Veronica Fish Illustration

Friendly Neighborhood Comics

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:28:00 +0000

Ernie, owner/manager of Friendly Neighborhood Comics in Bellingham, MA, commissioned me to make a limited edition shirt for his store. He's had a number of awesome comic artists do one, and it was really nice he asked me.

If you are in the area, you have to check out the store. It's so clean, efficient, and has a great variety of things, indy stuff, art books, back issues - just a nice place.

COMIC SHOP RANTING

I'm often up in arms about how comic shops present themselves. If comics are going to reach a wider audience, the stores have to be accessible to people who are just getting in to comics for the first time.

If a shop presents itself like a boy's club, or "you have to be reading this from the beginning and now it's too late for you" or some such nonsense, it scares people away. It scares potential new comic-lovers away.

There is a comic out there for anyone - all ages, all interests - it's just a matter of matching people up. But that can't happen if a customer doesn't feel welcome.

Comics are finally cool again, and everyone should have at least one good experience in a store like Ernie's.

❥ I also recommend THE POP CULTURE CO. in Houston, TX and Million Year Picnic in Cambridge, MA

variant

Anyway, lately I've been in a super great mood. I mean, like unusually great! Maybe it's because of this song?

Top Of The World by Shonen Knife on Grooveshark

Shonen Knife "Top of the World"

Music to Draw to - Digital Mix Tape 2

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:34:00 +0000

Biking in Nakameguro

中目黒を自転車する

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Whistle Song - Fantastic Plastic Machine
Rum Hee - Shugo Tokumaru
Music for Apartments - Lullatone
The Girl Next Door - Fantastic Plastic Machine
Theme of Luxury - Fantastic Plastic Machine
My Second Favorite Song - Lullatone
Typewriter - Shugo Tokumaru

.............................................................

I'm very picky about drawing music lately. If a song gets too loud, or the music is too obtrusive, I can't focus. It's the same problem with neighbors. I can't block out street noise at night, unlike my husband who can sleep through anything!

This is a sample of what I've been inking comics to recently. It's pretty lo-fi, and all of these artists are from Japan, hence the "Biking Through Nakameguro" title, because I think I'd listen to this while having day-to-day adventures.

Hope you enjoy!

sketches from a Japan travelogue I'm working on

Mowgli Surfwear

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:03:00 +0000

Hey friends,

I recently did some work for Mowgli Surf, a clothing company based in California. They have a real love of hand-crafted illustration, and it gives their line a really unique aesthetic.

The color versions below are color versions for my portfolio, but the actual tee shirt will most likely be black ink over a color shirt.

I did a number of little sketches. Never having surfed in my life, nor even seen clear blue water before, I decided just to get a whole bunch of ideas out of my head based on videos of Australian surfers, and let the art director decide.

When working with clients, I try not to worry about if what I'm drawing is something they'll hate. It's better to show them the ideas kicking around your head and let them tell you if it's working or not. You could potentially be shutting down an idea they may really like.

If you live in California, check out their stock! I'm nuts over their blue polka dot sweat shirt ~

Things from the week

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:43:00 +0000

Yuka sent me this amazing Tokyo Tower toy to build!

Upcoming mini books

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:46:00 +0000

Hey friends,

One of my projects in 2011 was to publish a series of mini books, combining my sketchbooks and travel photography.

Unfortunately I just didn't get to it. Oh, there was enough time, I just decided to waste my evenings playing the old Secret of Mana SNES game on my computer. (I'm kidding, playing SNES is never a waste.)

But I was looking through the amazing blog of Sewon (mapsandfragments), and noticed she had a great series of work on her etsy, so it inspired me to get this going.

So far there are three in the series: JAPAN, NEW YORK, and NEW ENGLAND. And I think I'll just do an all sketch-book one soon, too.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted of course.

