tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72111048846775468192024-03-14T07:02:20.177+00:00Frazer IrvingThe Great Frazer Irving, International ComicBook RockStar. Doodler of the dark and diabolical, as well as the lovely and lickable, this mighty creature exists in the space between his chair and his wacom Cintiq, somewhere near London UK currently.Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-72756370739316249862011-10-09T10:38:00.000+01:002011-10-09T10:38:50.360+01:00We've moved.Hi all.<br />
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Some of you may be wondering why this blog hasn't been updated in like forever. Well, I decided a few months ago to try out Tumblr, and to my surprise it is in fact lots easier than this blogger thing and far more interactive.<br />
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So, aside from this post I probably won't be back here, and if any of you do wish to keep up with whatever I'm up to then please check out <a href="http://frazerirving.tumblr.com/">http://frazerirving.tumblr.com/</a> as that's where I'm living thesedays.<br />
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Maybe at some point I'll manage to get the frazerirving.com url redirected to the tumblr page, but that means actually remembering how to do it, plus I'll need to include an email link on that page as well. These things are so complicated for me on a Sunday morning.<br />
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Also, due to Apple closing down their Mobileme thing (to be honest, I was never really taken by it) the galleries I have linked to on this page will also be vanishing, in favour of a more eclectic and updated selection on the tumblr pages.<br />
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Ok, second breakfast has been consumed, now time to stretch and figure out what I'm doing today....<br />
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FFrazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-37883534417537505962010-12-03T13:33:00.000+00:002010-12-03T13:33:53.817+00:00Talking with GodsAhoy shipmates<br />
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Back again for a quickie. Am currently hard at work scribbling GUTSVILLE and trying to keep warm in this wretchedly early winter freeze. I have included 2 panels from the latest pages which is about all I can do right now without spoiling crucial details for you. I think.<br />
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I have also popped up again to mention those who are UK based and interested in that Grant Morrison documentary <i>Talking With Gods,</i> that I will be attending a panel at the <a href="http://www.comicafestival.com/index.php/festival/festival_detail/film_grant_morrison_talking_with_gods/">ICA</a> on behalf of the Comica festival on the 12th of December which is all about the movie. And Stuff and Things. I'll be up there with Rian Hughes and director Patrick Meaney commenting on how strange our faces look when they're broadcast 20ft high.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TPjxSkWX6XI/AAAAAAAAAFE/vuvO0CbSn-o/s1600/Rathbone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TPjxSkWX6XI/AAAAAAAAAFE/vuvO0CbSn-o/s320/Rathbone.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TPjxTTk6wII/AAAAAAAAAFI/fQPgXdvGqJs/s1600/Amelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TPjxTTk6wII/AAAAAAAAAFI/fQPgXdvGqJs/s320/Amelia.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok, back to the pages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-41742975241454784352010-11-10T09:34:00.002+00:002010-11-10T12:37:38.990+00:00Kults!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes it's that time...that time being "time to show some art and talk a load of shite" again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last time I was here I showed some cover sketches and ting from the Batman and Robin issues I did, and at the end I promised to return with some interior page sneak peeks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, there's been a slight change in that plan. Not in a bad way as such, as I still plan to show some of that stuff to those of you who are enjoying peeking under the Wizard's skirt, but before I get here I have decided to show something different.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little while ago I was asked very nicely if I would be interested in doing a variant poster for a movie called "MONSTERS". Being the shameless art-whore that I am, I said yes. I got a dvd of the flick, watched it, then set to scribbling some ideas. Here I present to you the final product along with the rejected ideas I had after watching the movie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNqSB4qmWEI/AAAAAAAAAE8/kEH-RLVoY9Q/s1600/Monsters+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNqSB4qmWEI/AAAAAAAAAE8/kEH-RLVoY9Q/s320/Monsters+poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the final version. As u will see later, it's pretty close to one of my sketches, and that's the way I like it. I had to smooth out some bumps and creases on the figures before it was ready but in doing so I learnt a few new tricks when it comes to rendering skin.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgvKnBHPI/AAAAAAAAAEY/2WX4r0V-02Y/s1600/monsters+rough+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgvKnBHPI/AAAAAAAAAEY/2WX4r0V-02Y/s320/monsters+rough+poster.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was an earlier rough of the final idea. I had been given suggestions to pull back from my sketch and show it more from above...this, I thought, reduced the dramatic engagement with the central characters and made it more of scenic piece (and I suck at scenery) which is why I was glad that we ended up reverting to the original sketch in close up.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgwD0i-hI/AAAAAAAAAEc/8leOO8zohWo/s1600/monsters+rough+revision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgwD0i-hI/AAAAAAAAAEc/8leOO8zohWo/s320/monsters+rough+revision.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite the movie beiong called MONSTERS I didn't think the tentacle was enough of a draw for the drama in the poster. The symmetry in the shadow was nice, and I even liked the foliage, but the figures were TINY.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgwz87L7I/AAAAAAAAAEg/cyxK7Ybkp4k/s1600/Monsters+sketch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgwz87L7I/AAAAAAAAAEg/cyxK7Ybkp4k/s320/Monsters+sketch+1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Earlier sketches were very different. I liked the romance aspect of the movie and initially went for a vibe that focused on that instead of the sci-fi-beasty aspect. When/if you see the movie you will see where I was coming from.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgx9jyClI/AAAAAAAAAEk/v_AqyeYwNa0/s1600/monsters+sketch+2-1+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgx9jyClI/AAAAAAAAAEk/v_AqyeYwNa0/s320/monsters+sketch+2-1+.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my great moments of graphic inspiration (rare as they may be) I had this brilliant idea of kinda forcing a heart-shape into the image. Like, it's a romance, yes? So how about putting a big soppy heart in there? It's actually way harder than you would think to make a heart-shape out of two linked hands, but I tried.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgystIdkI/AAAAAAAAAEo/4xN4OfgIwyo/s1600/monsters+sketch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpgystIdkI/AAAAAAAAAEo/4xN4OfgIwyo/s320/monsters+sketch+2.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Different angle here. I liked the contrast between the warm hands which are like all lovey-dovey and sweet and nice and hopeful, with the cold blue mess of the wrecked jungle and the ominous signs of Monsters, such as the sign post and wrecked vehicles etc. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpg0CpnUeI/AAAAAAAAAEs/GIABAKW8HAI/s1600/monsters+sketch+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpg0CpnUeI/AAAAAAAAAEs/GIABAKW8HAI/s320/monsters+sketch+3.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A slight variation, rehashing an earlier pose. This time showing them in the jungle as opposed to approaching it, with some dramatic up-shots of wrecked buildings. Personally I wasn't so hot on this, as I really liked the tension of the earlier images as the couple approach the dangerous zone. It made them more heroic and sorta showed that the bond between them was stronger. This looks like they're just a bit lost on safari.