The Ben Templesmith Blog.

So...where the hell have I been?

2009-07-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Off having some much needed downtime is where. Also, off down Australia way to touch base with the family, hang low. Was fast approaching burnout, so a good recharge of the batteries was in order. Hadn't really had a life free of immediate deadlines for close to 6 years. It's been glorious, a good time to take stock, think about going in new directions and now I'm itching to get back to it all as I take the slow, scenic route back to the US in time for San Diego Comic-con 2009.

Yes, I'm going. Most definitely. Click the postery type image for the larger version with the full details. Oh, go on.Pretty please?

Most years, I get many people coming up to where I'm signing more by accident and because I have a habit of hanging around than actual knowledge of signing times...so this time I'm trying to let as many people know exactly where I'll be and when I'll be there.

Most of the time I'll be at Splashpage Art. Look for booth #4400 My official home for Comic-con this year. Original art for sale there and yep, I'll be able to do commissions as well! It'll be as many as I can fit in, so in case the list fills up quick, try to get me early so I can fit you in. Generally speaking, $150 for the smaller, letter sized paintings and $250 for the larger. But put any book I've done in front of me to sign and odds are if I'm not knackered I'll happily do a quick sketch for nothing. Never charge for signing books of course. Who would?

Been a strange year. Worked my absolute guts out, near burned out, stopped to smell the roses a little, got some amazing job offers I couldn't refuse and now thinking about all sorts of new stuff.

And to top it off, I'll be going to the UK TWICE later this year ( October and also November ) and Brazil. Not to mention, something planned in Chicago and also Washington DC.

Expect decent updates from here on out til Comic-con...and a fair bit of news coming from the con when it's on. It'll all be utter madness of course.

...and yeah, I love Mad Max a little too much.

A Comicbook Orange is here!

2009-06-03T05:33:00.000-07:00

Oh gods, look at my ugly mug spouting stuff. A Comicbook Orange, yay!

Swamped with finishing work right now, so regular updates resuming next week, when I finally get some time to breathe.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

2009-05-19T21:51:00.001-07:00

With an illo per chapter by me.

Should be out tomorrow, in all good comic stores, though it isn't actually a comic. Failing that, you can order it via Amazon where it should be out shortly and other online places. IDW doesn't appear to have it on their online store as yet though.

Something that never saw print...And GROOM LAKE #4

2009-05-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

I've been adjusting to working from home this week & finishing up a rather massive work load, so spending time updating the news/blogs I have around the place has been a bit secondary ( I do however, not shutup on twitter through the long work nights ).

So just to prove I can still post art and keep you guys interested while I go insane finishing some other stuff...

Can you guess what it is?

Ok, was meant to be a Turok comic of sorts, to be given away as a promo item at SDCC, many years ago. For some reason it never got that far, but I nonetheless did the comic. It's been aaaages now, so why not show a couple random pages since the stuff I'm working on right now isn't ready to see daylight just yet.

Yes, there's a lot I've done that never gets out there. You'd be surprised!

A Groom Lake #4 cover.

Hope you like where Chris Ryall and I have taken the miniseries thus far. ( the crotch and other dirty human/alien things mostly )

Here's one of the covers for #4...think I still need to do a "B" one though.

Things I did in Utah

2009-05-12T00:32:00.000-07:00

And didn't really expect to.

Some art for Greg, who showed me a great time & hosted me for the signing at his Black Cat Comics.

I was made to sign a Johnny Cash poster?

As well as comics I didn't do...but thought I'd spice them up a little.

Groom Lake #3

2009-05-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Groom Lake #2 coming out today, here's what to look for with #3 next month. Don't think I blogged it before. ( The other ones, though, I did a step by step, check the earlier blog postings )

Are you in Utah? I will be.

2009-05-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

What the flier says basically. Check it out. Make plans. Prepare the fresh baby meat. Yay, verily so, or whatever etc etc.

Please note *if you do* bring me fresh babies to eat, I cannot do so in public, due to legal reasons.

