August Guest – Matt Soffe!

1) What was your first published work?
Two strips in issue 21 of Dogbreath – the Strontium Dog fanzine. I’ll always have a soft spot for Johnny Alpha.

2) Who or what inspires you?
A variety of people and things – Mick McMahon, Arthur Rackham, H.P. Lovecraft, 2000AD, the films of John Carpenter and David Lynch, dreams and nightmares. The small press scene and all those involved in it constantly inspire me too – being part of it is great fun. There are a few individuals I’m in regular contact with and we all play off each other and gee each other along. Trying to make it as an artist can be a lonely business at times – thank god for the internet!

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
Anything for 2000 AD! In particular I’d love to take a crack at a classic character like Rogue Trooper or Slaine.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
I’ve sent in a few (or is that a deluge?) – some are portfolio pieces, one or two were produced for a collaborative art blog, one is the front cover for a survival horror novel called ‘Six’, and some are panels from the forthcoming graphic novel ‘My Maker & I’ that I’m colouring, and is due to be published by Accent UK at the end of year or early 2012. The art for this is by Dan Duncan, who has recently been hired by IDW to draw the new run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His stuff is a joy to colour, full of energy and style.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Well that would be the aforementioned graphic novel, amongst other things. I’m also drawing and co-writing a new strip with that enigmatic scribe known only as ‘Emperor’ – I’d describe it as ‘if Lovecraft had written Twin Peaks’. It’s a project which is very close to my heart, and which has been gestating in my head for at least a decade, and it’ll hopefully debut later this year in a new comic which is in the works as we speak. There’ll also be other bits and pieces in the small press – another cover for Paragon and a strip in Zarjaz which I’m very excited about too.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
Owning an old-fashioned toy shop.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
http://mygrimmbrother.blogspot.com/
http://mygrimmbrother.deviantart.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthew-Soffe-illustrator/25107818254

August Guest – Adam Tooby!

1) What was your first published work?
My first published work was nothing too exciting - Some IPC parts drawn up for airbus indusrtie A 320's! Black and white line drawings of how the fuselage went together. Its moved on since then thank goodness!

2) Who or what inspires you?
Who or what inspires me - Ohh that's so hard to pin down just to one thing , there are some many different artists and subject matter have inspired me over the years - . If I had to pinpoint any area for inspiration ir would be the imaginative and diverse worlds that were created by George Lucas and Star wars - I was only 4 when it came out so I grew up with all this wonderful imaginative period in the late 70's and 80's Sci fi. As for artists then On the aviation front it would have to be People Like Roy cross, RG smith and concept/CGI artists then people like Daniel Simon and Scott Robertson - These guys for me have changed the way we create and do things.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
That's and easy one - it would have been to be part of the design team for any of the star wars productions! But the aviation art runs a very close second! - this I am lucky enough to be doing daily.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
This piece' Fleeing hawks' is depicting a famous encounter from the Falklands war - Its an FRS1 Harrier chasing down the Skyhawks from Argentinain air force. I tried to capture the bleak cold conditions of the south Atlantic and also reading the mission report i have included as much as I could about the conditions and scenario on that day the events took place in 1982.
The others are just some samples of other subject matter.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
More Planes - busy in the aviation field right now - Also lots of other projects that I can't discuss until they are published - sorry! All i will say is that its very diverse.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
Ohh - probably and accountant - apart from drawings I was quite good with numbers!

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
Sure I have two sites - www.adamtoobystudio.co.uk - this is in development but there are some active galleries here and also www.finesthourart.com – This is my other site where we sell the aviation prints.

August Guest – Staz Johnson!

1) What was your first published work?
Other than fanzine stuff (which I assume doesn't count), I drew a Lovcraftian horror strip called 'Whiplash' for an RPG magazine called Adventurer, back in 1986. The strip ran on a monthly basis for about 10 episodes I think. The first 3 or 4 of which were written by Warren Ellis.

2) Who or what inspires you?
Like most visual artists, I find inspiration almost everywhere, architecture, product design, fine art, nature, but also from obvious sources like the work of other cartoonists, I hesitate to pick names, because I think everyone is better than me so it could be a hella big list, but my favorites include: John Buscema, Al Williamson, Mike Mignola, Adam Hughes, Jim Lee, Dave Gibbons, Alan Davis & all stops in between. Even the work of artists which I might not particularly care for, I'll look at it & find something inspiring (i.e. something I can steal!). Then of course show me a comic book artist who doesn't find inspiration in movies, & I'll show you.... someone who doesn't own a telly, probably.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
I have been very lucky in my career, & most of the unlikely ambitions I had when I first started have infact been realised. I always hoped, but never actually believed that I'd get to draw Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, Batman, Dracula etc etc. but I did, so those four were DEFINITELY dream jobs. But as for characters I've never worked on, Conan would be the top of my list, closely followed by Tarzan. I know I'm supposed to say that I want to create my own comics, with my own characters & while I would like to do that one day, for now I'm an illustrator not a writer, & I work best when I'm illustrating stories written by people who actually know what they're doing. Plus, I enjoy drawing characters I grew up reading.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
I sent five pages from the adaptation of Dracula I have drawn for Classical Comics. This is finally due out this Autumn, just in time for Halloween.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Well obviously the Dracula thing, but I have been working on some children's book illustrations. Some of the work I did is featured in a book which came out just this month, Usborne Beginners: Helicopters.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
When I was at school, I harboured ambitions for a career in acting, & although I demonstrated some aptitude for it, I always had that nagging sensation that I was making a bit of a pillock of myself when I was up on stage, & so turned my back on it. The only thing I've ever done for a living other than working in comics, was working on building sites (construction), so maybe I'd be doing that.... while telling all my co-workers that I coulda been an actor.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
Check out my website www.stazjohnson.com or my blog.

