The God Scene Show with Mel and Nicole tonight Tuesday April 3rd 8:30pm-9:30pm EST at www.prolifick.com. Teaching by Nicole titled THINK ON THESE THINGS(part 3.)
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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
I got this book years ago and it was an immense help. The exercises in it will help you switch into the drawing mode of seeing and measuring with your eye. When you start to see things like the contour of a line, or negative white space, you start to understand the process of doing accurate drawings and how to reliably repeat that process.
You can buy it on Amazon. I see one in the "used" section for 14 cents. You can't afford not to have it for that price!
http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Right-Brain-Betty-Edwards/dp/0874775132/ref=pd_cp_b_3
Doing God's Will in Comics
"Do as thou whilst, be the whole of the law." This is, of course, the only commandment of satanism, and goes against all we value and hold dear. So, how do we do God's will when creating comics and not our own will, which is wicked by nature? The answer is, we must have the Holy Spirit acting through us. Easier said than done (at least for me), but I'm determined to do my best.
When Stan Lee created Spiderman, it was a reaction from the cookie cutter stories he had been writing. He wanted to express the troubles of his audience (teenagers) by creating a character that they could identify with. Because Stan Lee was a decent and honorable man, his Spiderman stories expressed the sensitivity that he wanted by being that voice for young people.
Of course the rest is history. He created something that touched the hearts of others, and we all responded to the Peter Parker within us. Peter Parker was everyone of us, because he was good and decent, and so was what was within us all.
Even though Stan did what he wanted, because he was in contact with something good, his creation was something good.
The challenge is then, to let the Holy Spirit purify our hearts, and when we create it will be something good that flows through us doing God's will.
God has a way of frustrating the devils plans. The devil wants us to give into whatever creative whim we want, and the result will be disastrous. But to the degree we can purify our hearts, that creativity can become something amazing, fantastic, incredible, mighty, and invincible! Just believe it can!
Best,
Dan
I'd love to have you artists or any kids submit some new Captain Sun fan art for the "Rescue Me!" website and Facebook page (I've posted an example below of some of the original fan art). Every pic will be posted. Looking forward to what you send! (itscaptainsun@gmail.com)
The God Scene Show with Mel and Nicole tonight Tuesday March 27th 8:30pm-9:30pm EST at www.prolifick.com. Teaching by Nicole titled THINK ON THESE THINGS(part 2.) And an interview with Buzz Dixon!
More info visit http://weaponpress.com/GS.html
BE A HERO THIS EASTER! Please help me spread the word about a great way to bless kids, near and far!
The God Scene Show with Mel and Nicole tonight Tuesday March 20th 8:30pm-9:30pm EST at www.prolifick.com. Worship and a teaching by Nicole titled THINK ON THESE THINGS.
More info visit http://weaponpress.com/GS.html
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| Before Fran graduated high school, ‘42, he wrote a fan letter to Al Andriola (Kerry Drake) including a page of artwork. Andriola invited Matera to meet in his NY studio and set up an appointment for Fran to meet with editors of Quality Comics. Fran was hired on the spot to work directly after graduation. After eight months in the bullpen, Fran quit to accompany his brother to Chicago. Fran attended Chicago Art Institute (part time, pay as you go.) Anticipating their inevitable induction “Greetings letter from FDR,” the Matera brothers headed home to Connecticut to volunteer for the Marine Corp. In boot camp, Fran was sent to contribute to designing a publication through the PR department, creating the camp newspaper “Parris Island Boot”. Matera soon tired of this and requested transfer to find "the war he joined up to fight." Fran was assigned to seaschool in Virgina and shipped out on the USS Augusta. This is the period of Truman’s involvement in the Potsdam Conference, July and August 1945. Truman visited the USS Augusta and Fran drew this portrait of Truman. Soon, the bomb was dropped, Japan surrendered and Matera was discharged. Fran was then hired by Al Andriola to pencil the Kerry Drake Strip. Within a months time, The AP syndicate was looking for a replacement for Coulton Waugh on Milt Caniff’s “Dickie Dare.” Fran drew Dickie Dare for a two year contract, then transferred the strp to Waugh’s assistant and developed “Mr. Holiday” with his friend Chad Kelly. This strip was syndicated, but not succesfully distributed. Fran carried on with many other strips in his career | |||||||||
