An Introduction From Our Protagonist

In putting together the teaser book I wanted to have something different. I think it's fun to interact with your books and be able to take things apart. To that end I have discovered a letter from Ira and will include it in the preview book for all to read. I wanted to share below, so you could get a first look at it. You will be able to pull it out of an envelope if you get the preview book. It's like the old days before an iPad let you flip pages!

The Blood, Sweat and Tears...

In preparation for my submission to the Xeric Grant I wanted to show a bit of process. I have pencils inks and letters for the first page of the book below. I would have put up my thumbnails as well but they are indecipherable. Since I am writing the script too, I tend to cheat on the script writing and thumb nailing process. It's an active choice that keeps the process organic. I also sketch out the diaolgue and then flesh it out once I have the art. Sometimes this requires that I change the art again but I like using the parts like building blocks to get the whole thing together. 

It's one of the benefits to being my own creative team. I can work however I want and I can beat the artist when she doesn't deliver.

A Shiny Cover Means....

Awesomeness on the inside of course!

Here is the cover for Ties.

It went through a couple incarnations as you can see here.

But I felt it was too dark. Ira is dark enough in this book.  I wanted to show him drowning in his own messy life, while at the same time reaching for it. This "mess" creeps in again during the low points in his life.

Photoshop really is my only friend. I would love to learn more about Painter and Illustrator but I find I can do almost anything in Photoshop. I also cannot give up my plain old pencil and paper. I just can't ink with a tablet the way I ink with a brush.  I'm old school because I'm better at the old school.

Plus Megan showed me a Photoshop technique for getting the line work super clean. Thank you! You can see her super clean lines as well HERE!

The Hydra Speaks!

In addition to working full time, running an art group and keeping body and soul together, I have also managed to start work on my own graphic novel.  After graduating school and then subsequently receiving my 10,001st rejection letter, I am embarking on the self publishing circuit with my Latchkey group. Not an easy road, I will grant you.

Speaking of which I will be applying to the Xeric Grant with Ties again because you can't give up when they say no the first time!  This time I have much more of the book completed and I'm hoping that counts towards me getting the grant next time. I take for granted that they were blown away but just couldn't wait for me to submit again so they could see more for free!  HA!

So thank you fans for reading my first post. I will be attending Long Beach Comic Con over Halloween weekend and I hope to see you there and ready for the preview book of Ties!

More actual art coming soon.