Wormwood volume 02 French Edition Finito

2009-05-05T09:56:00.000-07:00

The completed cover. Title will obviously be changed to whatever "It Only Hurts When I Pee" in french or some variant name more specific for the french market of course, as Delcourt do their wonderful design/adaption stuff to it.

I love the way French Publishers package their comics, as well as their overall cultural respect for the medium which is a bit different from the US model. It's just a bit more cultural in feel over there, rather than purely commercial.

It's either that, or I'm just influenced by the French love of drinking at every possible opportunity. Who knows.

YES, there will be an english version hardcover of Wormwood Volume 02, probably be out by early next year. ( hey, they plan these things far ahead of time on the schedule ) but if you still want a copy of the first english hardcover, there's none left except if you're lucky enough to find one left on a shelf in a book store perhaps or ordering some of the last few IDW itself has left via their online store. ( and literally today is probably the last day I'll be able to sign any copies bought there. )

Conluvio lives on...

2009-05-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

Remember this little book?

Well, a piece of it now lives on, thanks to Fryda, who has brightened my morning in the best way possible.

"This is my first Ben Templesmith piece. She came from his book about fantastical space mercs, Conluvio. She compliments (it's an Amy Brown) the piece that is now 4 years old that lives on my right calf."

Wormwood Volume 02 French Edition Progress...

2009-05-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

How the image is looking before I put it through the computer & perform magik tricks to try and piece it together. Finished image by the end of the day I hope.

Also, a quick little update on Wormy.

1. There *might* be some copies of volumes 1 and 2 left. They're trying to see if they turn up at distributor soonish.

2. There should officially be a Wormwood Volume 02 HARDCOVER by next year sometime. ( yay ) The first one sold out rather quickly. No, probably no reprinting of that for now. Got to order these things so they come in or run the risk you miss out!

3. Planning on doing a new miniseries/volume 04 for next year. It's already written in my ugly little head.

Also, I'll be leaving the IDW offices by the end of next week. ( Not IDW itself, just the offices ) so, this means if you can't find Wormwood anywhere else and are still interested in buying a copy SIGNED & PERSONALIZED or anything you want for no extra charge, this is going to be the last time you can get them done that way from the IDW online store. All the Wormwood stuff they have is here.IDW itself DOES have about 20 Hardcover volume 01's left. May be your last chance if you really want one, from anywhere.

Groom Lake #2 Sneak Peeeek

2009-04-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

A couple of "quiet" pages from Groom Lake issue 2.

Coming to a good comic store near you shortly...

If you missed the first one & still want it, ( it sold out at distributor level awhile ago ) you may still be able to get a copy at the IDW online store here.

Issue 2, as is the way with comics, is a smaller print run and usually isn't enough to meet demand so if you see it, get it quick or get your retailer to get some more in before they're gone too.

Wormwood Volume 02: French Edition

2009-04-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

Some shots of the wrap around cover in progress...just laid down some washes on it at this stage.

GHA! FX Show, Orlando

2009-04-25T14:13:00.000-07:00

Photo by J. Etheridge, portrait by...I do believe, the magnificent Dan Panosian. I wish I looked as good as how he drew me. This is from Orlando, where I was last weekend.

FX was a fun show, got to hang out with a bunch of very awesome people. Creators like B. Clay Moore, Ivan Brandon, Dave Johnson, Jim Mahfood, Ted Naifeh, Andy Kuhn, Jeremy Haun, Tim Townsend, Dan Panosian, Jonathan Hickman Jason Latour, & William Christensen and a bunch of others I forget ( Sorry! )

Not to mention all the fans who came out to see me during the day to get stuff signed. HUGE thanks to all you guys.

Wormwood: It Only Hurts When I Pee French Edition

2009-04-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

A little something specifically being done up for the French edition of Wormwood Volume 02 ( It Only Hurts When I Pee ) coming from Delcourt sometime soon. I love doing different covers for the French editions, since they're always done up in the French format of hardcover albums. Delcourt really give me a lot of support over there. Cannot thank them enough.

