Local # 11 Preview And #12 Preorder

Here's a teaser for the upcoming Local #11, Toronto issue. I know it's 7 years bad luck for posting cover art but the end of Local is very near and I already feel like celebrating. I'm jittery, so I throw all the rules to the wind! Brian makes the best covers don't you think?



Original Painting:



I co-wrote this issue so I'm very excited. If you have been a regular reader, take comfort in knowing that the last 2 issues will be incredibly rewarding for those who have been loyally following the series. In this issue we are introduced to a new character in the Local universe--Nancy Bai, a local art student at the Ontario College Of Art and Design. In addition, this issue is our way of resolving any remaining dissonance with the Megan-haters out there. It's my way of
saying, " Oh so you HATE Megan McKeenan? Meet Nancy Bai."



We're still writing and drawing Local #12, but it's zooming along and almost done.

You can PREORDER Local #11 and Local #12 at Khepri at 40% cover Price. Only $1.79 Each. Stock up on other books while you're there.

Tigers are Awesome

I took a break from the madness to draw animals and garden stuff at the Como zoo for 2 hours.Colered with Copic Markers.


I used this drawing to try out all my crowquill nibs from various manufacturers. I’ve been teaching an Inking class this semester at MCAD which Is going aw’right I guess. I had to test out all the classic nibs on the market before I demonstrated them—Brause, Gillotte, WM Mitchell, Leonardt Hiro, Speedball/Hunt, and all the Japanese nibs.



I’m going back to using more nibs, in accompaniment with brush, in my work like I did in Lucifer. I pretty much have all the basics covered with a Windsor Newton Brush series 7 #2 or #3, the G-Pen (Nikko, Tachigawa) and the Hunt 102. Although, I ‘m dabbling with other Kolinsky brushes because the WN has some occassional problems. I still use Faber Castell Pitt Pens for preliminary “dead” monoline outlining and then finish with the brush like how a lot of classic inkers work such as Al Williamson and Alex Toth. I like their Inking. Plus I use the Pentel Tradio Stylo pen but it's not water proof.

If you don’t have the G-Pen, get a Hunt 99. Damn, that’s a great pen. It’s not as fine–line as the 101 Imperial and the 56 School Nib but it has the perfect brush-like flexibility and it’s super fun to ink with.

When I practised on this Tiger, I used mostly a G-Pen, Hunt 99, Hunt 108, and a Gillotte 404 and 303 but I was trying a little of everything.

The Vinyl Underground 08.18.01

One issue of The Vinyl Underground is shipped off to the cleaners, and a new box of pencils arrive on my doorstep the next morning.The punishing cycle of the comic book inker.

Pencils by the Incomparable Simon Gane.
Inks by the incomprehensible Me.

During the daytime, I draw Local, teach, or draw the numerous other deadline-crushing activities. But in the middle of the night, I ink The Vinyl Underground-- in the dank shroud of darkness, When nothing can be heard but the hollow footsteps of all the motherless scoundrels of society tapping on the cold street outside my window, as I drink lukewarm tea and listen to David Bowie. Or something like that.

City Pages TEC Cover Art

My Super Giant Jesus Camp Counselor for this week's City Pages cover. It's a story on Teens Encounter Christ, a Christian retreat for teens. Full article and more art here.