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpg1GbixXI/AAAAAAAAAEw/42qYgK2Dwlk/s1600/monsters+sketch+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpg1GbixXI/AAAAAAAAAEw/42qYgK2Dwlk/s320/monsters+sketch+4.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This sketch was the Chosen One. We ditched the sign post after a while, and replaced it with the tentacle. After all, there had to be something that said "Monster" in the image, and I wasn't sure that the looming shadow was enough. This shot does allow for more direct dramatic engagement with the characters, which is fair, even if I had to ditch my genius heart-shaped hands idea *grumble*.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpg1yGF6rI/AAAAAAAAAE0/_5OQc9Vlmrg/s1600/monsters+sketch+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpg1yGF6rI/AAAAAAAAAE0/_5OQc9Vlmrg/s320/monsters+sketch+5.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This sketch was done with the idea that we will show the beasts in the background. It's less dramatic than the others, and the butt-shot is open for abuse across the internet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpg3on6dnI/AAAAAAAAAE4/niioS9Yg0uQ/s1600/monsters+sketch+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpg3on6dnI/AAAAAAAAAE4/niioS9Yg0uQ/s320/monsters+sketch+6.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The final sketch I offered up. It has all the ingredients I wanted in it (yes, I was even planning to highlight their heads to force a heart-shape in it) but it just wasn't very Ooomphy it seems. Still, it got me out of drawing lots of wreckage (am not a fan of wreckage).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a competition currently running to win signed copies of the poster at <a href="http://www.redcarpetcrash.com/2010/11/09/win-an-autographed-monsters-comic-poster/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=win-an-autographed-monsters-comic-poster">this website</a> and you can all go watch the movie as well and then come back here and tell me which sketch you thought suited it best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's not all tho! After I did me Batman pages a few weeks ago I got another gig doodling a book cover for my mates at <a href="http://www.solarisbooks.com/">Solaris</a> books. Essentially I had to design the character from the rough descriptions from the <a href="http://richard4ord.wordpress.com/">writer</a> and make a design that would work as an intro to the series. I did 2 sketches, here is the one that made it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpdiOcvFnI/AAAAAAAAAEE/6IhaEwS-nqA/s1600/Kultus+1st+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpdiOcvFnI/AAAAAAAAAEE/6IhaEwS-nqA/s320/Kultus+1st+sketch.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nice and simple, very much in keeping with what I normally do. The dude needing beefing up tho. "Imagine he had a very very very large paper-round" was the instruction. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpdjrBpq9I/AAAAAAAAAEI/IEEs0rbM9t0/s1600/kultus+2nd+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpdjrBpq9I/AAAAAAAAAEI/IEEs0rbM9t0/s320/kultus+2nd+sketch.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok, he has more meat. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpdk1-kd7I/AAAAAAAAAEM/LY6Mr_JowKU/s1600/Kultus+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpdk1-kd7I/AAAAAAAAAEM/LY6Mr_JowKU/s320/Kultus+BW.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little scribbling later and this is the b/w version. I modified my method during this, and this cover was my first proper experiment. I think it worked ok...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpdmciF5wI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/mIkDTiJqZss/s1600/Kultus+cover+RGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNpdmciF5wI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/mIkDTiJqZss/s320/Kultus+cover+RGB.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Final art sans text. This was leaked to <a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/11/09/frazer-irvings-cover-for-kultus/">Bleeding Cool</a> yesterday and Rich Johnston added that I should return to drawing Gutsville now. HMPH! The audacity of the man! I am in fact currently doing just that, and will maybe post some previews and sneak peeks if you're nice. I'm looking at *you*, Johnston...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many thanks also due to The Queen of Cakes for proofreading and correcting my atrocious typing xxx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-46544919901326541432010-11-08T18:08:00.001+00:002010-11-08T18:11:30.159+00:00Back in town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Greets</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes it's been ages since I last blogged. I'm beginning to see that I only do this when jobs are done and I can show stuff without getting my head bitten off, tho I will try to do more. Hey, I pay for the domain name after all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since we last met I have been doodling ferociously at Batman and Robin. It took me all summer and I am very proud of it. Apparently lots of people out there had never heard of me before they read that comic, so it's a good thing I drew it. All egomaniacs like minions, and I am no different.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So to celebrate that series ending I figured I'd show you lot some of the sketchy things that are a by-product of the creative process. For this post we're going to have a look at the last 2 covers I drew for the series in various states of undress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4lDXmp8I/AAAAAAAAADc/kUFk5jmjwMM/s1600/pencil+bat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4lDXmp8I/AAAAAAAAADc/kUFk5jmjwMM/s320/pencil+bat.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pencil work for issue 14. I say Pencil, but it's not really. It's all pixels, tho it also looks a bit like marker pens. I like the old school feel of pencils and pens so i choose to work this way. Makes me feel at one with the traditionalist hiding inside me under lots of warm duvets.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4l_b71sI/AAAAAAAAADg/96263LXemg8/s1600/bat+mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4l_b71sI/AAAAAAAAADg/96263LXemg8/s320/bat+mist.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Misty Batman. I tried a bunch of different tricks to create depth with this cover, and this was one of them. It felt a bit busy to me tho, so I ditched it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4mZqwN7I/AAAAAAAAADk/0n_KbVjbvjE/s1600/bat+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4mZqwN7I/AAAAAAAAADk/0n_KbVjbvjE/s320/bat+sketch.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the colour sketch I sent the boss for approval. I know!! These people have amazing skill at deciphering scribbles.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4m0TwJTI/AAAAAAAAADo/8W9awgKCCVY/s1600/purple+bats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4m0TwJTI/AAAAAAAAADo/8W9awgKCCVY/s320/purple+bats.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Purple Batman. I almost went with this one, cos I liked the unified colour scheme, but the original contrast with the green was too alluring. Those of you who have the comic will know how it turned out. Those of you who don't...well, I don't know what to say really...;_;</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4nz9oc3I/AAAAAAAAADs/CjDCFcNcWmE/s1600/joker+guys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4nz9oc3I/AAAAAAAAADs/CjDCFcNcWmE/s320/joker+guys.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's my 3rd cover with the Joker, and lots of pink people busting out of his head.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4pQLFCFI/AAAAAAAAADw/5ahZJRCPcyg/s1600/joker+mad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4pQLFCFI/AAAAAAAAADw/5ahZJRCPcyg/s320/joker+mad.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During an earlier stage of madness I went with a crazy background. Nausea followed so I ditched it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4qHSMDLI/AAAAAAAAAD0/GAHDrXvjDLE/s1600/joker+inked.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4qHSMDLI/AAAAAAAAAD0/GAHDrXvjDLE/s1600/joker+inked.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Chuckles in his "inked" stage before any colours or backgrounds are added.