Draw! #30 Spring 2013 (magazine review).
Going back 8 years, Draw! # 30 divided itself into 5 portions. The two main ones are extended interviews. The first is with the then Daredevil artist Chris Samnee as Eric Nolen-Weathington interviews him about his career and the slow process into becoming a professional artist. A lesson for all of you novices, it isn’t just talent that is required but a need to be good in all areas.
Although I haven’t come across Samnee’s art before, seeing his various work here does demonstrate several styles before some of his later work simplify things down as he relies more on chiaroscuro, balancing black and white. I do think if you come away from this, you do learn picture design and storytelling are crucial elements.
Jerry Orway shows how he composed a pin-up of Commissioner Gordon waiting with the bat-signal for a certain dark knight to arrive. It’s a prominent lesson in not expecting to get it right in the first attempt and playing with the design elements.
Give yourself a full leisurely hour to read Mike Manley’s interview with comicbook artist Jackson ‘Butch’ Guice. The discussion points look over his career as both penciller and inker, the latter on either himself or others and how much work you leave for them to do. So many levels are covered as they talk shop ranging from tools and making New York even more like New York today. A true nugget to get hold of this edition.
‘Comic Art Bootcamp’ has Mike Manley and Brett Brevin shows the importance of the ears. I wish they had shown a fourth photo and what would have happened had Clark Gable been given Cary Grant’s ears, more so as the former is known for having more famous ears. Then again, it might have been interesting seeing them both with Mickey Mouse ears. Seriously, they make a good point about their importance in getting the ears right and balanced to the top of the forehead to the nose tip.
I was curious to see after 6 years if Jamar Nicholas’ recommendation for a pen nib supplied was still there. Yep and in the interest of those who need the old style pen nibs, here’s the link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/633814190/physical-esterbrook-a-dip-pen-legacy-by . It’s good to know, at least in the USA, they aren’t totally gone.
As ever, if you want to encourage yourself to draw, then learn from the experts. Art books and art magazines never get old.
GF Willmetts
July 2021
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 82 page illustrated magazine. Price: $ 8.95 (US). ISSN: 1932-6882. Direct from them, you can get it for $ 3.00 (US))
check out websites: www.TwoMorrows.com, www.draw-magazine.blogspot.com and www.penciltopencil.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_59&products_id=1182