Sadly volumes 01 and 02 seem to be sold out from Amazon right now. Both will probably get new printings soonish since they're almost sold out at distributor level too, but volume 03 ( Calamari Rising ) is still available here. The hardcover of volume 01 is also near gone, though Amazon still appears to have a copies. If you spy one at your retailer, there may not be any more of them for awhile!

FX, Orlando and a little Groom Lake

2009-04-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a little work in progress on a Groom Lake #4 cover. See more on my flickr.

From Friday and thru the weekend I'll be down at the FX Orlando con thingy. So if you're a local, come see one of my rare appearances anywhere vaguely on the east coast, certainly the closest I'll probably come to visiting the true south. ( Is Florida actually considered part of the southern states? I have no idea! )

I'll hopefully have plenty of time to actually get some commissions done, ( Which I only really can find the time for at cons sadly ) so if you want one, drop on by. I should have some books, original art & maybe some prints available too.

Here's what I usually do for commissions:

All are painted, tonal with watercolours etc. Usually grey tones, with spot colours for effect. Anything you like. Small: $150, Larger $250 See blog for previous examples.

Quick sketches are always free, certainly if in TPB's or on books in general. Signatures and chatting to you nice people are what I'm there for.

Here's the info: APRIL 17-19, 2009

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando

Check the FX show website for more.

GROOM LAKE #2 Preview

2009-04-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

Just got some preview copies in my hot little hands, plus just signed a whole box full of them for the special signed editions also going out soon.

Groom Lake #3 Cover in Progress....

2009-04-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Issue #1 has completely sold out from the distributor, including the quite decent overprint, so in celebration, here's a look at #3's cover.

First off, some sketchy pencils. I leave the big stuff to the inks, which is a luxury someone who does both has really.

This'll be an image of Archie in his UFO craft thing, during a dog fight with all the special US military aircraft.

Lay in the basic lines and start on the crotchwork.

Blacked in the bits I needed to, now I start on the watercolour washes...

Lots more watercolour, with a bit of white pen and such at the end before it's ready to scan...

And after a few colour washes, some contrast adjustment and a little airbrush, Groom Lake #3 Cover A is born!

If you didn't know, Groom Lake #2 is still available, just ask your friendly retailer to use this code: MAR094324 to get one in for you. Otherwise it probably isn't going to magically appear on the store shelf for you. Issue #1 has already sold out so make sure you don't miss it!

Issue #3 just became available to order, so tell your retailer APR090874 is the code for the good stuff.

Cheers to everyone who bought and dug the hell out of #1! ( It apparently was quite a lot of you! )

Have just gotten word that a rather famous chap is going to be doing the intro for the eventual collection too.

Huge Thanks

2009-04-07T16:51:00.000-07:00

...to everyone who came out to see me at the Emerald City Comic-con up in Seattle over the weekend. Was again super surprised at the turnout and amazed that again I sold out of all the stuff I'd brought! A special cheers to those who got commissions. Sorry I had to knock back a few, the list filled up rather quickly! Was a great show, and I finally got to have half decent chats to a whole bunch of people, despite the fact I barely had time to leave my table the entire time.

Next con for me is in Orlando, Florida. See the side bar of my website ( www.templesmith.com ) for details of the FX show...and all my shows actually. I know a bunch of peeps read this only on blogger or various other places instead of the main site, with all it's extra info. Sadly I had to pull out of Heroes Con this year in June, due to other travel/personal commitments. Sorry guys! Next year.

Here's some commission photos as well as possibly the best Wormwood ( and Leprechaun ) costumes I've yet seen. These ones will be tough to match. Still waiting to see some strippers with the dragon tattoos walking around a con. ( I think if you tried, you may be arrested sadly! )

Emerald City Comic-con!