Mary Marvel on eBay

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:50:00 +0000

Hey friends,

a sketch I did in Austin is up on eBay, I believe it ends tomorrow (Friday) night

And also...

I finally updated my portfolio website. It's long overdue, but it was held up by me not understanding what "Spry" was in Dreamweaver.

But I finally learned drop-down navigation and all that fun stuff!

Just about 3 years too late, but ya'know...

For a long time I'd been tinkering with different designs, and every time I got inspired by someone else's design, things would get tweaked again. But it's really nice to finally have a consolidated look all across the board.

The twitter, blog + website are finally united with one color harmony and design sense. Woohoo!

Coloring for The Lucha Gunmen

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Hey friends,

I recently colored a 6 page mini for a new comic "The Lucha Gunmen" written by my husband Andy and drawn by the super amazing Brian Flint.

Gallery 1988 x Adult Swim

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:04:00 +0000

You can find my Brak piece in the show

Happy First Show of the New Year!

Opening tomorrow

Friday the 13th
7-10pm

Gallery 1988 Melrose
7020 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Comic Art Supplies - Ink Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:42:00 +0000

I think if I had to break down my expenditures, most of my money probably goes to restaurants and art supplies. Wanted to review some great new supplies I got in from Jetpens.com (love them so) and the different inks I use, pretty much everyday.

Frankenstein is an exercise in style experimentation. I'm not entirely sure where some pages are going, others come out almost exactly as they are in my brain. It's slightly schizophrenic but I'm hoping the finished product is a success.

(Brush used for foreground, Tachikawa School G pen for details)

I'm actually nervous about these pages, since they will be shown in all their un-edited glory in person at the University of Massachusetts Lowell for their upcoming Graphic Novel Show. (Along side super amazing artists ~ eek!)

Pro Art is my favorite, although it's extremely thick,
Yasutomo inks are slowest to dry but very fluid

INK REVIEWS

(from left to right)

Pro Art India Ink
◉ about $3.50 for 2oz BUY IT HERE
Both amazing and terrible. Amazing = the darkest, richest black, incredibly waterproof and opaque. Terrible = it is so thick, it will KILL YOUR BRUSH. It will choke it to death slowly by clogging up the bristles, no matter how thoroughly you clean it! * I went through 3 brushes in 40 pages.

PROS : cheap, rich, great dropper included in bottle, opaque and dries pretty quickly.

CONS : NOT free flowing, heavy, will damage brushes with lots of use.

Speedball Super Black
◉ about $5 for 2oz BUY IT HERE

PROS : dries FAST, fluid, satin finish, waterproof

CONS : grayest ink - definitely not "Super Black"

YASUTOMO SUMI INK FUEKI green bottle（やすとも墨汁不易）+（やすとも墨汁）SUMI INK

◉ about $4 for 2oz BUY IT HERE
PROS : fluid, great for quills, easy on brushes

CONS : dries SLOW, not super opaque

(Extra junk:)

The kanji characters on the bottle （墨汁）are actually pronounced bokujuu. 墨 alone means any kind of ink, pronounced sumi and 汁 = tsuyu... (which means soup haha) ... but together they mean black ink/India ink specifically for art.

"不易／fueki" means constant / immutable, so I'm wondering if it means this formula is unchanged from the old days? Or if it means its water resistant as opposed to waterproof? (waterproof/耐水性/taisuisei)

You may know sumi means ink, so "sumi ink" sounds a bit redundant, right?

These aren't for manga or comics really, but in case you were thinking about 'em, they are pretty good.

