Words from the Creator

Thurs June 23 2020 Updates; Tribute; Lore; Adaptation; Thanks

Updates

Fri June 26 10:34pm –

Caught up sleep, expect to get some good studio work done over the rest of the week. ( many orders came; I unboxed, photographed: including, Purple Claw #1 ( Minoan press), a handful of Dejah Thoris nude covers, great Fabiano Neves covers, 6th scale Gethsemoni ( Court of the Dead).

I have an idea for a Zaydimar cover – and began with the logo; and color rough. Would like to work more on it; best would be to have discipline, and simply go to bed early, so tomorrow I can do better quality work on every task. I am hoping to get some colored, inked stuff done; I want to start using my crow quill pen; rapidographs, touch screen tablet ( to digitally color on CSP), paint.

Today, I began organizing a folder of 3,313 reference images I saved; with expressions and poses I want to study on the PC monitor ( for about an hour and a half); and sorted, compiled, stories, dialogue, from a folder of writing on the PC, from April to present: including a main character, General Kalignos – that features as an untrustworthy ally, villain, in relation to Suathra; the written script, introduces alot of elements, for new alien, art I want to include: concepts, like the Crepusculoids, DulagChan, and more armies; another castle. Some possibly risque dialogue, in a scene related to General Kalignos.

My goal for tomorrow, is to get the Zaydimar cover down in pencil, and to finish the color rough ( possibly, ink outline), and the concept art of a physiques, poses; and work up to the higher concentration requiring tasks; ie,. cover study, anatomy, pc monitor of key items that would improve drawings ( expressions, supporting cast, background). Then develop variant covers for the Zaydimar cover.

I have an idea to make a Lurid (Horror) Magazine*; and to feature some redrawings, or colored versions ( paintings ) of items from the Apocrypyha; and feature access to the magazine, as an item purchaseable – either from a website, that requires a registration fee ( so I can prevent people not willing to give me their name, from accessing my work), or directly from Da – as the next phase of Lurid Max, in the social channels.

Whether or not a known troll has access, and reason to slander it, is not as important, as continuing to use the page in some capacity, to demonstrate presence.

Posting variant covers from the magazine, using particular styles ( that appear, different from the style I use for my original character brands) – like famous styles, is another way to create quality content, and remain virtually anonymous.

I look forward to completing some work that I can put together specifically for Lurid Max, and promote on DA core, on social channels; in a way, that is clearly a different brand from the character/story brands I have been developing.

Going to get a good sleep tonight, so I can get more studio work done; I look forward to posting more tomorrow.*

*I almost got a “Weird Horrors #1” ( hooded figure on cover – perfect for reference), at 8.0 worth $956: until last 3 secs, someone sniped it; that’s okay, there are more copies out there.

I found Tales of Voodoo Vol 2 #4 – the one remaining from the Eerie magazines, that has an iconic lurid pre-code horror cover worth studying; which I couldn’t find anywhere 2 months ago. It’s ordered, and being shipped.

Weds June 24,

11:32pm – 12:20am  Been participating in auctions, getting rare and iconic references – plan to share, photos of recently acquired items.  Great interior sequences*.   Possibly, in the coming months, we might see some upgrades to the website ( speed, ect). I contacted the top actress, and everything is okay for her to wait till I complete the script** ( currently 700 words).

Really want to get back in the studio, and build up momentum, from drawings, in incremental detail ( as I nearly caught up my sleep today – and completely over the next week); building up to inking , finishes; color pencil; paintings. And spend some time, on color software. So much of what I’ve been doing lately, probably falls into the category of business planning, management, and web site running. Will be great to do art.

*( both golden age, and new) waiting to be edited (file size requirement) to post.

**After I have it completed, I plan to have a preliminary actress read it ( for full broadcast also, but at 1/14 the price of the top actress. Then post the prelim, and assess. I really want as many lines ( for as much of the story regarding Zaydimar) acquired at full broadcast with this 700 word order from the top actress)***

*** I also have 2 spin off titles, that are based on the Arabian nights, literal prelude; as historically written; using historical fiction, names, costumes ****,

****found images of harem costumes, I would like to study, before completing illustrations related to Raljun, Zaydimar, ect, ( & additional 2 spin offs; which I can go into more detail, as I develop it more:)

My goal for Zaydimar, and the spin-offs.

