I've had a little something in the works for a while now and, although it's far from complete, it's now far enough along that it's now worth sharing with you lovely lot. A few people here are aware of this to some degree and a number of people have helped out one way or another.
Someone very kindly sent me a couple of the official 2000AD 35th anniversary sketchbooks from SDCC last year and, as I'm living in Norway these days, with young kids and zero chance to get to any conventions any time soon, I decided to try and get these sent out to artists for contributions.
This is a long-term labour of love and entails the books going from artist to artist for a couple of years (at least) before finally coming back to me. The two books are bouncing around, crossing counties, countries, continents and hemispheres... It's been great fun and hugely rewarding so far and, if there's one thing I've discovered, it's that 2000AD creators are an incredibly nice and generous bunch, as well as being immeasurably talented and ridiculously modest.
Anyway, I'll share some of the sketches here (I won't dump them all at once and some even I haven't seen yet) and add more as and when they show up. As I say, this is likely to go on for another year or two before completion. Varying image quality / size is a result of dependence on artists to send pics or scans of what they or others have done, but I'll scan everything properly when it's all done and dusted.
(http://i.imgur.com/VysSt5A.jpg)
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin...
Great to hear this is ready to be shared. Can't wait to see the results of your labours.
Get on with it man! :lol:
Heh, you lot will have to have patience... :lol:
Ian Kennedy - Himmel!
(http://i.imgur.com/30Rbc5x.jpg)
I'll start off not with the sketch that started the ball rolling, but with one that probably means the most to me. I started reading Starlord before switching over to 2000AD and some of my earliest and fondest comics memories are tied up with Ian Kennedy's stunning work on Ro-Busters. Despite a modest page-count within 2000AD, Ian is one of those artists I can't get enough of; an instantly recognisable, completely solid style coupled with great storytelling skills. Ian's now in his eighties, so you can understand me being blown away by the pic he did - referencing the classic 'Himmel! This isn't Stalingrad! cover from Prog 446.
Ah, so it begins :thumbsup:
Lovely stuff by Ian Kennedy, and like you im a huge admirer of his work.
And seeing anything by him, it instantly takes me back in time to when I was a comics hungry nipper.
I never really bought Starlord (think I maybe bought the first couple), but Ian's work was a pretty much constant presence in the WWII comics I devoured in the years before 2000ad launched.
And this sketch is just wonderful. Great to see this.
THAT is beautiful. Imma tweet this link...!
Henry Flint - Blackblood
(http://i.imgur.com/OSldUNv.jpg)
There's another sketch from Henry in the book as well as this one; if this sketchbook was a diplomatic function, Henry Flint's contributions would be the Ferrero Rocher served up to astonish guests and make them feel slightly ill due to overexposure to art godliness.
awesome pic of blackblood , looking suitably evil
Brendan McCarthy - The Zaucer & Co.
(http://i.imgur.com/EbIeJvl.jpg)
Especially fitting since his classic Dredd pic was used for the cover of the sketchbook, Brendan kindly agreed to do the first sketch in the first book I sent out. As a huge fan of Brendan's many and varied talents it was great that he was willing to put something in here; a lovely selection of a few of his 2000AD creations (plus Martin 'Atchet from Skin and Captain Cracking's floating head from Freakwave).
Holy flurking schnitt!
Ming, your evil knows no bounds. Awesome all ready
Great to see it Ming, great idea, how long before you will have it finished, or is it kind of an open ended project?
Thanks, folks! It's been running for just under a year and is about a third done (2 x 24 page books), so maybe two more years to go? If I get can get a sketch every couple of months (occasionally more frequently) I'll be more than happy. Once I've posted pics of all the sketches I've seen so far, updates to the thread will be irregular! There's a fair bit of organisation and juggling of schedules to do but mainly it's an exercise in patience. Still, there's a lot of goodwill helping this along and it'll get there in the end.
A couple more...
Colin Wilson
(http://i.imgur.com/aOzNxbw.jpg)
Colin Wilson has been a favourite artist of mine since I first clapped eyes on his work on Dredd in the 1981 Sci-Fi special. No-one beats Colin when it comes to future tech and he was a perfect fit for Rogue Trooper - his hoppers and atmocraft always blew me away. I suggested a downed hopper with a teeny Rogue in the distance and he seemed to like the idea... Colin definitely pulled out all the stops and the end result is phenomenal.
Dave Gibbons
(http://i.imgur.com/Hdh4yro.jpg)
What can I say? Another legendary artist, another amazing contribution. I got particularly lucky with the timing for this one as I suggested that Dave Gibbons might take the book after Colin, and Colin was able to hand it to him in person while they were both at Supanova in Sydney...
The Wilson Rogue is amazing...
Just wonderful stuff :)
Everything about the Colin Wilson is... perfect.
Wow! Both those Wilson and Gibbons piece's are simply knockout. Mightily impressive stuff!
Yeah both those Rogue Pictures are stunning but have to say the Colin Wilson one is just sublime. So glad the project is working out so well for you and looking forward to seeing more.
Fantastic Ming.
My personal fav so far is Blackblood- Flint's stint on the Warriors was great.
D'Israeli - Big Jobs!
(http://i.imgur.com/bXy3qXY.jpg)
Although I love D'Israeli's more recent contributions to Low Life, Stickleback, Leviathan, etc., I was really curious to seem him apply his prodigious talent to something a little unexpected; a mutual love for early Ro-Busters led to this little gem... Always a pleasure to see physical art from D'Israeli!
This is the greatest thread ever...
I've known about this book for quite a while now but bloody hell, I didn't expect it to be so amazing!
Lovely book ..... well done and now get it filled .... ;)
Superb.
A real treasure!
What a book!
The contributions are outstanding!
Thanks, folks. Everyone's going way above and beyond the call of duty of this...
Steve Yeowell - The Blue Wizard
(http://i.imgur.com/RYcOYpV.jpg)
Steve did a sketch for me once before but patience has never been my strong suit so I hurried back 25 years later for a second helping. Something Zenith-related seemed like an obvious choice but I was keen to get away from Zenith himself and requested one of the relatively minor characters from Phase III; after umming and ahhing for a bit I eventually opted for The Blue Wizard.
What's great about that Blue Wizard picture is it looks like it could have been lifted straight out of Phase III. The character choice has allowed the Mighty Yeowell to go for those solid, contrasting blocks of black and white that so defined his art of that time.
Fantastic... but then you knew I'd say that!
Amazing book. Very jealous
Chris Weston
(http://i.imgur.com/mp1t5Op.jpg)
The endpapers of the sketchbook feature Chris Weston's phenomenal who's who of 2000AD; I loved his take on Kano in this and Chris humoured me and produced this beauty.
That's class, I really like D'Isreali's contribution too.
When I first clicked the thread I thought I was going to see comic con type sketches - by jaysus was I wrong. These are all gorgeous and to such a high finish! Not a bad one in the lot!
I also especially love that Colin Wilson Rogue page. There's something really spectacular about it. I think it's the incredible variation between the loose foliage and the hard lines of the machinery. Just breathtaking.
The best part is that now everyone Ming asks to contribute is going to try to outdo everyone else. By the time he's finished, Brian Bolland will have contributed a three-mile long foldout...
Quote from: blackmocco on 18 November, 2013, 09:41:14 PM
The best part is that now everyone Ming asks to contribute is going to try to outdo everyone else. By the time he's finished, Brian Bolland will have contributed a three-mile long foldout...
Hah! :lol:
Actually, I really don't want anyone to feel under any pressure to spend too much time on this. I'll be as happy with fairly simple sketches as with more elaborate contributions, and when this started I really had no idea that it would develop into a veritable portable art collection. Anyway, the contributions are all fantastic but by far the most rewarding aspect is the personal involvement of so many outstanding artists - Tharg's droids really are such a nice bunch of people. Er, droids.
:)
Frazer Irving
(http://i.imgur.com/DxubfeW.jpg)
Ssssinnerrr... Frazer's run on Judge Death was a real return to form for everybody's favourite undead superfiend; a perfect fit for Frazer's haunting style.
Staz Johnson
(http://i.imgur.com/77zxiLl.jpg)
I don't think Nick Stone ever looked so good. A great choice of character by Staz - I really love this one.
No more to add for now; if I can get scans of a few more (Jock, Arthur Ranson, more Henry Flint) I'll add them when I can.
Meanwhile, it's back to the waiting game :)
Quote from: ming on 19 November, 2013, 03:03:55 PM
Staz Johnson
I don't think Nick Stone ever looked so good. A great choice of character by Staz - I really love this one.