Yasutomo is the least waterproof

SUMMARY

MOST WATERPROOF - PRO ART INDIA INK

MOST OPAQUE - PRO ART INDIA INK

MOST FLUID - YASUTOMO SUMI INK

If you like to ink...

fluidly with a pen or brush ..... try YASUTOMO SUMI

with opaque, extra waterproof ink ..... try PRO ART INDIA INK

with a quill / nib pens ...... try SPEEDBALL SUPER BLACK

washes like watercolor ..... try YASUTOMO SUMI FUEKI

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇ DRAFTING ◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Boxy Black

Oh yeah, you read that right. BUY IT HERE

◉ about $1.50

I've completely converted to black polymer erasers. Auf wiedersehen , Staedler. Very little smudging, very little amount of eraser bits to sweep up. A++

Kitaboshi Pencil holder + B leads
◉ $9.50 for holder / $2.50 for 5 lead refills BUY THEM HERE (lead available in red as well)

I typically hate mechanical pencils. But I took a chance on this one and am happy with how it feels in my hand. Absolutely love the sleek design and wooden handle.
Kitaboshi 北星　I think means "North Star?"

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇ FOR FINE DETAILS ◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Tachikawa School G
◉ about $5 + $3 refills BUY IT HERE

UPDATED REVIEW: So previously I thought this pen was amazing, and I still like it, but I have to downgrade this thing to a B+.

PROS : dries SUPER FAST, ink quality is good, accepts white-out, cheap refills

CONS : gets temperamental with line consistency, have to clean it often

You can read my previous review of the Tachikawa School G pen here.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇ FOR PANEL BOARDERS ◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Pentel Sign Pen
◉ about $3 BUY THEM HERE

For making panels, I always use this. Round felt tip with good consistent line

CONS : It does NOT like white out. So for the (many) times my panel boarders need a touch up, it takes 4 or 5 dots of white out to cover it.

* You can see where the Speedball ink wasn't black enough,

so I went over it again with Pro Art.

* If you look at Victor's hair - you can see the PENTEL BRUSH PEN

wasn't black enough for me, so Pro Art is over it

Pro Art is great for dry brush effects

Thanks for reading guys! Hope this information helps!

[*PREVIOUS REVIEWS here]

Frankenstein - Elizabeth via Kimbra

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:12:00 +0000

Antoine (who always has good music recommendations ) introduced me to Gotye ("Somebody That I Used to Know") and "Settle Down" by Kimbra (below).

In that video is a striking little girl that was perfect for Elizabeth's character design!

It's important that Elizabeth is kind of over-the-top sweet at the beginning. So when she changes in the 2nd + 3rd volumes it's super dramatic. She isn't the same person at all in the last story arc.

I don't want to spoil it, but her evolution is my favorite part of the 3rd volume.

I've always felt Elizabeth's character was so overlooked in the many adaptions of Frankenstein.

And hopefully it's something that sets my version apart.

Around the Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:31:00 +0000

How's your 2012 so far?

Things are good here in the studio. Have a bunch of new projects with really wonderful clients - so happy to be working with the super cool people at Mowgli Surfwear.

(Oh my gosh, what I wouldn't give to be away fro this 12 DEGREE Massachusetts weather and in the Hawaii heat)

And thank you to AN ARTIST A DAY for the feature!

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And also - The Yeti + Friends illos I did for Seltzer Goods (a set of 4 magnets) are on sale!

black hazelnut coffee + Trader Joe's Cranberry Oatmeal Dunkers

Working late on Frankenstein pages...

this is why I need the coffee...

My breakfast most of this week. Avocado with egg on Ak Mak

Resolute-ly

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:42:00 +0000

New datebook from Lett's of London - definitely my favorite scheduler

And thanks Jayne for the amazing hand-crafted card!

..............................................................

So, it's 2012 now - I hope the flying cars will be here soon. 2011 was a really crazy year for everyone, and I look back at my archives to reminisce both happy and sad things.

I gained a few wonderful new clients {such as Seltzer Goods and Wired Magazine}
Saw movies that absolutely changed my life {Raise the Red Lantern, Mary & Max and Tokyo-Ga}
Drew 120 pages of comics {Pirates of Mars and Frankenstein} and painted 10 new pieces
Travelled a fair bit {Cape Cod, Mid-West roadtrip, Texas}
Lost 3 family members
Found new friends and reconnected with old ones

Sometimes I go through these phases where I think "Oh my goodness, I need to get with it, I need to do what [this artist] is doing or [that artist] is doing - my work is so stilted and boring! Why aren't you working harder!?"