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4q80XlYI/AAAAAAAAAD4/rdtQNVeWsLs/s1600/joker+things.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4q80XlYI/AAAAAAAAAD4/rdtQNVeWsLs/s320/joker+things.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is him all pencilly with scribbles of the mad things popping out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4rd9XVJI/AAAAAAAAAD8/zZdpHRw5xXo/s1600/joker+pencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4rd9XVJI/AAAAAAAAAD8/zZdpHRw5xXo/s320/joker+pencil.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pencils. I really should stop calling it that shouldn't I?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4sPivLOI/AAAAAAAAAEA/-UQH0GuRBQ0/s1600/joker+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TNg4sPivLOI/AAAAAAAAAEA/-UQH0GuRBQ0/s320/joker+sketch.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's the rejected sketch I sent out first. Hey I liked it. However the crazy head popping won the day and there you have it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next time I visit here (soon I hope) I will show some pages from the series all broken down into rough and scribbly stages, as well as some Gutsville previews. Yes, I'm drawing it again, this time I won't stop till it's finished!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time for tea now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-73840946942939957482010-07-14T12:14:00.002+01:002010-07-14T12:18:29.048+01:00BATMAN...and Robin.<br />
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Hello, friends. Yes I hardly ever blog here, but that's because I are too busy doodling or trying to tidy Irving Towers to sit down and compose my thoughts. It's not because I don't want to...those of you who know me will be well aware of exactly how much I can talk and how many opinions I have on everything, not to mention the seemingly endless stream of anecdotes cribbed from other people that I never tire of repeating. Oh and the bad jokes.<br />
But blogging is different, as I feel I need to show something pretty as well as waffle on endlessly. A lot of that is controlled by the release dates of work I have been making, which is how I come to be here now: since the last post I have been working on some Batman comics, the first being The Return Of Bruce Wayne issue 2 (which came out a coupla months back, cover is posted below) and the other one is issues 13-15 of Batman and Robin, which has only just been published.<br />
So now that the cat is semi out of the bag, I can dish out some more sketches and doodles for you to while away the minutes with.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2VZPvwRrI/AAAAAAAAACc/fnuLSLPKeEE/s1600/B%26RCOV013+sketch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2VZPvwRrI/AAAAAAAAACc/fnuLSLPKeEE/s320/B%26RCOV013+sketch+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here be the first sketch idea submitted. The brief was quite broad...basically "an iconic image of Batman and Robin" which had me scratching my head for a while because such broadness usually leaves me staring at blank pages for days. I decided something simple, with the feisty new Robin charging angrily at the reader whilst the new Batman kinda hangs back and does his mentor thing. This sketch was kinda nice in that it showed that Robin was far more unruly than the older Robin, pushing Batman's cape aside so he could charge at us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2WNgaHo9I/AAAAAAAAACk/L3d7_rE6N0g/s1600/B%26RCOV013+sketch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2WNgaHo9I/AAAAAAAAACk/L3d7_rE6N0g/s320/B%26RCOV013+sketch+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unhappy with the lopsided composition of my first sketch, I did something simpler and more symmetrical with far less narrative aspects. Not knowing what the contents of the issue would be at this time I couldn't draw anything that related to any actual events so it had to be really basic. It kinda referenced some very early Batman images, with the cape flowing out in a Dracula-esque manner and the beaming lines in the background...possibly from the old 60s Batman TV show...and ultimately this one won the battle and so then all that remained was to render the thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2XTQMASmI/AAAAAAAAACs/TGalzg7oPEQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2XTQMASmI/AAAAAAAAACs/TGalzg7oPEQ/s320/Screen+shot+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First up was drawing Batman. Thanks to the magic of Potatoshop I can draw entire characters on separate layers and compose them later, which saves much hassle and time spent re-editing images if stuff looks out of place. My take on Batman was still forming at this point in time, but I had already decided that the cape and cowl would be far darker that current versions, more of a black than a blue except when strong light is blasted onto it. The face was tricky, as I knew this Batman had to look different than the Bruce Wayne I was drawing in the other book at the time, so I chose a slightly different jaw shape than ol' Brucie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2YlI5b3cI/AAAAAAAAAC0/C1rZXWVU0w0/s1600/Screen+shot+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2YlI5b3cI/AAAAAAAAAC0/C1rZXWVU0w0/s320/Screen+shot+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Less Dredd, more...er...well, slightly pointy chin and pouty lips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2YyfgUbbI/AAAAAAAAAC8/dVZJ2U-nsio/s1600/Screen+shot+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2YyfgUbbI/AAAAAAAAAC8/dVZJ2U-nsio/s320/Screen+shot+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sketching in Robin, I modified the expression to be less snarly and more frowny at the request of the Boss. Even tho he's 10 years old I figured his build would be more developed than the normal 10 yr old, what with all the crimefighting and stuff. And hey, he's Bruce Wayne's kid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2ZVKGL5XI/AAAAAAAAADE/wN7zObRs6No/s1600/B%26RCOV013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2ZVKGL5XI/AAAAAAAAADE/wN7zObRs6No/s320/B%26RCOV013.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what I ended up with after the first day. The bright shapes of Robin's face and cape popping out of the shadow of Batman's cape etc. It still wasn't quite what I had in mind so a simple tweak...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2Zl-zulRI/AAAAAAAAADM/r1Gpx7pHGM8/s1600/B%26RCOV013-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/TD2Zl-zulRI/AAAAAAAAADM/r1Gpx7pHGM8/s320/B%26RCOV013-2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and the cape shape changes to give it a little dynamic that the original lacked. the final version printed a little darker than it appeared on my screen (a situation that has now been remedied) so the rich oranges in the background didn't throb quite as much as I expected, but the overall contrast worked fine with the head and the cape, so I was satisfied.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Man, there's so much art I could show you Dear Internet, but alas I cannot until it has seen the light of printed day, so you will have to wait to peep behind the artist's curtain for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before that day passes, however, I will be attending the San Diego ComiCon, or SDCC as twitter likes to call it. I have a few spots where I'll be sitting down and signing stuff, yakking and waffling as I do, so the current list of commitments is thus:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday 23rd July I'll be on the <b>Batman: The Return</b> panel at 1:45 till 2:45 in room 6DE, then after that I'll be signing at the DC booth from 3 till 4 pm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday 24th July I'll be signing at the DC booth from 11am till noon, and then I'll be at the Roddenberry booth signing from 1:30 till 3.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday 25th July I'll be at the Roddenberry booth again from 10:30 am till noon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's all so far, as more stuff gets lined up I'll update this page. Ok, now it is lunchtime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">F</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-5785912944466026772010-04-08T00:26:00.002+01:002010-04-08T00:32:00.247+01:00AndroidsHowdy all! Well, now I have managed to fix the magic buttons that I used to make stuff happen up here on the net I can resume service, with pictures and nonsense at no extra charge!<br />
