These pieces are a nice start to the blog.  LETS GO!!

Today is the start of my art career. After months of not knowing how to go about in the art world, I have finally come to the realization that my work has been sitting on my computer and not on the internet.  So starting today I am going to sign up and post my art on as many websites as possible.  I am behind the curve so I have to catch up.  This will be the place where I post my daily(or almost daily) actions, whether its a sketch, study or final illustration.  LET'S GET STARTED!!!    

Web Comics

Web comics are not something I am familiar with and was skeptical about how well I accepted the new generation of comics.  Even though I read printed comics on the web, the format for web comics are different.  The panels aren't as diverse as printed comics, at least not the ones I read.  Not a bad thing but it is something I am not used to seeing.  I decided to read a comic recommended for the week, Octopus Pie and was immediately hooked.  The light comedy and situations kept me interested and entertained.  The comic seems like it is for my age group and capitalizes on it well.  The sexual innuendos and comical life situations made it so I was never bored.  Eve and Hanna are a perfect combination of personalities and makes a good dynamic.  Their contrasting personalities make for good fun and Hanna's free spirit is funny to witness.  The dialogue is always relevant and easy to understand.  I have only read about 70 pages but the impression has been left.  This is a great comic, period. 

Superheroes Rediscovered

Out of all the subject throughout the semester, the superheroes rediscovered was my favorite.  The comics are like the ones I personally own and read when I go home.  The art style reminds me why I enjoy comics as much as I do now.  I read a number of different comics including Watchmen, Hellboy and Authority.  My favorite out of the three was Authority.  I liked how they took existing superheroes and spun it in a unique way.  The characterzation of the Batman character is probably the most appealing.  As far as the story, I got the impression that the heroes use Stormwatch and vis-versa, while the bad guys are trying to destroy the world through terror.  The art direction is amazing, from the colors to the linework and mood.  The style is exactly the same as the comics I own, full of color and intersting compositions in each panel.  I take much of my inspiration from comics like these.  Speaking of art style, Hellboy is great.  The use of black in the shadows makes the entire piece dynamic, making cool shapes and sillohettes.  The loose linework is also pleasing, gives the feel of movement throughout so it seems like the characters are always in motion.  The story I read had unexpected turns, constant action and compelling but simple dialogue, which is the way I like my comics.  

Women comics

There is one comic I read for the week of women comics.  From what we discussed in class, comics created by women address different issues such as relationships.  A film shown in the beginning and middle of class display subjects often neglected by men, simply because most men dont think of in depth feelings or relationships.  The comic I read for this week was "Dairy of a Domanatrix".  The subject matter of the comic is new to me.  The perspective of the life of a domanatrix is something I have never thought of or conceived.  Never the less, the comic is entertaining to say the least.  Panels are filled with multiple tools for a dominatrix, techniques and procedures.  It was full of surprises, just when I thought my mouth couldnt drop lower, it shows the reader how to do a vicectimy.  The character is oddly funny and clever.  A dominatrix that likes her job but sont like the customers.  She never has sex with them, she will just torture them.  Despite her profession, she has a boyfriend and in a stable relationship.  The life that this women lives is foreign yet so close to home.

Comics as Contemporary Literature

I read a couple of comics from this section.  Each selection I read had a distinct style and was modern compared to other comics I have read.  The first comic I read was Bone.  I heard that it was highly recommended if you like fantasy so I decided to give it a try.  It wasnt what I expected when I see the word Bone.  I was thinking more ominous and tense feel, not to say the comic is bad but I was expecting something different.  Besides the initial shock, the story was fun to read and moved more like a storyboard than a comic.  Bone constantly reminded me of a dark Tom and Jerry.  The characters are reminiscent of past characters.  Overall I enjoyed it.  The second comic was love and rockets.  I was initally sucked in because I am a big wrestling fan.  The main character is in the WWW which is clever of the Hernendez Bros.  The relationships each character has to one another is something that kept my interest.  Friends that are away but come back and people staying with other people to be secure....its like a web of friendship and love.  It has a sitcom vibe to it that draws you in and takes you on rollercoaster of love. 

European comics

I read a number of European comics this week.  All the ones I read very new and range from funny to serious to action.  The subject matter is handled differently from American comics.  The majority of the humor is more caricatured and satirical.  Out of all the books I read this week, the one I enjoyed the most was Blacksat.  The comic was in another language but the art work is superb.  Each panel is illustrated so that you don't need to understand what is being said.  Every once in a while, I may not know what is exactly happening but I get the main point.  The art style gets the cool perspective and gestural figures that I love.  Cool angles and expressions kept me interested.  The use of extreme perspective is something I always admire in art and this is among the top examples.   The facial expression are mind blowing, capturing the right moment in the action.  All the characters are animals but are illustrated in such a way that you dont even notice.  If anything, the different animals enhance the storytelling.  The personality of the individual shapes the type of animal they are.  The police chief is a dog, which are loyal.  The underground bar is filled with reptiles and nocturnal animals.  A shady character is a rat or some kind of vermin, either a rat or a possum.  The crime boss or main antagonist is a slimy reptile.  The different animals were my favorite part of the comic.    I definitely want to find an English version.