Batman: The Ankh issue #1 cover by John Van Fleet

Dwight, Swain and Adrian run one of best podcasts in the comics, art and illustration game. I find myself going back to SiDEBAR NATION over and over. It’s like they’ve tapped into my who’s of who list of interview subjects for creators.

The interview that they did with Tomm Coker was one of the best that I’ve ever heard. Their relaxed casual manner somehow gets each artist to open up and tell stories that you never get to hear in most interviews.

On Halloween they posted an hour-plus podcast in conversation with artist Jon Van Fleet. I’ve been a fan of his since Shadows Fall and will buy any original graphic novel that he illustrates site unseen.

In this discussion he talks about his college days, getting into the comics business and then delves quite deeply into his digital / practical hybrid art style. It’s very cool to hear an artist riff on his techniques, inspirations and the business in general. Highly recommended.

John’s process can be quite arduous whether he is painting, doing xerography or digital painting.

Shadows Fall Issue #5 cover by John Van Fleet

Around nine years ago I wrote him an email asking him about his process for creating the unique look of the Shadows Fall interior pages. He responded:

Jason,
Thank you for showing your interest in my art, I hope you have been to my web site at johnvanfleet.com all of my newer works can be found under the new work section. As to the how to part, I guess I should start by saying things are always changing for me and the way I work, the computer is the newest tool and  I have yet to put it to it’s fullest potential. I work in acrylics mostly with some dyes and color pencils.

The first step is a pencil drawing that I add color to, then I add the black line work over the color. The black is FW acrylic ink with some acrylic add to it for body. At times I do Xerox transfers to the background and paint over them this is harder to explain but here goes. First design the image you want to use. I collage elements together to get what I am looking for (this can be done best in a computer) The image must then be flipped left to right because when you transfer an image it will mirror the picture you use.

The image has to be a xerox copy and placed face down on your drawing bristol. You then add xylene to the back ( this is a solvent like acitone and is nasty stuff ) it goes by other names but they ecape me at present. It is a solvent and I get it at a home center or paint store. You add a small amount by brush at a time and rub the back with a blunt object like a spoon back or the back end of a design marker. As you rub the image is melted by the solvent and your rubbing transfers it to the board. Do about a 3 inch square patch at a time and don’t over wet the back start slow and small then you can grow as you go. It helps to tape the copy down (face down) so it wont move on you. I paint on top when it’s done. I use workable fix to protect thing at the end.

I have found this works best for me but you may hate the results you get. I have been working on things this way for 10 years or so slowly changing and adding things to the approach. I hope this helps. Remember it’s the trip that counts not the destination, so keep searching for what works best for you.

Thanks,
John Van Fleet

The Abominable Charles Christopher art by Karl Kerschl

Cartoonist Brian McLachlan has posted an amazing write-up on coloring comics.

This how-to-colour-comics tutorial is geared towards webcomics but applies to regular comics as well. I’m not going to teach you the ins-and-outs of a particular art program. Instead, you will learn 10 important things to consider whether you colour with Photoshop or a paintbrush. These lessons will keep your comic storytelling clear and dynamic.

He breaks it down to 10 main points. Read vs real, basics of colour theory, RGB vs CMYK, character design, sketch from life are some of what he covers.

So head on over and check it out.

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the pen and ink stylings of Anville. We interviewed him for our ‘masters of ink‘ series and have been following him ever since.

He unleashed two new posters in late October and we’re a little late to the game getting these out to you.

First up is his Last of the V8’s print. The version that he’s selling is in color but we scored a look at the black and white version. If you’re a fan of Anville’s art you should get on his mailing list as he offers exclusive limited versions of his prints by email only.

Presented here is a limited print of the second iteration of the “icons of motoring” series. This is the gold variant of the “Last of the V8s” printed on 100lb super gold curious paper, in a signed edition of 35.

He also did a concert poster / print for the band Circa Survive for their 2010 tour.

This is a 3 color print made for the 2010 Circa Survive tour at the House of Blues. 60 are available from the artist, signed and numbered out of a total edition of 140.

Head on over to his site for more info.
-Jay

Nike Sportswear unveiled a teaser for their new short DEFIANT which chronicles the story of Athetics West. And they’ve used the artwork of comics artist and illustrator Nathan Fox to bring the story to animated life.

They broke rules. They broke records. They broke limits.
This is the story of the Defiant Dozen that put American track and field back on the map and sparked running as we know it today.

The full film will be released next Tuesday, October 19th and we’ll make sure to come back and let you know about it. In the meantime here’s 42 seconds of Nathan Fox badassery. I especially love how they even followed his trademark lunatic color schemes. This is awesome.

Defiant. The story of Athletics West

Previously Nike Stadiums had collaborated  with artist and graphic novelist Danijel Zezelj on the Heroes of Speed soccer film. Their marketing department obviously has amazing taste in comic artists and illustrators and apparently DMZ fill-in artists.