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Since I was last here properly I have been kept busy making art for many different things and people, from the mighty DC Comics to the awesome Marvel Comics, via the mercurial Archaia Press and stopping a good few times on the doorstep of the incredible Gutsville, tho the milk bottles and newspapers have piled up a bit there due to my absence. Hey, a dude's gotta pay the bills, and that Council Tax is a killer! Along my travels I have encountered many awesome things, including (but not limited to) Dr Strange, Batman, Tentacled things, Naked Ladies, Naked Men, Nanobots, ferrets and some sharks, and I will be displaying some of them on these here virtual pages over the next few weeks/months in the interests of enlightenment and promotion.<br />
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To start with tho, we have this little cover illo I drew for Boom! Studios. It was a variant cover for issue 10 of their adaptation of "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" or "dadoes" as I came to know it.<br />
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The brief was open, as long as it related to the story. I went with the simple idea of Deckard hunting Replicants in a huge crowd, and using colour to reveal which ones were normal and which ones were not. deckard himself also appears in colour, which is my nod to the ambiguity of the movie version where we were all left wondering "Hey, is he a robot too?". I admit, I never found out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70OBdmZT3I/AAAAAAAAABk/sroB-BhGT1E/s1600/Do+Androids+Dream+sketch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70OBdmZT3I/AAAAAAAAABk/sroB-BhGT1E/s320/Do+Androids+Dream+sketch+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My editor (the Brilliantly named Ian Brill) said it was cool and it was all speed ahead on the finals! He will tell you that it did in fact take a while for me to get the final art done, which is in fact totally true. But the deadline was still met, and the book came out months later so it was all cool. Hey, there were reasons why it took so long: there's lots of fiddly people in it! I don't normally "do" detail but in this case I kinda had to, and it started slow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70Pzbf-QUI/AAAAAAAAABs/D54Vl-aco6c/s1600/Do+Androids+Dream+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70Pzbf-QUI/AAAAAAAAABs/D54Vl-aco6c/s320/Do+Androids+Dream+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Obv the main folks need the most detail, and what with this being a departure from Gutsville (which is what I had been working on at the time) it took a while to get the vibe. Please note the cute chick on the right. She is my "assistant"and has featured in some other comics I have made recently. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70Qgk4MIgI/AAAAAAAAAB0/3NU3HkBliuU/s1600/Do+Androids+Dream+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70Qgk4MIgI/AAAAAAAAAB0/3NU3HkBliuU/s320/Do+Androids+Dream+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you can see above, the crowd is filling out. Tho I had real issues with who to populate it with! Even tho most will be specks, they had to actually *be* people, and it frazzled me little brane! I am not a natural Judge Dredd artist for this very reason, tho I do reckon the more of this I do the better I get at it. Next crowd scene I get, I will explore this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70Sx3QHCjI/AAAAAAAAAB8/aHCu_xP9gdA/s1600/Do+Androids+Dream+grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70Sx3QHCjI/AAAAAAAAAB8/aHCu_xP9gdA/s320/Do+Androids+Dream+grey.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's what I ended up with after aaaaages: a nice monochrome crowd scene with some blobs in the distance and some spooky shadows for buildings! All that remained was to add colour! And thanks to the magic of Photoshop CS4 (which is currently crashing far too much at the moment ¬_¬) this was easy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70TZ9LqfiI/AAAAAAAAACE/QYK3P5Si2Vk/s1600/Do+Androids+Dream+grim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70TZ9LqfiI/AAAAAAAAACE/QYK3P5Si2Vk/s320/Do+Androids+Dream+grim.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Singling out the replicants was pretty much all the hard work I had to do at this stage, tho I did have issues regarding *what* colour to paint them. In the sketch they're all different colours but that didn't work as it made everything complicated. Hence the standard of "sorta reddish".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And for the arty ones among you, I have included 2 closeups of sections that I find interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70UFgs2qKI/AAAAAAAAACM/0N0khUI7RdQ/s1600/Deckard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70UFgs2qKI/AAAAAAAAACM/0N0khUI7RdQ/s320/Deckard.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70US48nTEI/AAAAAAAAACU/xsaSE2XAO8M/s1600/Cutie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S70US48nTEI/AAAAAAAAACU/xsaSE2XAO8M/s320/Cutie.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I got bed to be going to. And when I awake, I have Bat-stuff to draw! Yaaaaaay!!!! Until next time, when I shall probably expose some secrets behind the art of the Bat-covers, I bid ye all a good-day or a good-night :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1475177780"></span><span id="goog_1475177781"></span></div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-90584574527358251642010-03-25T21:18:00.001+00:002010-03-25T21:32:06.186+00:00Angry<div style="text-align: center;">Ok let's keep trying...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S6vTA3O3DoI/AAAAAAAAABc/jNQ9p0zoFdM/s1600/ROBW+cov+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H44Hy1FRU0A/S6vTA3O3DoI/AAAAAAAAABc/jNQ9p0zoFdM/s320/ROBW+cov+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">does this all work? ?_?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok apparently it does!! thanks to Cameron Stewart (fellow doodler on The Return Of Bruce Wayne and Batman And Robin) I have utilised the magic of a redirect page to send you people here!! Aw man, what HASSLE. I'm an artist, not an abacus! Ok now I can plan to post up some art that I have made since I was last here. Back soon. Promise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">F</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-43517097036709524412010-03-25T14:10:00.002+00:002010-03-25T14:13:08.045+00:00Wow, when did that happen?Ok, so blogger has changed stuff that I don't fully understand. So, in an effort to test this I am posting a picture and hoping it shows up. Bear with me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Do-Androids-Dream-grim-757772.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Do-Androids-Dream-grim-757714.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-5258204019103330182009-07-21T16:45:00.003+01:002009-07-21T16:54:57.938+01:00MORTALS.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So I jet off to SDCC in less than 24 hours of this writing, and I figured it'd be a good time to post my limited signing/appearance schedule up for those who want to come and say hello.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On thursday I will be at the Days Missing panel from 2.30-3.30 pm in Room 3, followed by signing at the Roddenberry booth </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#2734 from 4.00-5.30 pm.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then on Friday I'm at the Top Cow booth from 11.00-12.00 noon.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Other than that I may well be lurking around the 2000AD booth #2301 over the rest of the weekend as well as the DC booth and the bar. Seeya there, possibly :D</span></span></span></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/DMCOV001-709421.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/DMCOV001-709384.