August Guest – Ron Salas!

1) What was your first published work?
First published work was a pin-up in The Black Coat #4. Black Coat is a period adventure comic co-created and drawn by Francesco Francavilla.

2) Who or what inspires you?
Pretty much everything I see visually inspires me. It used to be just comic art but as I grow older that has expanded to films, animation, classical art, photography, etc. At the moment, I am devouring the art of Gene Colan, an artist I had been a big fan of since I was a kid but had lost touch with as I got older. I'm sure it'll be something and/or someone else next month.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
Most likely Batman. He's been my #1 hero for as long as I can remember and I would love to contribute to that legacy in a meaningful way.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
This piece was done as a commission. This shows my approach to high-contrast black and white. I really wanted to showcase movement and power in this piece. As a result, I filled it with special effects like streams of lightning along with lots of secondary movement like the streaming cape, hair, and the flying rubble. I also used an inverted triangle composition to give it a certain instability.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Well, I'm still contributing to the group blog, Comic Twart. Also, I am working on a couple of creator-owned projects that I can probably talk more about in the near future. One is for print and the other for web.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
I am not sure. I've tried a bunch of other jobs (customer service, shipping, retail, telemarketing, web design) before getting work in art so I probably could've done anything.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
You can see more of my art at www.ronsalas.com and www.comictwart.com. I sometimes post sketches on my twitter feed at twitter.com/ronsalas

August Guest – Fabrizio Fioretti!

1) What was your first published work?
Well, the first time something I had created was shown publicly seems like ages ago. It was a character called Lucien, a crazy looking dude that has been used as mascot for Big Rock Training center, an Italian CGI school. You can still find it somewhere on their website www.bigrock.it.

Then professionally, about 4 years ago I joined the London based company Candylab, now called The 3D Agency. My first project was working on the huge print campaign for Lloyds TSB Bank in the UK.
From then on, many of the still adverts and illustrations I worked on appeared both in the UK and US. Now that I am working on visual effects, I get to see my stuff on TV and in cinemas. Exciting!

2) Who or what inspires you?
There are many things that inspire me everyday. It can be a comic, a movie or just music. Nothing or nobody in particular. I create what I feel to create.
Few years ago I was reading Alan Moore's "The League of The Extraordinay Gentlemen" and I created Mr.Hyde
I found out about this Marvel character called Antivenom. I thought was quite cool...and

Etc...etc....The rest is just from my head.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
Honestly, although it was a personal project...the Ghostbusters would probably have been my dream job. So I would say that would be awesome to be part of the team behind (fingers crossed) the next Ghostbusters movie!

4) Tell us a bit about the illustrations you've sent?
A CGI version of the Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters to me, as for many many people out there, is an obsession. I love them, the style , the props, the movies...everything!
I thought... I work with 3D, I have never seen a Pixar/Dreamworks style version of them... so, after several months I came out with those 4 images, that are now spreading on the web like a virus. I am very surprised and pleased with that. People really seem to love them! It took me long time, though in the end I rushed a few things...but overall, the final result is nice to see.

I am very critical of my work, maybe too much, but that's how I improve. I agree with most of the bad and good feedback I am reading online about my pics, that's helping me a lot. From a technical point of view I used Maya, Zbrush, Photoshop, Nuke and several sleepless nights.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Recently, I took a change of direction with my career, moving from illustration to visual effects for TV and cinema, by joining the company BlueBolt. We just finished visual effects on the big hit HBO's "Game of Thrones". We are now working on a few shots for the next Sherlock Holmes film.
Personal projects are a bit on stand by at the moment. I am focusing on improving my digital sculpting skills with Zbrush. I hope I will complete something soon. And maybe... another Ghostbusters illustration?

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
I have no idea. I always knew what I wanted to do. Since I was a kid. I believe I've been kind of lucky from this point of view, but I also had to work seriously hard to get where I am. And there is still lots to learn... I don't even really see it as a job. My job is my hobby, my hobby is my job.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
On my website http://www.kip3d.net/ you can find pretty much everything, from personal to professional. Hope you will enjoy it.

August Guest – Shane Oakley!

1) What was your first published work?
If you mean getting-paid-for published work, that would be a 4 page strip - The Great Cool Challenge - for the short-lived UK tabloid sized comic BLAAM! It was back in 1988, written by an obscure writer called Neil Gaiman.