Zaydimar – as a risque adult comic, that has adventure, written to appeal as a story.

Spin-offs: as over-the -top, unapologetic, pre code horror*.

*( with story, but in the lurid, style of the in your face 1970’s Eerie Magazines; without concern for censorship.)

Zaydimar

The Executioner

I would like Zaydimar, to be appealing to young women and adult women, as a character they would like to play; the benefit of this ( effort in the characterization, and script dialogue) is a wider range of actresses, of far higher quality participating – in audio; and possibly, aspirations for fan-art, cosplay, and as fans of the character.

The spin-offs, can utilize any vo I obtain for Zaydimar , and be presented as lurid horror content, to a smaller audience, without adversely impacting the above project. With the overlapping themes, and quality art, the clear delineation between the lurid horror presentation, and the adventure character story, will elevate the appeal of both.

If this project is successful on kickstarter, and in social channels, it will definitely get alot more attention in the studio; paintings, more sequences; which I can utilize software, to make efficient, the creation of sequences with lines of characters, epic scenes; as fully detailed paintings, with sequences, from drawn poses; with many software aided frames ( by moving objects, in increments, with raster layer, and saving over the original image).

Each project ( ie, Zaydimar, Witchfynder, Congo Jongo,,…) I launch, that gains subscribers, will get its own website ( you and the handful of grass -roots supporters, will be given links, and have access to all the new content that branches from, and was enabled by your support here). *

Mortle Fan-Art

*I am really excited about a new brand I have, in the works = MORTLE: Fan-Art. Which is a much simpler, studio project; the time can go right into lurid pre code one shot illustrations, sequences; using color, ink ( variety of styles) . The kind of projects that seem to be supported widely by adult/ lurid horror art audiences; which are generally anonymous, and can feature mainstream characters – fan-art; getting a wider audience, than original characters, alone; which no one knows to searches for, if they’ve never heard of them. This seems to be a productive avenue for generating an audience of subscribers; while I sow the seeds of my original characters, in the seemingly decade long process of conceiving, developing, and featuring in stories.

Dream Host Website Upgraded:

I have already upgraded this website, – yesterday, – to host unlimited domains (Shared Unlimited). So when I have the material ( art, scripts, vo, music, promo, and accounts: paypal, DA, gumroad, pivix, IG, Patreon, Subscribestar, ,..ect) ready, I can purchase a new domain name ( which is renewed annually), and start opening social channels, to the new ( finished, – colored, ink*).

*Currently, I think it’s wisest, to post a few completed pieces, for advertising the next brand; rather than hundreds of cropped WIP in pencil. I anticipate, a handful of fully colored pieces, with a link for a whole set ( or issue) could get new subscribers!

 – I have had plans to expand, and broaden the audience,  to fully fund all my concepts – that are reaching fruition: in large part to your continued interest; which I genuinely appreciate.  

Thanks so much – stay safe!

Tues June 23, 5:22 pm – Added 6 images* to interior photos, to June 4th Vintage; 4 images to Weekly Early Access,

*(24 MP photos; reduced 90% – to fit upload limit)

Mon June 22, 4:59 am – I completed several auctions* – now I can concentrate on studio projects ( as soon as I get a days worth of proper sleep.).

*4 pending B.O., and 3 low priority bids: with a final higher value lot of 4 , ending in 5 d.

10:01pm – I spent Sat drawing and writing – as I began to develop the overall Zaydimar story. Aspects: a) organizing all the scenes ( lurid pre -code horror); and variations; so that the story works optimally. b) planning, to include interactions of the character with others – ( which involves ‘back story’ consideration) – c) thinking of ‘taglines’ ( ad’s promos, that would sound good on social media- once it’s out there, I imagine, numerous people can access, download, hear and form opinions.

My goal is to generate depth of character and story – with the top actress (who takes acting classes) as a main character, whose story crosses the paths of other characters ( ie,.. like Stan Lees Marvel, crossovers). It takes a little more time than just writing one story; but it’s getting closer.

I can add more ‘gigs’, if my revisions still are over 700 words. It’s most efficient, to get the broad cast rights, for one large order; than individual small orders ( the broad cast right fee is more than double the per ‘gig’ fee*).

