Sketch of the Day

Art by Jon Bogdanove

I used to do background inks for Al Milgrom maybe 20 years ago and he inked this issue of X-Terminators. I was able to make copies of the pencils with and without lettering. Joe Rosen did it in the old-school way with a lettering guide. I like how Bogdanove wrote his own dialog in the pencils!

Art by Alex Ross

When I worked for Marvel way back when, I would love to visit with the editors there and chew the fat. I was really friendly with the editor of a then yet-to-be-published book called Marvels and I fell in love with the painted pages! So much work, expertly done! There were copies of the pencils as well. As the book hit the stands, I pulled the pencil copies out of the trash. Looking at Alex's art got me interested in painting in gouache and watercolor. I really enjoy his work!

Quick sketch

Just a quick action sketch!

Art by Doug Braithwaite

Doug Braithwaite drew six issues of The Punisher in 1992. It was a story called 'Eurohit', where he followed the Kingpin to Europe and shot a bunch of bad guys during his pursuit. I loved Doug's pencils because they were vibrant and drawn tight! These 3 pages are from issue 70 of The Punisher.

Gil Kane Layouts

I enjoy looking at Gil Kanes' Layouts! These copies are from Giant-Size Defenders 2 and they were inked by Klaus Janson.You should visit the Giant Size Marvel BLOG for more info!

Photos On The Ledge

I find all sorts of images as I search through magazines. As I do, I see the ways photographers communicate to the reader. I have noticed that some photographers put their subjects on top of a building near the ledge, and some have them walking ON the ledge. Why? It's to convey danger or recklessness. If it's woman on the ledge, it could be to show passion or fearlessness. I think in the case of James McAvoy, shown in the center, It may be just a bad decision. He looks a little scared!

John Severin Covers

All of the comic book websites are paying tribute to the wonderful John Severin. He passed away earlier this week. I am also a great fan of his work but I never met him in person. I did get to look at his art close up when I worked for Marvel. I made some copies of the work he did for 'The 'Nam' He was a great illustrator who will be missed.

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I sold my comics

I am feeling sad because I sold a bunch of comic books. I know that they will go to good homes but I just feel the loss. I am sure that I will be able to move on!

Groo Covers

I am selling a long box full of old comics. I discovered my run of Groo comics from the early 80s! They were published by Pacific Comics and I was lucky enough to live in New York where I could get independent books.

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Storytelling Shorthand

Let's say you are trying to sell a kitchen appliance or something like that and you want to show that it's safe or family-friendly?
Add a little girl in the kitchen, preferably a girl with pig tails. Who are we selling to? Moms?
Ovens and mixers can be so mundane, why not add a warm family aspect to it.

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London Rundown!

So here is a quick recap of my first trip to London, England.
After a ten hour trip, wife and I were picked up at the airport by a friend. We walked around the city a lot and used the public transportation. I was impressed! The tube seems really well run! Visited the National Gallery to look at the Roman ruins, and The British Museum to see the Di Vinci paintings. Di Vinci was sold out of tickets, but the impressionist art they have more than made up for it!

We saw the changing of the guard at buckingham palace (with an orchestra soundtrack blared on a loudspeaker). Walked through Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Carnaby Street, Regent Street, saw Big Ben the Tower of London and stopped into maybe a half dozen Pubs. And It rained some more.
We took a train to Bath to see The Roman Baths and walked around The Bath Abbey next door to it. I recommend it to everyone! To our surprise, it rained that day, all day. We spent New Years Eve with friends at their London flat. Dick Clark was not on TV.

Took a five hour train to York to see the Roman ruins there. My wife and I were delayed by winds knocking down the signals or some such thing. We ate at the 'Most Haunted Pub' in York, The Golden Fleece (Okay food, much better atmosphere) and walked thru the ancient streets to the York Museum. That could have been better. And yes, it rained on the trip back to London.

We did more walking and more tube riding and visiting with friends. On our last day we had a drink at the Icebar London! A bar carved out of solid ice, serving vodka cocktails. Don't ask for water because it would only freeze. It was a great trip, but now it's back to the US where we are met by 85 degree, sunny weather. And I was just getting used to the rain.

Back From England

I have not posted any new work because I have been on holiday in London! It rained everyday that I was there and it was really windy as well. I don't know how the English can stand it! Anyhoo, I will get back to blogging in this new year and thank you all for your support.

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Merry Christmas 1987

This is an old XMas card sent by Marvel Comics in 1987. Drawn by J. Romita Sr. Have a Happy Holiday everyone.

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Advertising Art

This is an old frame from an advertising board I did long ago. I can't remember what they were trying to sell, but I do remember the comment from the creative director; "It looks like there's some kind of attack going on!"
I guess he couldn't realize it from his own thumbnail.

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Jersey Boys In Sydney!

My friend Marie is currently travelling around the world. She spent a few days in beautiful Sydney, Australia and came across some posters advertising the Jersey Boys Musical. The AD features some of the art I did for the show! I think it's great that the show I worked on from the very beginning has become a worldwide sensation!To check out more art and earlier blog posts about my Jersey Boys experience, check the label below!

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Welcome to December and more Jenna of the Jungle!