| In the early 1960's Fran worked on Treasure Chest comics and the "Chuck White and Friends" feature. Here is an example online. (and there are many more archived digitally, as well.) Fran drew many strips and comics during his prolific career including: ghosting for Rex Morgan for 3 years, Steve Roper, Bruce Lee, Mr. Holiday, drawing Tarzan and Hulk comic books for Marvel as well as numerous other work.. From 1984 to 2004, Matera illustrated the famous 'Steve Roper' daily, which was distributed by King Features. | |||||||||
I don't know if anyone has paid attention to my pics on my page but they are mostly black and white. Well I drew these pics at an extremely young age-- really young. Most of my portfolio got burned in my high school art class and I was devastated. Took me a while to bounce back from it. Although I was able to salvage the SpiderMan pick with the Hobgoblin(which I drew in middle school). The Batman pic was my first pic that I drew in 2000 after that fire incident. The Jesus pic I drew also in 2000 I believe. Believe it or not I have a lot more work now but I don't post it. I have around 60 or more pieces on comic boards but it's for the comic book I'm working on. The comic that I'm doing for God. It's some of my best work I believe. Right now it's only penciled but the rest will be done eventually. I'm trying to put myself in a situation to work on it full time, keep it in prayer if I happen to come across your mind.
Well the reason I'm typing is because this is a special moment for me. Since the age of 3 I've been drawing. Then as I got older I started to ink my work. I love inking. But..... and this is a big but. No matter what-- I would choose to never color my stuff. The reason is because I knew that I would never be able to color it the way that it looked like in the comic books. I would never be able to color it the way I saw it in my head. But as a child I knew that one day I would be able to, one day when I got older, much older. So I put all my pics(what little I had left) to the side as if in a time capsule to preserve, and wait for the right moment where I could have the technology to color it exactly how I saw it. Or at least try. Now, the time has finally come for me and I am truly excited! To finally put color to my works. It's like the Wizard of Oz going from black and white to color, beautiful color. My patience has paid off where I can finally color my pics. Using Photoshop and layers and washes and all the little goodies that are at my disposal. Thank you Jesus that I was born into an age where I can do this my self without having to pay anybody. Because as much as I liked inking my works I always dreamed of the day that I can put color to them. Glory to my God!!!
Sorry folks. There were some technical difficulties and the God Scene Show won't be airing tonight Tuesday 13th. But we do have some archive shows available at http://www.prolifick.com/the-god-scene-with-mel-and-nicole-archived-shows
The God Scene Show with Mel and Nicole tonight Tuesday March 13th 8:30pm-9:30pm EST at www.prolifick.com. Worship and a teaching by Nicole titled THINK ON THESE THINGS. More info visit http://weaponpress.com/GS.html
THIS FRIDAY, CAPTAIN SUN MAKES HIS DEBUT AT WONDERCON 2012! That's right, copies of "Rescue Me!" and Captain Sun posters will be available at the Christian Comic Arts Society table at the WonderCon Comic Convention in Anaheim, California. With almost 40,000 (!) attenders, this will be a great opportunity for the Captain! Praying that God will use this exposure for the gospel!
I get a little annoyed when I see young artist starting out, and they show a drawing that they copied of an artist they like to someone else, and the person says, "Oh, you copied it". This can be discouraging, but don't let it. This is how you learn to draw.
No one ever sits down at a piano and starts playing original Mozart quality music. You have to first learn how to play by playing someone else's music, unless you are some kind of phenomenal genius (I'm not). It's no different with drawing. First you should copy someone else's art (Don't trace). What you're learning to do is measuring with your eye, understanding shape, lines, form. In short, you are absorbing and training your mind to think visually.
It seems to me there are two basic plans--Plan A. Be a genius. (That plan didn't work out so well for me) --Plan B. Work hard, study, copy, practice, learn, think, get frustrated, consider an alternative career, try again, get better. (this is the current plan I use. I'm not aware of any others).
As an artist starting out, I heard this advice from a very successful graphic designer named Milton Glaser. He said copy what you like when you are starting out. Your own style will eventually emerge from there.