Ain't that the truth. I've never really thought much about wanting Nick Stone back but that picture makes me crave a return to the character. He just looks so hard, proper hard not 'The Rock' hard but you now run away if you spilled his pint hard. Fantastic!
Wow, what a fantastic idea Ming. The quality of those sketches is amazing - particularly like that Colin Wilson Rogue. Also love hearing about the contributors passing the book on at conventions and stuff - you should try and map out the journey that each book has taken.
Top stuff!
I love this thread! Ming, it's a great and worthy endeavour and you are reaping wonderful rewards!!!
The Ian Kennedy piece is such as stunner, the work on the plane's undercarriage...... The composition.... Very classy...... Lucky lucky boy !!
And the Colin Wilson RT page, so atmospheric. Instant classic ....
Love this thread ( I know I said that already but I love this thread.....)
How did I miss this thread? Love it, Ming, especially that piece of beauty from Ian Kennedy. Well done!
Quote from: ming on 17 November, 2013, 09:52:29 AM
Thanks, folks! It's been running for just under a year and is about a third done (2 x 24 page books), so maybe two more years to go? If I get can get a sketch every couple of months (occasionally more frequently) I'll be more than happy. Once I've posted pics of all the sketches I've seen so far, updates to the thread will be irregular! There's a fair bit of organisation and juggling of schedules to do but mainly it's an exercise in patience. Still, there's a lot of goodwill helping this along and it'll get there in the end.
A couple more...
Colin Wilson
(http://i.imgur.com/aOzNxbw.jpg)
Colin Wilson has been a favourite artist of mine since I first clapped eyes on his work on Dredd in the 1981 Sci-Fi special. No-one beats Colin when it comes to future tech and he was a perfect fit for Rogue Trooper - his hoppers and atmocraft always blew me away. I suggested a downed hopper with a teeny Rogue in the distance and he seemed to like the idea... Colin definitely pulled out all the stops and the end result is phenomenal.
Dave Gibbons
(http://i.imgur.com/Hdh4yro.jpg)
What can I say? Another legendary artist, another amazing contribution. I got particularly lucky with the timing for this one as I suggested that Dave Gibbons might take the book after Colin, and Colin was able to hand it to him in person while they were both at Supanova in Sydney...
I have the privilege of hanging out with Colin once a month, and he's such a nice guy too! Great stuff.
Quote from: Trout on 21 November, 2013, 01:09:22 AM
How did I miss this thread? Love it, Ming, especially that piece of beauty from Ian Kennedy. Well done!
Thanks, Trout - Ian's a gent through and through (as you well know) and it's incredible to see the work he's still capable of producing despite being no spring chicken. It's been a privilege to have been in contact with him, and I know there's a huge amount of appreciation for his talent among his fellow artists so it's great to have been able to include him in this. I hope that, as the books travel around and artists get to look at the various contributions, there's a little resonance with the days when artists crowded around in the Command Module to see the latest efforts from Bolland, McMahon, etc. A little professional curiosity is probably helping to drive this forward, I think.
Quote from: PhreakAD on 21 November, 2013, 09:56:20 AMI have the privilege of hanging out with Colin once a month, and he's such a nice guy too! Great stuff.
I've only met Colin once (25 years ago) but occasional email chats with him over the past few years have never been anything less than a delight. If he doesn't have a reputation as one of the
Nicest Guys in Comics, he should.
This just in from Edmund Bagwell... I can first remember seeing Edmund's work in BLAAAM! (as E.C. Perriman) back in the late 80's and his style immediately made a big impression on me. We've not seen nearly enough of him in the Prog but I'm sure his Indigo Prime work alone won him a lot of new admirers. I'd love to see him take on Nemesis in strip form but as that's unfortunately unlikely, I'll settle for this beauty:
(http://i.imgur.com/OQ6BU6N.jpg)
That is exquisite!
That's lovely!
Awesome Nemisis
This rivals the Colin Wilson.Thanks for posting :)
Wowzers! That's brilliant!
M.
Brilliant Nemesis by Bagwell.
Project Sketchbook continues to trundle on... The one below was an early contribution from quiet genius Henry Flint, although I was only sent a scan of this the other day. Bloomin' marvelous.
(http://i.imgur.com/e87koVn.jpg)
WTF I can't even......my brain's gonna burn out staring at that Flint Death piece ming. :o
That is a cracking Judge Death!
Indeed. Very nice that!
Great Flint there Ming.
This has to be the most epic project ever.
The epic continues...
(http://i.imgur.com/9LGB3fC.jpg)
:)
That is top quality, ming. There's something odd going on when the quality of line and finish of the stuff Ezquerra's knocking out for commissions and fan sketches is even better than his strip work in 2000ad. Hopefully the El Mestizo reboot Carlos is doing with Gordon Rennie in The Megazine will be up to the mark of your fantastic pages.
Quote from: ming on 22 April, 2014, 05:49:45 PM
The epic continues...
Very nice indeed, and always a joy to see more from Mr Carlos.
Johnny, in this, is very reminiscent of that old Starlord back cover(?), which was an early design concept reused, I think..
Quote from: Spikes on 22 April, 2014, 06:30:43 PMJohnny, in this, is very reminiscent of that old Starlord back cover(?), which was an early design concept reused, I think..
Good eye! I mentioned to Carlos that that pin-up has always been a huge favourite of mine and he seemed to take that on board. That pin-up is pretty much the best standalone SD image for me, even though the character evolved away from that look fairly quickly. (The ice-like proto-electronux was amazing...)
That Carlos Ezquerra "sketch" is just beautiful.
And I've just realised part of the appeal is the black & whiteness.... I just think there's something about Carlos - and Brian and Kevin... - that looks better in mono.
Looks great, Its ticking along nicely, isint it. Do you have an idea of when it will be finished, or is it an open ended sort of thing? And yes I'd love to see more B&W Carlos in the prog too.
Wow that is wonderful!
This just in from the awesome talent that is Fay Dalton. Jaw - meet floor.
(http://i.imgur.com/tBSZKgK.jpg)
wow!
For goodness sake, that's great. Favourite thread.
She's good isn't she!
That's just shockingly good Ming.
Wonderful. I'd pay good money for a facsimile copy of this book.
Do we need to start a dedicated thread or some kind of facebook page to force Tharg to get more Fay Dalton in his comics?
Imagine, if you will, an Anderson strip illustrated by Fay Dalton... :o
There's nothing quite like forgetting about the existence of this sketchbook and being reminded a month or two down the line with another fantastic drawing.
Great stuff! The content in this thing now is just incredible!
Quote from: hippynumber1 on 07 May, 2014, 07:13:12 PM
Imagine, if you will, an Anderson strip illustrated by Fay Dalton... :o
The thought I had earlier was that she could draw... anything. Especially Dredd. Think about it.
Make her an offer, Tharg.
love that Lulu
Very glad to see everyone so appreciative of Fay's talents! She very kindly did another for the book; a wonderful take on Angelina.
(http://i.imgur.com/cwD9ZaE.jpg)
Gre....great scott! :o
I would love to get a Fay Dalton sketch
Quote from: ming on 21 May, 2014, 09:48:59 AM
a wonderful take on Angelina.
Gorgeous. This makes me more smitten with Angelina now than I was at 15.
Where's the link to the Fay Daldon for 2000AD petition? I need to sign.
That is fabulous!
Another beauty. A very Carlosy shooter, too.
Yaaarrrgh! Craven Mongrels! You have not heard the last of Anthrax Ghoulshadow, B.A.*!
(http://i.imgur.com/9mpP0JZ.jpg)
* B.A. - Bachelor of Awfulness
Fantastic choice!
great thread, wonderful artwork :sick: I must get my Dreddhead sketchbook scanned...
A great contribution from a while back from Jock and a more recent one from none other than Brett Ewins! Knowing that Brett's been through the wringer lately makes this one all the more special and it means a great deal to have been able to include him in this loony scheme of mine. Wake gets a very special mention as without his patience this one would never have come off. Cheers, Wake! :)
(http://i.imgur.com/1EoclWg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Sh9WpjL.jpg)
"Brett Ewins 2014" is a tremendously awe-inspiring thing to see on a drawing after everything that happened with him. Remarkable and amazing. To own it must be incredible!
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 07 July, 2014, 07:28:57 PM
"Brett Ewins 2014" is a tremendously awe-inspiring thing to see on a drawing after everything that happened with him. Remarkable and amazing. To own it must be incredible!
