Dennis M. Sweatt Comic Book Creations and Design!

Pencil Anatomy Study

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 17:59:00 +0000

Male and female models from memory.
H2 pencil on Bristol paper.

Can Ezra Miller Save Himself and the DCU?

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 23:27:00 +0000

The Flash got a serious vote of confidence from Warner Bros. Despite star Ezra Miller’s public troubles, the uphill battle of public perception facing the DCEU and the beginning of a new era under DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran for the next few years.

An early screening of the film in CinemaCon in Las Vegas and a press event in Los Angeles generated positive reactions. The film is indeed an exciting and ambitious superhero film; but the long shadow cast by Keaton's Batman is almost inescapable. The Flash director Andy Muschietti told Barbara Muschietti about the return of the Dark Knight to a group of journalists at Warner Bros.

As previously mentioned, The Flash film had suffered its fair share of setbacks including multiple screenwriter and director changes and COVID effects on filming. The film’s greatest challenge has however been without a doubt the numerous controversy and legal issues facing star Ezra Miller. Last August, the actor revealed he was seeking treatment for “complex mental health problems” Despite the actor’s recent troubles, DC Studios co-founder Peter Safran commented that Miller’s DC film future isn’t fully closed – and will largely depend on their commitment to recovery. Whatever the case, marketing will certainly have its work cut out for it as we get closer to the summer release.

Marvel Comics Akimbo

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 21:37:00 +0000

Marvel Comics (or simply Marvel) is a major American comic book and related media company. The company was founded in 1939 by Martin Goodman, with the actual name of Timely Publications, as it was called then. Since then, Marvel has become an iconic brand recognized all over the world.

Marvel's first superhero team was called the Fantastic Four; they were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961. Later on, Stan Lee had more success with Spiderman (Peter Parker), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Hulk (Bruce Banner), X-men (Jean Grey), etc., which were all famous characters around the world at that time. These superheroes have made their way into movies such as Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Age of Ultron or Guardians of the Galaxy etc., which have gained great popularity among fans around the globe including India!

Comic book movies are still popular. They rake in the dough for studios, and they’re a billion-dollar industry. They have proven to be equally loved by children and adults, both male and female, as well as people of all ages. If you want more proof that comic books are here to stay (and you probably do), then look no further than these numbers: Comic book movies have made over $5 billion worldwide since 2010 alone! It's clear that comic books aren't going anywhere anytime soon—but why should they? The stories told through comics can be very compelling and imaginative; they can even inform real-world events when adapted into feature films.

This means there will always be an audience for them—and if things keep going at this rate, we may see another record box office year once again soon enough!

Dispelling the Darkness Pencil Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 21:12:00 +0000

Tombo, 2H pencil on 20lb stock. Photo editing in Gimp.

Judge Dredd 2000AD Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 19:26:00 +0000

From the pages of 2000AD and Zarjaz."
Judge Dredd, after judgment. All decisions are final.

The Best Burrito Recipe In The World!

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:36:00 +0000

The Best Caucasian Burritos in the world, only a comic book artist could create!

Free recipe by www.DennisSweatt.us

This recipe is for meat lovers only. Vegan's feel free to experiment at your leisure and let me know if a substitute can be found.

You will need an omnivore to confirm your results.

Cooking and preparation take about 45 minutes. This ain't yo mamma's burrito recipe!
______________________________
Ingredients:
Large tortillas! 20 count. (This is a big mix!)

Tortillas are toasted over flame or electric grills. Not doing this robs your burrito of its true flavor.

Rosarita Refried Beans: 3 cans (Traditional)

Hotlinks: 3 links

Hamburger 2.5lbs: 70%-85% lean

Swiss Cheese shredded 1/2 lb

Cheddar Cheese shredded 1/2 lb

A block of cheese takes very little time to shred and tastes better!

Sour Cream (Neutral balance, sweet juxtaposed)

Soy Sauce (low sodium is ok)

Ketchup (Heinz is best)

Fresh cracked pepper
Turmeric
Paprika

Kitchen Tools:

Frying pan
One gallon saucepan

Cheese shredder

Sharp knife

Wooden spoon

Space to layout your large burritos for filling

Two bowls for shredded cheese

(I don't mix the cheeses, they have their own layer when melted)

Cooking:

1. Put refried beans into a hot saucepan (Browning). Simmer.

2. Heat frying pan

Split hotlinks in fourths, cut into quarter-inch pieces.

Cook hot links until very brown or slightly black.

Put cooked hotlinks into the saucepan with beans. (Simmering)

Place the hamburger directly into the hotlink frying pan. (flavor)

Add Soy Sauce to the frying pan until the bottom is wet.

Simmer hamburger until medium-rare, draining off fat.

Put the frying pan back on the stove directly.