A big thrill to do on even bigger pages(A2). It's a little embarrassing to look at now, but I'm still fond of it; there's a freedom, a pre-digital unspoilt rough and ready energy. Back then my art was all very much an experiment, a trial and error 'see what sticks' approach. I worked with anything on hand; markers, brush, dip pen, letraset, a very cheap airbrush, tone, collage and big dirty thumbs.

Currently I'm returning to that way of working/thinking, It's very liberating and refreshing, and helps keep you from becoming too reliant on photoshop trickery.

2) Who or what inspires you?
That changes a lot. The older I get, the further I'm looking back for that original source, and often I find it's things less obvious as a specific artist or writer; it's people and places, images/associations conjured by music, smells or tactile sensation. Could be a tub of play-do, or a theme tune, or my grandfather in his greenhouse on a sunny day. Sends me like a Tardis to who I was and what made me.
And that does include comics, books and TV; the 70's primarily, which I think - and I'm biased - was a golden age for a child who loves escapism. I'm regularly looking at magazines, comics and illustrated books from that decade. Never fails to impress, and I learn stuff all the time.

Not much on the racks that does it for me these days, all a little too cookie-cut and bland. There's a few exceptions, among them Darwyn Cooke, Mignola, Eric Canete, D'Israeli, etc. Real stylists with personalty and individuality. Mostly I'm looking at EC, Eisner, Toth and re-reading/re-ogling classic 20000AD; Ian Gibson, Mick McMahon and Kev O'Neil - they're my holy trinity.

And when I have time to surf the net I'm drooling over animators blogs; animation was my first love, and unlike comics, it's an affection that has never left me. But the constant guiding force in my life - my muse - is my beautiful wife, Suzanne. I would've given up years ago if it wasn't for her encouragement and input.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
Well, at least a dozen of the half-born ideas scribbled down in notebooks stuck in my cupboard draws. One of which is a sequel to Frankenstein; it's a VERY wild leap from the Mary Shelley book, a two-fisted pulp adventure cum steampunk romp. Other than that, I'd pretty much consider it a dream come true if I was drawing Robo-Hunter or The Angel Gang or Faceache or Werewolf By Night or The Spirit or The Shadow or Lobster Johnson or Kirby's version of The Demon. A lot of dream.
Editors - call me! We'll do lunch.

4) Tell us a bit about the art you've sent?
It's from a 10-page adaption of The Haunter of the Dark I drew for The Lovecraft Anthology, Vol. 1, published by Selfmadehero.

Few of my finished works leave me feeling satisfied, I see the faults and not much else. But these 10 pages make me happy, make me feel I can tell an involving story without having to compromise or restrict my style and approach to storytelling. They came out just as I wanted them to. Whether you hate it or love it, least it's pure me.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Juggling a lot at the moment, projects have piled up and crossed over, but sometime this year Channel Evil will be finished and released as a trade. Also writing and drawing a 5 page strip for Accent UK's Zombies 2 book. Dave West and co put out fine comics and I like to do my bit for the Small Press, especially since they're local lads.
…and right now I'm busy doing some design work outside the comics industry.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
Nothing. I'd be a dole-scrounging drunken pot-smoking bum. A deadline-free bum. A happy bum.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
On my studio floor and at http://shaneoakley.blogspot.com

August Guest – Leigh Gallagher!

1) What was your first published work?
My first pro commission was a 2000AD Future Shock called "Bad Thoughts" about a group of melon heads who's thoughts turned out to be aliens. I remember that day clearly as it was a week before my 25th birthday--my self imposed deadline to get my first professional job, or I'd give up and attempt to get work in other areas of art instead.
Though I can never remember if the publishing of it was beaten to the post by my inking over John Higgins' pencils for a 3D promotional comic book for LEVIS....

2) Who or what inspires you?
Fluffy clouds in the sky, lacy underwear, PJ Holden, Lady Gaga.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
I want 2000AD to buy the rights to SCREAM's "The Thirteenth Floor" just so I can draw it! In fact, I refuse to eat any vegetables until they agree to do it!

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
Ok, this is the pencil version I did for a commission for a great guy called Ryan Ballard. He's set up what is known as "The Preacher Project" (obviously based on the fantastic Vertigo series) as a special gift to his father. I've never seen anything like this before and I was genuinely touched by what he's doing. You can read about his project and see the inked version of my pic at his site: http://thepreacherproject.blogspot.com/
Also, if you're a pro artist who wants to add to his collection, just drop him a line!

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Well a two part Dredd that I drew is currently in the latest Judge Dredd Megazine, written by beardy Al Ewing. The second collection of Defoe "Queen Of The Zombies" will be out this Halloween, so i'm currently just touching up some of the older panels. And last week I accepted a new 2000AD gig written by Gordon Rennie that I can't really talk about just yet sorry. So don't ask. No really, don't....

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
I think I'd be a detective in LA, taking on cases that the cops can't handle, fighting for redemption to make up for all the bad things I did when I was a vampire, until I was cursed by gypsies.
Or I'd be a hand model.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
You can either Google "Keanu Reeves lookalike" or just go to http://www.leighgallagherart.blogspot.com/

July Guest – Simon Gane!

