Between Clark And Hilldale

Rough Stuff

2012-02-05T21:15:00.000Z

Apologies for the lack of posts this past month. I became a Father again three weeks ago with the birth of my son, Carter Philip, so I'm sure you can appreciate that I've been a touch busy for the blog. I have, however, managed to keep up the sketchbook on my daily commute. I'm still working out character designs for the Shangri-La's strip I posted about in December. The ultimate goal is to achieve a simplicity and consistency for repeat rendering off the cast. Below are some of the more successful of recent pages which I've had to snap with my camera as my scanner's on the blink at the moment.

Covered

2012-01-06T23:31:00.002Z

My version of Justice League of America #137 for Robert Goodin's Covered Blog.

The original JLA #137 by Ernie Chan (not one of his best).

DVD Bonus: The original sketchbook page of Superman and Capt. Marvel's tussle.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:20:00.000Z

Kicking off the New Year with a piece inspired by one of my favourite graphic novels of 2011,

Blank Slate's Nelson.

Sketch Show

2011-12-29T23:42:00.003Z

Although the posts have been thin on the ground these last few months, I have been keeping up with the sketchbook. I've been trying to nail down some character concepts for a comic strip featuring my all-time favourite girl group, The Shangri La's. Progress has been slow as I usually can only find time to draw on my daily commute and the results have been variable. Presented below are some of the more successful sketches that show the look I'm trying to capture for the strip.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T21:24:00.000Z

Just time to wish you all a very merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year. Have a good one, folks!

Nothing to see here

2011-11-29T22:22:00.001Z

Several projects have fallen by the wayside in the past few weeks, hence no regular posts. Still keeping up the sketchbook but nothing concrete to show at the moment. Here's a sneek sketch of what I'm currently trying to work out. More soon hopefully.

Me and My Arrow

2011-11-10T21:13:00.003Z

Oblio and Arrow in the Pointless Forest.

Inspired by the characters featured on the Nilsson album - The Point.

George and Glynn

2011-11-05T18:35:00.006Z

Here's what I've been up to in the sketchbook for the last couple of weeks. These are character designs for a 30-something couple by the name of George and Glynn (terrible pun I know, but it seems to have stuck). Glynn pretty much came fully formed on the page but Georgina's design involved quite a bit of working out. I wasn't happy with the early ‘cute sketches’ as I really wanted to imbue her with a personality. So she eventually became a bit of an ugly duckling. Not sure what I'll be doing with these two yet, maybe some one or three panel gags but they will be popping up here from time to time.

Bat-Finn-Crazy

2011-10-27T22:08:00.003+01:00

Doodle, doodle, doodle, doodle, doodle, doodle, doodle, doodle - BATMAN! ...and Finn.

Man in Jumpsuit

2011-10-23T22:40:00.003+01:00

Salvaged a ropey pencil sketch with the brushpen. Not exactly sure what he's doing though.

Georgina

2011-10-22T23:27:00.003+01:00

Coconut

2011-10-19T21:16:00.002+01:00

Drawn on this morning’s commute, a little tribute to Nilsson's “Coconut” as featured in his marvelous 1971 BBC television special.

The Bird is the Word

2011-10-09T21:19:00.002+01:00

Vector illustration for in-house magazine article about footballers Twitter gaffs.

Last Summer

2011-09-28T21:03:00.002+01:00

Inspired by Eleanor Friedberger's Album Last Summer, which is currently on repeat.

Crimson Bolt Kicks Kick-Ass Ass

2011-09-25T21:50:00.001+01:00

I got to see James Gunn's Super a few days ago which I enjoyed immensely. It has a similar premise as Kick-Ass - What would really happen if a normal person began dressing up as a superhero and fighting crime? - but whereas Kick-Ass quickly succumb to the fetishism of the genre, Super is grounded in the utter desperation of Rainn Wilson's character Frank AKA The Crimson Bolt.

Frank's misguided conscience and brutal methodology certainly asks more of it's audience than Kick-Ass' never-ending weaponry catalogue. It's a great little film and very funny with it. There are fabulous performances from Wilson and Juno's Ellen Page as the comic shop assistant cum sidekick, Boltie. If you are more Fantagraphics than you are Marvel you may well like it too.