It's true, most artists start out by learning from copying, so don't be afraid if it. (Just don't copy it for sale. That's plagiarism). Copy to learn. Where would Bill Sienkiewicz be without copying Neal Adams? Where would Moebius be if he didn't copy Winsor McCay and Herge? Most everybody that does great art, passionately liked, and copied someone else's art first.
The advice given to me that I'm passing on to you--copy, copy, copy, copy, copy what you like. Your own style will emerge from that.
Best,
Dan
Milton Glaser
Neal Adams
Bill Sienkiewicz
Winsor McCay
Herge
Moebius
FINDING REAL JOY
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.
1 Chronicles 16:26-28 NLT
Thoughts:
We all want to have happy lives; we all want to feel fulfilled and joyful. Unfortunately life tends to throw us unplanned curve balls or leave us with only barely enough to sustain. Because of this we can fall into depression, sorrow and lose our hope. But, we have to realize that the world cannot give us true JOY. Sure, there are things that the world gives us that make us happy, but many times that happiness is only temporary, just like the changing weather. True JOY comes from a righteous way of thinking, putting all things in their proper priority.
JOY
So let us break down JOY. The first letter that makes up joy is J… which means our FIRST priority should be JESUS. Sometimes we have to be reminded that only Christ can give us the EVERLASTING Joy that we need to deal with life. Though we are children of God, He does not shield us from problems, trials, and tribulations, instead He gives us His strength, comfort through the Holy Spirit, and JOY through Jesus, so that we can face whatever life brings. For what God freely gives us, the world cannot take away. No matter what happens in life we must remember to keep Christ first in our lives, allowing Him to guide our footsteps, make our ways clear, and show us all that we need to do. It is only when we keep our eyes on Jesus, will we be truly blessed with a JOY that goes beyond all understanding.
The second letter is ‘O’ which means our next priority should be OTHERS. Remember that the angels rejoice anytime ONE soul is saved! So how much more should we be compassionate and willing to do what it takes to save more souls? When we use our time to help others, God sends others to help us (and our loved ones). You never know who He will use to touch you, or who you will touch. So we always have to be alert and willing to show the love of Christ. This also means doing our best in all of our obligations, from work, to ministry, to prayer, to any of our day to day activities. Everything we do, when done with our very best can be used by God to reach someone else. Remember, people are always watching us.
The final letter is ‘Y’ so lastly you can look to ‘YOURSELF”. We must keep ourselves last so that we always remain humble, and do not let ‘self’ come before God. While we are keeping our eyes on the J, and tending to the O, we are allowing God to deal with the Y, without letting ourselves get in the way. What greater JOY can there be then seeing God work through our lives for others and to turn back to our own lives only to see that all the things that we would have spent so much time worrying about, being depressed about or weighing us down, have been miraculously taken care of by our loving Father.
PRAYER
Lord we come to you today, praying that if our lives have veered in any way from your JOYful way of thinking, that you re-shape our minds and our hearts to line up with you. Let Your wonderful Will be done both in our lives and through our lives. We know that You desire so many great and mighty things in our lives but we can only receive it with a right heart and humble mind. Let your everlasting JOY pour through us and fill us where we were empty, and let nothing take it away from us. AMEN.
~~~~~~~~~~~
God Bless
Till Next Time
Amanda of Astrialegends
Once, years ago, I decided to try to figure out what sort of cover made the most compelling cover on the shelf. So, I spread out a bunch of comic books all over the floor until I had a huge floor covering.
What I noticed was very interesting. The covers my eye was drawn to, were covers in which the figures were rather large on the cover. I noticed something else, the logos on those same comics were larger and simple bold lettered graphics.
And can you guess which of those comics had the largest figures? Jim Lee's covers, the most popular artist of the time. And can you guess what logos where the most bold and simple graphics? Of course, it was the X-Men logos, the most popular comics of all time.
What does that tell us? It says, pay attention to what are the biggest selling comics and artists because there is probably some very good reasons they are selling well. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."" If you can't beat 'em join 'em." What I'm saying here is, pay attention to what sells. If bold graphics are on the best selling comics, make your logo bold and simple. If larger figures are on the best selling comics, then try making your figures larger and more striking.