Absolutely spot on. I know this wasn't easy for Brett to take on but the fact that he was able to contribute at all makes this so special and it really means a great deal to me.
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 07 July, 2014, 07:28:57 PM
"Brett Ewins 2014" is a tremendously awe-inspiring thing to see on a drawing after everything that happened with him. Remarkable and amazing. To own it must be incredible!
Seconded. Truly warms the heart to see this, thanks for sharing Ming :)
Really wish tharg would give Brett a one-off or a 3riller to do, with no deadline. Let him work on it when he's ready and able, and at his own speed, and print it at the best opportunity. Im sure it'd mean alot, to alot of people.
<edit> Assuming Brett wants to, of course!
Just in from Clint Langley - his ink work is just amazing and Slaine has never looked better...
(http://i.imgur.com/IdjrO3Z.jpg)
Quote from: ming on 17 July, 2014, 11:49:18 AM
Slaine has never looked better...
This just might be true.
Stunning stuff from Clint!
I'm not really a Langley Fan, but that is one sweet sketch. It's got almost a Ian Miller vibe to it...and I love the way that it interacts with the shadow of the Fay Dalton, providing some cheeky definition to her lady area...!
That could be my favrourite sketch so far!
A fantastic contribution from Dave Taylor; I really love this one. Psi Division's Exorcist Judge Lamia from High Spirits (Prog 1640-16343).
(http://i.imgur.com/TIcMsIR.jpg)
Does anyone draw Mega City One as well as Dave Taylor?
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 02 August, 2014, 07:11:45 AM
Does anyone draw Mega City One as well as Dave Taylor?
No! It always looks like a living, breathing place; an insane, organic place with a mind of its own. I'd love to see a series of artists' interpretations of the Big Meg, or just their favourite aspect of it. Maybe when Project Sketchbook is all wrapped up...
Nice to see these posts popping up at (fairly) regular intervals, now. Some cracking pieces, and yes, its all kinds of lovely to see 'Ewins 2014', as others have said. But my..... that Langley Slaine is nice!
Quote from: Spikes on 06 August, 2014, 05:51:06 PM
Nice to see these posts popping up at (fairly) regular intervals, now. Some cracking pieces, and yes, its all kinds of lovely to see 'Ewins 2014', as others have said. But my..... that Langley Slaine is nice!
Thanks, Iain!
That reminds me, I neglected to add this fine Mean Machine, also by Clint.
(http://i.imgur.com/n0DwozM.jpg)
Those Clint sketches are a sight to behold! :o
Although i've come to appreciate his photoshop skills (books of invasion vol1 is particularly beautiful in retrospect), i still wish he'd do more inked work for the prog.
Edit: Clint *Langley*. I don't want anyone thinking I'm on first-name terms or anything ;)
Yep, he needs to draw more and log off :) Lovely art.
Ol' Mean may have a bit of bother going up from 1 to 2 to... oh wait, 4 - no I meant 3!
If that's artistic licence, I like it :P
fantastic mean machine image
Jesús Redondo kindly agreed to do something for Project Sketchbook and suddenly produced a handful of images all at once. I'll drip-freed these in here while I wait for a couple of other things to materialise.
Anyway, the whole thing seems to be going well and there's an astounding roll-call of talent involved now. I'm particularly Thrilled by the inclusion of Jesús, Carlos and Ian Kennedy as my association with their work goes all the way back to Star Lord, but the overall list of contributors is brain-meltingly wonderful.
(http://i.imgur.com/xcmXlpZ.jpg)
More to follow...
Meanwhile, if you fancy getting something drawn by Jesús, get yourselves here: http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,41137.0.html
Lovely work as always Ming! - Look forward to seeing what you get next... =).
Quote from: Wiggz on 17 September, 2014, 09:30:08 AM
Lovely work as always Ming! - Look forward to seeing what you get next... =).
Thanks - me too! Hopefully a couple more contributions will materialise in the next few weeks...
One day I really hope to see these in the flesh. Quite fantastic.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 17 September, 2014, 09:54:13 AM
One day I really hope to see these in the flesh. Quite fantastic.
Brother, you and me both... The only people to see these first-hand so far are the various artists involved, but then that's part of the fun.
Another contribution from Jesús...
(http://i.imgur.com/YCriSMH.jpg)
:)
Now that's incredible!
Quote from: hippynumber1 on 30 September, 2014, 09:23:25 AM
Now that's incredible!
Thanks, Mark - it's great to see Jesús revisiting Return to Armageddon, especially as it was out in the wilderness without a reprint for so long...
I saw this over at the Facebook group but will spurt my love for it here.
That is just fantastic. From a fantastic series I'm so glad has finally seen the light of day again.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 30 September, 2014, 01:03:27 PM
I saw this over at the Facebook group but will spurt my love for it here.
Urgh! :-\
that book is gonna need a splashguard!
Don't worry, I'll make sure Colin is equipped with the genital cuff before he's allowed to get his grubby mitts on it.
Sooooooooooooo pretty
Truth be told I fear if I ever saw this book in reality I'd simple lose the ability to speak, shuffle nervously before making an excuse and run away giggling to myself, flushed a terrible crimson colour.
Later I'd be a mess of self recrimination and loathing - reflecting on the fact that this way we could still be friends (me and the book) and its probably for the best
I'm speechless!
Luckily I can still type so I can say what a brilliant collection this is - amazing stuff
Litearaly, JESUS christ!
lovely project! Some really cool stuff in there Ming.Looking forward to seeing who you get next.
Happily, Chris Weston was up for round two; Don Uggie Apelino goes ape.
(http://i.imgur.com/GMg0sIe.jpg)
This popped into my in tray earlier today and I span around in my office car in giddy delight. The I realised it wasn't mine and threw some books at some student while screaming nonsensical expletives...
You live in Sweden right, we have reason to travel to Sweden can I come and see your book!
This sketchbook is already an amazing collection and Chris' Don Uggie is a worthy addition.
That is an awesome Uggie!
(Wonder how the Meg's apes are getting on?)
Slowly but surely, Project Sketchbook rumbles onwards to glory... These came in a while ago but I forgot to post them here until now. Apologies for the dodgy pics but as I've yet to see any of these in person I'm relying on whatever images I can get. Anyway, a trio from Ian Gibson.
(http://i.imgur.com/hlEfVIT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GUAG4ER.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uSNngBt.jpg)
There's a long way to go but the Project Sketchbook roll-call so far is embarrassingly awesome: Brendan McCarthy, D'Israeli, Steve Yeowell, Jock, Brett Ewins, Ian Kennedy, Chris Weston, Henry Flint, Arthur Ranson, Colin Wilson, Dave Gibbons, Staz Johnson, Dave Taylor, Frazer Irving, Simon Davis, Bryan Talbot, Edmund Bagwell, Carlos Ezquerra, Clint Langley, Fay Dalton, Jesus Redondo and Ian Gibson...
And there's one more just in that I'll post up in due course...
Arh lovely to have an update on this great project and what a wonderful way to return. That Halo is devastatingly attractive.
Jammy drokker :lol: , always like seeing an update to this post
Looking great Ming!
The elusive Ian Gibson! Glad to know he's not completely shut himself out of the community. You lucky man, ming!
Thanks, folks! Yeah, it was great to be able to include Ian in this - a real gent and a legendary talent. Project Sketchbook is slow progress at times (silly me, I originally thought this might take a year or two) but entirely worth all the effort.
I have another pic to post up later but I'm worried that it's so good you're all going to hate me.
Wonderful Sketchbook Ming so many great pieces, That Slaine one by Clint Langley is jaw dropping
Quote from: ming on 26 May, 2015, 09:18:24 AM
I have another pic to post up later but I'm worried that it's so good you're all going to hate me.
I wouldn't worry - we all hate you
already, so nothing'll change. ;)
Quote from: Greg M. on 26 May, 2015, 09:33:07 AM
Quote from: ming on 26 May, 2015, 09:18:24 AM
I have another pic to post up later but I'm worried that it's so good you're all going to hate me.
I wouldn't worry - we all hate you already, so nothing'll change. ;)
Hah! Well in
that case...
(http://i.imgur.com/J6PLzaU.jpg)
Holy. Shit.
Cheers
Jim
God fucking dammit Ming!!!!
Bloody hell that is quite fantastic! Simply killin'.
Very fantastic. Love it.
Hide the paints though next time, or all these clever forgeries will find you out!!! ;)
Quote from: Fungus on 26 May, 2015, 10:13:39 AMHide the paints though next time, or all these clever forgeries will find you out!!! ;)
Heh, if I was
that clever I'd be working for the House of Tharg.
