Why? Not who.
February 5, 2010
So in my recent interview I had to answer the age old question of “Who/what are (my) influences?”. Everyone asks that, it’s a standard question, and in most cases, I want to know the same thing about every artist I admire. Maybe it’s some daydream that if they like the same artists I do, then one day we’ll meet, and become the best of friends. OK, that’s not realistic, but I think secretly it’s what we all want to belive. I’ve been considering this over-and-over, but it seems that the real question ought to be, “Why are they influences?” So I decided to explain one of them.
Adam Hughes- huge influence. Why? There are a ton of reasons, and most people would assume it’s his ability to draw beautiful women. I’d be fibbing if I didn’t admit I’ve swiped… er, been influenced by that. Hair, eyes, lips, hands, fingernails, legs, heels, necks… I’ve studied it all. Yet, that’s not the reason I really go back to him as an influence. It’s more subtle than that, and the best way to explain it- is to show it.
One of his earlier works, the Star Trek graphic novel “Debt of Honor“, is a prime example of when, and why, he became a huge influence. I think a lot of his ability to capture likenesses was lost in process from pencil to final art, but Adam made up for any problems in that area with body language. His subtle use of posturing, how figures distribute their weight, and the way they carry themselves as individuals, are the real reasons I go back to his work constantly. A great example of this can be seen in two panels, almost identical, from different points in the story, set years apart.
It’s simply Spock and Kirk talking on the bridge, this one is obviously classic Trek. That’s apparent from the details, green Captain shirt, the classic red doors, Beatle boots, etc… The true beauty of it comes from how the body postures alone tell us which one is Spock and which is Kirk, heck you don’t even need the heads! Look at Spock’s board straight back in comparison to Kirk’s relaxed, but always in command, stance. Kirk’s hands hanging at his side, ready to throw a punch at a moment’s notice, but Spock’s are tight behind him, ever stoic.
Classic Trek
The second panel is set during the film era, which we know from the uniforms and sleek bridge design. Again, you can tell instantly who is who just by how they’re standing, but if that weren’t enough, now he’s aged them. It’s not exaggerated with gray hair or big guts, it’s tweaks to their overall form. They still look like Spock and Kirk, they’re just obviously older.
Years later...
It’s handled so well, and it was that point I became a huge fan. So it wasn’t the curvaceous bombshells, sultry eyes, or luscious lips, rather it was the subtle grace he gave Starfleet. That’s one reason why he’s a major influence on me.
Throwing a Spanos in the works
February 2, 2010
So in an effort to post more, and to get ready for the convention season, I’m trying to force myself to do a sketch (or at least a quick tight pencil drawing) every day -or so. This often leads to the trouble of picking subjects, but one thing helps with those decisions, the birthdays of my favorite editors. I’ve done several for my gang of compadres in the UK offices of Titan Books. When my wife and I were in London, that band of rabble quickly became good friends, something we’ve maintained since our return. Recently, Den’s lovely lady Philippa had her birthday, and he mentioned he had purchased a beautiful Mucha print for her (as if Mucha did any ugly images?), so I decided to whip up a drawing for her. I had gone through a strong period of Mucha-envy after seeing an exhibit of his work in Tulsa (during my days of living in Oklahoma) and went to see it several times. I was more amazed by his pencil drawings than his paintings or posters, mainly for their delicate line work. That was something I tried to emulate in my own work for a long time, but I hadn’t tried a drawing like that in years. What the heck, I did my best. I must say that front hand was a total pain and garnered more time than I wanted to spend on it, but it ha(n)d to be done.
Philippa seemed to like it, and what guy doesn’t want a beautiful girl to consider his drawing of her to be flattering.
Or as I call it "Philucha"
Toot that horn!
January 25, 2010
Recently I met Mike Rhode, a great guy who’s deeply involved with the comic/art scene in the DC area. For some unexplained reason, he decided to do an article about me for the Washington, DC “City Paper“. Check out the link and give it a gander. Since he mentions this blog, I figured I better update it for a change! I’ll try to get a few more posts up soon, so y’all come back now, hear?
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with S.L. Gallant
Oh Mom!
December 13, 2009
OK- it’s been months- literally, but I’ll try to post a bit more as the days leading up to the new year pass along. For now, let me tell you a tale, about a mother. One that is very proud, but very silly, concerning her youngest boy. This boy tells his mom about a charity auction that he’s doing art work for. One that is selling signed drawings by various artists to raise money for Breast Cancer research. (Can you tell where this is going?) He sends her a link so she can coo over the fact, but really so she can see the drawing he’s done for that charity auction. Think of it as an internet version of the fridge door, but no magnets necessary. She says to him- “How do I bid on that?”, to which he replies “You don’t. You’re my mom. You don’t need to buy my art, ’cause I can draw you whatever you want.”
She didn’t listen- sigh. How embarrassing is this? Her justification? Because I never sign anything I give her- but this was guaranteed to have a signature. Argh.
Mom strikes again
Breast Cancer Month
October 11, 2009
So as I’m sure most people have heard, October is breast cancer month. Now I could make some smart comment about saving breasts, but this isn’t the place for that.
A few months ago I got an email from a guy named Jason Gavin, who was asking comic artists to donate sketches for an ebay auction intended to raise money for breast cancer research. It turns out that his mother and his sister were diagnosed with breast cancer only a couple of months apart, so in honor of them he started the marlabeabenefit and this website. There’s a section on it with all the sketches that are being auctioned off on ebay thru his seller name “marlabeabenefit”. The auction begins on Monday, October 12th, and will last 7 days. Take a moment to see what’s available, and please consider bidding on something that takes your fancy. Remember it’s for charity and a great cause. As an incentive, below is the sketch of the Baroness (from GI Joe/Cobra) that I did for the auction.
UPDATE: the auction has started, so here’s a link to my sketch of the Baroness for anyone crazy enough to bid on it.
Again there are a ton of other sketches to bid on, so check them out as well-
Remember- bidding ends on October 19th! Good luck!
Baroness sketch on Ebay starting Oct. 12th from seller marlabeabenefit
