Paolo Rivera - Cartoonist Survey #248

Painter, sculptor and comic book artist Paolo Rivera was born in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1981. He moved to Rhode Island, after graduating from Mainland High School (Daytona Beach) in 1999, to study at the Rhode Island School of Design. While at RISD, he studied under comic book artist and writer, David Mazzucchelli and spent his junior year studying in Rome. By his senior year, he was creating covers and pin-ups for writer Jim Krueger. He had previously met Jim at a MegaCon in Orlando, FL while he was in high school and had shown him his artwork. Paolo graduated from RISD with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2003.



He has been working almost exclusively for Marvel Comics since 2002. His first painted cover for Marvel was 2003’s Iron Man #63. Since then he has painted covers and interiors for most of the Marvel Universe characters including, Captain America, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Spider-Man, Silver Surfer, The Twelve, Hawkeye and more. One of the best known projects Paolo has worked on was the Mythos series of Marvel origin stories. This six issue series of one-shots written by Paul Jenkins and featuring beautiful paintings by Paolo, ran from 2006 to 2008. The Mythos stories were collected into a hardcover edition in 2008.



Paolo’s most recent work includes the re-launch of Daredevil, which he has been working on with writer Mark Waid and artist Marcos Martin. Though he started out primarily as a painter, he now regularly does penciling, inking and coloring as well. See much more of Paolo’s work at his The Self-Absorbing Man blog. Many of his posts discuss his process in drawing, painting and sculpting including my favorites, the Wacky Reference Wednesdays. To purchase Paolo’s original artwork click here.



What is your favorite pen to use?

I'm more of a brush guy. Winsor & Newton Series 7 #6 (#2 for small stuff)



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

Right now, I'm using a Pilot .7mm blue pencil, followed by a Uni Kuru Toga .5mm pencil with 2B lead, and a 2mm lead holder with B or 2B lead, sanded to a chisel tip.



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

Both. I paint when I can, but for most of my sequential work, I color in Photoshop. Lately, though, I've been working with colorist Javier Rodriguez.

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

Watercolor, gouache, and Acryla Gouache, usually Holbein, and mostly with a Silver Brush "Black Velvet" #12.

What type of paper do you use?

Marvel board for all my pencils, Strathmore 500 Series 3-ply bristol, vellum surface for fully rendered paintings.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?

I love everything in moderation. Things only get to me if I have to draw the same intricate subject from many different angles, over the course of many pages.

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

It's a mix. Wherever I can find good deals. I use to live nearby a great store, but I moved this year.

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

I like doing warm-up sketches, but that doesn't happen often enough. Lately, I've been trying to sculpt digitally with Sculptris when I can.



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

I often do, mostly I just hit "Quick Mix" on Pandora and go from there. Pretty much everything and anything. Somewhere between alternative rock and rap.

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

I did, but it was an eclectic mix. I grew up mostly on cartoons, so Ninja Turtles, X-Men, The Tick, and Batman were my favorites. Once I was old enough to work and drive, I could go to the comic store. Mostly, I would buy anything by Alex Ross and Joe Madureira.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?

I was a big fan of X-Force by Peter Milligan with Mike and Laura Allred. That was probable the last time I bought every issue of something.

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

Amazing Spider-Man #33. I had that one book and I read it over and over again. Don't know what happened to it, but I do have a copy in a Marvel Essentials collection.



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

I went to the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 2003 with a BFA in Illustration.

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

It's a lot like life: it depends where you go.

Did either of your parents draw?

Both. My Dad actually inks me on Daredevil now. His day job is painting custom motorcycles.



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

My parents, without a doubt. Professionally, I'd have to say Jim Krueger and Joe Quesada.

Do you keep a sketchbook?

Sorta. Not really.



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

Not officially. I've given a handful of lectures and demos over the years. Most definitely. I might do it on a regular basis some day.



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

I feel like they're one in the same. If not, they're so inextricably intertwined that separating them serves no purpose. Each feeds the other.

Do you collect anything and if so what?

The last thing I actually collected were a lot of Ninja Turtles toys.



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

The Tick.