Luther Arkwright

2011-09-21T22:04:00.003+01:00

Just re-read The Adventures Of... and now halfway into my first reading of Heart of Empire.

Spider-Man

2011-09-18T20:14:00.008+01:00

Commute sketchbook challenge - Draw a comic cover from memory. I was quite pleased with the results but to my bemusement when I tried to track down the original there was none. It seems my addled memory had combined two different sources, Gil Kane's splash page from Amazing Spider-Man #101 and John Romita's cover to issue#87.

Me Elsewhere

2011-09-14T21:12:00.002+01:00

A couple of things of mine that have recently turned up on other blogs.

First up is my rendition of a Jack Kirby panel for Anthony Vukojevich's Repaneled blog. The original (below - just in case there's any confusion) is from an old Thor story in Journey into Mystery #93.

Next up is have a straight copy of Scott Pilgrim vol.4 drawn with a Sharpie in 4.38 mins for Tim (& Grace) Miner's 5 Minute Marvels blog. The blog encourages parents and siblings to take five minutes out of the day and sit and draw together.

Here's my Daughter Eden’s version, she took a little longer than 5 minutes because she wanted to add Ramona’s roller boots (ever the fashionista). What I love about Edie's version is by swapping the characters we now focus on Ramona’s exasperation, which is the same look Edie gives me when I'm being a silly Daddy.

Congratulations

2011-09-10T10:29:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Tommy and Caroline on their Wedding today.

Vicar in a Tutu

2011-09-05T21:51:00.003+01:00

For days now I've had The Smiths song rattling round my head for some reason. I tried to exorcise it in the sketchbook this morning on the train, to no avail.

First Four on the Shuffle 2.9.11

2011-09-02T20:08:00.004+01:00

Back to photoshop for this one. First four artists to appear on the morning commute. Artists featured: Sylvie Vartan, Jason Lytle, Eilen Jewel and Francoise Hardy.

Happy Birthday, Jack Kirby!

2011-08-28T10:25:00.004+01:00

Today marks the 94th birthday of ‘The King of Comics’ Jack Kirby. Here's my portrait of the great man for Kirby-Vision's annual birthday gallery.

First Four on the Shuffle

2011-08-22T22:32:00.001+01:00

Finally - Sketchbook

2011-08-19T12:36:00.002+01:00

Here's a few sketchbook pages showing the evolution of my self-caricature for the Finally strip.

Finally - unused panels

2011-08-18T11:44:00.008+01:00

Many thanks to everyone who sent their best wishes regarding the blog's new direction. Your support is very heartening and I'm pleased that the Finally strip was well received. Surprised also to find that the strip had been reblogged over at SPX. As it's the first strip I've done and released to the outside world I thought it might be interesting to follow up with a few extras.

I completed the strip in just one day. I already had the thumbnails worked out but the drawing, inking, re-writing and lettering were all done in about 12 hours last Saturday. The next morning I looked at the strip again and decided to replace two of the panels with photographs. It seemed like a cop-out to do this but the panels where now succinct with the text. So, here are the original illustrations for panels 4 & 5.

Finally

2011-08-14T20:00:00.002+01:00

to be continued...

2011-07-10T21:16:00.005+01:00

Regular visitors to blog will have noticed the erratic schedule of posts lately. It has become increasingly difficult to find the time to keep up with my RSS feeds and do the research that comes with regular posting. I have therefore decided to put BC&H on hold for the next few weeks as I re-think the future of the blog. There's every possibility this blog will morph into something completely different and I hope to be making an announcement very soon. In the meantime please take a look at my other corners of the blogosphere:

Hosted by The Jack Kirby Museum, Kirby- Vision is a tribute art blog dedicated to the work and concepts of “The King of Comics”, Jack Kirby.

My Tumblr site dedicated to the ever expanding world Doctor Who artwork - Ancient and Forever

and finally my Tumblr scrapbook, where I indulge myself with a collection of comic art, 60's iconography and the odd music track - Nineteen Sixty-Nine, Baby

Dave Perillo

2011-06-28T22:17:00.002+01:00

Dave Perillo pays tribute to the gloriously silly Flash Gordon movie for the upcoming Autumn Society show ‘Rockets, Robots and Ray-Guns’.