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-31189455491590692792009-07-15T15:30:00.002+01:002009-07-15T15:47:21.997+01:00MADNESSAloha! I wave to you internet people from the hot and sticky cell that is Irving Towers, as I suffer the unpredicatble heat of a British summer and cough up gunk created by some sort of cold virus thingy I got at the weekend. <div><br /></div><div>It's been rather busy here since the last update, not to mention frustrating as my internet kept going up, then down, then up etc. Now that the most important deadlines have been hit, my connection seems stable. I swear technology is self-aware and is prone to irritating me on purpose. This may well be due to the way I run my Mac ragged with my unreasonable demands whilst i draw at super speeds. Potatoshop crashed on avergae 5 times a day when I was at my busiest this month, so I suspect the machines want a peice of me.</div><div><br /></div><div>For this update though, I have a cover for a new 3 part mini series from DC Comics called "Arkham Reborn", and it's all about the famous Arkham Asylum that Batman keeps sending nutters like the Joker to. i get to do all 3 covers, and here I present to you the sketch, the final, and some mid stages.</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ARKHAMCOV003-sketch-724424.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ARKHAMCOV003-sketch-724387.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ARKHAMCOV001-wip-3-797486.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ARKHAMCOV001-wip-3-797448.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ARKHAMCOV001-wip-5-750736.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ARKHAMCOV001-wip-5-750695.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ARKHAMCOV001-798195.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ARKHAMCOV001-798144.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Cool! I like it. It's nice to do covers again, especially ones that have the kind of creative freedom as this. <div>Talking of creative freedom, GUTSVILLE has been cancelled from Diamond's books for teh time being because noone was sure when the next issue would ship, which is fair (though I would have rather not found out reading about it on twitter) but allow me to reassure loyal readers that I am still going to finish the story...though the current plan is to finish all 3 remaining issues before resoliciting them to avoid any further delays. So far, issue 4 is done and in between now and me receiving scripts for my 3 part run on Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin I shall be doing issues 5 and 6. The aim of this is to ensure that it looks as good as I can make it whilst also managing to pay the rent and fund my filthy habit of Eating.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right, I got a week to beat this bug and get loadsa art done before I jet off to San Diego for this years Comicon! Awesome! I also need Tea!!</div><div><br /></div><div>F xx</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-72134975746738371042009-06-11T18:40:00.002+01:002009-06-11T18:47:07.576+01:00X-Men!Greets peeps<div><br /></div><div>All is well in Irving Towers, tho the internet silence is down to the masses of art that my goblins have been creating over the past 2 months. Azrael wrapped up just in time for me to start art on my X-men Timestorm issue, which I present below:</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/timestorm-006-7-750264.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/timestorm-006-7-750253.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/timestorm-012-725651.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/timestorm-012-725613.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/timestorm-002-789549.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/timestorm-002-789516.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Since that got wrapped up last week I have been scribbling away at a new job for Archaia, titled "Days Missing" and will post previews when that stuff is done too, tho that deadline is way tighter than normal so I may have to go underground again for a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>And after that, we get some more Gutsville action. And after that, some Batman and Robin action. Wooop! Now I hope i can get a replacement passport in time to travel to San Diego Comicon next month....</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-60291385614306879772009-04-09T23:04:00.002+01:002009-04-09T23:25:43.543+01:00Bus BumPeople! <div><br /></div><div>Gather round me, and hear my words: weekend travelcards should be half price if I only get to use half the frikkin service!!! Let's march for discounts!</div><div><br /></div><div>Or not, cos I'm warm and cosy at home now, after another 5 hour trek on nighttransport. Pff, let them keep their money. It's amazing how tranquil one can feel with central heating, a nice internet connection and a cup of Baileys Coffee beside me. Anyway, onto the art:</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-1-789831.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-1-789825.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This is a page from Azrael issue 1 which came out last month (on time too, naysayers). I decided to show a bit of the page process cos some people asked me, and I have no completed covers yet to show you. So what ye see above is the sketch, the layout that I use to base all the tricky arting on. Loose, eh? You betcha.</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-2-766782.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-2-766775.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This next stage is where I use my ink layer to outline the main figures and whop in the boldest shadows. No backgrounds here, as I do that on a different layer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-3-754043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-3-754037.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Next up is the adding of greys. These really are the meat of the art, with the black lines being the skeleton, the colour being the skin, the...er...borders being...uh, the pants...*shuts up*<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-4-766482.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-4-766475.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Ok, more meat on the bones. I love Potatoshop so much it *hurts*.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-5-733337.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-5-733331.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Here I add the background layer. It usually differs from page to page, but in this case it all was all on one layer and then I cut out the main figures. Like old school, but with shiny macintosh machines and less screaming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-6-729687.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-6-729650.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Then I add the swords and fire to a new layer. What, you thought I drew that on the same layer...?...*chuckle*, no no no, Grasshopper. Noone would be that stupid. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-7-720528.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-7-720492.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This is where I thought I'd be able to leave it. I added a new layer for the colours and painted them on, and a few tweaks with some white paint, but then I got a most distressing email...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-8-797215.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/az-1-8-797179.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Yes, apparently I had got his mask wrong. So last minute panic revisions resulted in a new layer over the painting and some old school patch-em-up tactics were employed to remedy this error. Seamless, eh? Go on, you can say it, I'm not bashful...</div><div><br /></div><div>Right, next time I update (like, thursday) I will probably show something other than the blow-by-blow stages of a picture, maybe doodles I make on the toilet...?...or perhaps drunken scribbles of naked ladies...</div><div><br /></div><div>Whatevs. I have to get back to reality now and continue distracting someone from the boredom that is the internet tonite. Hi Kim!</div><div><br /></div><div>F xoxo</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-81421404310969432852009-04-02T20:10:00.005+01:002009-04-02T20:51:01.084+01:00Ahoy mateysHello my lovelies<div><br /></div><div>So, some of you out there have been wondering what has happened to The Great Frazer Irving International Comicbook Rockstar lately. Well I must confess the past 2 months have been rather hectic, what with me working like a madman on "Azrael" for DC Comics, as well as attending the NYC Comicon in feb, not to mention spending a fair few evenings racing around London's Soho in the wee hours of the morning with a thoroughly Awesome individual with whom I plan to rule the entire Earth alongside in the near future. Fret not, we will be merciful and benign dictators. But no whistling on a Tuesday!