Are you a righty or lefty?

Righty, though in certain situations I'll do primitive drawings of my right hand with my left.



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

Let's hope it never comes to that.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.

Metal drawing board at an angle. All my tools have magnets on them. 27" iMac to the right. If I'm painting, a Sta-Wet Palette on a turntable to my left.

This video is from Mike Furth's wonderful, The Comic Archive website. Head over to The Comic Archive now for much more on comic creators and their methods.

Do you play any musical instruments?

I wish.

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

Can I give two? Find a balance between passion and practicality. And if you want to be a professional, compare yourself to nothing less than the best in that field.

Who is your favorite artist?

It changes, day to day. Today, it's a brawl between Milton Caniff, Alex Toth, and H.J. Ward.


Thank you very much Paolo!

Terry Beatty - Cartoonist Survey #234

Born in Muscatine, Iowa in January of 1958, Terry Beatty is a cartoonist, illustrator, teacher and a sculptor. He teamed up as co-creator and artist with writer Max Allan Collins (“Road to Perdition”) in 1979 to create 'The Comics Page', which was a weekly syndicated comics page containing jokes, activities and a puzzle-comic starring private eye Mike Mist. Though the feature was short-lived, the character Mike Mist carried on, appearing in issues of Mystery Magazine and as a back-up feature in the 'E-Man' comic book. With Collins, Terry also co-created and drew ‘Ms. Tree’, which went on to become the longest-running private eye series in American comic books. ‘Ms. Tree’ got her start in 1981 in Eclipse Magazine and soon spun off into her own comic book. First published by Eclipse; ‘Ms. Tree’ was then published by Aardvark-Vanaheim, Renegade Press and finally DC Comics, who published ten quarterly 48-page issues that ran into the early 90’s. Terry’s other work with Max Allan Collins includes the detective/horror four-issue series ‘Johnny Dynamite’ for Dark Horse, and a graphic novel sequel to “Road to Perdition” called “Return to Perdition”, for DC's Vertigo Crime line that is scheduled to be released August of this year.

Terry spent over a decade inking various “animated-style” Batman comic book series for DC including: ‘Batman Adventures’, ‘The Batman Strikes’, ‘Batman and Robin Adventures’, ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’, ‘Batman Beyond’, ‘Batman Gotham Adventures’ and more. During this time he was awarded two Will Eisner Awards. The first one was in 1998 for Best Graphic Album-New for ‘Batman & Superman Adventures: World’s Finest’ and the second one was in 1999 for Best Title for a Younger Audience with ‘Batman: The Gotham Adventures’.


The works from Terry that I am most familiar with and really love are his cover paintings for Dennis Druktenis’ Scary Monsters and Monster Memories magazines. These wrap-around covers are just beautiful to look at and apparently I’m not the only one who feels this way as he won the Rondo Award in 2007 for Best Cover Illustration. A big fan of monsters, he created artwork for Monsterwax’s Shock Stories trading cards which were released in 2009. As a sculptor Terry has created numerous resin kits including his “Beatty’s Beauties” series, a sideshow freak series and many more. He recently designed a Green Lantern model kit for Moebius Models and created the box illustration for it. As if all of the above isn’t enough, Terry also taught in the comic art program at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design from 2005 to 2009.


He recently moved to the Kansas City area with his wife Erika and their son Kirby. Terry is also a proud grandfather with grandsons, Dawson and Tristin who were born to his daughter from a previous marriage, Elizabeth. Visit his website where you can see more of his work and also purchase original artwork. Follow him here on his Scary Terry's World blog. You can purchase the Shock Story trading cards through Monsterwax and you will soon be able to purchase the Green Lantern model kit here at Moebius Models.


What is your favorite pen to use?

Lately I've been using the digital pen tools in Manga Studio. Otherwise I'm more of a brush guy.

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

Yes -- if working on paper -- usually a mechanical pencil. If digital, I'll do blue "pencil" preliminaries.

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

For commissions -- by hand. For printed work -- Photoshop.

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

Colored inks.

What type of paper do you use?

Strathmore bristol -- smooth surface.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?