Dan Mogford

2011-06-20T21:28:00.002+01:00

Beautifully simple and immediately striking book cover from London designer Dan Mogford.

via the casual optimist

Stanley Kubrick - a filmography

2011-06-19T22:28:00.002+01:00

Martin Woutisseth re-imagines Kubrick's oeuvre in this skillfully put-together animated filmography.

Looks That Kill

2011-06-01T21:10:00.005+01:00

Here’s a cracking little promo, directed by Kevin Dart and Stephane Coedel, for the forthcoming Yuki 7 adventure book and DVD.

via electric tension

Cliff Chiang

2011-05-31T22:46:00.004+01:00

“Don't give a damn ’bout my bad reputation...” Cliff Chiang channels Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Zatanna & Batgirl via The Runaways.

via digital collage

Gig Posters

2011-05-31T20:51:00.012+01:00

Time to bathe in the glories of my picks from May's new arrivals at Gig Posters.

Gil Scott-Heron 1949-2011

2011-05-28T14:40:00.001+01:00

Julien Pacaud

2011-05-16T22:26:00.001+01:00

Everlasting Gaze, new work from the boundless imagination of Julien Pacaud.

Robert Ball

2011-05-11T20:28:00.001+01:00

“Come. It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man!”

Robert Ball wraps up his Fifty Baddies series with Christopher Lee's most celebrated role, Lord Summerisle. Be sure to check out the full gallery of villainous vectors at Robert Flickr page, here.

John Walker 1943-2011

2011-05-09T19:34:00.000+01:00

Gig Posters

2011-05-01T22:36:00.003+01:00

My choice picks from April's new arrivals at Gig Posters.

Toronto Comic Arts Festival: Pencil it In

2011-04-29T17:25:00.002+01:00

via shit comics

Mike Saputo

2011-04-28T22:30:00.004+01:00

Mike Saputo's striking Star Trek print for Alamo Drafthouse. If you love it go - Beeeeep!

via mondotees

Poly Styrene 1957-2011

2011-04-27T21:11:00.000+01:00

Matte Stephens

2011-04-26T21:44:00.003+01:00

Golden Gate Bridge, Chicago & Autumn in NY, adorable visions of America by Portland, Oregon based artist, Matte Stephens.

Required Reading

2011-04-25T12:30:00.001+01:00

Work commitments have kept me away from the blog these past few weeks, so let's get back to business with a select choice from Gallery 1988's current show Required Reading, a collection of limited edition prints inspired by classic novels.

Brandon Schaefer "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep"

Doublenaut "Big Brother is Watching You"

Delicious Design League "Darwin on the Origin of the Species"

Jason Edmiston "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde"

Tom Whalen "The War of the Worlds"

Kevin Tong "Thus Spoke Zarathustra"

via omg posters!

Dave Johnson

2011-04-01T21:38:00.002+01:00

Naughty, Naughty, Naughty you filthy ol' Smooka! -

Dave Johnson's singular take of A Clockwork Orange.

Kubrick et le Web

2011-03-27T21:32:00.009+01:00

French website Kubrick et le Web is a collection of re-imagined film posters, fan-art and design experimentation all dedicated to the man they called 'Stanley'. Here's a few choice cuts:

via this isn't happiness

Ivan Brunetti

2011-03-20T21:27:00.005Z

Looking forward to getting my hands on this little beauty - Ivan Brunetti's CARTOONING: Philosophy and Practice out now from Yale University Press.

via a smurch of pete

Dave Johnson

2011-03-17T21:51:00.002Z

Dave Johnson proves that John Hamm would be a perfect in the role of The Man of Steel with this alternate cover for Superman #711.

Flash Giant Fiction

2011-03-13T21:51:00.006Z

Lovely things for you all from around the blogosphere.

Veronica Fish perfectly captures the romance of the Flash Gordon universe.

via hello zombie

Robert Ball channells his inner-McMahon for this vector portrait of Judge Giant.

