Guest Speaker for Advanced Strategies in Illustration
THURSDAY Feb 6th 6:30-7:15 P114
The 2 time Eisner Nominated, 4 time Glyph Award winning, and recently, a VLA (Virginia Library Association) Graphic Novel Diversity Award winning, Watson and Holmes, published by New Paradigm Studios, and co-creating, the 2 time Glyph Award winning book, for Best Female Character, Ajala: A Series of Adventures, along with Robert Garrett, N. Steven Harris has had a career spanning over 20 years in the comic book industry.
His highlights include DC Comic’s Aztek: The Ultimate Man, a character which he co-created along with Grant Morrison and Mark Millar, for DC Comics. His credits also include Batman: Officer Down, Batman 80pp GiantThe Huntress (DC Comics), Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, Generation X, X-Force, and Deadpool Annual ’98 (Marvel Entertainment). Within the last 5 years he has worked on titles such as Voltron, New Money and Solarman. Mr. Harris’s most recent publication is DC/Wildstorms Michael Cray. He also has participated in gallery shows showcasing comic book art in New York, Philadelphia, Georgia, Chicago, California, and Japan.
To View his Portfolio click HERE.
Class, be sure to POST your questions for N. Steven Harris below!
Be sure to look over Steven’s portfolio and research him on your own, before you post your questions. Read each other’s questions too before posting your own. If you share someone else’s question, say so! Consider what you have learned from this week’s reading from Nuts & Bolts about “freelance life” while coming up with your questions for Steven.
We need 2 moderators for Steven’s visit. You’ll prepare the list of questions from those posted below, as well as your own. You’ll then be conducting the interview and will ask the questions for the class. Every student is required to moderate ONCE. Its a good chance to make a meaningful impression on a professional in the field too! Reply to volunteer!
I’m willing to be a moderator, but if anyone else that hasn’t done so wants to, they can go first!
WONDERFUL! Rachel and Savannah YOU two will team up to moderate this week’s Guest Speaker Discussion. Thanks for being the first to step up!
Rachel and Savannah you will be moderators for next week, week 3. Yuhang and Jason volunteered for this week in class.
I would like to volunteer as a moderator.
WONDERFUL! Rachel and Savannah YOU two will team up to moderate this week’s Guest Speaker Discussion. Thanks for being the first to step up!
Rachel and Savannah you wiill will be moderators for next week, week 3. Yuhang and Jason volunteered for this week in class.
I thought me and Yuhang are moderators for this week, me and him volunteered on the first day of class.
OH! That is correct! My apologies! You two will be this week’s moderators. Rachel and Savannah will be moderators for week 3.
1. What is your biggest fear as an illustrator?
2. What prompted you to put so many illustrations in your portfolio? Are you not worried that it many overstimulate your audience?
3. Have you ever had a poor relationship with a client or fellow artist? What were your solutions? What advice would you give your past self about those experiences?
Racel- Nice work being so specific with your questions and really looking at Harris’ body of work before you wrote them.
1. What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
2. How has the comics industry changed since you first began?
1. What is your advice for upcoming comic book illustrators?
2. What are your methods and process for your illustrations?
Great Questions so far! Keep ’em coming!
1. What has been your most successful project in your career as an illustrator?
2. What’s your favorite piece that you had so far as an illustrator?
3. How do you manage your time when starting a new comic book, seeing so many amazing and time consuming illustrations in your portfolio?
Good observation with your time management question.
1. How long did you to take to get a job at marvel entertainment industry and how were recognize by them?
2. What were your steps into the world before getting your first job as an illustrator?
3. How were you able to become recognized in the industry?
4. Out of all your work you have done, which was your favorite illustration and why?
Jason- Good questions – I like that you are so specific and are looking for actions that you can apply yourself.
There are other Adobe products such as Photoshop, which I think is more effective when I’m drawing characters for my animation characters. (according to my knowledge to photoshop and illustrator so far) So my question is: What makes illustrator so powerful? What are some advantages and disadvantages to use Illustrator as a primary tool?
Yuhang Where is there discussion of using Adobe Illustrator?
1. What inspired you to go into the comic illustration field.
2. What were the reactions of family or friends or people around you when finding out you wanted to do more with illustration in your life.
3. What was the reaction if your first comic done, and what were their reactions.
1. What inspired you to go into the comic illustration field.
2. What were the reactions of family or friends or people around you when finding out you wanted to do more with illustration in your life.
3. What was the reaction if your first comic done, and what were their reactions.
Nicole- Good Quesiton, what were the reactions of Family and Friends?
1. What about your work made you “Batman ready”? Were you tapped for Officer Down or did you apply for it?
2. What is the process in working with another artist on a comic such as with Wildstorm: Michael Cray?
3. How do you build and keep connections with someone completely new in the field?
4. Do you freelance? How did you get started, such as hunting down interested people, setting your prices, etc?
OH WOW. Now we are getting into the real meat of things! TELL US STEVEN!
Dope questions folks! I can’t wait to address them tomorrow when I see all of you.
Thanks Steven!
1. What advice would you tell a person who wants to become a freelancer?
2. If you didn’t get into the comic illustration field, what would you have been doing then and why?
GOod Questions! See you all this evening!
1. How did you find your own style when it comes to illustration?
2. Did you have to give up something in order to pursue your dreams? Like where you live or something important
3. How long did it take for your work to start getting recognized?
1. How did you find your own style when it comes to illustration?
2. Did you have to give up something in order to pursue your dreams? Like where you live or something important
3. How long did it take for your work to start getting recognized?