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>To tease and appease thy thirsts for art, I present to you lucky lucky people here some stages in the production of the latest cover I have made for "The Darkness" from Top Cow comics. Not all secrets are revealed, in fact, seeing as there's no fee for this I might just leave the images lying around with scant explanation. If I can get the html to work then I might make this a regular feature here, so you can all come back and salivate over yer puny laptop screens.</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-sketch-757802.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-sketch-757769.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></div><div>That's the sketch above. Messy, eh? yes, that's what my editors have to deal with. But it captures the essence, and you'll see how it all comes together...</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Darkness-3-ink-757115.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Darkness-3-ink-757109.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>That's the first stage above. This is where I do what is almost the traditional style of inking, where black lines are used to outline and define, with shadows n shit, but it's still far from done...</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-grey-775276.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-grey-775271.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This is where I use Potatoshop's layers and start adding the greys. This stuff makes it so much rounder and Phatter, don't you think? And I can add more too...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-greyer-778711.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-greyer-778706.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Now here I've added more greys to give it more body and depth and ting. It's like using ink washes but without the pain and screaming.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-almost-798413.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-almost-798375.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Now I've jumped a whole buncha secret stages to the point where I have the background added and the colours too, all using my special secret ways. Don't ask, I'll have to kill you afterwards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-done-785045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/darkness-3-done-785005.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>And here's the final image. Almost. There were edits afterwards, which those of you who will be buying the comic (not *just* for the cover I hope, but if you do I won't complain) will no doubt spot, but this is the internet, where you get to see stuff that never makes it to the page.<div><br /></div><div>I may do more of this now that I seem to have overcome Bloggers utterly useless tools and got me pix where I wants em. Come find me on Twitter if you haven't already, and watch as I relate every tiny boring detail of my life online, just like everyone else. And don't forget to check out Azrael from DC, issue 2 out late April, issue 3 late May. It sells fast so grab one whilst you can. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then expect the resumption of Gutsville. It ain't dead, loyal ones. Just sleeping.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fraze xoxo</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-35834370071085639912009-01-17T21:55:00.002+00:002009-01-17T22:13:21.369+00:00Ampersands!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Frazer-Headlines_2-778840.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 163px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Frazer-Headlines_2-778832.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/brushes-778802.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/brushes-778784.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Hello hello hello my lovelies.<div><br /></div><div>It was my birthday on wednesday & I celebrated this event the following day in central london with my comics buddies & some other friends, all of whom are gorgeous & awesome. So if you were there & you are reading this, then that includes YOU.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately I mixed a couple of liquids that I shouldn't have & spent a portion of the evening eating dinner backwards in a most shameful manner, & it was down to a splendid lass called Kim to ensure I made it out of the pub & into the safety of some transport home. She in effect was allocated the job of Guardian Angel. I know not who it was that said this because at that point I was halfway between this reality & some other, but around 4 am I had sobered (she not: it seems we exchanged roles at some point) & after putting her on one of those LOVELY night buses I myself got on one & trundled home, experiencing one of the most trundly buses I have ever sat on.</div><div><br /></div><div>That same day a feature on me ran in the local paper (see above). A short but sweet article, the writer was smart enough to edit out all the non-family-viewable stuff that we discussed, & they also printed a photo of me sat at my Cintiq drawing a 2000AD cover. For those interested parties, I will upload a scan of the interview in a few days so as not to steal any potential custom that this newspaper may hope to get thanks to my mention of it here. What fun to read when slightly hungover.</div><div><br /></div><div>Artworks continue to mesh, as I start drawing an Azrael mini series for DC comics, plus I have the late but great GUTSVILLE still gnashing away in the background, plus more covers for Top Cow comics (who recently let go one of my favorite editors, the splendid Rob Levin) & I am also learning how to play the drums. YAY!</div><div><br /></div><div>Later this month I'll be giving a lecture at Leeds university to a bunch of art students, & shortly after that it's time for the NEW YORK COMICON!!!!!!! Which means more mixing of liquids & interdimensional merging.</div><div><br /></div><div>Man, it's WINDY outside. My love to all of you & your kin. Especially to my Guardian Angel for guiding me into sobriety during friday morning :D</div><div><br /></div><div>F</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-11909812686995867512008-12-25T16:37:00.003+00:002008-12-25T16:40:28.645+00:00Ho ho ho<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/santah-707039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/santah-707030.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-88865350086334297482008-12-16T12:44:00.002+00:002008-12-16T12:56:46.923+00:00DOGS!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ribbon-lady-780121.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/ribbon-lady-780094.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/wizard-dog-780056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/wizard-dog-780044.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Greets, mortals.<div><br /></div><div>Here in Irving Towers business is brisk, with many different drawings being made for many different people. Some take precedence over others sadly, but the latest have been for a good cause. The above image of the Wizard Dog is for a Dog shelter in Zagreb, and they needed soem cash so a bunch of designers/artists were asked to make greeting cards or posters based around the dogs so that these could then be sold and the proceeds put towards some blankets etc for the pooches.</div><div>The image above this is a snippet from my next Darkness cover, which ties in neatly to me plugging my 2 page contribution to the Darkness ish 75 anniversary thingy, which is what I'm wrestling with right this minute. Well, I'm not doing it RIGHT now cos I is typing, but once this is uploaded I'm getting straight back to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Had a splendid day/evening in London on saturday hanging out with the Crazy Katz from the Lundon Underground Comics scene, where I got a bit tipsy and probably said many vulgar things to some very nice people, but I hope I didn't make too many new enemies. Or start any rumours, cos I'm a good boy m'kay? Was much delighted to find that the small press scene is just the same (if not better) than it was back when I did it during the Iron Age and the personalities involved are even more entertaining than my old crew. They're way cuter too, tho I hope that didn't affect my judgement...