2009-04-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Yes indeedy, I'll be over at the Emerald City Comic-con this weekend, along with a whole slew of creators and fun peeps.

It's one of those shows I'll probably have plenty of time to actually get some commissions done, ( Which I only really can find the time for at cons sadly ) so if you want one, drop on by. I should have some books, original art & maybe some prints available too.

Here's what I usually do for commissions:

All are painted, tonal with watercolours etc. Usually grey tones, with spot colours for effect. Anything you like. Small: $150, Larger $250

Quick sketches are always free, certainly if in TPB's or on books in general. Signatures are what I'm there for.

Details for the con are:

4th April - 5th April 2009
Emerald City Comicon Seattle
Washington State Convention & Trade Center
Seattle, Washington State USA
Check www.emeraldcitycomicon.com for further details.

30 Days of Night: Blood of Christ

2009-04-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

Marking my big return to the 30 Days of Night universe!

Well, no, but it was a good April Fool's gag last year. I still get random emails asking me "if it came out" or "can I help them find it as they've had no luck" etc. Sadly no, this was and always will remain a joke I just mocked up a cover for.

DRACULA cover progressions

2009-03-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

Nope, not to the upcoming big illustrated novel of it, but a little foretaste of it. One of those "do your own covers" which I really get a kick out of. Just so nice to do a random illo on an actual book sometimes. Great to take a break on from the pressures of the regular work.

Here's basically how it went, from start to finish. If you like the end result, I put the final book up on ebay. I dig doing these book things but have no desire to just keep it to myself. Figure there's someone out there who'd probably like a Drac cover by me so... see the listing here.

Sketchy sketchy.

Inking with a fine artline pen. A 0.1 basically.

Filling in the blacks. When in doubt, black it out.

a bit of black watercolour. Some drips for the background. General washy-ness.

White pen time. Just a little.

Finally a dash of red for the eyes and title.

And another little doodle in the front of the book just because.

Behold, the updated online store section.

2009-03-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

Finally! I know I plugged some of the new prints I put up in my Cafepress On Demand store last week, ( Of which the image above is one ) but finally the store section on my actual website ( You know, www.templesmith.com ) is now a little more current too. All the major stuff that's currently in print ( err, unless it's now sold out ) like Wormwood, Fell & 30 Days are now up with convenient little links to their Amazon pages and a few of the Cafepress prints nd sketchbooks are as well.

Don't know what I'm on about? Well this blog stuff gets put in a variety of places, like:

Blogger
Tumblr
Myspace
Flickr
Livejournal
ComicVine

...but ultimately shows up on my *actual* real site, you know, the one with an online archive gallery, appearance schedule/dates and yes, links to how you can actually get some of the stuff so I won't get quite so much email saying "I really want it but I can't find book X, please how can I get it?" which actually happens quite a bit.

I should be adding a bunch more stuff to the online store over time now, so if interested, keep an eye on it. Now I have to work. Monday's are best taken out back & put out of their misery in a quiet & dignified manner, possibly with a shotgun.

Bad Kids interview thingy.

2009-03-27T14:31:00.001-07:00

Surprised how mega tired I look in this interview. Also, I was almost at the point of losing my voice. I was literally on my last legs but had a lot of fun. The guys over at "America's Bad Kids" did this up.

If you can't see the vid ( viewing this on my main site for instance which doesn't seem to like Youtube right now,) here's the link.

Yet more Dracula

2009-03-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yet more Dracula images, this time, some finished pieces.

New Wormwood Prints

2009-03-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

The time has finally come. I'm clearing out my Cafepress store. From tomorrow, all the old prints will be gone and a whole bunch of new ones, which are already up, will be what's left. Put up quite a variety this time. Cafepress isn't too bad for prints, though be advised these aren't the fine art prints I do up myself, these are a POD type deal. Give em a click and see what you think.

This here is a new image to celebrate it.

Next step is to finally have some t-shirt/extra stuff up. I've neglected this sort of stuff for too long! I have plans...oh do I have plans...