Jason Levesque's Mia Wallace from Spoke Art's Quentin vs. Coen art show at New York's Bold Hype Gallery. via poster shizzle

Patrick Legar

2011-03-08T21:28:00.004Z

North Carolina's Patrick Leger handsomely illustrates John Wyndham for The Folio Society.

The Chrysalids

The Midwich Cuckoos

The Day of the Triffids

Gig Posters

2011-03-01T21:30:00.002Z

Time for a few favorites from February's new arrivals at Gig Posters.

Catching Up

2011-02-26T14:15:00.004Z

Two & a half weeks since my last post here, unforgivable I know, so to make it up to you here's a few lovely things that have caught my eye from around the blogosphere.

Daniel Clowes covers himself for a Japanese edition of Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron.

via Fantagraphics

Dan McDaid displays his on-going maturity as an artist with this recent commission of The Shadow.

Jason Chalker re-imagines Bond posters for a self-initiated design challenge.

Jonathan Edwards' wonderful portrait of Stuart Sutcliffe partly inspired by the new graphic novel Baby's in Black by Arne Bellstorf, which looks delightful and has jumped straight to the top of my t0-buy-list.

images via gosh!

and finally, 25 writers take a closer look at the work of Jack Kirby in a series of short articles entitled, Kirb Your Enthusiasm, over at Hilobrow.

Adrian Tomine

2011-02-09T20:54:00.002Z

Adrian Tomine covers Yasujiro Ozu for The Criterion Collection. Take a look behind the scenes at the creation of these covers at Criterion designer Eric Skillman's Cosy Lummox blog.

Jamie McKelvie

2011-02-08T16:56:00.001Z

Jamie McKelvie's elegant pin-up of Modesty Blaise for a forthcoming Titan collection.

Mike Allred

2011-02-07T15:55:00.001Z

Madman creator Mike Allred has joined the blogosphere with Allred Art. In the run up to Madman's 20th anniversary Mike promises to post some sneak peeks of art, for a number of upcoming specials, such as this pin-up by Philip Bond...

and this inspired rendering of The Atomics by Daniel Krall.

via bigredrobot

Tura Satana 1938-2011

2011-02-06T17:37:00.010Z

2011 claims another pop-culture icon, Tura Satana dies at 72.

Robert Ball

2011-02-01T21:19:00.002Z

Gawking ghastly Gorgon glares granite grey Greek. Perseus, geometric Clash of the Titans* fanart by the absurdly talented Robert Ball.

*Harry Hamlin version

John Barry 1933-2011

2011-01-31T21:26:00.004Z

Gig Posters

2011-01-29T17:18:00.008Z

It's been a little quiet here at the blog the past couple of weeks, a mixture of work commitments and ill health, so in a desperate attempt to fill up some column inches here's my choice of the best on offer from January's new arrivals at Gig Posters.

Daniel Clowes

2011-01-19T22:19:00.002Z

Daniel Clowes' illustrates two classic Sam Fuller titles for The Criterion Collection.

via the ephemerist

Grzegorz Domaradzki

2011-01-16T20:10:00.004Z

Incredible vector portraits by Polish artist Grzegorz Nomaradzki, taken from his second set of highly stylised movie posters. Check out Behance Network for more.

Trish Keenan 1968-2011

2011-01-15T00:31:00.007Z

I'm extremely saddened to hear the news of the death of Broadcast singer Trish Keenan, who passed away yesterday following complications with pneumonia.

I met Trish about 20 years ago when I moved into my first flatshare in Sparkbrook, Birmingham. She was a regular guest at the house and I have fond memories of those nights of smoky rooms playing Canasta, drinking wine and passing round the acoustic guitar. We were never close, if fact I always suspected that she saw me as a bit of a doofus. I was a smalltown boy while she was no-nonsense, city-smart and tough, which of course filled me with nothing but respect for her. I haven't seen her in a very long time but I've always taken an interest in the fortunes of Broadcast and was always glad to learn of the band's successes. Here's one of their early tracks:

As you can hear she had a marvellous voice. Before Broadcast, Trish was one half of an female duo who would appear regularly at acoustic nights. They built up quite a reputation and their cover of Joni Mitchell's, 'A Case of You' was always the highlight of the evening. I'm posting Joni's version here as my own tribute to Trish, as it's the song never fails to remind me of the times I spent in her company.

