DC Conspiracy[dots pattern]

10.29.2005

The Small Presser, No. 17: "Get Out of Your Skin"


So you’ve finally determined the right type of paper, the right brush or pen and the right “style” in which to do your comics.

But if you’re truly a creative person, you won’t stay too long in that mode. You’ll be itching to try something new, something to test your boundaries as an artist. And that’s great. Too often, comic creators zero in on only one style or one way of making comics—and that’s usually the traditional ink-and-brush, square-panels approach.

To a growing degree, I’ve become more influenced by noncomic-book art because there is so much more variety in it. Comic-book art tends to be rather flat, and by that I mean it’s largely just black-and-white, pencil-and-ink work. Even though thanks to creators such as Bill Sienkiewicz and more contemporary comic artists, there’s been some exploring and experimenting using other media, design, etc., the traditional approach still dominates.

To grow both as a comic-book and noncomic-book artist, you should dabble in as many types of media as possible. I think we’re so focused on making an excellent comic-book in the traditional sense that we often overlook using nontraditional methods that could offer a refreshingly creative and personal approach—which could make a book even better. I’m sure those of you who went to art school or attended art classes in college already had your “awakening” stage. But when was the last time you went back and tried to experiment again? It’s kind of like seeing an old movie you haven’t seen in a while and thinking, “Oh, yeah, I forgot that happened!”

If you don’t have any art training, you can still create your own education. There are a number of comic book artists that could serve as your textbooks. Several creators out there who use things like clayboards, textiles, acrylics, etc. Thomas Ott, for example, is a master of the clayboard. And Jen Wang’s “Paper and String” piece in Flight Vol. 1 is simply wonderful.

But, like I mentioned, it’s also good to get out of comics to look for influences. If you're in the D.C. area, I highly recommend stopping by the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore. It's a great place that'll blow your mind and inspire you. Should you ever be in New York City, visit the American Folk Art Museum, which houses another good collection.

My re-interest in art in general and how I can infuse it into my own comic-making came when I met Stephen Loya, an elementary art teacher in Loudoun County, Va. I was blown away by his skills and how he always tried something new. He’s started a new blog; check it out, you’ll see what I mean.

After seeing Steve’s work, I started to dabble myself in using alternative media. I inked an eight-story using the stopper on a ink bottle as my “brush” and a spray bottle for splatter effect. I sketched using a scratchboard (above); I tried my hand at acrylics. Currently, I’m doing four pages for the D.C. Conspiracy’s Dr. Dremo Vol. 2 which I'm stippling. (It’s taking forever, but I like the look so far!)

I’m also always looking for a good art book that not only shows different art styles, but talks about them. The problem I’ve come across is that either books are devoted to one type of media or they are too bloody expensive. Well, I think my search is over: The Encyclopedia of Drawing Techniques is a great book at a good price. It gives a nice, quick discussion of various media as well as plenty of photos. I highly recommend it.

Matt D. at 9:06 PM  |  link to this   

3 Comments

Oooh wow matt, you've got me blushing! Thanks for the props! Anyhow, always great advice and articles from you. Always inspiring stuff. I'll post some pics and a small paragraph about the Visionary Museum tomorrow. What a great place to check out for a weekend!

Damn, I can't stop the blushing--pathetic!

Blogger steve at 10/31/2005 12:44 PM   

I meant it, Steve! You have a nice blog going there and some really neat illustrations. And please do post those AVAM pics!

Blogger Dembicki at 11/01/2005 5:54 AM   

Mr. Dembicki... I WILL own that book... ooooh yes I will...

Blogger Jacob at 11/01/2005 9:16 AM   

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