Friday, January 15, 2010

Steve Lieber - Cartoonist Survey #48


Eisner Award winning comic book illustrator Steve Lieber lives in Portland, Oregon. Steve has done work for Dark Horse, Image, Oni, DC, Marvel and others. Some of the characters and properties he's drawn include Superman, Batman, Hawkman, GI Joe, Star Trek and Hellboy. He is best know as the artist for the graphic novels Whiteout and Whiteout:Melt. In 200 Whiteout:Melt won the Eisner Award for Best Finite Series/Limited Series. Last November the second edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel which he is co-author of along with Nat Gertler came out. I have the first edition of this book and it is quite good. Go to Steve's site and have a look around.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Whatever is handy.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Yep. Mechanical.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
Both.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
I don't color by hand anymore.

What type of paper do you use?
Strathmore Bristol.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Things that aren't an important part of the story I'm telling.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Art Media in Portland is great.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
No.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Tons. Power pop, punk, soul, oldies, whatever's on the speakers here at Periscope. My favorites: The Mountain Goats, TV on the Radio, Bob Mould and Fishbone.
Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Oh yeah. I didn't follow anything steadily. I could only by comics from flea markets and the like. My favorites were Peanuts books, MAD, Tintin, and any superhero comic I could get my hands on.
What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Still Peanuts.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
No one favorite. I read ANYTHING.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
The Joe Kubert School.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
A blessing.

Did either of your parents draw?
Nope.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My wife Sara Ryan.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Not like I used to, but yes.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Yes and sometimes. A good student is wonderful. A lame student is a big pain in the ass.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
No opinion.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
No, but I accumulate comics and books like crazy.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Right.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Sandwich prep at a deli.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Cluttered.

Do you play any musical instruments?
No.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Be good at it and let people know.


Who is your favorite artist?

Comics: Jaime Hernandez
Story Illustration: Howard Pyle
Fine art: Degas


Thanks a lot Steve!

Reuben Award winning cartoonist, children's book writer and illustrator Bob Staake is up next.

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