*for this particular actress. There are many amateurs who charge a fraction, for more words, and some don’t even mention broadcast or commercial rights fees; some include it free, or negligible amount.

So, I am hoping to do my best, on the written parts, before I submit it to the top actress.

Reference Search: Vampirella, Dejah Thoris, Red Sonja,

Meanwhile, I spent the weekend, looking up reference material: Dejah Thoris covers ( thousands ) – especially like Fabiano Neves drawings of women; their physique proportions, and his line work. It seems very informed, yet stylized, and practiced ( so that he can draw them without reference, and it still looks alive).

I tried to thoroughly peruse all online comic stores, including ebay and other online markets, for reference material – coming across many covers worth studying ( some I have seen before, and many, totally undiscovered, by me, till now*).

There are about 24 years worth of modern GGA-type comics, I haven’t perused. Some of the – comicbook art – art ( of the past 2 decades) that was remarkable: 1. Vampirella ( dynamite) 2. Dejah Thoris ( Warlord of Mars: many title variations) 3. Red Sonja 4. Chaos comics( Lady death, Purgatori,..)

There were some father’s day store wide discounts, at Midtown comics, and others. So, I took the time to go through as many as I could; inadvertently staying up through the night ( last night) to 6:24 am.

I slept less than 3 hours today. ( there were Golden Age, comics on auction, that I researched, to see if any were worth getting; checking always, scarcity, condition ; if there are other copies, in better condition, I just download the jpgs ( ebay images, are usually higher resolution, than Price Guide archive thumbs). But when there are no other better copies, at any seller that day; I usually buy it ( if the price is under list, or otherwise resellable at a profit for me, after I am done drawing it*)

*photographing interiors, now; for redraw panels, that have drawings that would make ideal references for scenes, or illustrations.

I found alot of pose, expression, costume, and background ( color, logo , lettering) reference comics – I ordered the best Dejah ( essentially a nude, brazilian, top heavy – breast size – athlete physique; depending on the artist ; in general , the costume is about as revealing as possible); Vampirella; Red Sonja; and won some rare Jungle comics, that would make good reference material.

I obviously, spent a good deal of time, thought and energy looking up, artwork, that would look great to draw. However, I still drew in my composition book, the many new costume ideas, and scenes and poses.

Thermidor Vo order: ETA Update

The 1st voice over I ordered, is late – but the actress is one of the hardest working I’ve encountered. She felt under the weather, and indicated, she still has her voice, but, cannot read for as long at a time; until she gets rested and well; nonetheless, she accepted the Thermidor project, and is working on it. Likely, the longer she has to work on it, the better each part will ultimately be.

Also, I’ve invested, and watched my stocks make gains, in the past 2 weeks. Like Todd Macfarlane said, I’m not not creating art because I’m interested in money,… I make money to drive my art. ”

6th Scale Models:

I also perused this years 6th scale model ( TB League) releases, and pre -ordered a number of models, whose costumes are perfect references for the various characters ( armor, fan art; knight, warrior, barbarian, pirate, priestess, horned).

I am finishing an auction tonight, and another tomorrow. Someone, had a handful of rare, decent condition, 70 year old ( GGA) that is the best I’ve seen of their titles.*

*an aspect of how this is time consuming is mostly calculations, and cross referencing. I only buy, if I am sure I can’t get it anywhere else for a better deal.

Top Actress: Script submission ETA

I had messaged the top actress, the day after I purchased her gigs for 700 wrds and broadcast rights- indicating eTA 4-6 hrs. Then not long after, ( upon realizing, I had an indefinite amount of scripts on another computer, related to the character/story, that it would be ETA early this week. *

*I asked if it was helpful, to submit sections as they were completed – but, noticed, my order ( her delivery clock) wasn’t going to begin, until I submitted the requirements – so, without checking her reply, I simply got to work, then over the weekend ( the aforementioned: research, investing, story development) .

In the two days I planned to finish the script, I organized documents, and compiled, arranged, and made a sequential story. I realized I had more documents to process than I could in the ETA; I tried to include everything relevant; and wanted to revise the larger work. ETA is currently TBA – Three days non stop, on this, I had other business to attend. If it’s fine with her, I’ll just work on it, and when it’s done, submit. The payment is made, and I’m in no rush if she isn’t.