The most coveted tome in all of Thrill-dom.
Very impressed Ming.
That's beautiful, Ming - all of it.
Now all you need is a Buttonman original to really set it off.
Ming- that's astounding-
May as well poke my eyes out now, I doubt they'll ever see any better sights than this thread!
That sketchbook is the definition of Thrill-Power!
That is quite something. Quite something indeed.
The only droid to make Slaine interesting for me. Mr Davis is most definitely a bit special.
Back from beyond the grave... Project Sketchbook creaks back into life courtesy of the lovely Simon Fraser.
Angelina diGriz
(http://i.imgur.com/8kaFvOp.jpg)
Artie Gruber
(http://i.imgur.com/jsqeEab.jpg)
He's a bit handy, that Fraser lad. I know the prog's loss is Dr Who's gain, but I really miss Simon's contributions to the Galaxy's Greatest...
Cheers!
Jim
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 20 October, 2015, 11:48:02 AM
He's a bit handy, that Fraser lad. I know the prog's loss is Dr Who's gain, but I really miss Simon's contributions to the Galaxy's Greatest...
This is correct on just about ever level. While I'm enjoying his Doctor Who quite a bit (by far the best of Titan's offerings that I've read) I do miss him in the Prog. Those sketches are both brilliant and I'm very happy to see the book back.
Simon did manage to sneak this one in as well...
(http://i.imgur.com/BFS9nEP.jpg)
Its threads like this that make this place the best around... :D
Now all we need is for this sketchbook to 'disappear' and legions of Squaxx will be off on a quest following the clues laid out on this very thread!
Quote from: Proudhuff on 20 October, 2015, 12:53:36 PMNow all we need is for this sketchbook to 'disappear' and legions of Squaxx will be off on a quest following the clues laid out on this very thread!
There are four of these official 2000AD sketchbooks doing the rounds now, the main reason for that being to reduce the risk of the whole enterprise grinding to a halt if someone sits on one for a year (as has happened). Books bounce from artist to artist and, three years in, I still haven't seen any of these in person*. Recorded delivery helps me sleep at night but if anything ever does get lost in the post I'll go bananas. Or postal; whichever seems more appropriate at the time.
* Apart from Ed Bagwell's Nemesis, which he sent in direct as he's even more wary of the postal system than I am.
Stunning contributions from Fraser there - hard not to love a bit of Gruber!
QuoteRecorded delivery helps me sleep at night but if anything ever does get lost in the post I'll go bananas.
If they go missing, I imagine this very message board would go
very quiet as the assembled Squaxx started breaking into sorting offices up and down the country...I'd send it back to you of course, but I expect a few pages would have been stolen by posties. Yes, posties.
Do you ask for specific things or is it up to the artists'?
Fucking hell.
To my eternal shame, as a squaxx and a moderator*, this is the first time I have seen this thread... (I know!)
I now have a severe case of TPO after looking at the past 10 pages. Outstanding work!
*I'm aware that you all now think you can sneak stuff on in the dark corners of the forum thinking I am not omnipresent...
Quote from: IronGraham on 20 October, 2015, 05:29:05 PM
Do you ask for specific things or is it up to the artists'?
A bit of both. Sometimes I'm asked what I'd like, other times I offer a suggestion or two but quite often it'll just be pot luck and artists draw whatever they feel like at the time. Whichever way it goes there are no complaints from me, obviously :)
Quote from: Richmond Clements on 20 October, 2015, 06:16:14 PM
Fucking hell.
To my eternal shame, as a squaxx and a moderator*, this is the first time I have seen this thread... (I know!)
I now have a severe case of TPO after looking at the past 10 pages. Outstanding work!
Better late than never! You probably could have waited another year or two before stumbling on this, I think - there's a looooong way to go. When I started this loony scheme I had very modest intentions and thought I could get it all wrapped up in a year or so. More fool me. This has developed a life of its own and I'm as much a passenger as the rest of you, really.
Here's one from a while back that I neglected to post. Thrilled doesn't begin to cover how I felt when Arthur Ranson agreed to contribute; such a fantastic talent and a real core 2000AD artist for so many years.
(http://i.imgur.com/h051WnJ.jpg)
Hopefully there'll be a few new things to post before long.
Quote from: ming on 02 December, 2015, 09:44:02 AM
Hopefully there'll be a few new things to post before long.
Keep 'em coming!
Great to see a new piece of work from The Ranson Droid.
Wow. That's delightful.
Oooh...
(http://i.imgur.com/DZ2T4Ph.jpg)
Inks to follow shortly I'm told.
I'll echo that ooh.
I'll see your oooh and raise you a whoosh.
I feel like ol' Uncle Ump when new sketches appear in this thing! Stick McMahon on the cover! :o
Always great to see more new art from Mick pop up, and good call on asking (or did you leave it to Mick to decide what to draw?) for Uncle Ump.
Just lovely at any rate.
Quote from: Spikes on 09 January, 2016, 11:51:08 AM
Always great to see more new art from Mick pop up, and good call on asking (or did you leave it to Mick to decide what to draw?) for Uncle Ump.
Just lovely at any rate.
Thanks, Iain (and the rest of you). I asked Mick for Uncle Ump and he was kind enough to go along with it - not a major character but one I've always had a soft spot for. I think Project Sketchbook is a nice place to revisit some lesser-seen characters so hopefully I'll fill a few more spots with relative obscurities.
Great choice with Uncle Ump - that's going to be a lovely piece.
All done - really happy with this one! Mick really is one in a million.
(http://i.imgur.com/as5bbSE.jpg)
Quote from: Geoff on 11 January, 2016, 08:32:29 PM
Great choice with Uncle Ump - that's going to be a lovely piece.
I was right, it is! :D
Ho yus.
Cat Sullivan kindly agreed to do a little something for Project Sketchbook... He seemed a bit surprised to be asked to participate alongside the 'regular' 2000AD artists but, for me, Droid Life is a wonderful staple of the modern Golden Era Prog. Anyway, I'm really happy he was up for this (and he seemed particularly impressed by Ian Gibson's contributions).
(http://i.imgur.com/t9B52hx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/d0X8SJV.jpg)
Thats glorious! I'm with you in your love for Droid Life, Ming. Genius stuff.
Indeed. Another cracker. Tharg and Ming should get together and make copies of these sketchbooks once completed...
Come on Thargy, get this printed and just take my money gruddamit!
This site needs a petition option!
Hah, thanks for the kind words folks but there are no plans for wider dissemination of Project Sketchbook beyond a compilation .pdf to send out to all contributing artists once it's all done and dusted.
If Tharg wants to put contents from the completed books out there to raise money for charity or something I'd be up for it but to be honest this is just a (slightly mad) personal project and a love letter of sorts to the Galaxy's Greatest Comic.
Liam Sharp did a fantastic Chopper sketch for me at UKCAC '88 and, being a greedy bugger, I shamelessly hurried back 28 years later for a second sketch for Project Sketchbook. Cheers, Liam!
(http://i.imgur.com/VPUJgIw.jpg)
The perfect sketch. Lovely :)
This was done a while back but I've just got sent a pic (I had no idea what he'd done until about 10 minutes ago) - fantastic work by the lovely Phil Winslade.
Going for some months without seeing a finished contribution is slightly maddening but now you all know how to keep an idiot in suspense.
(http://i.imgur.com/MtPS2Vw.jpg)
splutter! That's astounding. Thanks for Sharing, Ming.
Drokk me! :o
That Phil Winslade can draw a bit good!
Blimey!
Quote from: The Cosh on 29 April, 2016, 01:02:30 PM
Blimey!
That was exactly my reaction on seeing this. A lot of people are putting far too much time and effort into this and I feel terrible, almost. The 'labour of love' aspect of this is infectious, it seems.
I have another sketch to show as well but I'll wait a bit so heads don't explode through overexposure to Thrill Power.
That's some seriously amazing drawing there...! Wow!!
Always a delight to see this thread back and Phil Winslade pic is quite something, even when you think about what has gone before.
Very much looking forward to seeing what else is new. So how long is it until you expect it back in your lucky ole mits Ming?
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 29 April, 2016, 01:39:50 PMSo how long is it until you expect it back in your lucky ole mits Ming?
I have no clue, Colin - but it's likely to be at least a couple more years before this is done (realistically, three years or more :o). It's developed a life of its own and some things are done pretty quickly while others take a year or more to appear. Not that I'm complaining; it's a labour of love and I'm hugely appreciative of the time and effort that artists are putting into this loony scheme of mine.