1) What was your first published work?
A drawing in one of those Woman’s Own type mags, in about 1982. They had a competition to design a new Star Wars character and I think I was the runner-up. I won a big AT AT Walker toy. Hmm, I might start putting this info on my comic covers given I've won nothing since.

2) Who or what inspires you?
It’s usually the script. The comic artists who have inspired me the most over the years are Hergé and Jacques Tardi because their works are entire worlds achieved very graphically and stylishly.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
I’d like to draw something with an exotic setting. On location. I mean, come on... I’ve just been drawing Bristol.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you’ve sent?
It’s a panel from the graphic novel ‘Paris’, written by Andi Watson. It’s set in the 1950’s and I wanted the art to reflect certain characteristics of the illustration of that era, hence the flattened perspective and so on. That couple at the top of the page reappear in other backgrounds too!

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
I’ve just wrapped up my contribution to the forthcoming Blank Slate anthology, Nelson. Next up (fingers crossed) is an unannounced one-shot for IDW and then I’ll be drawing a short adaptation of Conan Doyle’s ‘Lot No. 249’ for Graphic Classics.

6) If you hadn’t become an artist what do you think you’d have ended up doing?
I’d like to be an international cricket commentator, but that ain’t the question. I’d probably be fishing shopping trolleys out of the river on behalf of Morrisons.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
http://simongane.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/Simongane

July Guest – Pye Parr!

1) What was your first published work?
My first published art was a monthly illustration to go with a column about the joys, troubles and delicious ironies of being a radio control plane enthusiast for a niche hobby magazine called RC Model World. It was as great as it sounds. I also did illustrations for patchwork patterns in Patchwork & Quilting Monthly. Great days...
...Yes, I did hunt them out, no, you can't see them.

2) Who or what inspires you?
I love anything with a bit of humour or silliness in it. I bought a kid's book the other day called The Pirate Cruncher by Johnny Duddle, just cos of how fun the art was, which has made me want to have a go at something similar. I'm also going through a Paul Bonner re-obsession. I love all the story and character he gets into these epic paintings that could easily be horribly macho fantasy fare. I can thoroughly recommend his art book Out of The Forests - It's depressingly amazing!

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
I like my day job, but getting paid enough for my drawings, comics and paintings that I could do it full-time would be a dream. I can see it now; Couple of hours on an oil painting in the morning, which turns out exactly as I imagined it would do, then a bacon sandwich and cup of tea. I read an email from Tharg saying he wants me to draw a 15 part epic based on death-race 2000 and mad max, then spend the afternoon drawing a picture of a 3-eyed minotaur fighting giant wasps on top of a volcano for some RPG book or something, followed by a sunny 1 hour drive to the pub down deserted roads in a Renault Alpine A110. In France. That's how every artist's life is, isn't it?

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
I'm currently building up a small portfolio of fantasy/sci-fi stuff to send out. I used to draw this kind of stuff non-stop when I was younger, but I've not tried any for ages. These are a few of the pictures I've done so far. I'm a Warhammer geek, so these are all pretty GW inspired, but for the next few I want to come up with stuff of my own. Perhaps bonk-eyed naked Frog-people fighting dog-beasts in a dank cave full of luminous mushrooms... Or that minotaur/wasp thing I just thought of...

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
The next thing you'll see from me is the cover art for Al Ewing's next novel from Abaddon books called 'Pax Omega', which seems like its gonna be typically wierd and pulpy and great. Hopefully the cover will do it justice! Here's a preview of one of the (few) finished bits.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
Whenever I told careers advisors at school that I wanted to be an artist, they'd say: 'you can't, that's ridiculous - how about being a graphic designer', which always used to irritate me no end, and I resisted it for years. Now through the cruel machinations of the Gods I AM a graphic designer for most of the week, and I'm almost ashamed of how satisfying I find nicely laid out text, complimentary colours and matte laminate book jackets... If this ever falls through though, a career in rallying beckons.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
My blog is at: http://pyeparr.blogspot.com
I also have a 'proper' site at www.pyeparr.com but that's still a bit work-in-progress.

July Guest – James Corcoran!

1) What was your first published work?
A one panel Zorgo strip with Craig Collins in Wasted number 6 first full strip was in the Jikan special from Paragon Comics.

2) Who or what inspires you?
Originally British comics like 2000ad and Battle. McMahon, Ewins and McCarthy were the names I first remember being aware of lately I have been getting into more European artists like Moebius, Mezeries and Breccia and loads of old British and American Newspaper strips.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
A creator owned War comic failing that I would love a pop at drawing Commando.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
It's an image I have had in mind for a bit, it's slowly becoming a comic that will probably be called "Darker Things"Think John Wyndham writing a noir detective novel at the height of Ufo paranoia, it starts with a body being fished out of the River Clyde and goes from there.

