Scranton or The AmeriKim Dream

First post of 2013! While I haven't been the most prolific artist so far this year (or any year...) please don't mistake the lack of posting for a dip in productivity, in fact, there are big things coming along in the next few months!

For now, the first order of business should definitely be the art accompanying this post; my friend Kim's birthday was fast approaching and I was asked by a mutual friend to draw Joe Biden for the occasion; the inspiration for the piece would be painting of Napoleon Bonaparte, a man for whom my affection is no secret. I have been reading a lot about early to mid 20th century illustrators (Robert Fawcett and Albert Dorne, especially) and felt this was as good an opportunity as any to try to put what I'd learned from looking at their work into practice. Of the piece itself, I will say that while drawing the resolute desk seemed like a good idea initially, it became quite evident that I'd bitten off more than I could chew. But chew I did, several markers, and some time in Photoshop later, this piece is the result.

In other news, I should mention that I have been taking a course in sequential storytelling at Montreal's Concordia University since September (actual name of the class is Special topics in Drawing: The Graphic Novel, taught by one Patrick McEown, if you're interested in looking it up) and have learned a great deal. So much so that I can say with confidence that you will be seeing a webcomic appearing by me quite soon, before the summer, I would say.

And finally, it would be a crime not to mention my involvement in Pure Steele, an adventure book by some of my good friends, in fact, the very same friends by and for whom this Joe Biden piece was commissioned. They were kind enough to allow me to contribute to this tome which has been very much a labor of love for them, and it is an immense pleasure to have my name appearing next to theirs on its cover. Pure Steele will be published some time this year by Blind Ferret Press.

Green Lantern

I originally had this idea for a mid-transformation Green Lantern as a potential Hallowe'en costume, until it kind of dawned on me how much work that would entail. So instead, I drew it.

I've been trying lately to become better at drawing full compositions where surroundings are given as much attention as the focal point, in terms of rendering. As much as I feel my artwork has improved in the last few months, I can't help but look at this drawing and see that I haveso much more work to do and so many things to learn.

Onward and upwards, I guess, hope you enjoy this one!

Montreal Comic Con 2012

I'll be attending the Montreal Comic Con this weekend, artist's alley booth #1430!

Come by my table where I'll be drawing, giving away a free mini-comic and will also have a few drawings from this very blog available as well as a limited number of this Sherlock print (and its original art) for sale!

I am also taking comissions if you are so inclined, inquiries can be made at stephenlmorrow@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Jean Moebius Giraud 1938-2012

I was a fairly late convert to Jean Giraud (Moebius)'s work, despite being fluent in french, and having easy access to European Bandes Dessinées, until my late teens I had only been aware of him through his work on Métal Hurlant (Heavy Metal). Since then I've made the effort to seek out more of his work, though I've still barely scratched the surface.

I have been (slowly) working on this project called Pure Steele for the passed months, and one day when walking to my day job in Montreal, I passed a bookstore and in its window display, tucked neatly at the side I see L'homme Du Ciguri:

(Image source: www.humano.com)

Immediately, the thought inhabited me that I needed to draw an homage to this cover using Steele, the piece was just so perfectly layed out in my mind. So, I set out and got a cream colored paper to evoke the desert:

And then proceeded to color it in Photoshop:

In all, I'm quite satisfied with the result, and I look forward to a lifetime of getting to know, and continuing to get inspired by, Moebius' vast library of work.

Maurice Sendak Tribute

I don't remember how or when I discovered Maurice Sendak's work.

I know I didn't have any of his books lying around when I was a kid, so it was probably in my mid-to-late teens. One day I turned around and Where The Wild Things Are was suddenly a huge inspiration to me; I don't know what it is about that story that resonates with me in such a meaningful way, but it's just held such an important place for me that it feels like it's been around me forever.

More than just his books, it's Maurice Sendak's words about his work, about people and life that have just found their way into my own ways of thinking; I'm still at a loss to explain fully how I felt when I heard the news of his passing, but hopefully this drawing is proper tribute to the man who isn't nearly done inspiring me.

"I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can't stop them. They leave me and I love them more."
-Maurice Sendak

Doctor Who

Yet another belated gift, this time for my fiancee's birthday, we're both massive fans and late converts to the show Doctor Who (she especially likes the Daleks); we started at the 8th Doctor and have watched every episode together. I was really excited to get a piece done, but it's quite daunting when trying to do justice to something you love for someone you love. But, finally, I figured out what I feel is a decent composition and set out to work, this piece is the end result.

The challenge, in my opinion, when drawing something you're such a big fan of, and friends will attest that my Doctor Who fandom teeters on worrisome, is trying to capture the spirit of the characters. While I'm not sure I managed to accomplish that, I'm still pretty happy with this piece.

Also, I'll just go ahead and publicly state that the Eleventh Doctor is the superior Doctor and I don't understand how there's even a debate on this issue.

Enjoy!

Sterling Archer

"Well excuse me Lana, it's a rampage "

Archer, created by Adam Reed, is currently my favorite TV show, partly because both Sherlock and Doctor Who are holding out on me, but mostly because it's hands down the funniest, most entertainingly witty show on the air right now.

My style doesn't lend itself to an animated style so well, but I still wanted to make an homage to the show that's consistently entertained me from the very start. So, while I know that I basically have to specifically tell you that this is Sterling Archer, I'm still happy with the piece.

In all, I think a big part of it is that I sometimes feel the need to express my appreciation for something that I've taken so much enjoyment from.

... Do you not?