Alex Ross - Mythology

Although when I read a comic illustrated by Alex Ross I find it slightly surreal, his photo realistic paintings are indisputably beautiful, which is why I had to buy this book when I saw it! His comic covers and posters are defiantly where he shines brightest I reckon, and they really are quite magnificent works of art.

This book also gives an insight into some of Alex's pencil studies and character/cover designs.

Not to mention some awesome comic layouts, which I always love looking at. I like seeing how the pro's plan out their comics and the similarities and differences in the way they do it. Jim Lee's for example are really quite sketchy and loose, but Alex Ross' are pretty developed and almost fully formed. It all helps to inform they way in which I could approach creating my own comics.

Now, here is the bit I found most interesting, how Alex achieves his photo realism!

He is reinforcing my firm belief that you should always source your art from real life, no matter how fantastic the subject. You can apply as much artistic flourish and creativity as you like, but for an audience to believe what they are seeing it must have some grounding in the real. (This can be true for animation too!!)

Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross

Pantheon Publishing

RRP: I think I got it for around £15 - £20

The Varmint from Vermont

I've been at the new flat for over a month now and have gotten to know my Landlords pretty well, their a lovely old couple who have been very kind and helpful towards my boyfriend and I, what with this flat being our first n'all.

I graduated on Nov 16th,and they were very keen to hear about my course when I told them I'd studied Illustration.

It just so happens that Don (the husband), is in the book business and has written a series of 6 children's books and needed an illustrator! Of course I offered my talents at once!

So here are the first few designs for a character that is known as the Varmint!

The Fruits of Labour - On set photos!!

It's been a while since I've had any come back from the Fruits of Labour shoot, things on set must have been pretty darn hectic. But here are a couple of photos that I've been sent showing my illustrations and how they were used in the film!

Once the film has been finalized in the editing process and is ready for public viewing I shall be able to see my work in it's full glory and obtain my own copy on DVD, and with permission take screen shots featuring my work in full!

Jim Lee - Icons

Jim Lee is one of my heroes, it was his amazing art work in Batman: Hush that got me properly suckered into comic books in the first place.

This awesome collection of pencil sketches, comic layouts, inked and final coloured artwork really gives an insight to the way this master works! Not to mention plenty of pretty things to inspire!!

Batman and Superman

Green Lantern and Green Arrow

Gen13 and Wildstorm

Here are some examples of undeveloped layouts and finalized pencils, also a comparison of the pencils with the final inked and coloured page. You can really see what the inker Scott Williams and colourist Alex Sinclair bring to Jim's work.

Jim even designed a Google banner!

Icons: The DC comic and Wildstorm art of Jim Lee

written by Bill Baker

Titan Books

RRP £24.99

Bernie Wrightson - Frankenstein

I've decided to make this a regular thing where I post up photos of what inspires me! So I thought it only natural to follow Dracula with Frankenstein!

This book was given to my by a fantastic friend of mine when he discovered I was looking into Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein illustrations for my 3rd year uni project, and I can tell you I would not have been able to reach the development of my own illustrations had I not seen this book before hand!!

Wrightson's rich and detailed line work is just so beautiful and greatly influenced the visuals for my Wolfsbane comic idea. His adaptation of Frankenstein captures the essence of the story so well, much better than the dumb monster with bolts that we are so familiar with! This book really is a great treasure of mine!

Frankenstein

Written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Illustraited by Bernie Wrightson

Dark Horse Books

RRP Unknown (as it was a gift...)

Christmas is officially here!

Drawn on the 9/12/10

My boyfriend, Alex and I decorated our flat for our first Christmas there!

He being as big a geek as I am, could not resist putting a picture of David Boreanaz as Angel on top of the tree!

Our Christmas Angel!