5) What can we expect to see from you next?
I have strip in issue 8 of Paragon comic which is due out very soon, I'll be drawing Occult adventurer Spencer Nero for them next as well as a strip called the Healer for the Glasgow League of Writer's then the Darker Things strip followed early new year by an untitled strip for a comic called Fictitious Ink I'm putting together with some of the Fractal Friction guy's my strip is Basically a grim Soviet Manga featuring giant A girl her old uncle his talking dog and there giant Battle Mech fighting there way across Soviet wastelands.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
As I am just an aspiring amateur that draws for fun I still harbour a desire to be Scotland's first man in space.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
http://james-corcoran.blogspot.com/

July Guest – Gibson Quarter!

1) What was your first published work?
My first published work was in Northern Lightz issue #8. It was also the very first appearance of Johnny K. and the "War on Drugs"

2) Who or what inspires you?
My Inspirations are almost too numerous to mention! From a comic art point of view, its GOOD art. Reading a  comic and taking in the art often inspires me to start drawing right away. Specifically as far as big name artists, its folks like Frank Quitely, Joe Madureira, Cliff Robinson & Arthur Adams. I find it pretty easy to tell when artists are really investing themselves in their pages...and those are the folks that inspire me.
Oh, and about every 4th person over on Deviantart!

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
My Dream job would be drawing up some Judge Dredd, and also any story involving Wolverine. I'd also like to draw any script written by Robert Kirkman or Grant Morrison!

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
Enclosed is a page of my art from the upcoming Holmes Incoporated #2, and also some promo art for the same book.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
You can always expect to see me over in WASTED (quarterly) drawing the 'War on Drugs' with Alan Grant on writing duties. You can also find me in the mid July release of the amazing HOLMES INC. #2

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
If I hadn't become an artist, I'd be involved with Information Technology ...probably an I.T. recruiter. Or maybe a world famous rock star.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
More of my work can be found on my blog, http://gibsonquarter27art.blogspot.com/  and also on twitter. https://twitter.com/GibsonQuarter

July Guest – Barry Sheridan!

1) What was your first published work?
My artwork was always part of a larger project such as a product design, computer game or graphic design commission. So I've never really had artwork published before - at least not in the traditional sense. I worked on a computer game called "Isaac Newton's Gravity" a couple of years ago. Between us, Alex Ronald and I painted over 200 background images. I think it's the first time I've had 2D painted artwork published en masse.

2) Who or what inspires you?
I'm inspired by other artists mostly. I have this bookmark folder called "Great Artists" and, as I look at it now, it seems full of random styles. I like technical drawings: product renders, intricate cutaways, exploded diagrams and 3D renders. But equally I'm inspired by artists who can present a subject or an idea in a way that's completely original. There's not many of them about.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
I'd love to be paid to do a huge technical drawing project. Some sort of engineering or product design task involving perspective, cutaways, renders and all that. I also love film concept art that involves vehicles, environments and props. That would be cool to do. There's also a Judge Dredd story that I've written. I'd like to illustrate this but it's 'unofficial' to say the least: it's an elseworld take on Dredd and his origins.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
"threeHeroes" is a concept piece done while I worked at Outerlight. They'd had just finished making "The Ship" and were requiring concept artwork to accompany pitches to potential investors. They had a game idea involving a rag-tag group of space mercenaries. This was some of the characters.

"tank" was a personal project. I'd just turned freelance and bought Cinema4D. I made this image while teaching myself the software. I'm a lot more comfortable making inorganic things than I am characters or creatures.

"truncheonWoman" was a character from a short story I've written. It remains parked in my Google Docs and I intend to illustrate it..one day

"gearHouse" This is one of the images from the computer game "Isaac Newton's Gravity." It started as a rough 3D model in Maya and then it was painted over in Photoshop

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Professionally, I'm the Art Manager at Muvizu (formerly DA Group). Muvizu is a 3D character animation tool that hangs off the Unreal Engine and we're updating in a few weeks.
Privately, I'm working on a 3D render of a weird Isometric world inspired by Shaun Tan's book, "The Lost Thing"

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
An Engineer. I was one...once. I'd have probably still been there if I hadn't discovered Maya.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
My folio's online: www.barrysheridan.com

July Guest – Tiernen Trevallion!

1) What was your first published work?
That's difficult, I'm not entirely sure. I'd been working as an illustrator/artist for years before I had anything published as such. There were bits of advertising work, for Mars bars and that sort of thing, and a few record covers in the early nineties, But I think the first published piece for me would be for INFERNO magazine, published about 2000. This is significant because I'd decided to take my work more seriously, and myself less so. I was also starting to work on projects I was genuinely interested in. The Games Workshop was something I loved as a kid, so I knew I could get some work with them as I was fairly familiar with their stuff. In fact I used to bunk off school and catch the train to London to visit the first ever Games Workshop... there was no Warhammer then. It was just a games shop, I used to like the miniatures. Yea, o.k. that's pretty lame... but I was smoking fags and drinking cider too, honest.

2) Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by so many things, maybe I'm just fickle or have been driven insane by spending too much time locked in my studio... my studio is packed with books, films, comics, toys, art, bones, and stuff of all sorts that I've collected. This place has probably become a filter to the outside world. I find most inspiration becomes clear from walking in woods and fields where I live. Some of the strangest inspiration comes from listening to ska music whilst driving, and I mean the original 50's-60's ska. For some reason it seems wholly inappropriate in almost all situations, like Daleks or nuns... what the f**k am I talking about?!
Artists I am inspired by are also too numerous to mention, so here's a short list: Moebius, Juan Gimenez, Enki Bilal, Kev Walker, Mick McMahon, Mike Mignola, Guy Davis, Fegredo, Bisley, Frazzeta, Alan Lee, Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac, Aubrey Beardsly, Gustave Dore, Chris Ware, Jim Woodring, Dave Cooper... and a million others. See... just fickle... I feel like a tart listing artists like that.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
Hmmm. The Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peak.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
The first Illustration is 'BEHOLD, THE EYE!' which is something I'd like to do more of. Maybe it's a cathartic process, trying to filter out the monkey gibber and tentacles that CLOUD MY EVERY WAKING MOMENT.... AAAaaAAAgh.... and so-on.

The second is FEAST OF TOYS which is part of a series I've been working on for a while now. Basically it's a title under which I'm trying to produce a series of stories and artwork based in a world irrevocably altered by a series of ridiculous and rather steampunk experiments.

The third is TRACTOR GIRLS which is quite old now, but it was a portfolio piece and one of the first pieces I did in [mostly] monotone.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
The next thing you'll see is a 2000AD cover, which actually I'm not happy with. But it's o.k. Will do better next time.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
Digging holes probably.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
My website, http://tiernentrevallion.co.uk/, is woefully behind, at least a year in fact. I promise to sort that out soon, it needs trimming too. But that's probably the best place to see my work. Also Mark Cardwell is always decent enough to post my work up on his blog site over at badlibrarianship.

July Guest – David Hitchcock!

1) What was your first published work?
As a self-publisher my first work was Spirit of the Highwayman way back in the mid-eighties. I've always leaned towards a gothic style so the projects have been set in grim and gritty settings, such as victorian London or 17th century England. Whitechapel Freak was a one-shot spin on the Jack the Ripper mythos, printed as a tabloid newspaper it went down very well...not so well with the guys who like to store in comic bags though:) Springheeled Jack came next, this was based on a few snippets from a Penny Dreadful, my version was an actual alien which I thought would have a great visual 'punch' set against a victorian backdrop. Still waiting for Don Murphy to put his Transformers away and pick this idea up as a film.....mmm, I should start up a campaign/poll.

2) Who or what inspires you?
Personally Jack Kirby is the most inspiring artist to me. I remember shopping with my mum in the early 70s and the UK reprint of AVENGERS literally leapt off the newstand at me (for some reason our No.1 was the US's issue 4, the return of Captain America) and I've been pretty much hooked on comics ever since. When I cast my mind back to the sixties, how bland and 'black and white' it all seemed, I can't imagine where Kirby pulled all his ideas from. Ideas that are still as fresh today, being given new life in Dynamic Forces' KIRBY Genesis series, with help by today's modern master Alex Ross. 

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
After all these years going it alone it would be great to get the opportunity to illustrate Batman, it must be set in a victorian playground though, I'd simply refuse to do it any other way;). Or I quite fancy having a stab at a Judge Death tale if one was to come my way.
The last couple of years I've been illustrating MADAM SAMURAI vols 1 & 2 created by Gael McLaughlin and written by Gary Young (writer of the hit film HARRY BROWN starring Michael Caine). Initially it was a film concept which has been bought to life in the form of two action-packed graphic novels.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
The image accompanying this ramble is a portion from book 2 when it was still on the drawing board. Vol 2 will be out very soon, you can order it from July's PREVIEWS.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
I'm currently working on a short story for a horror mag called SPLITLIP, written by the netmag's editor Sam Costello. It's a bit on the gruesome side.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
I work in the newspaper industry as my full time job, so luckily I'm not reliant upon jobs from publishers, which is a good thing really, as the ONLY shot I had with an American comic (Chthulu Tales, Boom Studios) led to nothing as my style was considered 'Unusual'(?) so I'm still actually waiting to become a bonafide comic artist. Maybe one day.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
http://davehitchcock.blogspot.com/
http://www.madamsamurai.com/

July Guest – Rob Davis!

1) What was your first published work?
Roy of the Rovers in 1993.

2) Who or what inspires you?
I'm inspired by good comics and the possibility that I might even make some myself.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
Dream job? Can't think of any job I've done that hasn't been a nightmare at some point, that's part of the process. My dream job when I was a kid was to draw Judge Dredd and when I finally did it I found it totally unrewarding. So 'dream job' would probably be getting paid an advance to develop something I've written.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
I think both pictures speak for themselves really.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Don Quixote will be out from SelfMadeHero in September and Nelson, the UK anthology novel I'm editing along with Woodrow Phoenix (and contributing to) will be out from Blankslate books in November.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
I would have still been an artist. I did other jobs for a few years, worked in a garage and on building sites, but I was only ever going to do this. To imagine myself not being an artist I may as well imagine myself being a thimble.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
http://dinlos.blogspot.com/

July Guest – Vicky Stonebridge!

