Sergio Cariello - Cartoonist Survey #227

Sergio Cariello is a comic book artist who was born in Recife, Brazil in April of 1964. He knew he wanted to be a cartoonist from the age of 5. When he was only 11 he created the comic strip “Frederico, the Detective” which ran in his local paper, Diario De Pernambuco, for 3 years. Sergio drew political caricatures for this same paper as well. He studied at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoons and Graphic Arts and won the Dark Horse scholarship, which went toward his second year there. While at the Joe Kubert School he worked on his first comic book, “Dagon, the Worlds of HP Lovecraft” for Caliber Press and also worked as a Bullpen letterer for Marvel. While working for Marvel he was given Daredevil #328 to pencil which led to him working on Conan, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, The Avengers and more.

Sergio moved to DC Comics and worked on Deathstroke, The Flash, New Gods, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Batman, Blue Beetle Azreal and others. In 1997 during a slowdown in work, he was hired by Joe Kubert as an instructor at his school. For the seven years he was there Sergio taught various courses including, Methods, Basic Drawing, Color, Paste Ups, Story Adaptation, Caricature and Life Drawing. In 2006 he was contacted by David C. Cook Publishing and was offered the job of illustrating the Action Bible; an updated version of The Picture Bible. He accepted the job and the book was released last September.

He is currently the penciler for Dynamite Entertainment's “The Lone Ranger” and also draws "Son of Samson” for Zondervan. Sergio was recently picked to draw the upcoming “DC Retroactive: Superman-The 80’s” which will be released this coming August. A member of the National Cartoonists Society, he lives in Florida with his wife Luzia and their West Highland White Terrier, Monique. Visit his website to see much more of his work and follow him on his blog.

Watch this short video of Sergio discussing the process he used in illustrating “The Action Bible”.

What is your favorite pen to use?

Crowquil 102, Manga Studio EX Maru pen.

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

Both.

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

Both.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?

Watercolors.

What type of paper do you use?

Bristol.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?

Bad, wrong looking drawings.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?

Both .

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?

Coffee, music, references.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?

Movie scores.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?

Spider-Man, Asterix, Tintin.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?

Prince Valiant by Hal Foster.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?

It was a book on Walt Disney.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?

Kubert School.

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

Mostly a blessing but sometimes a distraction.

Did either of your parents draw?

My mother.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?

My mother.

Do you keep a sketchbook?

Not really...I draw all over the place.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?

Taught 7 years at the Kubert School. Loved it.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?

Passion.

Do you collect anything and if so what?

Art books and selected comics.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?

Seven (character I created who introduces my website).

Are you a righty or lefty?

Lefty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?

Work with animals.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.

Cluttered.

Do you play any musical instruments?

Acoustic guitar.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?

Draw a lot, pray a lot, act a lot.

Who is your favorite artist?

Joe Kubert.



Thanks again Sergio.