This is the beginning of a flashback sequence where we learn how Taormina disgraced herself, why she is on her quest she and just how she came to be tied to the log she's bound to when we first meet her!
Showing posts with label Taormina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taormina. Show all posts
Friday, 10 October 2008
Taormina Disgraced
Here are the sketches for the first three picture panels of the next Taormina episode.
This is the beginning of a flashback sequence where we learn how Taormina disgraced herself, why she is on her quest she and just how she came to be tied to the log she's bound to when we first meet her!
This is the beginning of a flashback sequence where we learn how Taormina disgraced herself, why she is on her quest she and just how she came to be tied to the log she's bound to when we first meet her!
Monday, 6 October 2008
Birmingham Debriefing
Well, I'm back from the show and taking stock of all that happened.
We arrived at around six to the less than perfect Hotel Britannia and if you're thinking of planning a nice visit to Brum your chances of that are hugely increased by staying elsewhere. Although the central location is an advantage, I'd have preferred to walk a little further.
At the check-in desk I met up with Dylan Teague - who deserves thanks for being so helpful and encouraging throughout the weekend. He also introduced me to Patrick Goddard, another 2000AD artist.
I milled around a lot on Saturday, had my work critiqued by Garry Leach, he thought some of it worked really well - but that I need to be careful with stuff like foreshortening and construction - he felt that, with experience, that would come more easily.
I bumped into PJ Holden and had a really nice chat with him about his exciting iPhone comic endeavour. Finally got to have a play with it too - very cool - link again for iPhone/iPod touch owners: http://tinyurl.com/4qjr4p
Tharg (Matt Smith) was once again very encouraging - he said that he thought my story-telling was pretty solid i.e you could read the story and know what was going on without having to have the words - he still felt some of my characters were a little stiff and overall he felt the pages could still be a bit more dynamic.
The greatest encouragement of the whole weekend came from Matt Yeo of Bulletproof comics. I found it hard to hear his kind words, shrinking violet that I am, somewhere in there though it's begun to sink in! And thanks also go to all the guys associated with bulletproof that he introduced me to, I really appreciated the confidence boosting comments.
In the afternoon, I had a great discussion with D'Israeli (Matt Brooker) whilst he did this sketch of Johnny Alpha (Strontium Dog) for me.
(click for full image)
I asked him for a sketch of the 2000AD character he'd most like to have drawn but hadn't worked on. Check out the goofy bloke who's holding the sketch here!
Of all the wisdom he imparted, one of Matt's comments sticks in my mind, the crux of which was; comics are probably the hardest discipline to master, the most underrated and under-appreciated and probably the poorest paid of all the visual arts, so you've got to be dedicated to it!
I also caught up with Dave Taylor and Jon Haward who chatted about the difficulties of actually securing enough work. Worrying, but necessary to hear I think!
Something I've hesitated to post here because of the content, is a piece I did for Alberto Ruiz's Brand Studio Press as a response to an open call for ''Eye Candy' from Strangers'. To my amazement, this was the most popular piece in my portfolio.
If you're not easily offended by gratuitous skin baring or gun-toting psycho-babes in negligees then click the cropped head shot for the full image. Beware, perv content on this is very high indeed, definitely PG 13 if you know what I mean!
On Sunday, it had all quietened down a lot and I chatted to Sean Phillips and Duncan Fegredo who both did little doodles for me too.
I need to follow up a few other leads and things, most notably with Berserker Comics who're publishing work from favourites of mine, Alan Grant, Glenn Fabry and Simon Bisley.
All in all a positive experience and I feel I learnt a lot too. I met loads of cool people, fans and creators alike, so much so, I'm thinking about attending the Leeds thought bubble show. I'm also thinking how I might improve my chances of getting work if I do go.
I know I haven't shown any of my artwork for a while, I'll have a few sketches to show from the next Taormina shortly so pop back soon. I might also have some stuff from other projects I'm planning too...