I should contact her soon ( tomorrow), to touch base. Since she hasn’t heard from me since the day of the order.

Golden Age/Pre-Code Auctions

I will try to finish 3 total auctions ( tonight, day after, then another 4d, and 5d from now approx). There are a handful of great references. I look forward to sharing them.

I am really inspired, to create some colored main figures ( flesh tones, costumes). Having an overview of my story, and working on the first property (Zaydimar) in detail, really brings this project closer to the kind of work Fabiano Neves did on Dejah Thoris.

I found backgrounds, face, pose, and costume references for enough of a supporting cast, to make the kind of depth, in the images, I envisioned. ( including names, and stories). The fun part, will be just doing studio art ( not trying to brainstorm, or jot down ideas, and get drawings down, sketched only, because of time conservation).

Inspired by Colored Professional Comicbook

As a viewer ( when I look through references) I can appreciate the impact of one, single, remarkably colored, piece; if the composition has a meaning ful background, and supporting cast details, and the main figure has a pose with perspective, and idealized anatomy; adding a logo, title, taglines, and captions, make both have more depth, as an art form. The possibilities for variations of; clothes, nudity, different expressions, characters, letters ect. When made into finished colored art, using software to swap figures, scenes on the same detailed background;( and letters) can make for a plethora of fascinating, thought provoking content.

I acquire the references, and do the research , in the spirit of doing homework, being prepared, making the effort to be above reproach in every way I can. Things that I cannot control ( ie, how people interpret my art, what viewers preferences are, attention spans, subjects of interest, whether they like the way I draw or subject.) are made less problematic, when I take the time, and put forth the effort, to do what I can. Studying art that really looks good to me, is one way. Acquiring physical copies, to increase the accessibility of references. And preparing to get a breadth of study, by periodically checking online stores and auctions.

Faro’s Lounge

I read about Faro Kane; after seeing some Faro’s Lounge prints and ‘comics’ on ebay. I had seen the art ( topless, nudes of mainstream and highly recognizable characters) before, earlier this year – I finally looked into it more. Some of the art was really impressive, and I assumed Faro Kane was some phenomenal, character (personality) force of nature, who also could draw like a full-time pro. There is a blog on the website, and he travels, and writes stories that don’t censor his thoughts if they are erotic or otherwise non mainstream, but include political speculative fiction – ie,. if Abraham Lincoln lived, and made a graphic novel series. He had a serious injury – hit by a drunk driver, while he was walking home- ( and similar to Tommy Wiseau – of ” The Room”)then began creating stories, and hiring talents, work on it. In Faro’s case, he hires artists, to do commissions, and sells collections of this work.

Pumpmonger of deviant art, seems to also hire artists, to work on his original character ‘Red’.

Storytelling

After reading about Faro, I thought about why, and when I began my creative storytelling/ illustration. The why, is likely similar: events, that lead to the realization of time, mortality, and awareness, that my legacy is what I make it. There are people going in many directions, and most are oblivious to my existence. Realizing, the ideas, and sparks for creation, that are like sown seeds, need to be planted, now. Probably, similar to the description of mid-life crisis, and the generative phase.

I have time to make and share what is meaningful to me; so all that I care about, will be passed on. People, think their perspective, is the only one, until around their mid thirties. As they see aspects of the backdrop of their lives, fade and be forgotten – with new generations being pandered to; everyone carrying a snapshot from a different era, as their image of ‘the way things are’ , becomes, a dusty postcard, of the ‘way things were’.

Unless I remember them, and care about them enough, to share, will no one even know. I do. Perhaps, it feels like a duty. Or like someone calling out into the expanse, realizing, the expanse will be around longer, and in urgency, declares, “I am here now” – to any who may hear. And after it is only a few who know, will the photographs, and writings, speak something, they will keep.

There is a deep seated sense of preservation, and immortality, through creating something: a remarkable, meaningful , story, or image – satisfied, by curating, 70 year old, comics, and studying them; giving fresh life, to observations, that endure in meaning – like honoring ancestors, and keeping their presence.