Spine Out

2011-01-09T14:10:00.001Z

New to me but with an archive stretching back to early 2009, Shawn Hazen's Book Worship blog is a classy celebration of covers worn by a host of titles that quietly slipped in and out of bookstores in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

via spine out

Señor Salme

2011-01-08T17:09:00.003Z

Señor Salme describes his work as a blend between comic-books, pop culture, symbolism and mythology. Find out more at his blog, here.

Andrew Kolb

2011-01-05T21:32:00.004Z

Loving Andrew Kolb's re-imagining of Pet Sounds for the Thirty Three and a Third art show.

Plus this charming illustration of Simon & Garfunkel in the studio laying down the classic, At the Zoo.

Gig Posters

2010-12-31T15:17:00.003Z

Let's see out 2010 with a few goodies from December's new arrivals at Gig Posters, shall we?

Dan Hipp

2010-12-30T00:04:00.005Z

A formidable Clint East... erm, Snake Plissken from the pen of Dan Hipp.

Gary Taxali

2010-12-30T00:04:00.003Z

A Confederacy of Dunces gets a new cover courtesy of Gary Taxali.

via the casual optimist

Jay Howell

2010-12-30T00:03:00.002Z

Loving Jay Howell's latest giclee print "A Colorful Group of People" currently available at TinyShowcase.com.

via omg posters!

Kerry Missmas

2010-12-24T00:33:00.009Z

Tis' the season and to celebrate BCAH presents a selection of christmassy etching from across the blogosphere, plus a wonderful clip of Ray Charles performing my favorite Christmas song. Have a good one folks.

Warwick Johnson Cadwell

Allan Sanders

John Allison

via forbidden planet

Don Van Vilet 1941-2010

2010-12-17T23:13:00.003Z

Jack Teagle

2010-12-14T22:50:00.001Z

Jack Teagle's kenner based Chewie portrait is "Rowwrrr!"

Kevin Tong

2010-12-14T22:25:00.004Z

Marvel at the incredible energy of Kevin Tong's latest poster, based on Chuck Palahniuk's novel, Rant.

via omg! posters

Gig Posters

2010-12-07T21:34:00.005Z

Our regular monthly round-up of just some of November's new arrivals at Gig Poster's .

Zack Soto

2010-12-05T21:33:00.002Z

Inspired carnage as Zack Soto pitches Rom the Space Knight against some of his favorite 70's Marvel creations in the aptly titled "70's Marvel Death Orgy".

Maxim Dalton

2010-12-05T21:28:00.001Z

Argentinian artist Maxim Dalton charts the every changing styles of the Fab Four in this lovely poster available to own, here.

Annie Wu

2010-12-05T20:46:00.001Z

Annie Wu's remarkable take on the punk JLA from the recent Whitechapel Remake.

Dave Johnson

2010-11-30T20:52:00.002Z

Dave Johnson spreads some Lebowski love in this recent commission.

Felipe Sobreiro

2010-11-30T20:31:00.002Z

Felipe Sobreiro remixes Alex Toth and the Sex Pistols for the latest Whitechapel challenge to create a poster for a Malcolm McLaren produced Justice League movie.

Andrew Kolb

2010-11-28T20:34:00.007Z

Andrew Kolb's fan poster for AMC's adaption of The Walking Dead is a delightful (a word you'd never expect to use if you've seen an episode or read the comic). Plus it features a sad horse, aahhh!

via vagueando

Kyle T. Webster

2010-11-21T16:30:00.001Z

Loving the fluid penmanship of Kyle T. Webster's daily Star Wars figure studies.

Kyle's illustrations have featured in The New Yorker and USA Today amongst others. These drawings originate from Kyle's The Daily Figure blog where Kyle let's his imagination loose and creates without reference material. Smashing stuff.

via big.red.robot.

Yuko Shimizu

2010-11-20T16:29:00.003Z

Yuko Shimizu's generous portrait of Keith Richards from The New York Times Book Review. Take a look at the creation of this piece at Yuko's blog, here.