1) What was your first published work?
Apart from illustrations in local historical booklets, and comic strips in the small press, there was a children's fire safety book written by children I work with and produced in partnership with the Fire service. It was called Angus Puff, I did all the illustrations under the strict editorship of the children!

2) Who or what inspires you?
Everything. I do not understand people who say they lack ideas, its reining them in is the problem. As for inspiring people I am very lucky to work with many, this is one of the main appeals with comics is the collaborative working. The project I am currently working on collaborating with singer songwriter Tommy Beavitt has got the muse all fired up.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
I am a huge Romantic and was heavily influenced by the Pre-Raphelites, so any of the classics would be great; My favorite poets, Keats, Burns, Dante Alighieri; Arthurian legends, Celtic Myths and Legends. But also I love folk tales and the scary dreamlike quality they have. To be honest the Russian Art symposium I went to last year to paint on the theme of myths and epics, was as good as it gets. The work I have on the easel and just around the corner is Exactly what I want to do.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
I am illustrating some Russian songs by Vladimir Vysotsky - "the greatest Russian bard of the second half of the 20th century". These songs are being translated by my friend Tommy Beavitt who has previously translated the works of Robert Burns into Russian and performed them internationally. We are working intensely, bouncing the ideas back and forth. To a non linguist it never occurred to me how nuances of language could completely change meaning, just as brushstrokes and colour can. We are working towards a show in Edinburgh this August during the festival "Reactions to Vysotsky" at the Scotland-Russia Forum and later at the Inchmore Gallery near Inverness. Also exhibiting will be ceramic artist Allison Weightman and artist John Mikietyn, while Tommy Beavitt will perform recitals of the songs.

The song featured in this painting is ОХОТА НА ВОЛКОВ - "who'll come a hunting the wolf?". It is obvious social comment whilst referring to to the traditional Russian hunting technique of corralling wolves along designated routes marked by red flags, to the awaiting hunters guns. Only the bravest wolves may escape their predefined fate by deviating from the set route and leaping the flags.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
There will be a few more of these Vysotsky paintings. Then I am working on a comic strip for an exciting anthology called Bayou Arcana. Colouring on a couple of books which will be BIG! I will be working on a graphic Novel interpretation of Scottish travellers tales. As well there are a few painting commissions on the go, everything from Fire fighters to folk art.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
I also have my Youth work, firefighting, Political activism; I ran a pottery for years, I've also done lots of treeplanting, green projects, manual labour. I could have gone in many many directions but Art is the thing that has stopped me simply going mad!

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
www.balnacra.com
http://hiexcomics.blogspot.com/

July Guest – Mike Collins!

1) What was your first published work?
EXCHANGE & MART 1983- A mate was selling some bit of kit and decided it was cheaper to get me to draw it than supply a photo that needed scanning/fixing.

2) Who or what inspires you?
Good art, bad art. I remember getting some comics on holiday in Morcambe in 1969 when I was eight. Two Adams X-Men and the first Gil Kane Captain Marvel (#17?). I've still got em, all dog eared and bent. They amazed me in the way the lovely but so still art in British weeklies didn't. The dynamism was astonishing. I then discovered Garth by Frank Bellamy, and John M.Burns stuff in Look-In- damnit, we could do dramatic!
Bad art inspires me, as looking at what I don't like makes me see the shortcomings in my own stuff, and strive to fix them.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
See attached: Doctor Strange! I became a comic buyer properly in the early 70s when Frank Brunner was drawing the book, followed by Gene Colan. That, right there, was damn fine comics.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
In 2000/2001 I was working for Marvel but just on their Star Trek books, and I'd been talking to Bobbie Chase about getting back into super hero work for them. I did a series of pin ups to show what I could do (as I'd gotten pigeon holed into the likeness stuff). This was one of those images.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Mainly working in animation right now, storyboarding Horrid Henry for telly, but I've a Dredd with Cliff Robinson inking me out later in the summer, then some Doctor Who work before the end of the year.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
I trained as a lawyer, so I'd be rocking a mouldy wig in some dowdy courtroom as a barrister- and probably being a wee bit richer!

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
Either through my lousily maintained website, www.freakhousegraphics.com, or on Deviant Art http://mikecollins.deviantart.com/, where a I post a lot on my non-comics (illustration) work.

July Guest – John Higgins!

1) What was your first published work?
Home Grown Magazine, painted cover 1977

2) Who or what inspires you?
Leonard Da Vinci and Richard Corben, seriously!

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
A Batman Story written by Mike Carroll or Al Ewing.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
This is one of my Twist Bitches, part woman, part bioengineered killing entity,
trained since puberty to kill and destroy any living thing she has been pointed at by her god, Razorjack.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Razorjack is an ongoing Trans Media creative platform initiated by my self under the patronage of Com.x. This is a personal art project that is on going until it reaches a certain creative tipping point. And I have just started a Dredd story written by the inimitable Michael Carroll, SF book writer extraordinaire who is fast becoming one of the modern Dredd writers, with Al Ewing who’s stories inspire me to go beyond my Dredd comfort zone, and demands that I give more on the page. As Dredd is one of my all time favorite characters I find this just makes my job even more enjoyable.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
You know that smelly bloke you step over under any railway embankment?

