Before I jumped on the DA war wagon I started a blog and it finally hit 100,000 hits today! Posting on Blogger and here has really opened my eyes to a whole new world of talented artists. These days I can't imagine life without those creative outlets.

Check out my blog if you get a chance, [link]

And to think it took Tim Townsend [link] to talk me into buying a computer in the late 90's!

Thanks Big Tim!

Every now and then I skim my hands over my trade paper backs and hardcovers for some inspiration. Over the years Marvel, DC and Dark Horse have done a fine job of supplying me with great comps. But lots of times, the books just sit there.

One book in particular was Enemy Ace by George Pratt [link]

Years ago I was told by a friend of mine at the time told me that his work wasn't worth the examination. I didn't think to look into it myself. Even if I did, I doubt I would of been able to appreciate what I was looking at. I had a very narrow scope of what comic book art was supposed to look like. I certainly didn't like painted comic book work. To be honest, it's still not my favorite approach to the comic book medium. But as my tastes begin to change and I continue trying to improve my work with color - I find myself looking more and more at painters that, well, paint. There's something to putting paint to board or canvas as opposed to a Cintiq. That's some serious courage and trust in your abilities.

Enemy Ace isn't the first painted graphic novel. But it really opened my eyes to what can be done with paint in the comic book arena. Now I'll have to pick through all my Muth, Hampton and Kent Williams books again. Pratt made some magic. He really transports the reader to a different time and the mood/tone is incredibly haunting. Great pacing too.

I love that bookshelf of mine...

Looks like the Drink and Draw boys [link] are headed to Las Vegas on the 3rd of April [link] Could be all kinds of trouble! If you're in town then nows the time to starting drinking some pints and pushing some pencils!

See you there art amigos!

Just got the word that the Drink and Draw book has been nominated for an Eagle Award! The book was a collection of drawings from the members of the "Drink and Draw Social Club".

PLEASE go vote for us if you have a minute! Scroll down to the "Comic Book related books" section.

Link - [link]

The Drink and Draw Social Club on MySpace [link]



Also, the Eagles have their very own message forum, where discussion is taking place on all aspects of the awards including suggestions for who and what might garner nominations next year. All are welcome at [link]

Join us, and nominate now!

--------

ABOUT THE EAGLE AWARDS – Established in 1976 by Mike Conroy, the Eagles are the comics industry’s longest established awards. Acknowledged as the pre-eminent international prizes, they have been featured on the covers of leading US and UK titles across the last three decades with such diverse titles as X-Men, Swamp Thing, Preacher, 2000 AD and MAD among those proud to display the Eagle Award emblem.


More details on the Bristol International Comic Expo can be found at [link]

Tekken and Street Fighter are two awesome virtual fighting games with great characters but I think overall the characters from Tekken look cooler than the SF [ well, Ryu is pretty damn cool... ] . Also, the fighting is a lot more fun with Tekken. So why is it most people prefer the Street Fighter characters? "Why?" I ask, I'm begging for an answer!

BTW, I just posted a Ling Xiaoyu sketch in my gallery. Coming up next, Nina. Then you can decide who I draw. Heck, I'll even draw a SF character [ which I do like - just not as much as Tekken. In case you couldn't have guessed that by now... ]