Spectrum 17 and ImagineFX

My Kolchak: Monsters Among Us Cover is getting some good feedback and press to boot. The book has just been released by Moonstone Comics and available in stores now.

Kolchak Monster Among Us


I have recently become aware that the cover has been accepted and will be appearing in the New Spectrum 17 due out this autumn.

Spectrum17


Across the pond they are publishing a wonderfully insightful magazine about the field of digital illustration called ImagineFX. The magazine printed a very nice news blurb about the cover and I, which will appear on US newsstands next month.

ImagineFX

ImagineFX is a great magazine and I am extraordinarily grateful for their interest in my work.

I want to thank the people at ImagineFX, Spectrum and Moonstone and the readers of the tiles. I have long been a fan of the Kolchak series myself since my dad turned me onto the show. I feel very fortunate to work on a title that I enjoy but also to be recognized by such exemplary publications.

The Devil and Carl Kolchak

Cover I just finished for upcoming Moonstone title.

Spring has Sprung

The snow is finally melting and Spring has finally sprung.
The air is still chill and fresh but the sun is bringing some life back to the world.
I have a pretty big week of work ahead so before I get into the thick of it I figure it would be a good day to review the last month and talk about what irons I have in the fire.

February was cold, beautiful, and full of snow. One of the highlights was making a snowman with Joe and Lisa and an amazing ice formation that spun down outside my window. I love the winters in Cincinnati and usually am one of the few that mourn the loss of the snow but frankly I’m going to thank God for some warmth.

Earlier in the month I was asked to help judge the CCAD Art of Illustration show with Ryan Ostrander, John Maggard, Chris Payne and Daryll Collins. All of which are great local artists who I respect a great deal. While I have been a part of several shows and contests throughout my career this was a whole new experience for me. The process was fun and frustrating, but more than anything else enlightening. The first thing I will say is that the work was exceptional and made me proud and excited to be a CCAD Alumni. The second thing is that it is a lot harder than it looks to judge a show full of great work. I have a much greater appreciation and understanding for how the process works and how even amazing pieces may not get in the show based solely on preferences. I was lucky that the other judges were patient and thoughtful with my constant inquiries. They gave me a quick education and some very thoughtful comments and perspectives concerning the work. With the work as strong as it was I really hope my schedule allows me to attend the opening in April. On a final note there was one artist whose work I fell in love with. I really look forward to following the work she will produce in years to come.

As far as February work is concerned I finished up four pieces for the new D&D monster manual due out in the end of April. I really enjoyed working with the freedom of the fantasy creatures provide and I really got explore some fun new rendering techniques that I have been want to incorporate into my work.

Last week I wrapped up 3 pieces for a FFG title in the Game of Thrones mythology. The game is Brotherhood without Banners. I was excited about this project because I got to work with Martin’s Dothraki characters. With these 3 cards I really wanted to play with flat graphic shapes rather than over rendering them, as is my usual.

I have also been working with 11 other local artists on a comic collaboration anthology called 12-way with Cheese with Tim Fuller at the helm. You can see samples of this and more information about the project at: http://cincyillustrators.blogspot.com/
I should be wrapping up the project in the next week or two and will be greatly excited to see the final product. The work so far that I have seen from the other artist is outstanding and is clearly a labor of love.

March looks to be busier than last month. I have two more illustrations for a FFG WarHammer Game, a small news interview with Imagine FX, a new comic cover for an ongoing Moonstone Kolchak series, as well as some advertising work with a local firm.
All in all March looks to be pretty darn productive.
Hopefully some of last months work with be published soon so I can post some images. Until then enjoy pictures the icicle of doom and us judging the show!


There are two other notes worth mentioning, it will soon be time to book arrangements for San Diego Comic con for those who are attending. Also in other CCAD Alumni news Eric Fortune won a Gold award in Spectrum 17. Congrats on a well earned award Eric!