</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I draw again. HURRAH!!</div><div><br /></div><div>F xo</div><div><br /></div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-29784077328490213742008-11-18T22:21:00.002+00:002008-11-18T22:32:33.780+00:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Darkness-cover-final-759901.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Darkness-cover-final-759395.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Greets, my lovelies.<div>Above is a cover I have recently drawn for "The Darkness" which is published by Top Cow. Dunno which issue it is yet but it'll be the one published in about 3 months. Lemme know what u think of it, eh?</div><div><br /></div><div>So lately I been hopping around at conventions again. France was fun if a little bit hard work what with the 8 hour sketching sessions which we were not warned about, and Leeds was also fun despite the hangover that totalled me mid-sketch on saturday. Best things about both were that A) I got to hang out with old buddies I hadn't seen in ages, B) I got to make some NEW buddies in the biz, C) I got to meet some lovely consumers/fans/punters and finally D) each con had it's own hot babe for me to fixate on. The recipe for a good comicon if ever I saw one.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I met u or spoke to you at either Lille or Thought Bubble then hello again, it was a pleasure. And if u got a sketch, then LOOK AFTER IT. THAT'S A BIT OF MY SOUL THERE.</div><div><br /></div><div>I kinda need to get back to the drawing now to earn me some Xmas pennies, but I'll be posting more pix as and when they are ready for mortal consumption. Till then, keep it tight.</div><div><br /></div><div>F xo</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-1271255479258677592008-10-30T11:04:00.002+00:002008-10-30T11:12:31.713+00:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Guts-crowd-770040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 149px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Guts-crowd-769963.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/guts-boobs-731254.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 276px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/guts-boobs-731223.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Guts-Amelia-731184.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Guts-Amelia-731157.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div>"Three lullabys in an ancient tongue..." blah etc. Hey ho. I is listening to King Crimson whilst I doodle GUTSVILLE here in my ivory tower. Which, incidentally, is what the three images above belong to. Yes, due to overwhelming demand (Goran) I decided to add some pix to this rather empty blog, tho the problem is and always has been "what pictures can I add without giving away spoilers?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Well hopefully these snippets of pages-in-progress will reveal nothing yet suggest MUCH. You can see that there are boobies in this comic now, but just wait to see what OTHER debauched goodies Si Spurrier has got me drawing for the issues following this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Issue 4 is almost nailed now...deepest apologies on a Russel Brand scale for the delay, but hey it'll be worth the wait.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, pics uploaded, coffee drunk, Crimson playing. I think I need a walk into town and a visit to the bank to buy me some Euros for my French experience this weekend....</div><div><br /></div><div>Xoxoxoxo F</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-1025531104012623882008-10-28T19:31:00.003+00:002008-10-28T19:46:02.494+00:00O busy Bee...Well, thanks to an unexpected (and welcome) gig doing some art for advertising I didn't do the 24HR comic. Yet. Yes, it seems that 2008 has been one long exercise in procrastination for one reason or another, but as winter creeps upon me I hope that will all change and I can get back to being the busy busy bee I was back in the mists of time.<div><br /></div><div>As the paying gigs take precedence over all else the 24HR exercise will be done once I get this Ad gig and some tutorials for ImagineFX out of the way, and then I will have to decide if it's actually worth showing online. One idea I had was to film the whole thing on the computer using snapsproX, but then I realised that 24 hours of that would probably kill my processor, so I am looking into alternative ways to document and thus prove my 3rd 24HR experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Weekend just gone I was at the MCM Expo in London's Docklands, where I got to hang out with some folks from the Wire and Heroes and Battlestar Galactica which was nice, and I was also witness to the largest gathering of 10-15 year old cosplayers brandishing their "Free Hugs" signs EVER. It was only when I saw the new mutation of "running hugs" where the "Huggee" stands in the center of a large ring of other cosplayers, and the "hugger" takes a running leap at them climaxing in a spinning hug that often went out of control that I realised that if there had been Manga cons when I was a kid my social development would have been distinctly different. That's not to say it would have been BETTER, but I woulda turned out DIFFERENT...</div><div><br /></div><div>This weekend I do the Lille festival in France. Dunno what it'll be like but as it's only a weekend I reckon it'll fly by before I return to Blighty to resume the scribbling. I'll make art to show this time, otherwise this blog will just be lots of words and that's no good is it?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-21523535360136688502008-10-16T13:22:00.004+01:002008-10-16T13:49:41.503+01:0024 hours from TulsaJINGS.<div><br /></div><div>Is it that time of year AGAIN??? Halloween and the 24 hour comic book day are upon me once again, tho this time I'm going to be doing them both on a different continent. I may even dress up for one of 'em and post the photos from the last 3 years to compare.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The 24 hour comic is a different matter tho. The past 2 years I did the whole thing in the allotted time frame BUT the pages looked shite and it was all rushed at the end. Taking into account my current output and attention to detail, this 24 hour splurge of rushed panels may help get the artistic metabolism moving a bit faster. OR it'll drive me properly mental and I'll wake up on sunday in a padded cell drooling like a leaky tap.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The first year I did it I foolishly used real pens and ting, and that meant I could cheat loads and still pretend it was actual comics.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/BADGRAMMA12-799682.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br /></div>Second year I used my wacom and laptop setup so the art was a little better but i didn't finish the last 6 pages.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/8-green-bottles-007-739047.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>THIS year I have my Cintiq and I also have no distractions. And I also have 2 years experience, and as with all things experience counts for a lot. No more full black pages. No more stick figures. Maybe lots of repeat panels this time? How far CAN I take the piss? Unlike the previous 2 years I won't have anyone publishing my efforts in one of those over-phat A5 collections, so if I don't hate it utterly I'll probably put it online meself and let thou judge it with thy critical eyes. And then once that has been done you can all start asking questions like "Hey, if you did 24 of these in a day, where's Gutsville?" and I can return to my misery-pit draped in my Cloak Of Shame to finsih the pages to issue 4. There's some boobs in this one and I like to get them looking right. Research takes ages u know...</div><div><br /></div><div>For any muppets who live in london and/or are planning to visit the MCM expo in Docklands in a coupla weeks, I'll be there avoiding sketches and flirting shamelessly with any and all attractive females that dare cross my path, and I'm also showing up at the Lille comics festival at the end of the month, which ties in with Halloween so maybe I won't be doing the costume thing afterall. I might post links to both of those events after the 24 hour comic thang has passed.