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Comics Artists: E

Online Art Board Supplies

Comic art for the major companies such as Marvel or DC is drawn on special art board that includes 'blue line' indicators so the artists draw to the correct size proprotional to the final US comic book art size. Artists contracted to the companies are provided with this board, although I am not sure if this is still supplied gratis, as it was in Paul Neary's day as Editorial Director at Marvel UK, or if they have to pay for it.

Page measurements apparently vary slightly from company to company, so using ordinary Bristol board and a ruler may be a better option for the aspiring artist than seeking down this specialised board.

2000AD is now published pro to US comic book size.

BlueLine
There is a type of Bristol board called BlueLine which features these the official comic page measurments printed on it. It's solicited through Previews and, therefore, most comic shops should be able to order it. Some artists don't like it.

Bristol Board
• Most art supply shops in Belfast sell Bristol board in A3 20 sheet blocks.

Art Supplies

• Blink Twice
28/10/05: The Blink Twice Art Product range sells everything a professional comic artist/aspiring new comer needs to do the job! (Well maybe not everything, but the Blink Twice boys are bigger than me).
The initial range includes: the Blink Twice Comic Book Board is £10 for a pack of 12 sheets; the Blink Twice Sketch Books are £3 and come in either Pink or Blue; the Blink Twice Layup Book is £5
All products can be ordered directly through the site at: www.kennel17.co.uk/
malcolm/orderform.htm


Great Art Supplies: www.greatart.co.uk
Gerstaecker UK Limited / Great Art, Normandy House, 1 Nether Street, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1EA
Telephone Order line 0845 601 5772 (Local call rate)
Described as Europe's largest and brightest catalogue for art materials, this company says "Whatever your angle - whether you're an art student, leisure painter, art teacher or professional artist - we're sure that you'll find that we are full of all the supplies you need." They publish a variety of catalogues for each country -- one artist I know orders material from their French rather than UK edition.


London Graphics Company: www.londongraphics.co.uk
16-18 Shelton Street, Covent Garden London WC2H 9JL
Tel: 020 7759 4500 Fax: 020 7759 4585
London Graphic Centre was established in 1973 as a specialist graphic materials supplier to the London Design and Advertising market. The last 30 years have seen dramatic changes in working methods. We have maintained our unrivalled reputation for outstanding service by adapting to industry changes and expanding into new products and markets.


Dip Pens

• Hans Presto: hans.presto.tripod.com
This Swedish (with English translation) site apparently stocks and sells just about every dip pen ever made. It also has sections on Lettering, Comics and Handwriting. (thanks to artist Kev Hopgood for this one)

Comics Artists E


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Neil Edwards
Official: www.thebristolboard.blogspot.com

Comic artist based in Wrexham, North Wales. His comic credits include the ITV series Primeval, Mr T, Marvel and more. Neil has worked for as storyboard artist for Channel 5, worked for Hibbert Ralph and D'con animation in Barcelona), and worked on CD-Rom projects for Ford for their cars. He's worked for Mako Creative as Creative Director for the several years, overseeing work and producing designs.
Neil also produces 3d artwork in Bryce and Cinema 4d for high-end work.


Will Eisner
Official: www.willeisner.com

The legendary comics creator - both as an artist and a writer, and one of my favourite comics creators. Apart from The Spirit, Eisner has created some astonishing works of graphic fiction, incing such books as Contract with God, one of my personal favourites. Well worth checking out.
Will Eisner, who died 4 January 2005, was a pioneering force in comics for over 60 years. His career spans groundbreaking work in early newspaper comics to the mature graphic novels that he continued to produce right up to his death.
A documentary about the late Will Eisner is being made by Montilla Pictures. You view a ten minute teaser online: www.montillapictures.com
• "I have to live with this guy": Ann and Will Eisner (by Blake Bell, represented from the 2002 TwoMorrows’ book, “I Have To Live With This Guy!")

http://www.ditko.comics.org/ditko/newWILan.html
• Read my tribute to Will Eisner: Go


Phil Elliot
Official: www.elliott-design.com
Phil has been working as a freelance illustrator since 1984 and has had illustrations commissioned by a number of magazines and publishers in the UK. My clients have included Times Educational Supplement, IPC, Leisure Week, Questions Publishing, Punch and Oxprint Design. He's been creating comicbooks and comic strips since 1981 and have had my work published throughout the world - Fleetway and Marvel comics in the UK, L'Echo de Savanes and A Suivre in France and Dark Horse Comics and Fantagraphics Books in the USA. I've also created regular comic strips for NME and Melody Maker, as well as The Magistrate magazine and Maidstone Star.

Hunt Emerson
Official: www.largecow.demon.co.uk

Steve English
Official: www.deadseacomics.co.uk

Steve is a freelance cartoonist who has worked on national UK magazines such as The Horrible Histories and Horrible Science Collections and Scooby Doo World of Mystery.
He has also worked with a number of Christian publishers such as The Salvation Army, Kevin Mayhew, Hayes Press and Authentic Media, as writer and illustrator. His books include
The Potted Guide to Theology, I Scream Sunday and Fright the Good Fright.
As well as cartoon strips Steve also writes and illustrates Sunday school resources.

His strip about a crazy scientist, Madd Science, is published for mobile by ROK Comics.

Gary Erskine
Official: www.garyerskine.demon.co.uk

Gary's credits include the stunning first book of Knights of Pendragon, The Authority, Warheads, The Filth and heaps more. One of the most gifted artists I've ever worked with, in 2007 he gained the art chores on Virgin Comics new interpretation of Dan Dare.

Rafael Lopez Espi
Official: www.lopezespi.com

Espi drew covers for the Spanish editions of Starblazer and has also contributed to DC Thomson's Commando

Garen Ewing
Official: www.garenewing.co.uk

Illustrator, writer, comic strip creator, designer, software and multimedia developer involved in the independent magazine Bam.

Carlos Ezquerra
Official: www.internet.ad/ezquerra/

This talented comics artist is the graphic creator of Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, All's Baby and many other characters for Fleetway in the UK and his latest, Bloody Mary for DC Comics. This ia great site if you like Judge Dredd with some stunning visuals of the 2000AD character.

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