Mermaid Swamp & The Comic Book Painters, Part 2:

Here are new shots of the progress that I made on “Mermaid Swamp” since my last post. The major differences being that I’ve blackened in everyone’s hair, and added highlights to everything. I feel that highlights are always very effective in emphasizing form, but completely useless if the dark, darks are not there. Obvious information for the seasoned artist, but seeing, as I am an art teacher, I feel it’s worth pointing out.



Moving right along with our comic book painters, I’d like to start today with Dan Brereton, who has painted such books as Batman: Thrill Killer with writer Howard Chaykin, The Psycho, Giant Killer, and his own book The Nocturnals. While I couldn’t tell you where Brereton’s impact is apparent to the art in our everyday surroundings, I can tell you that he is certainly one of the most prolific and happening artists today. There is not a single artist in the hip, uptown/downtown downtown galleries that has the zest, gusto, or passion that he has. Nor do they have the imagination, daring, or lack of insecure, self-set boundaries that so many of the pretentious art snobs (that have held a monopoly over popular opinion) have set for themselves and others. Through dramatic shadows and highlights, and expressionistic composition choices, a world of intrigue and mystery is rendered in every image.


Sketch I got from Dan Brereton…

One comic artist, who is already considered a friend to fine art, is David Mack. Popular artist on Daredevil, and the mastermind behind the poetically, prose charged, Kabuki. Mack not only paints lavish watercolors, but implements pens, photography, type, and textiles, in a stew of avant-garde storytelling. Combined, these elements form a dreamlike state, of oriental romance, which is a loose vale for the autobiographical telling of the artist experiences and feelings. Although I have not seen it, I hear through sources (such as Fan Boy Radio) that a new DVD, The Alchemy of Art goes more into depth on the artist life.
Last but not least, how could I pass up Eddie Campbell? Relatively new to the world of painted comics (barring the many painted comic book covers he has done, but I’m talking storytelling here) Campbell found his audience through the crow quill, with his autobiographical Alec series, and the acclaimed From Hell, with Alan Moore. His first painted book, Batman: Order of Beasts, although well received by critics (and me, because it was bloody brilliant) mainly flew under the radar. “I feel that DC let me get away with that.” The artist once told me. A huge hit (as it should have been) or not, the experience was not wasted. With his hat now in the painters ring, Campbell has not turned back. His recent masterpiece Fate of the Artist, from First Second Books, has not only taken great praise from the comic book industry, but the impenetrable world of regular book critics, as well.


Painting I got from Eddie Campbell, used for limited edition A Disease of Language…

These names may not mean much to most now, but historical hindsight will remember these artists, as the great innovators of our time. I’m sure I left lots of others out, but I think I got all the ones that stand out in my mind.
So… I’d better get working so that I can join the ranks.

My Paintings
My Comic Books