This time, something a little different... Pete Fowler. Soon after I started this sketchbook thing I decided it might be nice to try and include a few artists who, while not strictly 2000AD artists, are a good fit one way or another. Pete did a lovely Nemesis design for the Zarjaz! exhibition many moons ago and, more recently, designed a similar figure for Unbox, so I took a gamble and asked if he'd be interested in doing something for the book. He was incredibly supportive and enthusiastic - it's really very humbling to see how people react to this stupid scheme of mine.
(http://i.imgur.com/H6KOEp5.jpg)
....!
Ian Culbard has worked his magic on Project Sketchbook... I was sent the first image which I absolutely loved but when the second one came through I was floored. I've got a real soft spot for Brink so it's great to have this in the book.
(http://i.imgur.com/jWwzfmb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pSYlKhA.jpg)
Jeeezuuus!!! INJC, man, that's some serious talent right there. Phenomenal sketch of Bridge!
Terrific. Don't leave it 4 months next time :)
Quote from: Fungus on 14 September, 2016, 01:47:17 PMTerrific. Don't leave it 4 months next time :)
You cant' rush genius (trust me, I've tried!). Pieces come in at their own sweet pace (i.e. not rapidly) and as artists are being extremely kind in agreeing to join in the madness in the first place I'm definitely not complaining. I'd love to get all this wrapped up in the next year or so but I'd be living in cloud cuckoo land if I imagined that was going to happen.
But of course. Keep up the good work!
Forgot all about this for months, enjoyable hour or so pouring over all the sketches again :)
One day I will track you down and beg you to let me see this, one day. That is YET another beaut!
Hello. I love this thread.
Quote from: ming on 14 September, 2016, 01:35:04 PM
Ian Culbard has worked his magic on Project Sketchbook... I was sent the first image which I absolutely loved but when the second one came through I was floored. I've got a real soft spot for Brink so it's great to have this in the book.
(http://i.imgur.com/jWwzfmb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pSYlKhA.jpg)
Always great to see updates on this thread. And another cracker.
I'd very much like to commission the INJC chap. Does he take on these, do you know?
(A Brass Sun piece would receive a loving home in my collection, if he happens to reads this.... :))
Quote from: Spikes on 16 September, 2016, 12:32:32 PM
Always great to see updates on this thread. And another cracker.
I'd very much like to commission the INJC chap. Does he take on these, do you know?
(A Brass Sun piece would receive a loving home in my collection, if he happens to reads this.... :))
Thanks, Iain - glad you like it! I'm not sure how open Ian is to commissions to be honest. He didn't seem to take that much persuading (or maybe I'm just good at schmoozing) but indicated that this would be the first Brink sketch so I'm not sure how much work of this kind he takes on outside more regular paying gigs. Drop me a line and I'll help if I can, though.
This thread is incredible! I just spent the last 45 minutes pouring over your sketchbook. Drokk! You are a very lucky individual - Thanks for sharing!
The latest contribution, from Tiernen Trevallion - a cracking take on my favourite Strontium Dog villains, the Weerd Brothers. I've never seen Silent Weerd looking so happy!
(http://i.imgur.com/yGGFjhT.jpg)
Aye, that's lovely.
Silent Weerd features in a strip in the latest Dogbreath (https://futurequake.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/dogbreath-32/), don'cha know?
DROKK ! that sketchbook is a thing of beauty. Many positive swear out loud moments looking at all those pages
TT is the absolute best, and thats another beauty, Ming!
That last one is a beauty
Going back a few posts, but I see via FB that the Culbard droid is keen to attend Thought Bubble next year.
Grand news. :thumbsup:
Nothing new to post just yet but if you want a flick through Book One (Brendan McCarthy, D'Israeli, Steve Yeowell, Jock, Frazer Irving, Brett Ewins, Chris Weston, Phil Winslade, Pete Fowler, Dave Taylor) then you can (hopefully) do so via the link below. Quite excited to see this - still the closest I've got to seeing it myself!
Dan Lish* (very much worth a Google if you're not familiar with his work) is currently in possession of this one... :)
https://www.pixgram.me/danlish1/media/1383968455502171161_12954716
(https://www.pixgram.me/danlish1/media/1383968455502171161_12954716)
* Like Pete Fowler, Dan contributed to the Zarjaz! exhibition some years back...
Ming, that is just stunning.
Best collection of comic art I have ever seen, the vibrancy and energy in those sketches is also some of the best work I have ever seen from the respective artists, particularly the likes of Colin Wilson and even Ian Kennedy.
I truly hope this reaches the masses in a suitably deluxe form (a la Zenith Book 1) to really show the brushwork etc to its fullest.
A magnificent, ongoing, achievement - my jealousy knows no bounds.
I may have missed it but is this purely a personal collection or are there plans to reproduce it for some good cause perhaps?
Thanks, Trent! I'll get good scans and pics online when it's all done (still some years away I imagine) but I don't think this will get published in any other form (Tharg put out a sketchbook of his own recently anyway). I'll be happy when it's all over as will the artists since I'll finally stop
nagging them all the bloody time.
Page 11:
Quote from: ming on 14 February, 2016, 05:51:21 PM
Hah, thanks for the kind words folks but there are no plans for wider dissemination of Project Sketchbook beyond a compilation .pdf to send out to all contributing artists once it's all done and dusted.
If Tharg wants to put contents from the completed books out there to raise money for charity or something I'd be up for it but to be honest this is just a (slightly mad) personal project and a love letter of sorts to the Galaxy's Greatest Comic.
Aside from the fact that that video REALLY wants me to stay in a Premier Inn its quite fantastic. To know that exists and not have your mitts on it you must have the patience of a saint!
Ming, picked up the official sketchbook which had some brilliant images and was worth every penny but I have to say, your collection beats it hands down.
If Rebellion can't think of a way to utilise it (charitable contribution while covering their costs) then it would be a crying shame - it would sell like hotcakes imho.
Of course, you could self publish and profiteer yourself which would be entirely reasonable given the lengths you have gone to.
I just want it...
Quote from: Trent on 26 November, 2016, 10:08:57 AM
Of course, you could self publish and profiteer yourself which would be entirely reasonable a clear breach of copyright tempting a potential legal shitstorm that could threaten the effort of any fan who might want to do something similar in future given the lengths you have gone to.
FTFY.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 26 November, 2016, 10:22:57 AM
Quote from: Trent on 26 November, 2016, 10:08:57 AM
Of course, you could self publish and profiteer yourself which would be entirely reasonable a clear breach of copyright tempting a potential legal shitstorm that could threaten the effort of any fan who might want to do something similar in future given the lengths you have gone to.
FTFY.
Yup. I'd never seek to profit from this in any way. I'm happy to put images online to share the love but the thought of selling copies of this has never crossed my mind. Artists have given up valuable time to contribute to this (and often refused offers of payment) and I very much doubt I'd have encountered so much goodwill and support along the way if I'd been planning to repackage the artwork and sell it on in any form. It's a very personal project anyway so why would I?
Good point, my overenthusiasm clouding my mind.
Four years of effort so far. 30 artists*, 45 contributions. The latest comes from the singular talent that is Shaky Kane.
(http://i.imgur.com/Udz50Qp.jpg)
*
Brendan McCarthy
D'Israeli
Steve Yeowell
Jock
Frazer Irving
Edmund Bagwell
Brett Ewins
Dave Taylor
Phil Winslade
Pete Fowler
Tiernen Trevallion
Ian Kennedy
Henry Flint
Colin Wilson
Dave Gibbons
Arthur Ranson
Staz Johnson
Bryan Talbot
Carlos Ezquerra
Fay Dalton
Clint Langley
Mick McMahon
INJ Culbard
Jesús Redondo
Ian Gibson
Simon Davis
Simon Fraser
Cat Sullivan
Liam Sharp
Shaky Kane
...and those currently babysitting books
No Kev O'Neill yet, Ming...? The holy grail...
I love Shaky Kane's stuff. It's just so weird.
Quote from: blackmocco on 08 December, 2016, 01:41:59 AM
No Kev O'Neill yet, Ming...? The holy grail...
No, Ive tried and failed up to now but I'll give it another go at some point. Hopefully just a matter of right time, right place and being able to get a book in front of him somewhere...
Again, another cracking piece.
And that's certainly a mouth watering list of droids that have contributed to PSB so far. :thumbsup:
You're off to the 40th bash? Will a few more sketches be added to those books at that event?
I'm probably going to be taking my own (more modest) sketchbook along, and hopefully try to get a few.