Eric Fortune Gold award

NKU February 16

No class tonight folks due to the snow but everything is still due Thursday.
If you need help send me your pieces via email.
Otherwise be ready for the crit and have your b/w piece ready for the digital coloring tutorial.
Stay warm and safe and I'll see you Thursday.

Extra credit if you can name these two illustrators.

John Maggard, Bill Cigliano, and CF Payne

Illustration is a solitary profession so I try to make as much time as possible to gather with other illustrators and artist to stay inspired and positive. Luckily this winter I haven’t had to try very hard, as there have been several events that I just had to show up to. The latest this weekend was an art show at Miami University’s Voices of America Center in West Chester. The show centered on the work of three classmates from 1978 and the successful art careers they have accomplished since. The artists are: John Maggard, Bill Cigliano, and Chris (CF) Payne.

From an educator stand point I really enjoyed hearing the stories of their early curriculum and from their mentor Joe. Studying under Chris I can see how these early years laid the foundation for my classroom experience and how his class in turn laid the foundation for the students I teach. I am somewhat cynical by nature though I believe great things are possible in the human condition. I often see a world where people have opportunities to achieve great things together but because of fear or greed we become entrenched in trying to protect our microcosms we‘ve constructed. Rarely do I think people look outside themselves and understand what is best for one is looking out for the whole. While the gentlemen talked I was inspired because I saw a thread of generosity and stewardship, one that you need to look at generations to see, that’s why its so illusive and people doubt its power. That alone was worth the trip, however as an added bonus I got to see some great illustrations as well.

John Maggard one of the three in the show was also gracious enough to invite me over to a pre-show gathering the night before. I got to meet some very nice people and it was great to catch up with those artists from the local lunches as well as have two pretty interesting conversations with Loren Long and Craig McKay, both extraordinarily talented illustrators in their own right. I just wanted to thank Chris and John and his wife for the invite and hospitality. I would also encourage anyone interested to go see the show while it is up. I have included a few pics and several links, sorry you'll have to cut and paste as I have no idea how to make a hyperlink.

John Maggard


Chris F Payne


Bill Cigliano


The Show

http://www.regionals.muohio.edu/voalc/news/news_events.html

Craig Mckay


Loren Long

No Class tonight Folks- Here is a visual of the process to help you out

February 9th 2010

Some of you already have and I encourage you to email me
your progress so your not behind on Thursday.

Where'd January Go

Today is a fine day to take a quick break to post what I have been working on the last few months. The large majority of the work I have been producing lately is gaming: FFG Cthulhu card game, the new WOTC D&D Monster Manual, and the upcoming FFG A Game of Thrones expansion, unfortunately all of which can’t be posted until published so I’ll have to get that up later in the year.

I got my Spectrum entries together just in time, so now begins the long waiting and hoping period of the year. The work and talent level in the books is quantitatively better with each passing year and I am really looking forward to the next issue regardless if I make the cut.
http://www.spectrumfantasticart.com/

In comics news my future projects in the works are another Kolchak: the Night Stalker cover with Moonstone as well as a collaborative project with other local Cincinnati illustrators. The group comic is called 12 way with Cheese and I’ll be submitting a small 8 page interior story about the rise and fall of Zombie Marge. For more info on the project check here as well as a bounty of other great illustrators:
http://cincyillustrators.blogspot.com/

In other artiste related new I tried a Dr. Sketchy for the first time a few weeks ago and I dug the laid back vibe and the model was actually pretty good. I had a deadline so I just worked on a project while other friends drew from the model but it was nice to be socially creating some work away from the studio. Teaching at NKU has begun and thus far my class is hardworking and for the most part self-motivated. I will also be helping judge the art of illustration show at CCAD at the end of the month, which should be surreally nostalgia since good ole Zack created the show the year we attended back in 98. It’s good to see the tradition continuing.
http://www.zacharypullen.com/

I hate reading blogs without pretty pictures so in an attempt to post something, here is some unfinished in progress stuff that I am currently plugging away at.