Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Comics Update
Again, hard not to feel like this all doesn't matter all that much, but I thought I'd update folks on what's going on with my comics work:

First, I'm happy to say that the Modern Masters book is finished. It only needs an introduction and final artwork approval and it's ready to go to press. I found it very strange talking about myself in such detail for so long, especially since I get very nervous when in the spotlight. I usually hate interviews (excruciating!), but Todd Dezago (friend and writer of Perhapanauts) made it a fairly relaxed and fun process. Editor Eric Nolen-Weathington chose plenty of great pieces to illustrate the book, with the majority of the artwork never before published. I'm pretty happy with it. Hopefully the book will be out in late May or early June. Stay tuned!

Work continues on Tom Strong and the Robots of Doom. Still not sure if it's okay to share artwork yet...soon! For now, I'll just post some recent sketchbook pages. While doing the Modern Masters interview and attending the Toronto show I started to feel like a bit of a hypocrite as I advised aspiring artists to practice drawing and to keep sketchbooks--I've abandoned quite a few sketchbooks in recent years because I just don't feel like drawing anymore in my free time. Time to get back into it and draw for fun again! I bought a nice new sketchbook and decided to start it off right with a decent finished drawing. I picked a couple of Tom Strong characters so I could get over worrying about what to draw and just went to town with pencils and some India Ink markers. The other page featured below shows the latest in my ongoing series of attempts to get a handle on drawing Superman, plus some hand and face doodles. I've decided I'm going to keep practicing these little "differently-shaped" faces so I can break my bad habit of choosing the same basic ovoid head shape every time I design a new character.


Finally, for those who frequent comic shops, here's a little list of upcoming releases featuring my work:

-May 22- posted on-sale date for Modern Masters vol.21, although I will be very surprised if the book actually ships that soon

-May 27- WildC.A.T.S. #11 - contains Part 1 of a Deathblow story written by Cristos Gage

-June 3- the new Ocean trade paperback(with new bonus material), plus The Authority #12 with Part 2 of that Deathblow story

-July 8- Tom Strong #1 Special Edition (a reprint of Tom Strong #1 as part of the "After Watchmen" promotion

-Sept. 16- Tom Strong Deluxe Edition Book 1 (high-quality larger size collection of the first 12 issues of Tom Strong all under a brand new cover)

--C

7 comments:

Kyle Latino said...

I'm always astounded to see how much guide work gets erased. Like Superman's skull there. Is that the way you were taught, or is that something you feel you must do to get it right?

mjartist said...

I really like the Superman drawing. It still looks like your work, but different.

I still keep sketchbooks going...about 3 or 4 at the same time so I very rarely finish a sketchbook. I think I have a few totally full. My goal this year is to fill up 2 or 3, just too see if I can.

Keep up the Great work!

Rafael Rosado said...

Hi Chris,
I don't know if this is something you'd be interested in, but there's a group of us here in Columbus that meets every Friday morning (7-10 am) for life drawing. We meet at Spindle design studio down in Clintonville. It's pretty mellow and informal. It's a mixed group of artists, a lot of graphic designers and animation people (I'm a storyboard artist myself). Anyway, I can send you more info if you want to check it out. Let me know!

Strangewingz said...

Believe it or not Chris, it does matter when you put out updates :)

dylan said...

Looking forward to your Modern Masters book. Only recently discovered your blog, some great posts on here, really love the step by step stuff. Been a fan of your stuff since Legionnaires!

Steven Wilcox said...

I am looking forward to the Modern Masters book, Chris... Well deserved tribute. I've been a fan of yours since the first appearance of The Conglomerate in Justince League Quarterly.

The Korinthian said...

Great for the Moder Masters!!
Now I will need to buy it!

I love drawing for fun. I feel great doing that.
The best!