Souris, Prince Edward Island, 1920. Digital image.

A Few more Ink Samples...

 More great art by Yanick Paquette. I like how he switches from very angular to very flowing lines with his work. I try to maintain as much of his integrity, but allow a nice brush- like feel to the finishes. I hope I achieve it... this is all digital inking,btw.

Inking Yanick Paquette

This Montreal-based illustrator for DC Comics was great enough to forward me his pencils to ink.... this is a great opportunity to flex the cintiq muscles and actually tackle the comic book page! And what an awesome time! Yanick's pencils are tight and powerful, and full of detail. My first example is of Spider-Man, and I must say.... it was with great pleasure! Please tell me what you think.... I will post the others in the next day or so...

You can see Yanick's current stuff in the new DC's Swamp Thing... get out there and get it!

Inking BLUDD...

James Waley, a friend, asked me to ink a character he created back in the day for the Charlton Comics
Bullseye series. The characters name is BLUDD. James had Canadian artist Dale Keown do a finished pencil for him this past year...

I know, right? Beautiful, dynamic stuff. Classic Keown! I always loved the energy he put in his work which dates all the way back to when he drew for Aircel Comics, up to Hulk and his Pitt stuff. BAM! In your face! James heard I was practicing on the Cintiq, and asked if I'd ink this piece... I said sure. What the hell. I loved inking this, actually. It's like drawing rock and roll. Here's my solution:

Peril at Summerland Park

Peril at Summerland Park, my new Twisted Journeys book from Graphic Universe™, is on track for its January release! I'm once again partnered with writer Paul Storrie. This book will be on the bookstands in January!

Inking Gene Colan...

Gene Colan (Sept. 1, 1926 - June 23, 2011) 

I always loved his work. My first encounter with him was when he illustrated Daredevil, but I began my true admiration of his stuff with Tomb of Dracula, JAWS and Howard the Duck. His work moves your eyes from one point to another, like water. His work can take you on gentle streams at times,  then hurl you into rushing falls. There's a visual poetry to Gene Colan's art... I can't describe it any better then that. Google his work. It's worth the journey!


When I began to practice with the Cintiq, I picked artists that would be a good challenge to work with. Jim Lee, Jack Kirby.... but nothing prepared me for Colan's pencils. Inking his stuff was like learning how to skate on ice for the first time. The fluidity and 'precise looseness' of his pencils really pushed my abilities! It was fun and scary at the same time. Here's what I managed... again.... with great respect one of the truest Masters of this artform. 

Cintiq Attempt 2...

So it goes... here I attempt (once again) to practice with the Cintiq.... this time with the master of comic book art: Jack 'the King' Kirby. Kirby was largely responsible (with Stan Lee) for familiar icons such as Fantastic Four, X-Men, etc. More about him can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby
I personally love Jack Kirby's work. I think he redefined comics, and presented the form in a dynamic and powerful way. His 'Kirby dots' were perfect for the Cintiq. In fact, as I worked on this piece, I kept thinking what Jack would do with this technology. His work is mind blowing (especially his cosmic stuff). If you watch the new 'Captain America' movie... check out the technology that is used in it. All of it is based on his amazing work... so here we have it:

First: the amazing pencils by Jack Kirby, and my attempt to dare come close to it's radiance with digital inking... next time: Gene Colan!