When I see recording of shows, from the 80’s ( or earlier), they seem timeless; and take on a life, that I react to, everytime I ‘see/listen’ to them,; the dialogue, and feelings expressed, I have only ever experienced, as ‘ recording’. I have not met most of the lead actors, in films that I can recall, in about as much detail, than days I’ve experienced talking to people in person. Many important lessons, and ideas, were shared with me, in this way.

Artists Experience

I was inspired, to make a series of stories, with characters that interact. Something I took for granted with comics and movies, but never approached on that scale, or for extended duration. Most artists, have pieces that make sense at the time they create it. Like dreams, an amalgam of ideas, processed out onto part.

Comicbooks typically have stories written by ‘writers’, whose skill set is creating stories that keep readers interested start to finish; and art, by several artists, each who are proficient at an aspect of a finished visual image; typically, penciller, inker, and colorist; and nowadays, additional aspects of digital color.

So, it feels really special, to be doing all the parts myself. Everything I think of, I can compare with other ideas, and try to prioritize what to work on as I get new ideas.

Story Telling

Septendecim:

Immutable – Stewards

But, if enough time goes by, and the Septendecim are shut down, the quarantine worlds, can be taken over by hostile entities, from another world, who use the species to farm them as ‘resources’; slave labor, genetic material, soldiers, ect.

The conflict, then becomes the war between the benevolent Stewards of the Quarantine Worlds ( QW: with a numbering system: 1 through 17: each of the Overseeing ‘Designers’: ( called Mophorge) have a position on the Septendecim ( latin for Seventeen) the overseeing conglomerate, that arranged the quarantine worlds, to place ‘created lifeforms’ whose actions impede the well being of the creations of other Mophorges – ie when humans go into space, and bomb an alien world, they are sent to Quarantine world: while the humans believe they have discovered a paradise).

Story arcs

to Currently get on paper:

The Nasimede broken water jug: as a reflection of the abusive, and polygamist cults; to depict women subjugated by draconian punitive laws.

The potential for balance in the depiction: the humanized interactions between the Nasimede women. A runaway. Someone who stands up to the bullies.

Variations of the lurid pre-code horror scenes – lore specific background, cast, ect.

The female executioner costume variation: can tie into the Nasimede; and Zaydimar ( perhaps). There can be an uprising against the ‘Punitive Enforcers’ ; a splash page, with simple variants of the character archetype, of the female executioner: based on the costume: with hair variations, , height, boots, musculature ; details of accessories.

Appealing to a ‘Where’s Waldo’ type of visual detection, amidst a detailed scene; discovering details, upon concentration*.

*That is something, that is controversial. Many professionals, and current artists, would argue, too much detail detracts; and suggest simple images, framed by simple background. However, I recall the novelty of “Where’s Waldo”, and Todd Macfarlane, and other detailed artists – where the activity of looking at all the detail, is the pinnacle achievement**; and something to strive for.

**I don’t draw like this all the time, and can appreciate simple drawings; but when I create detailed images, where every section of the composition contains figures – it is in the spirit of the ‘awe’ generated in me by the aforementioned ( including M.C. Escher, Albrect Durer )

Honoring Legends

Adaptations

There is such a small proportion of content, relative to the interest – the most amateur piece can get thousands of views, just because someone had the guts to withstand public criticism, for ‘drawing’ totally legal, horror content. or god forbid, a naked woman, included – because of the feminist manifest destiny. Feminism can coexist, with men drawing whatever the hell they feel like. I don’t have to agree, or be apart of their view point, and they don’t have to agree with or share interest in mine.

You can respect women, men, animals, and find any of the aforementioned, capture your attention in a lurid pre code horror scene. The idea that women are off limits – especially, nude: makes no sense, historically, or biologically ( with straight men being most interested in women). The Friday the 13th films thrived on that. Mortal Kombat does as well. 2-d Art, shouldn’t be the scapegoat, for the fears, and projections of the few, preventing the rest of the healthy adult population from having access to a well rounded view.

By not permitting one, you get an abundance of the other. It’s really about personal courage, and peer pressure- and how social media, enables outspoken voices to appear more popular than they really are.

Gratitude

Thanks for your interest, in my art/stories, and the contributions, that make these projects so rewarding! Have a great week – Stay safe.