Add a big squeeze of Heinz ketchup until all meat is covered.
Add a good amount of Paprika, and a little cracked pepper.

Stir and simmer until gooey and red.

Turn off the stove, for beans and meat.
____
Two options: Pour the hamburger directly into the beans (time saver), or as I do, each addition has its own layer.

____
Burrito prep:
Place your tortilla over a medium setting on a flame or electric stove burner.

Toast until you see bubbles or slightly brown. This is a big part of the whole flavor.
(Please be careful over hot flame. Cook at your own risk.)

Filling Tortilla:

-A heaping wooden spoonful of refried beans should fill a large tortilla. Spread with the bulk of the beans around the center.
-Layer hamburger at your discretion. So long as you can still see a little bean underneath.

-Layer both kinds of cheese.

-Spread sour cream as desired from one end to another.
Fold a small end, squeeze and roll!

How To Draw Tentacles!

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 16:20:00 +0000

Pencil drawing of tentacles on an anatomy study. #NewArt

Why Learn Gesture and Contour Drawing in School?

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 00:23:00 +0000

My first art class was at 48yrs old. I've been drawing since I was six.

Gestures and contours make sense because they are head-to-toe visions of the body.

In art class with charcoal sticks, we began with gesture lines, the model holding each pose for 30 seconds to describe movement and direction.

We then made gestures for one minute with different poses.
Not until we filled a newsprint sheet with multiple drawings did we begin to sketch the model.
The mind-hand connection takes time even for a professional.

We didn't spend excessive time on gestures and contours. They are not required for life drawing but assist in the warm-up.
Art for most is flow and control in unison.

Charcoal drawing from a model in art class.

Stan Lee Passes On

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:05:00 +0000

Stan Lee, you were standing in a Stockton comic shop after closing, just you and Bob.
Bob was probably going to lock the door as usual but got distracted by your conversation.

I saw you, time stopped in my teen mind and I immediately shot over to the dollar bin. You signed a beat up copy of Amazing Tales for me. No hesitation.

You shook my hand as I thanked you and apologized to you and Bob for the interruption. You were gracious and genuine.

Thank you for getting through my childhood and beyond. Thank you for giving me an avenue to which my overactive creative mind could navigate.
With great power, you remained true to the format, stayed within the lines and helped save a billion kids from crippling depression.

Excelsior!

Green Lantern Pencil Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 02:43:00 +0000

Pencil drawing of Hal, Green Lantern. Work-in-progress sketch.

How Drawing Spider-Man Makes You A Better Artist

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 02:42:00 +0000

Drawing Spider-Man is a challenge for any artist at any level.

The web lines on the costume can give professional comic book artist the fits. There is an advantage to the artist drawing superheroes like Spidey, in that as a superhero Spider-Man is always in a dynamic position! There are no shortcuts for creating a man that moves like a spider.

Take advantage of websites like Pose Maniacs! There are hundreds of dynamic action poses which you can rotate into different positions.
If you haven't drawn Spider-Man yet, take the challenge. I find myself dreading to start the sketching but once I begin the urge to finish becomes overwhelming.
Feel free to post a link to your Spider-Man art in the comments below.

Barry Bonds and the Baseball Hall Of Fame

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 22:38:00 +0000

As a San Francisco Giants fan for life, I believe that Giants fans have a dissociated view of Barry Bonds lack of inclusion into the Hall of Fame.

He juiced and he lied, repeatedly. And, with all the advantages no other player could brag about. The lineage, the genetics. SF Giant Bobby Bonds his father! SF Giant Willie Mays, his godfather! Reggie Jackson a distant cousin.

What any of us wouldn't give for just a few days with these gods of the diamond? A lifetime of tutelage from the master of the sport in your formative years, plus all the connections to other players and top level coaches. What more can a player want for? What possible need would not be filled?

Baseball is a mind-field. The bus rides, planes, hotels, the waiting, the long long waits with ages to think and ponder. The ego must devolve into that big green monster.

"But he spent as much time out on the field, chasing fly balls with his father and godfather, the legendary Willie Mays."
Barry Bonds Family Tree - JRank Articles

Bonds should have taken the four to five more years to reach 762, instead of crossing the finish line in front of natural players.

What he accomplished, the goals he reached are still amazing! But he hamstrung other competitors by putting jet fuel in an otherwise larger tank. The scales of justice were truly unbalanced.

Barry may be included in the HOF when he is around 70. A fitting punishment to watch others reach the finish line while he watches, benched. The scales returning to balance.

Do Artists Work For Free?

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 08:53:00 +0000

Artists Work For Free?

A lifetime of discipline is required to master an art form.

Nothing is free.

