Process Of An Artist – "Abe Sapien's" Jason Shawn Alexander

[CBR News]

With issue #2 due out today, “Abe Sapien: The Drowning” artist Jason Shawn Alexander stops by CBR to explain the process behind his striking and unusual style -- pencils bad, inks good. Except when they’re bad.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=13249

[GRANT!]

It was due today? I didn't see it and it wasn't on Diamonds list? What's up with that?

[nathanfairbairn]

Interesting. Those layout sketches sure are terrible. Odd that he won't show his pencils either. Thank god for photo reference and beautiful inking.

[GRANT!]

Interesting. Those layout sketches sure are terrible. Odd that he won't show his pencils either. Thank god for photo reference and beautiful inking.

They get the job done. It's pretty cool to see his process though. I actually like a few artists who do most of their work in the inking stage. Gives a nice expressive sketchy style.

[the goddamn batman]

Lots of artists do most of the drawing in the ink stage.

Jason Shawn Alexander is a bad ass. Great to see these in B&W.

[nathanfairbairn]

Lots of artists do most of the drawing in the ink stage.

Sure, but those guys usually lay in some serious structure lines underneath before whipping out the India ink. I'm sure Jason does, too -- I just hoped to see them is all. All that he really showed of his process were some terrible thumbnails and some beautiful finished pieces. Is it so much to ask from a feature on process that some of the crucial steps in between be shown -- you know, some of the process? Also, and this is cbr's bad, not Jason's -- it's pretty damn lame to include Dave Stewart's awesome colors as part of Jason's artistic process. Stewart's name isn't even mentioned. Credit where credit is due, people!

[jasonshawnalexander]

Hi. This feels a little odd, but I read the thread and thought this would be of some benefit.

Actually, for those pages, what you are seeing are the pencils. The thumbnails I lay out to send to Dark Horse are the same ones I throw on the pages as pencils. The only thing that gets more pencils are sometimes the backgrounds. But there you go. Don't get disappointed. You're seeing everything here. And you're right. I wasn't sure what was going to happen with Dave. I was just asked about my own process. Stewart is incredible.

Here's the line that pushed me on the path.

"I often sketch with pen. It forces me to be exact. And if it doesn't work, it screams at me. The sketch. The pen just laughs."
-Bill Sienkiewicz

cheers.
-j

[MartinRedmond]

Your art's awesome. Aaaaaahhh please do more. Don't listen to the haters please. Glad Dark Horse keeps giving you assignments. I hate it when inanimated objects laugh at me too, didn't know it was so common.

I kind of like your own coloring better though cause it's a bit more daring. Loved The Secret.

[nathanfairbairn]

Hey, Jason -- I was hoping you were reading. It's amazing that you can go from such rough thumbnails direct to drawing in ink. I've always been afraid of ink, myself. Maybe that's why it defeats me so. The option of multiple undos was probably my main motivation in becoming a colorist. Anyway, I don't think I was hating on you so much as wanting to see more in the way of actual process -- it just seemed like something was missing. I wanted to see more in-between steps. I wanted to hear about tools - do you use a brush or a pen and nib? Probably both, right? I wanted to see the photo ref and compare to the final image. I love seeing steps like that. I wasn't hating on photo ref -- I love it and use it all the time: it's an invaluable tool for any professional illustrator. I think you're a great artist -- I just wanted to see more of how you do it, y'know? Cheers.

[jasonshawnalexander]

You guys are incredible. I'm so glad people seem to like this book.

In no way did I think these were "haters" posts. Not at all. Seeing that kind of jump, I would ask as well. I love ink drawing. there's no pencil even in my sketchbooks.

I do show show a lot on my blog site. http://bloodandwhisky.blogspot.com/

I should post half finished pages. Those are almost as ugly. As far as mistakes, I wasn't joking. I ink it, then go aboard the thing with a white out pen in one hand, (Bic is best) and a brush in the other. Literally. And then a razor blade. And then more brush.

I'm also really picky. Over the years I've paired it down to using only the following:

Gillott 303 nib. Beautiful nib! There is a UK sight called scribblers that you can find them on. And I use a cheap German nib holder. The weight and texture are great. I use these for everything. Sketching and comics work. I use Dr. Martins Black Magic Hicarb ink. and whatever cheap ass brush I have on me. And exacto razor blades, if you're keeping score.

I won't use anything else. Except for coffee. Coffee ads a great tint for convention sketches.

Cheers!

[nathanfairbairn]

Cool! Thanks for the info, Jason! I'll definitely check out your blog. What do you use the brush for, mainly just spotting your blacks or for line work as well? If you're coming to the Emerald City Con, I will definitely buy a sketch from you, sir! Again, thanks for replying and for not getting offended!