Quote from: Spikes on 08 December, 2016, 10:56:36 PMYou're off to the 40th bash? Will a few more sketches be added to those books at that event?
I will be over for the 40th bash, yes - not sure if there'll be any of the sketchbooks attending though. However, if I can persuade those currently in possession to bring them along, I will. If there's the smallest chance of getting a book in from of say, Kevin O'Neill or Brian Bolland, I'd be over the moon. Unlikely, I know...
Anyway, in the meantime, this DPS popped up today - from the pen of the previously-mentioned Dan Lish: Reptilian Royal unmasked by Johnny Alpha! (Dan had a pic published back in Prog 373 but I think you'll agree that he's come on a bit since then.)
(http://i.imgur.com/dA6dV7z.jpg)
Fresh from the 40th - huge thanks to Simon Coleby for this one! It was a huge treat to hug the books (my, how they've grown) and whisper sweet nothings to them at the weekend but now it's time for them to move on once again...
(http://i.imgur.com/eB2zhVU.png)
Wow it must have been something special to seem them in the flesh.
That is a doozy by Mr Coleby.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 14 February, 2017, 07:23:15 PM
Wow it must have been something special to seem them in the flesh.
That is a doozy by Mr Coleby.
Thanks, Colin - yeah it was an amazing treat to see three of the four books in person (for the first time since they started their global travels four years ago); shame I missed you on the day. Project Sketchbook will hopefully be all over and done with by the time the 50th event rolls around so I'll try and catch you at that one!
No Lego plans for this weekend (busy with other stuff) but this just came in from Simon Harrison...
(http://i.imgur.com/AjxGOVZ.jpg)
Fucking hell. I'm not an uncritical praiser of Harrison's time in the prog, but that's great.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 11 March, 2017, 07:55:13 PM
Fucking hell. I'm not an uncritical praiser of Harrison's time in the prog, but that's great.
Thanks, Jim! I'm really happy that Simon was up for this; Project Simon now includes Messrs Davis, Fraser, Coleby and Harrison; just Bisley and Jacob to go... :lol:
Yep always been a big fan of Simon Harrison and it would certainly appear he still has it!
Love that strontium dog! I really liked Harrison's strontium dog back in the day too..
Quote from: Mute77 on 12 March, 2017, 01:47:21 PM
Love that strontium dog! I really liked Harrison's strontium dog back in the day too..
Yes. I found the stuff he drew ... unsettling*.. to read, but his art was always interesting and dynamic, and his depiction of Johnny Alpha was very good.
*This isn't necessarily a bad thing, concerning the subject matter and the resolution to that arc. It gave me a real sense of depression. Strangely, the artwork of Colin MacNeil on the same arc did not make me feel that way despite the writer being the same, and the ending being [spoiler]even more depressing if anything.[/spoiler] This is not a criticism of Mr. MacNeil's work at all, as his artwork was just as beautiful and I actually found it easier to read, because it felt less oppressive, despite the dark story matter.
Both artists worked in their own way, but it really brought home to me how the artwork can alter the tone of the story, even though the writer is the same.
Illustrator extraordinaire and Deadline alumnus Jonathan Edwards is a big 2000AD fan (his previous takes on Strontium Dog and Dredd are worth checking out) and I'm really, really happy he was up for doing a little something for Project Sketchbook...
(http://i.imgur.com/xdiFGaT.jpg)
That's brilliant. I follow Jonathan on Twitter and every image he posts is just a delight, as is this.
Just spend a very pleasent 20 minutes with a cup of tea and this thread.
What could be better... well aside from the book being yours that is of course!
Lovely stuff, ming. Thanks for continuing to share all the thrill-power goodness.
I read the Kingdom: Aux Drift trade yesterday and was reflecting on some of the similarities between Rogue and Gene the Hackman. That fantastic image by Jonathan Edwards, with it's square shapes and thick muscular neck (and even the colouring) really reinforces the thought in my head.
Glad you're liking these - I'll keep dusting off the thread and sharing contributions as they come in.
Quote from: Dash Decent on 16 April, 2017, 12:24:11 AM
I read the Kingdom: Aux Drift trade yesterday and was reflecting on some of the similarities between Rogue and Gene the Hackman. That fantastic image by Jonathan Edwards, with it's square shapes and thick muscular neck (and even the colouring) really reinforces the thought in my head.
Definitely; the whole 'bred for war' thing together with the current rebellious turn Gene-dog's taking... I love Kingdom to bits.
Quote from: ming on 06 August, 2014, 08:06:16 PM
Quote from: Spikes on 06 August, 2014, 05:51:06 PM
Nice to see these posts popping up at (fairly) regular intervals, now. Some cracking pieces, and yes, its all kinds of lovely to see 'Ewins 2014', as others have said. But my..... that Langley Slaine is nice!
Thanks, Iain!
That reminds me, I neglected to add this fine Mean Machine, also by Clint.
(http://i.imgur.com/n0DwozM.jpg)
I love the detail in this!
Sent from my HUAWEI M2-A01W using Tapatalk
Dan Lish has just blown my mind again... I love this to bits.
(http://i.imgur.com/ebjbw5i.jpg)
:o
Quote from: ming on 18 July, 2017, 10:34:03 AM
Dan Lish has just blown my mind again... I love this to bits.
How did he manage to make an engraving in your sketchbook? :o
Have to be honest don't know the name at all but heavens to Betsy that is astonishing!
That is just frickin' lovely. :thumbsup:
It was this thread, and the tales within, that got me to pull my finger out, and start up my own (much more modest) Sketchbook quest. So much fun.
Are all your 3(?) Sketchbooks back in play now?
(I wonder when Tharg will treat us to a new sketchbook. I mean, the last one is 5 years old and counting now...)
Thanks Iain (and the rest of you). It's great to see you get started on your own sketchbook - it's a fantastic way to go and, personally, more rewarding even than collecting original (published) artwork.
There are four books doing the rounds now (two got tied up for over a year so I put two more out there just to prevent the whole thing grinding to a halt). The book Dan had is hopefully moving on this week, as is another (moving on from Sean Philips); I'm not used to such rapid progress! (But not complaining!)
I think Mr Phillips has just posted his on Twitter, and it's a doozy.
Quote from: Timothy on 19 July, 2017, 03:32:10 PM
I think Mr Phillips has just posted his on Twitter, and it's a doozy.
Yeah, he sent me a pic earlier and it is, indeed, a doozy. 49 images now and this is only the second Dredd...
(http://i.imgur.com/GOx0eaB.jpg)
YIKES.
Indeed. That's stunning.
Sean will be attending Thought Bubble this year.
I'll be making a beeline straight to his table now :o :thumbsup:
YIKES! Indeed. Love that fact. It just goes to show the depth of fantastic charcaters beyond Dredd in The Galaxy's Greatest.
Seems to have just crossed over to the next page too.
Fantastic!
Amazing sketches! All 3 of mine got filled through the various cons that I have been too. Can I ask how you managed to get the sketches? If you post them out how secure is it?
Quote from: Clarkie1971 on 20 July, 2017, 09:37:40 PMCan I ask how you managed to get the sketches? If you post them out how secure is it?
The books go from artist to artist; recorded delivery is the way to go for (relative) peace of mind. As they bounce between counties, countries and continents I try not to think about it too much to be honest. It'll all be done and dusted in a few more years I guess - then the books will finally come home!
Quote from: ming on 18 July, 2017, 10:34:03 AM
Dan Lish has just blown my mind again...
D. Lish, that's d'lish!
That Sean Phillips Dredd is the business, but to see this particular droid draw Armitage and Devlin again?
Sheer bliss!
If only he would return to Armitage full-time. It might make Tharg care about the character again... :'(
Quote from: ming on 19 July, 2017, 03:50:38 PM
Yeah, he sent me a pic earlier and it is, indeed, a doozy. 49 images now and this is only the second Dredd...
(http://i.imgur.com/GOx0eaB.jpg)
I love this image - amazing!
Nothing new to report just yet but I don't think I ever posted what Ian Kennedy sent me when I first asked him to do something for Project Sketchbook.
The books are small, just A5; Ian proposed doing this as a full-colour, double-page piece - I thought I'd been clear that all I was asking for was a sketch but apparently not :o
(http://i.imgur.com/FFGUZ7q.jpg)
I explained that having this tucked away in the pages of a small sketchbook would be crazy and we settled on something less insane (see page 1 of this thread). Anyway, it's a lovely drawing and a real treasure.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Astonishing!
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 09 August, 2017, 08:51:20 PM
Astonishing!
