Artist Network Article

On Februrary 6th, my first article went live on the Artists Network! The article is about how I find inspiration from the materials that I use to make art, and how I think some artists might overlook what their supplies can do for them. I'll also post some of the art I created for the article to prove my points.

https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/5-essential-artist-supplies/

Supplies: Daniel Smith & Sennelier Watercolors, Holbein gouache, Mitsubishi and Faber Castell Pencils, Stillman and Birn Alpha, Epsilon, Gray and Beige Nova paper.

Requiem Sonata Ch4 Preview

I finished another chapter of Requiem Sonata, and it took me forever to do, but this book is so near my heart that I have to do it. So I finally exhausted all of the pages of the 9x12 Stillman and Birn Alpha sketchbook that I was drawing it in, and all future pages will be drawn on 11x14 or 15 inch Alpha paper. The reason is, my hand and wrist pains have gotten pretty bad in the last couple of months, so to allow my wrist more room to work and ease its burden, I'm switching to a larger paper for these detailed pages. I'm happy to work at this size, and I'm actually working a lot faster because of it, so know your tools, dear readers aspiring to do comics! Knowing your tools is as important as knowing how to draw, because your tools will impact your ability, believe it or not.

So here are some pages from chapter 4, where Requiem gets more dark before taking steps toward the end. I hope my readers enjoy it and find the story fun!

Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Spencer and Locke, which is my first comic to ever be published widely. I didn't write it, I did the art, so if you want to see me draw a detective with an imaginary panther for a partner, give it a look! Here's a link to some preview pages.

Tools: Deleter G-pen and Saji Pen for most of the main lines, and Pentel Color brush for fills
Paper: Stillman and Birn Alpha paper

My Trip to Berkeley, California

I recently returned from a short trip to Berkeley, CA where I was invited to give a presentation about why I love to use Stillman and Birn paper and to try out some new products coming out later this year. That's the reason I went, but the experience was so much more amazing than even just that alone.

I met so many kind art supply reps, artists, art store owners and even just people in the area who were so kinda and said amazingly flattering things about me that the whole trip felt like a dream. I was told by many that they loved having me there and that they really enjoyed my art and hoped that I could make all my dreams happen. Well, this was certainly one of them.

As a kid, my favorite books to have were related to art, especially when we would get art supply catalogs in the mail. I never would have thought, some 20 years later, that I would be befriending and networking with art supply people or with stores who have told they want me to come by and do demos at their stores. It was an amazing experience and one that I'll always remember!

Thank you to everyone who I spoke with, presented to, and just was there to make this event a blast! I also want to thank Stillman and Birn, specifically Michael, for inviting me to the event and for taking a chance on me to help promote your product! Now it's time for me to get back to drawing, I have a convention to prepare for!

Below are some of the drawings that I did while on the trip, all of which were done in a new type of Stillman and Birn sketchbook that is one of the best sketchbooks I've ever had. I filled up at least 12-15 pages of it in 3 days, and I can't wait to share more of it!