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
www.turmoilcolour.com

July Guest – Kevin Levell!

1) What was your first published work?
I had a few illustrations in a book called The Secret History of Giants...

2) Who or what inspires you?
My wife, my friends and the occasional serendipity of my own thoughts.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
It's a toughie, my initial reaction was 'a John Wagner Judge Dredd', because that's the childhood dream... but on reflection, I think anything for 2000ad would be cool and then going onwards, just to work on original stuff. Superman is another childhood dream, so that would be nice too.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
Well, rather predictably, it's 2000ad related - Durham Red from the Strontium Dog universe - Vampires are super popular at the moment and it's surprises me that she hasn't returned to the prog to cash in on that juve-appeal... I'd love to draw her if she ever did return to the prog though... Tharg? Please?

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
I've a few things in the works, mostly I can't talk about them though. The major thing I can't talk about is Corvus, the graphic novel I'm doing with Rich Clements - no, I can't talk about that all... yet!

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
Excluding all creative outlets? I guess it would be something to do with animals - my favourite animal is the otter, so perhaps something conservation-y to do with them?

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
http://kevlev.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/kevlevell
http://www.kevlev.co.uk

Finally, thanks for including me in your birthday celebrations! I'm chuffed to have been included!

July Guest - Neil Roberts!

1) What was your first published work?
My first published work was ‘Bringers of Death’ anthology from Black Library back in 2005. It was a cover I’d done on spec, whilst I was ‘between jobs’ - I’d been wanting to go freelance for a while and they were top of my list of publishers to contact.

2) Who or what inspires you?
Deadlines are the best inspiration. But, creatively? Anything goes. I’ve never wanted to limit myself to a genre or medium, so I’ve always looked at everything as a potential inspiration – holiday snaps, Ian Kennedy, the paintings of Velazquez, Steranko - even the lighting rig on The X Factor. Anything that I can appropriate to make my images look cool is alright by me.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
Well, I’m already doing covers for Black Library, so that’s that one covered. Other than that, I’d love a shot at either the usual US comic houses or if D.C. Thomson ever revived Starblazer – that’d be fun! *nudges D.C Thomson*

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
The piece I’ve sent is a cover for an issue of Zarjaz fanzine from a few years ago – I’d wanted to try something more painterly and this was the perfect opportunity – also it was a smaller format and I wanted to riff on those Starblazer/ Commando cover palettes, very bright, often opposing colours. Plus, I wanted to give Wulf a certain Alan Moore-ness to him, with the intense look, beard and the hair. It seemed a natural fit.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
Well, I’ve got loads of ’Horus Heresy‘ covers in the pipeline – some of them won’t be coming out until next year. I’ve got a few 2000AD covers coming up – a certain evil War-droid will be making an appearance. There’s a few Battletech covers I’ve recently completed. I’ve just done a load of videogame work for a small games company. I’ve got some logos for Maelstrom Games that have just been released.
The list is exhaustive – I’m trying to keep as busy as possible.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
I’d have become a graphic designer or film-maker.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
Sure, my website is updated as and when work is in print – check it out at:
www.skinnyelbows.com
…and a blog of my process and updates of my appearance at signings can be found at:
www.skinnyelbows.blogspot.com
Also, nowadays I’m on Twitter, tweeting my spare time away, you can find me at:
@SkinnyElbows
See you in cyberspace!

July Guest – Robert Thomson!

1) What was your first published work?
My first published work was in a fanzine called Psyklops. That was around the middle of the 1980's. 1984, I think.

2) Who or what inspires you?
I love the craftmanship of artists such as Frank Hampson and Frank Bellamy. Old school artists, I suppose, although any sequential artwork or illustration that's well executed always inspires me to pick up my pens and try harder.

3) What would be your dream job to illustrate?
I suppose with my love of old school artists it would need to be an old school character. Dan Dare would be my choice. I wouldn't mind having a shot at Judge Dredd though. Knowing Dredd he'd probably shoot back.

4) Tell us a bit about the illustration you've sent?
This illustration was completed a few years ago when I was still working in Advertising. It remains my favourite because I managed to achieve ( I think) the illusion of depth of field.

5) What can we expect to see from you next (what are you working on)?
I've just finished inking chores on a strip for Total Fear, Curt Sibling's self published anthology comic magazine. Now I'm gearing up to develop some personal projects and also begin working with my long term collaborator Craig Collins, talented Writer and all round good guy, on one or two ideas which, unfortunately, I can't say too much about at the moment.

6) If you hadn't become an artist what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
Something creative, I'm sure. I've always been involved in the creative sphere to some extent from Cartooning and Illustration to Advertising and Animation. So something creative, definitely.

7) Where can we see more of your work (web links)?
http://comicscorner.ning.com under my alter ego Tiberius McGregor.