We arrived at around six to the less than perfect Hotel Britannia and if you're thinking of planning a nice visit to Brum your chances of that are hugely increased by staying elsewhere. Although the central location is an advantage, I'd have preferred to walk a little further.
At the check-in desk I met up with Dylan Teague - who deserves thanks for being so helpful and encouraging throughout the weekend. He also introduced me to Patrick Goddard, another 2000AD artist.
I milled around a lot on Saturday, had my work critiqued by Garry Leach, he thought some of it worked really well - but that I need to be careful with stuff like foreshortening and construction - he felt that, with experience, that would come more easily.
I bumped into PJ Holden and had a really nice chat with him about his exciting iPhone comic endeavour. Finally got to have a play with it too - very cool - link again for iPhone/iPod touch owners: http://tinyurl.com/4qjr4p
Tharg (Matt Smith) was once again very encouraging - he said that he thought my story-telling was pretty solid i.e you could read the story and know what was going on without having to have the words - he still felt some of my characters were a little stiff and overall he felt the pages could still be a bit more dynamic.
The greatest encouragement of the whole weekend came from Matt Yeo of Bulletproof comics. I found it hard to hear his kind words, shrinking violet that I am, somewhere in there though it's begun to sink in! And thanks also go to all the guys associated with bulletproof that he introduced me to, I really appreciated the confidence boosting comments.
In the afternoon, I had a great discussion with D'Israeli (Matt Brooker) whilst he did this sketch of Johnny Alpha (Strontium Dog) for me.
(click for full image)
I asked him for a sketch of the 2000AD character he'd most like to have drawn but hadn't worked on. Check out the goofy bloke who's holding the sketch here!
Of all the wisdom he imparted, one of Matt's comments sticks in my mind, the crux of which was; comics are probably the hardest discipline to master, the most underrated and under-appreciated and probably the poorest paid of all the visual arts, so you've got to be dedicated to it!
I also caught up with Dave Taylor and Jon Haward who chatted about the difficulties of actually securing enough work. Worrying, but necessary to hear I think!
Something I've hesitated to post here because of the content, is a piece I did for Alberto Ruiz's Brand Studio Press as a response to an open call for ''Eye Candy' from Strangers'. To my amazement, this was the most popular piece in my portfolio.
If you're not easily offended by gratuitous skin baring or gun-toting psycho-babes in negligees then click the cropped head shot for the full image. Beware, perv content on this is very high indeed, definitely PG 13 if you know what I mean!
On Sunday, it had all quietened down a lot and I chatted to Sean Phillips and Duncan Fegredo who both did little doodles for me too.
I need to follow up a few other leads and things, most notably with Berserker Comics who're publishing work from favourites of mine, Alan Grant, Glenn Fabry and Simon Bisley.
All in all a positive experience and I feel I learnt a lot too. I met loads of cool people, fans and creators alike, so much so, I'm thinking about attending the Leeds thought bubble show. I'm also thinking how I might improve my chances of getting work if I do go.
I know I haven't shown any of my artwork for a while, I'll have a few sketches to show from the next Taormina shortly so pop back soon. I might also have some stuff from other projects I'm planning too...
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Page Four Inked
Page four? Page four? Where the hell is page three?
Yes, it's glaringly obvious that page three has gone missing... where is she? She's sulking, cos I can't bring myself to get involved with that damn night club scene again so soon... I needed a break from drawing loads of people so I moved onto a page where I got to draw the fascist anti-hero that is Judge Dredd.
To my surprise, I really enjoyed drawing the vehicles in panel one and obviously Dredd's grim expression in panel two.
Graeme Neil Reid left some really encouraging comments on the last post. Thanks to Graeme and also PJ Holden, Chris Weston, Chuck Wells, Dave Taylor, Dylan Teague, Stephen Reid, Lee Townsend, Jim Boswell, and Dan Panosian who've all been really supportive of my recent foray into comic art. Sorry if I've forgotten anyone, I really do appreciate you too!