Rebel against the atheism of our pop culture, but don't rebel against the best art and design.
I notice a lot of flimsy logos out there. If you want to seriously compete with the top selling comics you have to be as good as they are.
When it comes to sales alone, we Christians are being defeated by the secular art community, and that needs to change. Christians used to be the leaders in communication through art, and we can be so again. It just takes some good ole' determination, thinking, study, and hard work.
Best,
Dan
You are cordially invited to join some of the most dynamic artists/creators in the comic industry, as we get together at this year's Dallas Comic Con, (http://www.scifiexpo.com/DCC/dcc.html) for a evening dedicated to raising money to support the Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).
The WWP's purpose is to....Raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured service members aid and assist each other;' and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. This is a wonderful cause that supports those who have put it all on the line for their country and after hearing about the wonderful work they do, I just had to get involved!
The Live art & auction event will be held Saturday night of the Dallas Comic Con and take place in the Lobby of the ALoft hotel, (which is right across the freeway from the Irving Convention Center @ the O'Conner Intersection) starting at 8pm and running to about 12 midnight.
There will be a host of local and nationally known artists creating original works of art right on the spot, which will be auctioned off along side other works of art (and collectibles) that are donated by artists who could not be in attendance...all at the conclusion of the evening.
If you're a fan...than come on out and hob-knob with your favorite creators, enjoy some food and drink (cash bar will be available) and purchase a one-of-a-kind work of art!
If you're a creator/artist and would like to participate by either donating an original piece of art, or being one of our live artists...then contact either myself (@ headpress1@gmail.com ) or my co-organizer Tammy Earehart (@ tearehart10@gmail.com). Already committed are: Norm Breyfolge, Bob McCloud, Dirk Strangely, Billy Tucci, Arthur Suyham among others.
And also, if you're a vet that would like to volunteer to help run this event (or man a booth we'll have on the DCC show floor) than also touch base with me.
The event is open to all...even if you're not an attendee of the DCC...so share this with any of your friends in north Texas, who love to collect original art or would just like to support the WWP!
Here's our dedicated facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ArtistsSupportingWWP
Like it....like it....
Hope to see some of my CCAS friends there, as we not only fly our freak flags but do something for those who have sacrificed all for our country!
RJ Luedke
ww.bobtheartist.com & www.headpress.info
Hola CCAS Members!
I wanted to take a quick minute to brag on you, the members of CCAS. Actually, I'm not going to brag at all. I'm going to let New Identity Magazine brag on you.
Read the feature on Christian Comic Arts Society in the latest issue of New Identity Magazine! http://issuu.com/newidentitymag/docs/issue14 . See pgs 47-49.
What a blessing you are. Thank you for being involved in CCAS.
Thankful!
Scott
The God Scene Show airs tonight Tuesday March 6, 8:30pm - 9:30pm EST at www.prolifick.com.
Tonight we'll discuss THE GIFT OF COMPLAINING. Also an interview with Comic book creator Martin Oakley. For more info visit http://weaponpress.com/GS.html
We all have projects we want to realize, and we all want others to help us realize them, for free...
Is there still hope for crowdsourcing in the comics industry?
The obstacles are many:
- Finding a project that appeals to a large pool of artists
- Dividing up the workload so that individual sacrifice is minimal
- Standardizing the results so that the diversity of styles doesn't work against us
- Protecting the resulting work without the excessive restraints of copyright law
Is there hope?
Given the recent success of crowdsourcing on the web (wikipedia, starwarsuncut) and the stunning artwork being produced under creative commons licensing by groups like The Blender Foundation, or the Morevna Project, I think the world of christian crowdsourcing will soon emerge on the international scene - after all, who has more talented individuals with a common vision and the determination to bring that vision to the world at large?
Are we going to allow groups like The Animation Workshop to continue to dedicate artistic talent to vehemently anti-christian themes unrivaled by equally stunning pro-gospel productions?
The God Scene Show airs tonight 8:30pm-9:30pm EST at www.prolifick.com. Tonight we'll discuss the MYTHS and FACTS of HOMESCHOOL. As well as a word from brother Olu Fabiyu. For more info visit http://weaponpress.com/GS.html