Matt Roden

2010-11-20T16:28:00.003Z

Mad Men fan art by Matt Roden. The clever use of digital collage really captures the spirit of Madison Avenue.

via manxome

Sean Phillips

2010-11-16T19:55:00.002Z

Sean Phillips' remarkable Sweet Smell of Sucess DVD cover for The Criterion Collection.

Gig Posters

2010-11-07T12:30:00.001Z

A rather hectic schedule has left little time for blogging, so please forgive me as I play catch-up with my favorites from October's new arrivals at Gig Posters.

Jp Cuison

Basemint

Lil Tuffy

Asbestos Press

The Little Friends of Printmaking

Gilbert Hernandez

2010-10-28T13:10:00.001+01:00

Title page from Gilbert Hernandez' Iron Man strip in the upcoming Strange Tales II#2.

via comics alliance

Dylan Teague

2010-10-28T13:02:00.001+01:00

"Mind the oranges, Marlon". Dylan Teague Takes on Quinch in a new commision peice.

Steffi Schütze

2010-10-27T18:04:00.000+01:00

Lovely vector work from Berlin artist Steffi Schütze, issued as postcards for one of Steffi's favorite restaurants, Jalänger Jelieber. There's an insightful look at the original sketches and Illustrator paths at her blog, here.

Nate Wragg

2010-10-27T17:05:00.000+01:00

Intergalactic 'Batusi' Dance Party, a charming commision piece by Califorian artist, Nate Wragg.

Ivan Brunetti

2010-10-26T17:00:00.002+01:00

Ivan Brunetti's cover illustration for 'The Cartoon Issue' of The New Yorker.

via this isn't happiness

Los Bros Hernandez

2010-10-26T16:30:00.001+01:00

Jamie and Gilbert Hernandez' fabulous contributions to this year's Wonder Woman Day charity auction. Check out the link above for a huge gallery of this year's other participants.

via s*** comics

Joey Chou

2010-10-25T19:18:00.001+01:00

Three charmingly playful pieces by animation artist Joey Chou from his recent show, Expeditions of the Mysterious.

via stan chow's garbage dump

Tom Whalen

2010-10-24T19:10:00.000+01:00

An inspired take on the classic Star Trek episode by Tom Whalen for Mondotees.

Dave Hunter

2010-10-24T18:03:00.001+01:00

Hello (little) boys. Dave Hunter's vibrant Dr. Strangelove poster for The Red Vic Movie House.

via poster shizzle

Chris Samnee

2010-10-23T20:10:00.005+01:00

I'm fascinated by Chris Samnee's black & white sketches. I find his command of light and dark totally baffling. I look at his work and ask myself, where do you start when you render without linework? How do you SEE the image you intend to create? Now I can't really say if this video of Chris drawing Batman has exposed those mysteries to me but it's a joy to be able to watch what exactly happens on that drawing board in Portland, USA.

David Lloyd

2010-10-15T00:44:00.009+01:00

I had no idea that David Lloyd had been posting at DeviantArt for the past seven months. What a revelation, for my money he is one of the masters of British comics and it's always a joy to see distinctive artwork. His DA pages are treasure trove of covers and interior art from various series including Kickback, Hellblazer, and Night Raven. Here's the cover from the first issue of one of my favorites, the much over-looked, The Territory.

Dave Johnson

2010-10-13T21:57:00.003+01:00

Marvellous Spider-man commission piece from last weekend's NYCC by Dave Johnson.

Travis Pitts

2010-10-07T22:57:00.004+01:00

Loving Travis Pitts' off-project Batman doodling. Check out his Flickr page for more.

Jamie Hewlett

2010-10-05T21:43:00.003+01:00

Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes. The final version is gonna be a treat with a storyboard film as good as this.

Chris Ware

2010-10-04T20:14:00.005+01:00

Chris Ware's cover for The Money Issue of The New Yorker.

via the ephemerist

Gig Posters

2010-10-01T21:45:00.001+01:00

Pinch, punch, first of the month, which means it's time for me to pick a bunch of faves from September's new arrivals at Gig Posters, natch.

Status Serigraph

Matt Leunig

Joanna Wecht

Denny Schmickle

Hero Design Studio

Mitchum D.A.