In other exciting news, I'm going to have a Creator Showcase up on Bullet Proof Comics' website soon and also something very exciting might be happening with Taormina too... so watch this space!
Monday, 25 August 2008
Taormina Pulp Fiction
I decided to have some fun with a spoof, pulp-fiction paperback cover to an imaginary spin-off book.
There's a bigger version of this over on the Taormina blog where you can see the cover in better detail.
I did some searching around for covers from mass market paperbacks to help with this, I hope I've struck the right balance.
There's a bigger version of this over on the Taormina blog where you can see the cover in better detail.
I did some searching around for covers from mass market paperbacks to help with this, I hope I've struck the right balance.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Celebrating the Centenary.
Some nice news for my 100th blog posting. I was intending to do put up a finished piece but this incredibly encouraging discovery (made with google blog search using my name) has just blown me away.
A talented chap by the name of Dave Stokes posted a homage to Taormina on his blog in July - I'm amazingly proud and humbled to have inspired work in someone else - a lovely feeling - thanks Dave, you don't know how much this means to me!
Through this blog I have received such a lot of encouragement and support. I really appreciate the comments everyone has made and the efforts that have also been made on my behalf, many thanks to you, you know who you are and you all rock!
A talented chap by the name of Dave Stokes posted a homage to Taormina on his blog in July - I'm amazingly proud and humbled to have inspired work in someone else - a lovely feeling - thanks Dave, you don't know how much this means to me!
Through this blog I have received such a lot of encouragement and support. I really appreciate the comments everyone has made and the efforts that have also been made on my behalf, many thanks to you, you know who you are and you all rock!
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Judge Dredd - "Nobody" (roughs)
I've finished all the roughs for the sample script...
I think I'm far happier working at 80% to begin with...
I've just taken receipt of a shiny new A3 printer that I hope will streamline my inking process - I can now print out at actual size for inking!!
I've also just bought a copy of the Judge Dredd Megazine - number 275 - the one with Skidmarks across the front that heralds the return of Tankgirl to our fair shores (now illustrated by the luminous Rufus Dayglo).
Packed with this tippedy top issue is a collected volume of work by a very talented chap by the name of Jock (Mark Simpson) - really great stuff and in my opinion, especially suited to Dredd!
PJ Holden has this amazing iPhone comic concept coming soon:
The future of comics, right there... I think Taormina would work well with that interface, here's hoping!
I've edited this post quite a bit, I'm trying to keep post 100 free for something a bit more finished!
I think I'm far happier working at 80% to begin with...
I've just taken receipt of a shiny new A3 printer that I hope will streamline my inking process - I can now print out at actual size for inking!!
I've also just bought a copy of the Judge Dredd Megazine - number 275 - the one with Skidmarks across the front that heralds the return of Tankgirl to our fair shores (now illustrated by the luminous Rufus Dayglo).
Packed with this tippedy top issue is a collected volume of work by a very talented chap by the name of Jock (Mark Simpson) - really great stuff and in my opinion, especially suited to Dredd!
PJ Holden has this amazing iPhone comic concept coming soon:
The future of comics, right there... I think Taormina would work well with that interface, here's hoping!
I've edited this post quite a bit, I'm trying to keep post 100 free for something a bit more finished!
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Taormina Teaser
That's right, the next dazzling installment is ready for your viewing pleasure...
...and, as they say, the thick plottens!!
Rup and Matt, my good old pals, suggested a rock underneath Taormina's foot - they thought she looked like she was floating in mid air in the rough from my last post - I think it worked, so thanks guys, I appreciate your input!
...and, as they say, the thick plottens!!
Rup and Matt, my good old pals, suggested a rock underneath Taormina's foot - they thought she looked like she was floating in mid air in the rough from my last post - I think it worked, so thanks guys, I appreciate your input!
