Words from the Creator
Sat June 6 2020 Updates; Tribute; Lore; Adaptation; Thanks
Updates
Mon June 8 – Scanned a good portion of comics in mylar, making enough space to comfortably develop artwork. Posted scans of some impressive Michael Lisner covers of Dawn.*
I took some time, in the morning, to get ideas on paper, then completed 80% of the task ( studio arranging, efficiently organizing comics, in mylar; from old polyethelene bags). And set up the 2nd inking desk for using the crow quill pen. Which I hope to use tonight.
*I had seen a few of these, incidentally, but had stopped collecting comics when Dawn was beginning. I found a lot in pristine condition, of several series. There is alot to benefit from studying his informed drawings and surreal compositions, rendered so three dimensionally. His illustrations are timeless and powerful; definitely a quality ideal for covers, posters, and making an impression.
Sun June 7 – Studio Improvement: My efforts since June 4, through, tomorrow, June 8, enable ideal access to desks ( that had been stacked with comics recently delivered), which I need for inking*, and where all the drawings in progress are stacked.
* I was in a position, where I ran out of desk space, ( some of the recent comic orders, were ‘lots’, meaning 75 comics, in a stack, then a box of 50 comics, and a box of 30; when they get in quantity of over 174, then it’s prudent to access space; and arrange items optimally.)
As of this typing, I have regained space to my 2 inking desks, and achieved my rearrangement goals, 95% mostly**. While in the process, I found many great references I had acquired earlier, but couldn’t find ( due to being stacked in a pile); and properly bagged, comics that I had put off, for other priority tasks – it feels great to catch up the many tasks, and finally see my studio reaching its envisioned potential.
After getting the concept illustrations, and basic drawing studies done, for my original content ( and first set of scripts, improved to professional levels) I look forward, to daily drawing from any of the plethora of source material, from comics of history, genres, artists, famous and obscure, iconic and eclectic.
**What remains, I can do at my leisure, over the rest of the year ( ie,.photographing interiors; which is time consuming, and fatiguing: standing for over 8 hours; Eight high value 25 page pre-code comics in a day. Or four 52 page magazines in a day), but for now, my drawings and desks, are not block by heaps of comics.
This leaves the studio access to the various drawings in progress in a much better position, for embellishing*. The more organized every aspects gets, the more effective I can approach completing specific tasks, and plan.
I never know exactly how long this takes. The drawing schedule I designed, can be started, when I am not spending the whole day physically improving the studio.
Despite feeling like a day without achieving any art, its really, worth it ( and because the weather has been rainy daily, its been perfect, for getting these indoor/ studio tasks complete).
* ( I put in over 8 hours, standing, arranging stacks of comics that have been sitting throughout the studio** – despite being full of ideas to draw.
**Put 16 issues of a Michael Lisner “Dawn” lot, spanning the 90’s, and 2000’s. Inspiring, 3-d shaded, and colored illustrations; great physique proportions. I really want to get to doing some detailed colored concept art, and then onto lllustrations that can be used for key items ( in building the various things: logos, titles, covers, characters, maps, video game illustrations). and Lots of Supergirl, Super Family, Tomb of Terror, and misc comics that deserved mylar.
I will aim for a post on Tues, and try to wrap up arranging the studio***.
***( There are about 50 comics, that I want to put in polyethlene with standard boards: an Infinity Inc Lot, ( for now), and then fold and tape 75 I put in mylar today; and put already studied items in a strong storage box ( I made myself, with 6 layers of cardboard)
Having completed that*, I can then easily reach the art trade paperbacks ( Boris, Pollen, Stanton, Fastner and Larsen, Emanuele Taglieti), Magazines covers ( Eerie, Conan, Spirit), high value Pre code comics, Cgc’s, stacks of Bristol in progress, 2 inking desks, Laptop, graphic tablet, and 4 boxes of comic references.
* – Basically, I began upright storage ( since leaving comics stacked for long term, results in compression and spine roll), and moved the toploaders from the boxes ( upright), to stack on the shelf ( lying horizontal), and put the comic stacks ( in mylar) from horizontal, to upright in the boxes.
Later on I can move this text, to a Word, section of a Weekly post. Thanks for your interest!
Sat June 6 2020 – 12: 36am. I can access many of the covers ( several hundred), that had been stacked, double bagged*; The new arrangement will enable me to study covers regularly; and ink again**.
With a few more days of effort I can the studio/comic book museum setup. However, I have many ideas, and want to draw tomorrow; ( and post some of the great pre-code lurid/horror interiors I photographed the day before).
I left the studio in a state where I can draw all day.
I wrote some lyrics for a voice actress to sing; which I can compose in more detail later on. The lyrics work as both lore, and video game soundtrack vocals. It will be ready, when I get back to a normal waking and sleeping day, long enough to practice, and sing it a few times; so I can instruct the actress how to sing it.
My current plans are ( in approximately this sequence):
1. Draw tomorrow. For about 3 sets of 3 hours. ( Sun). Post items in the evening for 1 -2 hours. 2. Draw ( Mon) – continue processing comics ( for several hours ) 3. Draw ( Tues), post items in the evening for about 3 -6 hours. 4. Family event ( Weds: first half of day) – evening process comics for rest of day. 5. Spend the day assembling a box, and processing comics ( for first half of day) . (Thurs) 6. Draw, use inking table, color pencils. ( Fri). 7. Draw, use coloring software for 4 – 8 hours (Sat) , post items for 1 hour. 8. Draw, use coloring software for 4 – 8 hours ( sun), process comics ( for 1 hour) 9. Use inking table all day, ( Mon ) 10. Use prismacolor, inks, post 1 – 6 hours ( Tues).
If I follow this, I should be able to get the studio setup within 2 weeks, without a decrease in art work flow – and get some inking and coloring.
I will try to make sure I sleep on time, so I can finish the reproduction studies, pending the many 19 x 24″ templates. Just a couple backgrounds, and supporting figures.
I would like to be ready to produce daily pages, without significant delays, related to studio*** – and begin the concentration, of studying the many covers I searched online, won at auction, unboxed, photographed interiors, and put in mylar/fullback/toploader, so I can easily access, to sit down and draw anytime****.
*pending proper storage. mylar and fullbacks
** There were alot of items on the inking desk, to store and sort ( relating to an event I mentioned a month ago.
***( physical obstacles, moving furniture, searching for reference material, stacks of artwork, scripts, files; to get to inking desk, digital tablet, easel, lamps ect. )
**** ( despite weather, with or without pc on, in or out doors).
Thanks for your interest!
Honoring Legends
I see much of modern amateur pieces, accompanied by captions, and think (like Todd Macfarlane often says): why can’t this be drawn better, or look cooler, or have a better character, story, or done with the effort of AAA Video games, big budget S/fx films, and top mainstream illustrators. If you have seen Todd Macfarlane’s detailed toys, that is the attitude of LuridMax. Keep rendering it, unlike it looks like the reference.
Story Telling
Adaptations
Would like to set up a gallery, comparing iconic character design’s before, and after legendary artists reinvented them – such as: Spiderman ( Romita/Ditko to Todd Macfarlane), Psylocke ( Betsy Braddock to Jim Lee’s Assassin of Mandarin).
The fun and interesting part ( intellectually- to me) will be to try to draw in the ‘styles’ of legendary artists; for example, drawing classic characters in the original style, then reinventing them as Jim Lee; or Todd Macfarlane; ect. The more comics I have, the more range of artists I can study.
Gratitude
Your interest and contributions and Very appreciated!
Warmest Regards.