FA 5 and a little promo

Before I get to my favorite artists this week, I got an e-mail from my friends at Imagine FX magazine, and they wanted me to spread the word that their new issue is out. It's a really cool issue (not just because I'm in it) on the heroic figure, so check it out.

As for artists this week; speaking of heroic figures, the king of the heroic and just plain hot women, Adam Hughes from America.

And a beautiful anime background artist from Japan Oga Kazuo.

20th Century Boys

I just read a manga that had just about all of the elements that I really value in a good story. It's called 20th Century Boys by Naoki Urasawa. But, of course, now I have to wait for the next collection to come out.

FA 4

Today's favorite artists are,

From the West, comic artist and writer Mike Mignola

and from the East, the super sweet Range Murata

Enjoy,

Jim

Sword of the Stranger

I watched an anime movie from Studio Bones yesterday called Sword of the Stranger. The backgrounds, especially the long shot landscapes, were some of the most beautiful paintings I have seen in a while. They had a very unique style and palette that really appealed to me. The fight scenes were amazing as well, which is to be expected from the studio that did Cowboy Bebop movie and Darker than Black TV show. It really got me motivated for the background I'm on for an Ink Bloom painting.

FA3

Long day of work on the book today, but got a lot accomplished. I finished the first full page of full bleed color art. I wish I could show it to you, but I guess you'll just have to wait a while:)

Anyway, lets talk about some other artists.

From the West, one of my favorites in gaming, Mark Zug,
and from the East, mecha designer extraordinaire Kow Yokoyama. Click the link under the page counter to see more of his work. I came across a book of Mr. Yokoyama's sketches when I was at an anime convention in Tokyo. It really blew me away.

Anime Crazy

Been watching lots of anime lately. The good thing about being an artist is that you can have anime on the TV while you work. Some shows I probably wouldn't take the time out of the day to sit down and watch, I can play while I'm working and at least get the story.

So, lately as I've been painting I've been watching Baki: The Grappler and Basilisk. One show I've been taking the time to watch has been Neon Genesis Evangelion. It's awesome so far. Also I throw in an episode of Comic Party every once in a while to remind me why I do this for a living.

Later,

Jim

Back Yard Kimono

Hi!  Chris Seaman here:)  Just wanted to talk about a great exhibit here in Canton Ohio that has really got me excited!  It's called Kimono As Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota.  It opens Sunday the 8th at the Canton Museum of Art and then heads to San Diego California and then back home to Japan.  Only two cities?  And one city is Canton?  Count me in!!   How lucky am I to get inspiration for Ink Bloom in my back yard!  The Kimono's are beautifully and painstakingly silk screened with gorgeous attention to detail.  Amazing!  Can't wait till tomorrow...

FA 2

I'm back again to list some of my favorite artists. I'm going to do it every Monday, and label it FA (for Favorite Artists) followed by a number indicating the installment (like UFC fights). Hence, this is FA 2.

This week my pick for one of my favorite Western artists is an English bloke named Wayne Reynolds. I don't even know what to say about Wayne, he's just awesome, and a machine.

For my Eastern artist this week how about Hyung Tae-Kim. I love his sense of design and exaggeration.

Check 'em out if you don't know them already.

Oh, yeah, I started my first painting for the book today. Very excited.