But then it takes a time of year like this to make you sift through your memories and realize, "Wait, no - I actually grew a lot!"

I have this awful habit (maybe you guys know what I'm talking about) where you don't value the work you did. It's all about "Okay, what's next". My memory for past accomplishments is literally like 6 minutes.

So it may feel like just spinning wheels in a hamster cage - but that's totally wrong. It's an illusion. In fact, you do quite a lot.

In 2011, one of my goals was to improve my Japanese. In March I made 4 pen pals, all of which have now become close friends and helped my ability tremendously!

Whenever I feel like it's hopeless, I just think about where I started from - makes you feel pretty good!

About 2 years ago when I was at 154 pounds, and now I'm at 130, so so close to my goal!

Even though I used to be terrified of being on the phone with art directors - this year I conquered that fear!

It's impossible to recount all the wonderful things + moments you experience in a year.

But if you try, soon they weave together like a big blanket, and you realize how much greater they are combined ~ and all the sad things can't compare.

..............................................................

Incredibly nice gift from my close friend in Japan, I only tweeted once about how much I love Majolica Majorca, and she saw it! So thoughtful :)

Remember

SOMEONE LOVES YOU!

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!

Brak! for Gallery 1988 X Adult Swim

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:24:00 +0000

Hey friends,

I'm so excited Gallery 1988 is hosting the first ever art show in collaboration with Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

I knew I had to immediately choose Brak as my subject, since that show has been a favorite of mine for many years. While it only ran 2 seasons, it's bizarre Dada-like humor was so refreshing.

I'm excited to see how the other artists handle their pieces, like who is going to do SeaLab 2021 or Venture Brothers, or Space Ghost! Oh, and Harvey Birdman! That show was amazing.

gouache on watercolor paper | 12x16" | $200

You can see this in person or purchase this art through

Gallery 1988 Melrose

7020 Melrose Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90038

Hello 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰..✰.✰.✰.✰..✰.✰.✰.✰.

.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰..✰.✰.✰.✰.

あけましておめでとうございます！

❷✺❶❷

よろしくお願いしますね！

Thank you guys so much for reading!

読んでいただいてありがとうございます！

.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰.✰..✰.✰.✰.✰.

Andy and I had a really nice New Year's Eve ~

Had a wonderful lunch with good friends visiting from Brussels, went to a world music concert downtown, had amazing African peanut soup and braised pork at Lucky's, came home to make brownies, and watched Batman until the ball dropped.

So many new plans for the future, feeling really pumped to make them happen!

All the best to you guys!

Growing things in Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:59:00 +0000

Here are a few things I've been looking at recently - creative terrariums!

Here's one I bought from Seed to Stem

Seed to Stem

Slug & Squirrel

from ChickenGirl's blog

Marimo's terrariums on Etsy

Paula Hayes

Cool, right??

Sketches from Texas

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:48:00 +0000

travel sketchbook - Austin/Houston

Holidays all week

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:10:00 +0000

Hello friends!

How was your holiday? Ours was very nice, thank you for asking - really relaxing.

I spent the day reading Dick Tracy cartoons, drinking soy egg nog, eating a Terry's chocolate orange (Xmas tradition for me) and roasting acorn squash with maple sugar.

We watched Pee Wee's Christmas Special (I won it in the family grab - score!), but sadly, couldn't find our copy of "A Muppet Christmas Carol". But Albert Finney was a good substitute, and we watched "Scrooge" instead.

Then we drove around to look at people's houses all decked out in lights.

My family got us some lovely cookware, which I didn't take any pictures of - but we can't wait to start using it. What should we make??

