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May 19, 2015  by

Comics and Color

By Milena Deneno

Remember when comics were printed in just flat colors (lookin’ at you, 50′s comics)? How about in black and white?

Although all these have their own merits and their own audience, nothing makes me happier than flipping through a beautifully colored comic… and nowadays that is done mostly digitally.Coloring digitally has its own advantages: from being able to change the color composition with the click of a button, to never coloring outside the lines again by using layers. Not to mention, the most important and almighty “Ctrl+Z”. Some insist it’s “cheating”, and I would have to strongly disagree.

Would you say using a cellphone instead of only having a home phone is “cheating”? Get with the times, people! Firstly, it takes a lot of patience and determination to learn the programs (Photoshop, Painter, even Manga Studio) and then the process itself is lengthy and involved. The first time I colored digitally, I did not look up from the screen for a good, oh, seven hours. I know, probably not a good idea for the ol’ retinas.

For example, if you look at the New52 Harley Quinn comics, written by Amanda Conner (who also does the cover) and Jimmy Palmioti, you are immediately pulled in, not only by the awesome art of Chad Hardin and others, but also the incredible color job by Alex Sinclair. If you happen to look at some other comics where the coloring is not as great, which I will not name as taste is subjective, you may find yourself, as I did, disappointed.

Harvey Quinn


HARLEY QUINN #1
Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by CHAD HARDIN
Cover by AMANDA CONNER

If you’re the type that is drawn to more symbolic and abstract stuff, just take a look at “Low”, written by Rick Remender with art by Greg Tocchini. The greens and oranges are so alive and explore contrast in such a playful way that the results are truly breathtaking.

Low1-53871

LOW
Written by RICK REMENDER
Art by GREG TOCCHINI

The point is, color is a huge, sometimes overlooked, part of comics. When done well, color adds so much to the aesthetic composition and narrative of the work. With that said, aspiring artists must remember that coloring, like inking, is not meant to overshadow the pencils the artist has done, but bring them to life.

For those looking to get into or improve their own digital coloring skills, The International School of Comics is holding a Digital Coloring for Comics workshop right now, taught by Ben Hunzeker, the artist responsible for the Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man comics. Just one look at his art is enough to convince me that this is not a class to miss, for anyone who wants to work in the industry, or who enjoys coloring as much as I do.

DIGITAL COLORING 1 WITH BEN HUNZEKER
If you like beautiful digital coloring check out Harley Quinn new 52, Low, Saga, Spider Gwen, Invincible, and Pretty Deadly. Be warned these are not PG 13. For the kiddos, I suggest Sonic and Mega Man. For young ones with a taste for the horror genre, I suggest Seekers of the Weird, a collaboration between Marvel and Disney about an attraction that never existed and was supposed to be attached to the Haunted Mansion.

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November 12, 2014  by

Full Bleed: A Comic Art Showcase

Join the Chicago Comic Creators for Full Bleed: A Comic Art Showcase. This free gallery showing will feature artwork from some of the city’s best up-and-comic comic artists and writers.

Ten independent, local comic creators will be displaying artwork including pin-ups, sketches, sequential art, and comic books. All art on display will be on sale, and there’ll be a raffle featuring items that won’t be available anywhere else.

Come for the original artwork. Come for the independent comics. Or come just for a night of music, food, and free beer.

Full Bleed is hosted by the International School of Comics of Chicago, an artistic hub for those who create or consume comics and illustration.

Featured Comic Creators Include:

Ali Cantarella

Angel Onofre

Daniel Scheuermann and Warwick Johnson

Jacob Halton

Jon Michael Lennon

Jules Vulpes-Rex Shavirov

Kev Anderson

Leo Perez

Patrick Trahey

 

RSVP over here!

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September 25, 2014  by

Marek Sterling, Student on the Rise!

Marek Sterling is a talented young student who joined the school for one of our many workshops! Marek generously donated the time to answer our questions on the course he took. Thanks Marek!
What drew you to the International School of Comics?
After graduating high school, I wasn’t sure what I would do with my life. I thought pursuing a career in music was my passion, but quickly discovered that I wouldn’t be happy producing music for the rest of my life. During the summer of 2013, I was fortunate enough to commission Archie Comics artist - Tracy Yardley[!]. He sketched a few pieces for me, and I felt a little flame burst inside me as I was coloring them. I realized then that mastering sequential art was my gateway to a lifetime of happiness. However, I still had much to learn. I had never been a talented artist, and I could never create high quality art projects. As a result, I began to seek out schools that could teach me the basics of comic illustrations, which brought me to the International School of Comics, a school that had everything that I needed in one location.

How do you picture your future with the International School of Comics?

In the 3 weeks I first attended the International School of Comics, I was taught the basics of illustration by Marco Cosentino. In just that short amount of time, I was finally able to illustrate all the things I had always wanted to, and I notice my improvement in each piece that I create. By continuing my studies at the International School of Comics, I am confident that there is no limit to how much I can continue to evolve as an artist.

Can you illustrate how the International School of Comics has helped your artistic vision grow?

Before I attended the International School of Comics, I had very little confidence in myself as an artist. I would try to create art through sheer will and determination, but the school helped me to see that determination alone wasn’t enough. I had to put all doubts aside and believe in myself, and mostly importantly, have fun! Art in itself is a creative hobby. If you don’t enjoy what you do, you won’t enjoy embracing an artistic career. Rather than draw a subject based on what you know about it, illustrate it by breaking it down into shapes and construct it little by little until you’ve achieved your final detailed masterpiece. It’s true that art can’t be rushed. If you jump right into it without establishing a base to work off on, you will be dooming yourself from the start. Having patience and taking your time are two key elements for any artist to have.

Can you paint a picture of what a typical day in class is/was like for you?

The classroom itself is a nice, clean environment, free of distractions. The courses usually begin with the instructor(s) lecturing and asking questions in between to ensure that each student is following along and understanding what is being taught. The instructor also showcases examples of the lesson at hand, and demonstrates how it should be executed from conception to completion. Afterwards, the instructor will allow the students to practice what was just learned, walking around the room and checking on each students’ progress. If a student is having any difficulties, the instructor will personally work with them while also giving tips to help make improvements. The classes end on schedule, and the instructor will give a reminder about any homework assignments and their due dates.




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