Introductions...
As work progresses on TALES OF THE MOONLIGHT CUTTER #3:CRIMSON TEARS [tentative title], I've decided to explore the idea of posting some of the various designs, sketches, thumbnails, unused pages and "rough" pencil art for the series in a blog.
Well,"decided" isn't exactly true...I don't have much practical computer experience, so its not something I would've ever considered for myself. I have to say the idea came from my friend James Sime, proprietor of San Fransisco's very progressive comics salon,Isotope. James suggested it as a way to fulfill the demand to see more of my artwork, and as a way to share the process of creating the book with others.
The series, following the adventures of a wandering swordsman and his encounters with the supernatural world in 12th century China, has two graphic novels in print so far. [Artwork below is the cover to TALES #2:SILK & SPEAR.] It has garnered some critical interest and very positive feedback from readers and retailers, some of whom are probably far more familiar with the conventions of China's wuxia pian ("flying swordsman") genre than I'll ever be.
If these readers tell me something "feels" right to them [ie; feels genuine,or just like something out of a Chinese film or novel] while I'm still telling a story that's accessible to anyone...then I know I've gotten it right.
The book has proven to be a challenge to me as an artist and a writer. I'm constantly faced with learning to write and draw things that I've never considered before (How did the powerful and wealthy behave in the Song dynasty? How did the poor and desperate? How did they dress? What does the underside of an overhanging pagoda roof look like, anyway?). This requires a lot of research, and much trial & error, as I teach myself exactly how to make it "feel" right. Many, if not most, of these rough ideas and designs (as well as finished artwork) will be posted here in the days to come.
Well,"decided" isn't exactly true...I don't have much practical computer experience, so its not something I would've ever considered for myself. I have to say the idea came from my friend James Sime, proprietor of San Fransisco's very progressive comics salon,Isotope. James suggested it as a way to fulfill the demand to see more of my artwork, and as a way to share the process of creating the book with others.
The series, following the adventures of a wandering swordsman and his encounters with the supernatural world in 12th century China, has two graphic novels in print so far. [Artwork below is the cover to TALES #2:SILK & SPEAR.] It has garnered some critical interest and very positive feedback from readers and retailers, some of whom are probably far more familiar with the conventions of China's wuxia pian ("flying swordsman") genre than I'll ever be.
If these readers tell me something "feels" right to them [ie; feels genuine,or just like something out of a Chinese film or novel] while I'm still telling a story that's accessible to anyone...then I know I've gotten it right.
The book has proven to be a challenge to me as an artist and a writer. I'm constantly faced with learning to write and draw things that I've never considered before (How did the powerful and wealthy behave in the Song dynasty? How did the poor and desperate? How did they dress? What does the underside of an overhanging pagoda roof look like, anyway?). This requires a lot of research, and much trial & error, as I teach myself exactly how to make it "feel" right. Many, if not most, of these rough ideas and designs (as well as finished artwork) will be posted here in the days to come.
posted by Dale Berry's Sketchblog at 1:07 PM
2 Comments:
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I was looking for blogs about martial arts and came across yours. Great blog you got. I have a website somewhat related you might find interesting.
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