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Another Taormina Rough
This is the next panel and again this is only a really rough digital sketch.
I posted up my Judge Dredd pages over on the drawingboard and I've had some really good, constructive criticism which you can read here. I decided to try to practise some of the dynamic frame composition stuff that was lacking in the Dredd pages with this next episode of Taormina. I hope that's working in this panel - again I'm using the golden ratio, fibonacci or golden spiral in all my Taormina panels.
I think you'll need to 'mirror' this one to get the right orientation for the panel above.
I posted up my Judge Dredd pages over on the drawingboard and I've had some really good, constructive criticism which you can read here. I decided to try to practise some of the dynamic frame composition stuff that was lacking in the Dredd pages with this next episode of Taormina. I hope that's working in this panel - again I'm using the golden ratio, fibonacci or golden spiral in all my Taormina panels.
I think you'll need to 'mirror' this one to get the right orientation for the panel above.
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Taormina Meets The Hermit
Been a long time since I put a Taormina episode out there (again)...
This is the very rough digital sketch for the first picture panel in episode 'four' and it's going to need a lot more work!
I don't want to give too much away here but this is the exposition episode where Taormina will learn about her quest. This old geezer is provisionally called Mundy Slung and he's a classic hermit/wizard (old Obi-Wan) type of character who knows more than he's letting on!
I'm going to try to get this next episode out before I do any more on my 2000AD/Judge Dredd strip and unless some other work comes in (which I'm not holding my breath for...) then this episode should be up early next week!
This is the very rough digital sketch for the first picture panel in episode 'four' and it's going to need a lot more work!
I don't want to give too much away here but this is the exposition episode where Taormina will learn about her quest. This old geezer is provisionally called Mundy Slung and he's a classic hermit/wizard (old Obi-Wan) type of character who knows more than he's letting on!
I'm going to try to get this next episode out before I do any more on my 2000AD/Judge Dredd strip and unless some other work comes in (which I'm not holding my breath for...) then this episode should be up early next week!
Friday, 4 July 2008
Taormina Time...
Just about managed to get this out this week... by the skin of my teeth!!
I'm reasonably happy with how this episode turned out. Especially the stone head in the second illustration, see the sneak peek above! Then head on over to my Taormina blog for the full episode!
I noticed really early on that the format of the blog really doesn't work with how you'd naturally read the story (if you're reading it for the first time) but until I do a dedicated website for it, it'll have to do!
I'm reasonably happy with how this episode turned out. Especially the stone head in the second illustration, see the sneak peek above! Then head on over to my Taormina blog for the full episode!
I noticed really early on that the format of the blog really doesn't work with how you'd naturally read the story (if you're reading it for the first time) but until I do a dedicated website for it, it'll have to do!
Monday, 30 June 2008
Taormina - work in progress
It's been a criminally long time since I managed to get an episode of Taormina posted...
So, just so the three of you out there who're following her adventures don't think I've let her fall by the wayside. I thought I'd post a bit of work in progress.
This is the first panel, without line-work for now. There are some details to tighten up but the main thing I'm not happy with is the arm holding the log. Her whole pose is supposed to be a bit Boudicca. She is not worried about the haima-vulture and I want to maintain that confidence in her. Perhaps I can just lose the log from the last episode, not worry about that level of continuity and just have her hold on with both hands?
Anyway, this is just a taster and I hope to get the episode finished and posted this week.
Both the creatures in this are fierce too!
So, just so the three of you out there who're following her adventures don't think I've let her fall by the wayside. I thought I'd post a bit of work in progress.
This is the first panel, without line-work for now. There are some details to tighten up but the main thing I'm not happy with is the arm holding the log. Her whole pose is supposed to be a bit Boudicca. She is not worried about the haima-vulture and I want to maintain that confidence in her. Perhaps I can just lose the log from the last episode, not worry about that level of continuity and just have her hold on with both hands?