Isn't it just? He was 82 when he did that... When I first wrote to him he had little recollection of his contributions to 2000AD so I posted various photocopies to him, mentioning that that 'Himmel!' cover was a huge favourite of mine. The next thing I new was when a letter and this accompanying prelim arrived in the post. It would have been amazing to have followed through with his initial idea but I don't think any subsequent contributors to Project Sketchbook would have remained sane. Anyway, I'm very happy to see Ian back on Tharg's radar these days and that he's now supplying a steady stream of 2000AD commissions to eager fans.
Something new to share and too excited not to do so - a pair of wonders from the pen of Mark Sexton... As happy as I am that Mark is in such demand in Hollywood I'd sooner have him chained down properly and slaving away for Tharg full-time.
(http://i.imgur.com/s71jCDN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cbumpMQ.jpg)
Well without wishing to repeat myself.
Astonishing.
I love the fact that even his signature is elaborate!
Some amazing pieces there.... :D
Superb stuff once again, Ming. :thumbsup:
Fresh from the dazzling brainspace of Mr. Leigh Gallagher... I can't wait for more Kingmaker in the Prog!
(https://i.imgur.com/JqdZTcG.jpg)
Yep that has me hackering for more. Of the story and this thread!
That's a stunner. love Leigh's work- he's got a wonderful sense of immediacy and movement.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 10 November, 2017, 08:33:49 AM
That's a stunner. love Leigh's work- he's got a wonderful sense of immediacy and movement.
Yeah, the energy just crackles off the page on this one. The book has already moved on and I'm very excited to see what the next (non art-droid) artist comes up with... Watch this space.
I think the first book that went out is pretty much full now (a couple of pages lost to bleed-through by Jock's markers but there we are). One more sketch and it's done, maybe. Six years since that first went off to Brendan McCarthy... The time has flown by and this loony scheme continues to be an absolute joy.
This is a nice one... Listening to the Space Spinner podcast a while back, there was a mention of a drawing in the Nerve Centre of Prog 143 by one Craig Davison; Conrad idly speculated whether this might be the now-rather-well-known artist Craig Davison. He didn't follow that up, but, having been an admirer of Craig's work for some years, I did. And it turned out that yes, that Cosmic Samurai was his and he'd been reading since Prog 1. I asked him whether he might be up for doing a small something for Project Sketchbook and I'm very happy to be able to share this beauty. Involving some artists who are long-time fans of the Prog is great - and I'm humbled by the enthusiasm and generosity being bestowed on this loony scheme.
(https://i.imgur.com/5dinbue.jpg)
I'll have to confess my ignorance of Mr Davison's work but that's yet another beauty!
Quote from: I, Cosh on 25 November, 2017, 04:23:53 PM
I'll have to confess my ignorance of Mr Davison's work but that's yet another beauty!
He's worth a quick Google, Cosh! You'll see one of the main themes he works with straight off (and he's done a Dredd pic in that vein); a lot of warmth and humour in his work, as well as yer basic talent.
There's been a veritable flurry of activity at Project Sketchbook lately... Well, two new things in a short time, which is not what I'm used to!
This one just came in from Ian McQue. If that name's not familiar, he's a legendary concept artist and fan of the Prog (and well worth checking out). This pic wrapped up the first book I sent out (to Brendan McCarthy, at the end of 2011) and now this book is home at last. The boys and I had a great time ogling the various contributions in the book last night - such a treat to see these in person after all the time spent bouncing between artists. With Ed Bagwell and Brett Ewins in there it's bittersweet though - both much missed.
(https://i.imgur.com/gr5GkuJ.jpg)
Quote from: ming on 29 November, 2017, 01:59:54 PM
This one just came in from Ian McQue.
McQue is brilliant. Following him on twitter delivers more or less daily delight and his sketchbooks are
well worth picking up.
Quote from: ming on 25 November, 2017, 04:33:55 PM
Quote from: I, Cosh on 25 November, 2017, 04:23:53 PM
I'll have to confess my ignorance of Mr Davison's work but that's yet another beauty!
He's worth a quick Google, Cosh! You'll see one of the main themes he works with straight off (and he's done a Dredd pic in that vein); a lot of warmth and humour in his work, as well as yer basic talent.
Didn't know the name, but I've seen his work for sale in a Manchester gallery at quite hefty prices, and now that you mention I do recall that Dredd pic.
Sadly I can't comment on the images you've posted in the last few pages because my drokkin' work systems don't like your image host, but from descriptions and reactions, I'm sure they're great - must remember to check back at home!
That is astonishingly good :o
Got a feeling I'll be staring at this one for days...
Post pending... :)
Just need to sort a better image out (the one I have isn't great and the uploaded version seems to be blown up to giant size, despite me resizing it, which makes it look even worse). It'll be worth the wait.
Might have seen a hint of this on Facebook. Very excited to see this in ongoing.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 28 July, 2018, 05:15:00 PM
Might have seen a hint of this on Facebook. Very excited to see this in ongoing.
You and me both, Colin! I've asked the current artist-with-the-book for a proper scan but in the meantime you can hopefully see it here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bke-clPHPMD/?taken-by=danlish1
GET THAT CAT AWAY FROM THE PRECIOUS! Bloody hell, Ming, that's unbelievable, each and every page, wonder after wonder... Jayzus. I think I need a lie down after that...
That Light and Darkness sketch by Kennedy is a thing of beauty.
Quote from: TordelBack on 28 July, 2018, 07:17:28 PM
GET THAT CAT AWAY FROM THE PRECIOUS! Bloody hell, Ming, that's unbelievable, each and every page, wonder after wonder... Jayzus. I think I need a lie down after that...
It's great that Dan posts little videos when he gets a book - it's a reminder that these really do exist on the physical plane. In the six and a half years since I started this loony scheme I've only briefly held three of the four books (at the 2000AD 40th bash). I think one book is actually full now, though - I just have to prise it loose from the artist currently in possession...
Anyway, I'll post up a decent pic of Cam's contribution as soon as I get one.
No good pic of Cam's contribution yet but this one recently came in from the lovely Dom Reardon:
(https://i.imgur.com/BzkG7SX.jpg)
lovely brushwork on those trees!
I'd like to see Dom take on a short Sinister Dexter. Think he's vastly unerused.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 28 September, 2018, 11:15:16 AM
lovely brushwork on those trees!
I'd like to see Dom take on a short Sinister Dexter. Think he's vastly unerused.
I'd be more than happy to see that.
Always nice to see the books chugging along too.
This one just in from the mighty Dan Lish; Great Uncle Baal about to transport his Warlock gourd to another dimension:
(https://i.imgur.com/4UfLy5N.jpg)
Wow just WOW!
Quote from: ming on 28 September, 2018, 09:59:06 AM
No good pic of Cam's contribution yet but this one recently came in from the lovely Dom Reardon:
(https://i.imgur.com/BzkG7SX.jpg)
That's Hannah-mazing illustration :)
A recent contribution from Colin MacNeil - so, so good. This emerged around the time that Harvey popped his metal clogs and brought a tear to many an eye.
(https://i.imgur.com/6mLvliB.jpg)
A double-page spread. The cheek :)
I love the weathering on that. Colin is just an astounding artist. We are so lucky to have him.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 22 March, 2019, 10:15:12 AM
I love the weathering on that. Colin is just an astounding artist. We are so lucky to have him.
Yeah, Colin is an outstanding artist and seeing his less-is-more approach first-hand is just a joy. Deceptively simple and I love it to bits.
Thats so cool! Nice one Ming!
Quote from: Wiggz on 26 March, 2019, 07:56:16 PM
Thats so cool! Nice one Ming!
Thanks, Wiggz - I know you'll love this latest one from Chris W as well - would look great side-by-side with your Blitzspears piece... I'd love to see a one-off Nemesis story rendered in glorious B&W Weston-vision.
(https://i.imgur.com/WazrHCd.jpg)
Wow, two incredible double splash pages in a row, nice! MacNeil's blocks of black and white create a powerful image and Weston's art is so creepy and detailed, both amazing. Congrats!
Quote from: Rogue Judge on 24 April, 2019, 02:57:52 AM
Wow, two incredible double splash pages in a row, nice! MacNeil's blocks of black and white create a powerful image and Weston's art is so creepy and detailed, both amazing. Congrats!
Thanks! Chris W has done three pieces for the sketchbooks (Kano in 2013, Don Uggie in 2014 and now this) and they're all absolutely glorious.
That Weston Piece is beautiful - another great addition to your amazing books Ming! As always - thanx for sharing.