And BIG thank you to everyone who sent us Christmas cards this year! SO appreciated!

Peanuts mug from my Dad

Minnetonkas from my Mom

Vintage sweater from my sister

Biskup poster from Misha

Andy got me an amazing portable drawing table!!

There were vinyl toys in my stocking!

(that amount of pink on my desk is surprising to me)

Dick Tracy comics from 1941

Annnnnd today is my wonderful husband's birthday! Woo!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY!

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Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Wrapping presents + eating cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Thanks Abby for the amazing cupcakes and fudge!

My Aunt sent her famous cookies and this time, cashew/almond/peanut brittle.

I've only gained 2 pounds this holiday season - I think I deserve a freakin' medal for it.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Honey & Grapefruit

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:15:00 +0000

Lately I've gone crazy for two things: Mclure's New England honey and grapefruit. I noticed that quite by accident all my pretty-lady-things are grapefruit scented, from my body wash to hand cream. And it's awesome.

I used to think my dad was a masochist for eating something as sour and bitter as grapefruit for breakfast, but now I see he wasn't crazy.

It also helped me drop 3 pounds! Woo!

And I started substituting honey for all my sugar needs, including on pancakes instead of maple syrup. Oh, how I love it. It even goes really well on my Fage Greek yogurt in the morning!

What foods are you loving recently?

On Tumblr Radar + On the Drawing Board

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:42:00 +0000

Just wanted to say thanks to SuperSonic Electronic for blogging my Mulholland Drive piece on Tumblr - (happen to follow that blog because it's so awesome) - and it was subsequently picked up by Tumblr Radar.

...............................

Thanks so much, internets!

You can buy a lovely print of that piece

via Gallery 1988 HERE

(Thanks Sam + Erin for letting me know!)

...............................

Here is a peak at the Frankenstein pages I've been working on these past few months:

86 pages down, 10 to go...

Christmastime

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:40:00 +0000

Tried making gingerbread cookies for the nice office ladies at the museum this week.

Of course, in the process I had to try a few - or like, 7 before packing them up in a Santa tin.

Allie-Oop gets a stocking this year

I don't care what cynical people say, I love Christmas - the baking, the card-sending, the tree decorating, the gift-buying, lights, - I freaking love it.

And if you don't, you can eat a peach.

A Christmas peach.

I love LOFT

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:25:00 +0000

One thing I miss about Japan is the wonderment that is LOFT.

Only the best store in the world.

We went there in both Nagoya and Shibuya I think, so so fun.

I got an amazing suitcase there, as well as top notch art supplies and super cool toys. On any one of their many floors (maybe 6-7?) is a different section for housewares, travel goods, art supplies, toys, health + beauty, and I don't even remember what else.

I love their Christmas/Winter items...

I recently was paroozing their website, and found some things I had to share:

I really really wanted one of these suit cases in real life, but they were too expensive

one of my favorite mangas "Bakabon"

On the easel

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:30:00 +0000

Okay, it's not on the easel, but it was at one point

recently finished piece for Adult Swim art show

Getting ready for the holidays!

Decorated our little tree, wrapped gifts and mailed out cards - even got some soy egg nog (pretty good!)

This year is going to be pretty quiet for us. My family is in Iowa for Christmas, and Andy's mom is in Japan seeing my brother + sister -in-law! So the family Christmas Eve party will be pretty sparse, but that's neither here nor there - it's a family tradition I actually enjoy, haha

Frankenstein Friday - First Look

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:37:00 +0000

Hey friends,

I wanted to start posting some art that I've been working on at the Artist Residency. These pages will be raw, untouched scans.

I'm trying to work as little in Photoshop as possible for this graphic novel.
Maybe forcing myself to work out issues by hand will make my work stronger.

But mostly I'm getting tired of being in front of a computer, haha

Would you like to see some a snippet from Volume 1?

Oooh, can't wait to draw these last pages... !