at the show. I think he was a bit embarrassed, by all of the fawning attention? hah
I'm the guy wearing the goofy grin.. Yikes, bad photo alert! To my immediate Left, is another good artist friend of mine: Dominic Bugatto, who seems to be closely scrutinizing some of the artwork Sandy brought with him.. And I think that's Ruth Tait, behind us?
The reason I feel that Sandy may be adding a few more fans, in the near future.. Is that in April of 2010, OHIO UNIVERSITY Press is planning to publish a 224-page book featuring a lot of the artwork from Sandy's own private sketchbooks.. The tentative title for the project, is: 'The World of a Wayward Comic Book Artist - The Private Sketchbooks of S. Plunkett'.. Here's a prelim of what the cover is supposed to look like:

Both a softcover & a limited-edition hardcover release, are planned. The book will feature a 'Foreword' written by one of Sandy's artistic heroes: Michael Wm. Kaluta. And the contents will include almost 400 selected artworks, from sketchbooks that Sandy has kept thru the past 20 years!
The drawings are said to cover a wide range of styles and subject matter; though all are rooted in the visual vernacular of illustration, comic art, and popular art of America. Evincing influences as diverse as Thomas Hart Benton, Frank Frazetta, George Herriman, and R. Crumb.
Images of creatures, both real and imagined, fabulous characters, and dreamlike worlds that are juxtaposed with studies from Plunkett's own life.
The book will also feature an updated interview with COMIC BOOK ARTIST's Tim Barnes, provides fascinating insights into Sandy's artistic process..

Recently this short 6-minute has been posted to 'YouTube' to promote the project:


Keep yer eyeballs peeled for this tremendous book, come the Springtime.. I promise you it'll be worth it!

Paradise Comicon 2007

Well, a complete week has already slipped by since the Main Event.. But I'm in desperate need of a Blog update.. So, I'll ruminate a tad on this past weekend's big 3-day 'Toronto Comicon 2007' event!
It was a very enjoyable gathering, as per usual.. But unless I'm imagining things,-- the crowds seemed a bit thinner than previous years? The CNE location is such a BIG Hall though, that sometimes it just "feels" like there's fewer people? At least, to me..
It's still not an ideal venue, in my opinion. And I know the organizers are aware of it, too.. It simply lacks the intimacy of their cozier 'Holiday Inn on King' venue; which they use for their 1-day conventions..
I got to meet up again, with a number of great friends.. Though, I didn't actually bump into other artist chums, 'til the last day of the Show.. And some of those, not 'til the dwindling hours on Sunday!
Talked briefly to Paul Rivoche, Cameron Stewart, and Michael Cho, too.. Finally got to trade books with Blair Kitchen and his brother Mike.. As well as, catch up with a few of my older Animation compatriots: David Bluestein, and Kurt Lehner..

Paid my respects to Darwyn Cooke, too.. And asked him how his 'NEW FRONTIER' direct-to-video, was proceeding? He told me that all of the North American production work was complete. And that it was now in the capable hands of overseas animators.. Hopefully, it'll turn out alright.. I know Darwyn was a stickler for ensuring that this 2D Animated Feature remain true to his approved Final Script.. So, hopefully, the resulting DVD, will be a memorable one!

I also got to meet up again, with a number 'Drawing Board' friends.. One memorable friend, in particular: Kieron O'Gorman.. aka "untamo1".. Who made a point of dropping by my Artist's Alley table each day, just to shoot-the-breeze, and talk Art, etc..
Kieron currently works fulltime as a Software Tester.. But is looking to changeover to an Arts career, someday. Considering the artwork he shared with me,-- this guy has got TONS of potential.. He'll do fine, in whatever artistic field he chooses to enter!
As a way of expressing "Thanks!" to whatever meagre advice I was able to share with him.. He gifted me with this beautiful Superhero gal, shown here:

Finally... Were you aware that I am: "..the BEST?!!" Neither, was I.. But yeah, I'm finally feeling vindicated!.. I've been told I'm quite simply: "..AWESOME!!!" Who am I to argue?..
OUCH, it already feels like my Head's gonna explode.. Jeepers!

Every convention, I renew acquaintances with some of the more-devout members of Toronto's fine Comic-Book community.. And from my personal experience, 2 of the very-best of these, are: 'Milo' & his girlfriend: 'Kathryn'..
Every show, they make a point to drop by & say "Hello!" and ogle my artwork.. It gives us artists a well-needed EgoStroke. And we (and our artwork) begin to feel a somewhat valuable, to the wider World?
I know that my "free sketches" may have SOMETHING to do with them consistently coming by my Table, too? haha

I'm generally a pisspoor Con Sketch dude.. But lately, I've been getting better at it.. Milo was smart enough to play to my own perceived strengths.. And this time, asked for "The Old Witch" from the vintage 50's-era EC Comics.. A character I've drawn a few times, before..
This, was the result:

I noticed later on, that I'd forgotten to draw a 4th finger on her Right Hand? Oh, well..

Milo also writes (and podcasts!) regularly for an excellent online Comic-Book resource, entitled: 'Digital Kontent'.. You can follow the Link posted in the above JPEG.. Or, if you'd rather read specifically about his 'Paradise Comicon 2007' experiences.. THAT Link, can be reached by clicking here: 'shplort'!!

Have a Great Weekend, everyone!! And I'll TTY'all again, soon!