Two Can Win
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Page 12
It was just about 1 year ago that the GZA graphic novel fell into my lap. The back and forth on that went on for a good 3-4 months.We FINALLY got a script locked around July, and I got started penciling last month. I had finished a rough draft (a page is featured below) of the entire 100 page book. This was to match the finished script along with a visual guide for approval. The publisher (Warner Books) was happy with the look of the book, which was a huge relief. GZA signed off a couple of weeks later (and it turns out his son is a huge Manga fan, and was really into it).
The look and feel of the book is a bit of a departure to what the other Wu-Tang books have done. I wanted to do something a little more straight, and, try and make more of a personal story out of it. The other books tended to be more Sci-Fi, bigger than life. I figured GZA was the brains of the outfit in Wu-Tang, so, I proposed a much more 'cerebral' story/plot. Lets hope it all comes together.
Below is an example of the rough page 12. What I'm in the middle of doing is transferring the rough/thumbnail versions of the 1st draft, to the comic board, and giving it a more finished look (though some of it is still pretty loose).
Rough Page 12
This is the more refined pencil version, without word bubbles. All inks will be done by hand on this, but, it's looking like word bubbles and text will be done on the ol' Mac. It should be interesting considering most of the other comics I've done have been hand lettered.
Semi-Finished Page 12
I'll reguarly post more pages as they come.
James
The look and feel of the book is a bit of a departure to what the other Wu-Tang books have done. I wanted to do something a little more straight, and, try and make more of a personal story out of it. The other books tended to be more Sci-Fi, bigger than life. I figured GZA was the brains of the outfit in Wu-Tang, so, I proposed a much more 'cerebral' story/plot. Lets hope it all comes together.
Below is an example of the rough page 12. What I'm in the middle of doing is transferring the rough/thumbnail versions of the 1st draft, to the comic board, and giving it a more finished look (though some of it is still pretty loose).
Rough Page 12
This is the more refined pencil version, without word bubbles. All inks will be done by hand on this, but, it's looking like word bubbles and text will be done on the ol' Mac. It should be interesting considering most of the other comics I've done have been hand lettered.
Semi-Finished Page 12
I'll reguarly post more pages as they come.
James
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Latest Print
Traditionally, whenever I finish a project with somebody, I put together a 'cell/print' caricature of them. Sometimes the parties are ecstatic at the gesture, and sometimes, lets just say, their not too flattered.
The latest was for Lucas McFadden, known to the world as Cut Chemist. We did a video together starting way back in 05. I knew he was a Star Wars nut, so, I incorporated that into his print. The trouble is, I STILL haven't had a chance to deliver this to him, and it's been about 2 months.
Luke ready for battle.
The prints themselves are bit of a 'paint/print' hybrid in that you print the image digitally on a piece of acetate, and paint the back with animators opaque white (it took me months of trial and error to find a paint that would actually stick to the acetate). The result is a one of a kind 'animated cell' looking print. I've gotten some requests at making ones for friends, but, mostly, these serve as a nice gift.
James
** Hopefully soon, I'll have a gallery of the dozens or so prints I've made over the years, posted.
The latest was for Lucas McFadden, known to the world as Cut Chemist. We did a video together starting way back in 05. I knew he was a Star Wars nut, so, I incorporated that into his print. The trouble is, I STILL haven't had a chance to deliver this to him, and it's been about 2 months.
Luke ready for battle.
The prints themselves are bit of a 'paint/print' hybrid in that you print the image digitally on a piece of acetate, and paint the back with animators opaque white (it took me months of trial and error to find a paint that would actually stick to the acetate). The result is a one of a kind 'animated cell' looking print. I've gotten some requests at making ones for friends, but, mostly, these serve as a nice gift.
James
** Hopefully soon, I'll have a gallery of the dozens or so prints I've made over the years, posted.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
KIng Of Kong: Fistful Of Quarters
I saw this on Sunday at a matinee, and, it is truly one amazing documentary.
Highly recommended.
James
Monday, September 24, 2007
Wigflip!
So, after a pretty insane august, a couple of weeks R&R was perfect. I ended up spending a couple of weeks in Australia, and just got back friday.
So far, things have been moving along with the GZA book (which I actually had a chance to work on down under, so, it wasn't a total vacation).
The folks at Stones Throw were looking to promote the new Peanut Butter Wolf comp that comes out next month, and asked us to produce an animated ad. Jeff Jank, the labels Art Director and resident web guru, has been sketching a basketball toting, maharaji type guy. After a couple of beers at Star Shoes last Saturday, we figured out some ideas, and I came home and got started. Hopefully by the end of the week, I'll have something posted.
James
Jank doodles.
So far, things have been moving along with the GZA book (which I actually had a chance to work on down under, so, it wasn't a total vacation).
The folks at Stones Throw were looking to promote the new Peanut Butter Wolf comp that comes out next month, and asked us to produce an animated ad. Jeff Jank, the labels Art Director and resident web guru, has been sketching a basketball toting, maharaji type guy. After a couple of beers at Star Shoes last Saturday, we figured out some ideas, and I came home and got started. Hopefully by the end of the week, I'll have something posted.
James
Jank doodles.
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