Consider the time, patience and required skill it takes to become an artist. Spending money from their own pockets just to arrive at the pivotal point in a hard-won career when someone must inevitably ask the artist, "Will you do something for nothing."

'Artwork IS Work', it's right there in the title.

Time and labor are as valuable to the artist as to you. In this wired, digital society there is a common disconnect with the artist and the client. Let's clear the air. The artist doesn't require your admiration but are you giving merit to the accomplishment of working long and hard enough to become a professional artist and designer.
And by due merit, I mean compensation

Compensation: (noun) 'Something, such as money, given or received as payment or reparation, as for service.'

To the client asking for free artworks,

Speaking here of what I know, being a freelance artist, you can make comparisons to similar forms of employment in the creative arts; Singing, dancing, voice over, writing.
It should be said early on and having been debated ad nausea that our craft work (s) may be more cerebral and less functional to the survival of society than a carpenter, or a plumber. But - we creative few, we struggling souls of expression do serve to further the human race.

Because you bring the hammer to nail does that mean you should ask a carpenter to work for free?
Can the carpenter afford a car payment if you promised to tell everyone what great work he did? Just yesterday while sitting in Starbucks, the parent of a friend, a young girl whose portrait I had spent 3 hours penciling, approached me to ask if I would do another portrait of him and his wife. There was no talk of payment or even trade.

How did it come to his mind that 5 hours (and more when drawing two people) was just something I would do as a favor for someone I barely know? He is completely unaware I have spent 30 years in pursuit of my trade and didn't bother to ask. This in part falls upon the craft person and our need for attention and our inability to confront the audience with resistance fearing their disapproval.

Artists must learn to say no to free

When that starving artist cannot make a car payment because another 'creative' will work for free, we are responsible for that. If the client/publisher is getting paid why would we be denied the ability to pay for a meal or keep the lights on at home?

When we give in to these requests we also hurt our fellow artisans. How tempting it is to want more people to view your work even as compensation for payment? Isn't that why we became creative people to share the abundance of our imagination? But do you want to trade your talent for mere speculation?

What is ‘Working on Spec?’
[Please visit the NO!SPEC Campaign webpage.]

"Spec has become the short form for any work done on a speculative basis. In other words, any requested work for which a fair and reasonable fee has not been agreed upon, preferably in writing."

What’s so wrong with that?
In a nutshell, spec requires the designer to invest time and resources with no guarantee of payment.

Isn’t it wise for a client to try before they buy?
On the surface, it may seem so. But, digging a bit deeper, one realizes that professional graphic design is about creating custom solutions, not cookie-cutter concepts.

But, with today’s computers and software, how long could it take?
This is a common point-of-view for many who confuse the professional with his or her tools. The process is more than simply tapping at a keyboard or clicking a mouse. It’s about understanding the nature of a communication challenge and then using mind and experience to find the appropriate solution.

At the end of the day, there is a certain irony in spec work.
The prospect of such a request is ultimately saying, 'My project isn’t important enough to hire a professional who will take the time to understand my situation and goals investing the time needed to create a suitable solution."

*Share this blog post with as many artists as possible and feel free to re-post the entire article: Do Artists Work For Free, all we ask is a return link to the site.

Dennis Sweatt's Comic Book Art Projects Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 04:10:00 +0000

Spider-Man Art Colored

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 09:03:00 +0000

From an original Spider-Man Pencil Drawing.
This is my first attempt at inking since 2014. I'm hoping my color work will hide my shortcomings. ;)

Superhero In Dynamic Pose!

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 19:26:00 +0000

Sparked from a sketch by Dany Vila. H2 pencil on 24lb paper.

Spider-Man Pencil Drawing (WIP)

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 19:54:00 +0000

Pencil sketch of Spider-Man in action! WIP = Work In Progress.
H2 pencil on 24lb paper. Artwork while drinking a Peanut Butter Blendito at Coffee Bandits in Merced.

Sharky McSharkpants Drawing For Kids

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 05:07:00 +0000

And no, Sharky McSharkpants © does not wear pants. Cause, who's gonna make him?

Head In Profile Pencil Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 04:43:00 +0000

Pencil drawing of a head. Face in profile.

Teaching Kids To Draw Superheroes At The Merced Multicultural Arts Center

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 19:15:00 +0000

The best part of my week is teaching kids to draw superheroes at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center.
Having been away from my art desk for over a year, they task me to draw with them. They get to choose what to draw for an hour and it's usually cute animals.
Just the kind of cheerleaders I needed!

Art Class For Kids At The Merced County Arts Center

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 21:06:00 +0000

In art class for kids at the Merced County Arts Center, I doodle with them to show how panels work in comic books.
This is Superman versus the Hulk. Drawing time about 15 minutes.

