IMPORTANT NOTICE! HALF TERM

There will be no class on Tuesday 28th October , due to it being half term.

The next calss will be held on Tuesday 4th November

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER TERM, WEEK 4

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER TERM, WEEK 3 (PART 3)

For any of you with unfinished work from previous terms.....

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER TERM, WEEK 3 (PART 2)

Following on from this weeks class, I just wanted to elaborate  on a couple of  things I mentioned in class.

GAVIN

I recognise your style now and I think it just needs some focus on iroing out the kinks, stylewise.

May I suggest  you  have a look at Virgil Finlay's work.

Vigil Finlay , created some of the most stimulating sci-fi / fantasy  art of the 1900s. I was totally fascinated by his work as a teenager and still am today. I think you will learn a lot from studying his work that may well help push your art to the next level.

Here are some examples of his work. Note the balance of solids and the tonal range of his hatching and stippling. Actually it goes further than simply hatching, I think , tonal effects, is the correct description.

 and then there is his ultra detailed work, which simply blows my mind

You can read more abot Finlay here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_Finlay

Back in the 90's I was made aware of Kelley Jones' work on the covers of Batman, in particular, the knightfall story where Bane breaks Batman's back, and also the Alien comicbook story, Hive.

I was instantly hooked on Jons' style. I t was different form most other artists around at the time. It was dark, over the top, twisted and violent. It suck it's claws into my heart and I have loved it ever since. Yes, it can be said that there are elements of Bernie Wrightson in his work and definitely Virgil Finlay too but Jones, in my opinion, stands alone. He stands out as a unique artist  in the field of illustration. He's one of those artists that you either love or hate but you can't be indifferent about.

See what you think . Study the use of solids, the use of hatching and the awesome composition.

 You can see the Finlay influence here but it is still very much a Kelley Jones peice

For more about Kelley Jones and his published work, most of which you can still buy, check out this link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelley_Jones

IMRAZ

To get a basic grounding in drawing comics, you need look no further than How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way.

Published by titan. I know Jared ha sa staff at OK Comics and also Nabil has a stash at Travelling Man, so you have no escuse for not having a copy. 

Yes, it's written by Stan Lee, so it's cheesy and very 70's but the informiation in this book is solid. A lot of today's pro's cut their teeth with this book. 

Read this book back to front, and then , read it again and again. Follow the exercises within the book. If you need guidence I will be thre to take you through it.

Don't just take my word for it

http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/how-to-draw-comics-the-marvel-way/

http://marswillsendnomore.wordpress.com/tag/how-to-draw-comics-the-marvel-way/

When you are done with that book I can also recomment Panel Discussions published by Twomorrows. A very good book.

 I am sure OK comics  and Traveling man have copies of this

Also, DRAW!, published by twomorrows. 

It has a very good section each week called ROUGH CRITIQUE by Bob McLoud, where McLoud gives critique to aspiring comic book artists. Mike Manley's, Comic Art Bootcamp is very educational.
The magazine is a very good read indeed. I have many copies.

I've blogged about this mag before

http://fantasyartclass.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/twomorrows-publishing.html
I still go back to these mags every so often  for tips etc. There is so much valuable info in each issue.

Anyway, food for thought.

Ok, time out.

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER TERM, WEEK 3 (PART 1)

As promised, here are the images from tonight's class. More to come soon.

Terror and Wonder: The Gothic Imagination

If you live down London way or are planning a visit, this looks interesting.

Terror and Wonder: 

The Gothic Imagination

     BRITISH LIBRARY

Fri 3 Oct 2014 – Tue 20 Jan 2015

http://www.bl.uk/whatson/exhibitions/gothic/index.html

Discover the UK’s biggest ever Gothic exhibition.
Two hundred rare objects trace 250 years of the Gothic tradition, exploring our enduring fascination with the mysterious, the terrifying and the macabre.
From Mary Shelley and  Bram Stoker to Stanley Kubrick and  Alexander McQueen, via  posters, books, film and even a vampire-slaying kit, experience the dark shadow the Gothic imagination has cast across film, art, music, fashion, architecture and our daily lives.
Beginning with Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto, Gothic literature challenged the moral certainties of the 18th century. By exploring the dark romance of the medieval past with its castles and abbeys, its wild landscapes and fascination with the supernatural, Gothic writers placed imagination firmly at the heart of their work - and our culture.
Iconic works, such as handwritten drafts of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the modern horrors of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser and the popular Twilight series, highlight how contemporary fears have been addressed by generation after generation.
Terror and Wonder presents an intriguing glimpse of a fascinating and mysterious world. Experience 250 years of Gothic’s dark shadow

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER TERM, WEEK 1-2 (PART 1)

Rather than wait until i had the time to write a proper post, I thought I would throw these up form this Tuesdays class , for those who need more time to finish off.