</div><div><br /></div><div>F</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-20320505736876731002008-10-06T14:33:00.002+01:002008-10-06T15:05:48.645+01:00Brum brum brumGreets peeps. Took me 10 minutes to sign in and get to my blog because the stupid "remember me" button that I click EVERYTIME I USE BLOGGER didn't work this time and all the cookies were gone. Pretty dang useless if it only "remembers" me for a week. New password and all that shit. It's almost as bad as MobileMe, the latest and greatest shame on the face of the interweb.<div><br /></div><div>ANYWAY, I was in Birmingham for the Brum comicon this weekend. It's the first year I've gone cos I have this mortal fear of new cities, but I discovered that apart from the loud drunken jailbait that gets drunk every saturday night in the middle of town dressed up like some dodgy punk-rock rejects, brummies were lovely! Especially the barista in Costa Coffee who showed me where the con centre was on the map cos she was well hot. That accent can sound SO sexy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of which, of the usual 3 photos that I take every convention I did pose with the standard cosplaying Harley Quinn on the first morning. I took a shot of her solo, then I decided I should pose with the lass cos it makes for a better memento (and I never take pix of cosplayers at cons normally...I feel like I'm left out somehow) so I gave my camera to whoever it was that was talking to me and then proceeded to accidentally bump Harley's boob with my right hand as I put my arm around her shoulder. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh, terribly sorry" I said. "Thass o-kair" Harley replied in some midlands accent. Now THAT'S the kind cosplayer I LIKE. And dammit if only I'd got a shot of her as Lara Croft cos the costumes were very well done and I only recognised her cos of the shape of her nose.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Frazenharley-748795.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 324px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Frazenharley-748785.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I may have found a new hobby. Anyway, aside from that all I did was wander around the con and bug people like McKitten at their tables until I got bored. Then we did the whole drinking thing in the evening again and it built up until my good friend Lou (who is currently manager of Forbidden Planet london) got so pie-eyed that she decided to harrass John (Astonishing X-Men) Cassaday and smother him with adulation until she started crying.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Johnandlou-784145.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Johnandlou-784121.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>This is the only photo where either of them looked vaguely un-wasted. And I care about my friends' vanity.<br /><br />Now I sit back in my ivory tower, sketching warm-ups before wading back into GUTSVILLE. And if you're good, I may show a sneak peek of some covers I've been doing lately to pay the bills.<br /><br />Fraze xoxoxo<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-19622001526517571802008-09-18T18:10:00.003+01:002008-09-18T18:27:09.371+01:00Hola! Viva Aviles!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Aviles-award-2008-small-743497.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Aviles-award-2008-small-743432.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Hola! Yes, that means "hello" in Spanish. I think. There are a lot of things that I was unsure of when I went to Spain for The Best Comic Con Ever, one of them being how to ask for coffee, and also what sort of pants to wear. What I didn't know though was that the "devil horns" gesture that one makes in the UK to represent "Awesome" means "your wife is shagging another man" in Spain, but they were so nice there they just let all of us smelly brits and yanks do it for pretty much every photograph regardless.<div><br /></div><div>Besides doing lots of sketching for the politest fans in the world, I also drank lots of excellent red wine and ate some awesome food (tho I must confess when the menu was all seafood I was a little less impressed, what with me not actually liking sea food one iota) and only suffered one hangover. Magic!</div><div><br /></div><div>There was an award ceremony on the saturday and I was the proud recipient of the Ron Garney award for "most cute guest" which was decided by a UNANIMOUS vote. The fact that there were only 2 judges makes no difference. I got the award, you didn't. So there. There is a picture of said award at the top of this post. The little guy (who is clearly high as a kite on mushrooms) is holding Strawberries, which is where my first name comes from. It's derived from the french word "fraise" as far as I know. Soon I will write the actual award info on the little guy as soon as I get it translated into Spanish.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other than that, I have finally got this bleedin blogger crap working, put up some new galleries and am hard at work drawing GUTSVILLE issue 4. Yes, GUTSVILLE is still alive despite the fears of many of its faithful readers. I fell off my log a few months ago and I realised that in order to save my sanity after drawing non stop for 8 years that I needed a wee break, and the wonderful folks in Aviles restored my enthusiasm for the triptacular world of comics. So now I can get on with the job and complete this most excellent of stories.</div><div><br /></div><div>And as soon as I figure out how to put hotlinks in this text I'll add more entries with links to really really cool stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>F <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/uploaded_images/Aviles-award-2008-small-798584.jpg"><br /></a><br /></div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-7603117084884102362008-09-16T19:01:00.003+01:002008-09-16T19:03:03.324+01:00Back from the deadAh, Spain is so nice. The spanish are so nice. The Spanish Wine is so nice. Sadly I have yet to adjust to being back in smelly old England but when I does I shall make sure I fix this bleedin website, cos I know I told a few of you to come here to email me, and it's all a bit "under construction" right now.<div><br /></div><div>ANd I will also have fotos of my latest award for all to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>F</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-36804385031683849312008-07-18T15:13:00.002+01:002008-07-18T15:22:29.555+01:00Hello? IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://frazerirving.com/tingz/atomheart.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://frazerirving.com/tingz/atomheart.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://frazerirving.com/tingz/beard-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://frazerirving.com/tingz/beard-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />O my word, my website just up and vanished. Well sorta. In fact, most of it's still there but I decided to redo the front page cos the updating thing was a freakin pain in the butt, and I have so far replaced it with this blogger page.<div><br /></div><div>I still need to get the mechanics of it working, add some pictures to brighten it up and shit like that, but gimme a coupla days to ponder on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>San Diego Comicon (SDCC as it is known) is next week and boyoboy I am excited! I LOVE Comicon. I love the sun, I love the sea, I love the millions of people, I love the really fit cosplayer chicks that dress up as Psylocke from the X-Men by wearing some dental floss and a band aid, I love the Californian herbs, I love...I just LOVE. Ok? Full of, squirting everywhere.</div><div><br /></div><div>So After THAT I'll sort this shit out ok? Don't get upset. Just come back in the first week of August and all should be well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Till then, enjoy the above pix and have a nice weekend </div><div><br /></div><div>xoxo Frazer</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211104884677546819.post-47901385046741612592008-07-16T22:59:00.007+01:002008-07-18T14:35:12.990+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frazerirving.com/tingz/watergenie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.frazerirving.com/tingz/watergenie.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">bah! Does it work??? DOES IT FRIKKIN WORK??? C'mon blogger, be nice to daddy, make it work...</div>Frazer Irvinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556446785062956700noreply@blogger.com3