Anyway, this is just a taster and I hope to get the episode finished and posted this week.
Both the creatures in this are fierce too!
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Taormina's Next Episode
Well, due to other projects and website stuff, this has been a little longer in production than I had hoped...
In this episode Taormina encounters the haima vultures....
In the next episode we will meet Pardus, Taormina's huge winged companion - please keep coming back as there will be more Taormina soon!
In this episode Taormina encounters the haima vultures....
In the next episode we will meet Pardus, Taormina's huge winged companion - please keep coming back as there will be more Taormina soon!
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Illustration Friday - "Heavy"
This week Illustration Friday had a kind of appropriate theme for me. HEAVY... I'd been drawing this guy all week as part of my Taormina project.
He's supposed to weigh several hundred pounds... if you take a journey over to The Adventures Of Taormina you'll be able to see this guy in his full glory and read about the peril he represents for our foxy heroine!
I hope you will enjoy the brief tale I have put together... there will be more episodes in the coming weeks!
He's supposed to weigh several hundred pounds... if you take a journey over to The Adventures Of Taormina you'll be able to see this guy in his full glory and read about the peril he represents for our foxy heroine!
I hope you will enjoy the brief tale I have put together... there will be more episodes in the coming weeks!
Sunday, 9 March 2008
The Adventures of Taormina
I have been working on an occasional project and have started a dedicated blog for it.
In the vein of a Saturday morning serial. A mish-mash of The Adventures of Superman, Flash Gordon, Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, James Bond, Zorro and many other influences.
There will be postings as and when I have time or when I feel like doing another "episode". Currently I am working on the artwork and story for the "first" episode... So, it really is COMING SOON!
Take a journey to the world of Taormina via the handy new link on the side bar (or click the image above).
In the vein of a Saturday morning serial. A mish-mash of The Adventures of Superman, Flash Gordon, Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, James Bond, Zorro and many other influences.
There will be postings as and when I have time or when I feel like doing another "episode". Currently I am working on the artwork and story for the "first" episode... So, it really is COMING SOON!
Take a journey to the world of Taormina via the handy new link on the side bar (or click the image above).
Monday, 14 January 2008
Honey Rider
This was another piece I did for a meeting with a publisher.
The company I was meeting was interested in beasts, but I had already done the Merilla (see previous post below) and felt that as I also had 18 PODZ creatures to show them... another creature alone would be overkill.
For this piece, I had Honey Rider from the Bond film Dr.No in the back of my mind. Now set in a fantasy style world, where she would collect shells and have adventures with her trusty steed. I deliberately made her a brunette, to distinguish her from the associations with Ursula Andress. I just wanted to hint at a number of possible stories... I hope you're imagining them now!
This piece almost exactly fits the rules for the golden section, for those who are interested in that kind of thing:
If this is an alien concept to you, by searching about on the net for Golden Section/Ratio, Fibonacci numbers or Fibonacci Spiral you'll see what the above diagram means and leading on from that, if you search for Divine Proportions you'll learn some fairly interesting things about human proportions too.
The company I was meeting was interested in beasts, but I had already done the Merilla (see previous post below) and felt that as I also had 18 PODZ creatures to show them... another creature alone would be overkill.
For this piece, I had Honey Rider from the Bond film Dr.No in the back of my mind. Now set in a fantasy style world, where she would collect shells and have adventures with her trusty steed. I deliberately made her a brunette, to distinguish her from the associations with Ursula Andress. I just wanted to hint at a number of possible stories... I hope you're imagining them now!
This piece almost exactly fits the rules for the golden section, for those who are interested in that kind of thing:
If this is an alien concept to you, by searching about on the net for Golden Section/Ratio, Fibonacci numbers or Fibonacci Spiral you'll see what the above diagram means and leading on from that, if you search for Divine Proportions you'll learn some fairly interesting things about human proportions too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)