Traditional telephones (with the curly cord) are a pain -- as are motorcycles and drawing someone getting in or out of a car.

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

In Minneapolis I shopped at Dick Blick, PenCo, Art Materials and the Art Cellar at MCAD -- just moved to the Kansas City area and haven't sought out a shop yet. Will likely be doing some mail order.

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?

Often. Rockabilly, hillbilly, early rock and roll, exotica, swing, surf guitar, roots country, British invasion, punk, garage band...

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

Yes. I read 'em ALL. Probably would have to choose Lee/Kirby Fantastic Four -- though Lee/Ditko Spider-Man might be my answer on another day.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?

Tough one. I think it's a tie. Foster's Prince Valiant and Segar's Popeye.

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

As a child? Probably "Jungle Tales of Tarzan." And yes -- I still own a copy. Along with many other E. R. Burroughs books.

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

Self-taught.

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

A blessing in that it is allowing artists to reach their audience directly, without the interference of publishers/editors.

Did either of your parents draw?

No.

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

My mother, I suppose. Though she never really "got it".

Do you keep a sketchbook?

I do -- but have slacked off from working in it lately.

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

Yes, I was Visiting Artist and then an adjunct instructor at MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design) -- and yes, I (mostly) enjoyed it.

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

Perseverance is more important than both.

Do you collect anything and if so what?

Too much to list. Character toys, model kits, art, books, music, movies....

Are you a righty or lefty?

Righty.

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

I'd be fronting a rockabilly band or hosting a late night TV horror movie show.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.

A flat surface surrounded by lots of stuff.

Do you play any musical instruments?

I own a guitar. I have yet to learn to play it.

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

Only do it if you MUST.

Who is your favorite artist?

Jack Kirby.

(Watch this two-part video of Terry reviewing some monster models.)






Thanks again for your time Terry.

Joseph Farris - Cartoonist Survey #156

photo © Anne Hall

Joseph Farris is a cartoonist, illustrator, painter and sculptor who grew up in Danbury, CT. He has been providing The New Yorker with both covers and single panel cartoons since 1971. In addition to The New Yorker, he has created covers for the ABA Journal, Barron's, Indiana Alumni, Harvard Magazine, Industry Week and many others. Joseph has had two syndicated features, FARRISWHEEL for the Chicago Tribune Syndicate and PHIPPS for United Features Syndicate. His cartoons were featured in Stern, a German weekly news magazine, for almost twenty years. Phobias and Therapies, A Cog in the Wheel, They're a Very Successful Family, and Money Inc. are just a few of his cartoon books that have been published. He has also illustrated many books such as, The Latin Riddle Book and Loose Leaf.

In 2007, Joseph had a very successful one-man show titled, ‘Two Sides of Joseph Farris’. The show was held at the Karpeles Museum in Newburgh, NY and showcased seventy-five of his cartoons from The New Yorker and over seventy of his paintings. The Center for New Media & the Arts in Bethel, CT hosted a large one-man show of his cartoons, paintings and sculpture in 2009 and permanently named their gallery "The Joseph Farris Gallery.” In addition to being a talented artist, Joseph is also a writer, having recently completed his memoir, Elm Street, about his teenage years growing up in Danbury. He presently lives in Bethel, which is just a short drive from Danbury. See more of Joseph’s work here at his website.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Sharpie ultra-fine point.

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

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

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

What type of paper do you use?
Strathmore Charcoal sheets.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
None.

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

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

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

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Did read - no favorite.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Aesop's Fables - don't own it any more.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Whitney School of Art, New Haven, CT

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

Did either of your parents draw?
No.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Richard Taylor and myself.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Usually, when traveling.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Taught drawing and art in general, not for pay. Yes, enjoyed it.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Both important but drive a necessity.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Knowledge.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Haven't a clue.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty

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

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Flat door size desk.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Harmonica, badly.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Be prepared for rejection but pursue anyway.

Who is your favorite artist?
Probably Degas.

Thank you very much Joseph.

Freelance cartoonist and illustrator Harley Schwadron shares his answers next.