Aspiring Comic Book Artists - Elevate Your Portfolio

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 03:17:00 +0000

Written by: Vince Hernandez, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief at ASPEN COMICS

Aspiring artists, here are few tips that will help elevate your portfolio and overall presentation when submitting to comic book publishers.

Please note: these tips are for submitting to professional comic book publishers, not book/graphic design/production company art gigs. This is strictly for breaking into comics:
✏

First, let your art do most of the talking but make sure you know precisely what your art says. What do I mean? Put your best examples of solid storytelling into your sequential art samples. Make sure the samples emphasize your strengths, not your weaknesses. Editors will find out those soon enough. Trust me.

✏

Make sure to include 2-4 pages of solid sequential art storytelling. NO PINUPS, and absolutely try your best to cater your samples to the publisher you’re submitting to. Understand what their market demographic is and put your samples in front of the right publisher that would realistically hire you because you fit into their demo. As much as you think a publisher will change their business model because your experimental art is just that amazing—the real world doesn’t work that way.

✏

Include the following tests of your skills to show in your samples and you can’t go wrong, even if you’re not good enough: storytelling, anatomy, emotion, perspective, composition, lighting and word balloon placement.

✏

Avoid the following subjects in samples as they don’t provide a good evaluation to editors of your skills: monsters/creatures, your own characters that you made up, robots and experimental artistic styles that you don’t see on comic book stands every day.

✏

Don’t try to be more than you are. What do I mean? If you want to be a penciler STOP coloring your own work if you’re not a pro-level colorist. You’re only making your work seem less professional. Seriously. I see this too much.

✏

Make sure your contact info is clearly legible and that you have at least a working business email and/or a website that editors can find if they want to see more of your art. Here’s a secret—we will check on our own. DeviantArt is a fine replacement for a personal website but for the love of all that is good in the world PLEASE put your email contact somewhere on there where it’s easy to find. If I told you how many lost opportunities arose from me giving up on finding a contact email you’d cringe.

✏

When submitting a sample in person at a convention here’s a few tips to avoid: Never tell me that you made the copies of your work the night before the con. I hear this so often and all it tells me is that you suck at preparation and will probably do the same if I hire you.

✏

Never provide incomplete samples and tell me you’re still working on them. Why this happens often I’ll also never understand.

✏

Anything more than 6 pages of sequential art is too much, and the editor reviewing your samples is thinking this with each additional page turn.

"Stop with the pinups, seriously."

✏

When given advice or critique on a page, don’t be that person that always gives an excuse as to why you did something. I’ve heard every excuse under the sun and none of them ever stack up. Just take the advice or pretend like you’re listening, both will net better results than anything you come up with.

✏

Understand that editors receive hundreds of samples a week ON TOP of our regular workload which is a lot. So patience is key, and impatience will wreck your reputation fast.

✏

Most importantly remember that no matter how great your art is, we still hire people we WANT to work with, so check your ego at the door.

From this Facebook conversation

Warrior Woman Pencil Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 08:02:00 +0000

Warrior female fresh from a battle in a dystopian future.
My latest drawing of two models; one from a model website and the other Black Widow pose, Scarlett Johansson did for the Avengers poster.

Iron Fist on Netflix review: Avoid it

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 19:27:00 +0000

There are multiple production companies in this series by Netflix and it shows. More money spent on set rental and designer clothes than editing. Lot's of splash and hard cuts to make up for Finn Jones lack of martial skill. Finn is a good actor but the episode and a half of him stuck in a psych ward will leave you sleepy. Flashbacks to his former teen recovering from the plane crash that killed his parents actually become a relief.

RottenTomatoes.com gives Iron Fist a dismal 19%

Jessica Henwick has some good scenes but you can see her acting. It's hard to watch.
Daredevil should have been their marker. This doesn't come close. Danny Rand's character is all over the board. He's a peaceful David Caradine type living in the park, then an angry rich boy yelling in a restaurant, not Iron Fist the defender of kunlun. Doesn't make sense nor does it carry the plot.

The fight in the Dojo will make most viewers cringe

The villains are weak and feckless, the foreshadowing is vapid and predictable.
I was really looking forward to this as a call back to my youth with the build-up to Iron Fist, Power-man team up. Still in a quandary why producers decided to lean on Danny Rands angry spoiled rich guy persona to build a legend of a sacrificial warrior into a legend. Seems obvious that wasn't the way to wire a character new to the watching public.

Sorry man, I just cannot suspend my disbelief on this one long enough to ignore the shortcomings.

Comic Book Art Challenge - Drawing Catwoman

noreply@blogger.com (SWEATTSHOP) — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 08:21:00 +0000

Pencil to paper! Catwoman is sleek, graceful, deadly and hot.
These models are an excellent example of those qualities.
Are you up to the challenge?
My example: Catwoman Drawing from Model