Yes, it's still going.
A beautiful contribution from the awesome Rich Elson: Gene Dog resists being taken for walkies by Wrath & Bode. There's no deadlines on any of these so they appear when they appear but when the four books are full it'll all be over (and we're closing on on that now).
(https://i.imgur.com/zQLO88C.jpg)
Oh my giddy aunt - that is just wonderful!
Oh now it is double brilliant to see this again and tantalising that its close to an end.These will be exquisite items when finished.
Thanks, fellas - the whole thing is a continual joy, although looking back it's laughable that I thought I'd get all this done and dusted within a year or two. Not sure how many pages are left overall. One book is done once Glenn Fabry gets back to Belfast, another is (I think) being finished off by the current babysitter. Not sure about the other two books but it's just a few pages in total I think. Meanwhile...
By the Spiky Balls of Brett Ewins!
Book Cook knocked it out of the park with his piece - as good a Venus Bluegenes as I've ever seen.
(https://i.imgur.com/svnCtt2.jpg)
Once again superb!
Can''t remember many others in colour?
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 05 May, 2020, 01:56:44 PM
Once again superb!
Can''t remember many others in colour?
No, it's a short list! Simon Davis, Ian Gibson, Jonathan Edwards and Boo :)
Ay Caramba! That's cracking.
Forgot to post this earlier but here's an absolute cracker from Laurence Campbell :D
(https://i.imgur.com/5kbhu5h.jpg)
Amazing. Always a little highlight in the day, when there's an update to this thread. Thanks for sharing, Ming.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 20 August, 2020, 12:24:50 PM
Amazing. Always a little highlight in the day, when there's an update to this thread. Thanks for sharing, Ming.
Before the Russian spam-bots arrive, here's another, Jim!
Somehow I neglected to post this ages ago - a bit obscure and not an obvious 2000AD link but I'm really happy to have persuaded Peter Pound to get involved in my loony scheme. I first ran into his work while in Australia in 1989 when I found a copy of Cargo Zombies, and more recently his design work on Mad Max: Fury Road blew me away completely. The 2000AD / Fury Road force is strong in Project Sketchbook: Brendan McCarthy, Mark Sexton, Peter Pound and there's a book now in the hands of Tony (Riot) Wright...
http://www.peterpound.com.au/
(https://i.imgur.com/t4T7XCw.jpg)
Yeah have to say this is one of the great threads here. When it pops up ever now and then its a fresh and exciting treat! Some lovely additions there.
That Laurence Campbell looks to be right at the back of one of those sketch books of yours. Is one almost finished?
That's what I was going to say too. Is this book almost on its way home?
One book is full once Glenn Fabry gets back to Belfast and takes care of business; another is being finished off (I think) by Dan Lish. The last two books (with Dave Kendall and Tony Wright) just have a few pages each I think... After a mere 9 years, it's getting there!
What are you going to do when they're done!
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 20 August, 2020, 02:32:33 PM
What are you going to do when they're done!
Get his felt tips out and colour in all the B&W ones, obviously.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 20 August, 2020, 02:35:00 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 20 August, 2020, 02:32:33 PM
What are you going to do when they're done!
Get his felt tips out and colour in all the B&W ones, obviously.
Hah! So tempting! (And might be fun to do digitally for some of these - did anyone see Staz Johnson's Rogue Trooper cover mock-up recently? Simple but devastatingly good...)
Tony Wright (Riot), not having drawn anything for comics for 30 years, very kindly agreed to do something in one of the books. While this is not really 2000AD-related, it's a lovely Bob-Booth's-just-around-the-corner kind of piece...
(https://i.imgur.com/ccbDLVA.jpg)
really chilling that this looks like it could actually be a Bill Watterson piece, especially the graphitti. Astounding.
Also - seeing the alpha further upthread and reading that Laurence is drawing a S/D tale for the end of year prog - I wonder if we are getting a tale set in the Starlord years?
What a joy this thread is, must be a total delight to leaf through these!
Wow that is fantastic and quite the coup to get him onboard by the sound of it.
As said has a real Sons of Booth vibe to it to give it the 2000ad link and Bolt is right about the Calvin and Hobbes thing.
That is excellent, although I am getting more of a Bloom County than a C&H vibe from the figures.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 23 September, 2020, 10:28:18 AMAlso - seeing the alpha further upthread and reading that Laurence is drawing a S/D tale for the end of year prog - I wonder if we are getting a tale set in the Starlord years?
According to Laurence, the end of year Prog SD tale came about when Rob Williams saw the Alpha sketch and it went from there... How cool is that?
[applause] that is as cool as funt, that is.
Something about that reminds me of the grubby, more European art of the original Starlord run. I sincerely hope we are in for a real treat based on that image.
SBT
Quote from: SmallBlueThing(Reborn) on 24 September, 2020, 09:50:28 AM
Something about that reminds me of the grubby, more European art of the original Starlord run. I sincerely hope we are in for a real treat based on that image.
Yeah, that would be great. However it turns out I'm just happy to see Laurence back in the Prog!
Also, sketchbook contributions are, very occasionally, like buses... Here's Dave Kendall doing what he does best, i.e. creeping me right out. Grobbendonk always was a nasty little bugger but here he's terrifying; imagine *that* crawling out from under your bed in the middle of the night... Oh shuggles!
(https://i.imgur.com/d5KR81b.jpg)
(This is now the third Great Uncle Baal (following previous efforts by Chris Weston and Dan Lish), bringing him even with Nemeses.)
More from Dan Lish. I love Dan's work so much and it was a real treat that he was keen to get something in each of the four books... It's great that someone finally opted for Tharg!
(https://i.imgur.com/YQRP1W7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OQ1BIdv.jpg)
Moebius-tastic!
Great Tharg and amusing Sláine (the well endowed fairies and leering Ukko adding some amusement).
Yeah, the Earth Goddess is quite, er bountiful.
Not sure who I'll be able to get to fill the last few pages in the books - trying to track some people down but with only so many pages it'll be whoever I get the nod from first, I suspect.
Dave Kendall's Grobbendonk is still giving me nightmares, I think.
Always nice to have an excuse to revive this thread and here's a joyous piece of Intestinaut goodness from Pye Parr...
(https://i.imgur.com/hMr3dF4.jpg)
Just one page left in this book now. Two others are full or having the last page worked on and I think the last one might be just about done too. Once they eventually come home it'll be quite strange, after the ten year journey they've been on.
Oh that is lovely!
Another great page you are a lucky man- 3 amazing books of outstanding art
I hope your family can appreciate the contents.
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 20 May, 2021, 01:28:55 PM
Another great page you are a lucky man- 3 amazing books of outstanding art
I hope your family can appreciate the contents.
Four books in all; I think one is now finished and the other three just have a last page left (all sitting with artists now). It's been a much longer slog than I envisaged at the beginning; a real labour of love but the support from artists and the affection for 2000AD from everyone involved in this has been abundantly clear. I'll do a proper wrapping up when it's all over (probably still a fair way off since the pieces emerge when they're ready and I know artists have much better things to do than this). I've only seen three of the books in person once, at the 40th bash, so we'll all ogle them properly once they're home...
Quote from: ming on 20 May, 2021, 02:17:53 PM
... I've only seen three of the books in person once, at the 40th bash, so we'll all ogle them properly once they're home...
Do one of those unboxing videos which seem so popular on YouTube when they land - that would be worth its weight in virtual gold!
Quote from: ming on 20 May, 2021, 02:17:53 PM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 20 May, 2021, 01:28:55 PM
Another great page you are a lucky man- 3 amazing books of outstanding art
I hope your family can appreciate the contents.
Four books in all; I think one is now finished and the other three just have a last page left (all sitting with artists now). It's been a much longer slog than I envisaged at the beginning; a real labour of love but the support from artists and the affection for 2000AD from everyone involved in this has been abundantly clear. I'll do a proper wrapping up when it's all over (probably still a fair way off since the pieces emerge when they're ready and I know artists have much better things to do than this). I've only seen three of the books in person once, at the 40th bash, so we'll all ogle them properly once they're home...
Four 😳 that will be some unwrapping when you have all of them sitting in front of you 👍🏻
If it's not too much work I'm sure some sort of virtual book or 4 would be viewed in awe but the folks on here.
Your books have inspired me to do my own sort of sketch book (as I don't have the wall space) but only sketches at cons so sadly due to covid I'd only got to 3 Dredd heads from Foster, Cornwell and Higgins. Roll on the vaccine 🤞🏻
Some glorious Full Tilt Boogie action from the marvelous Eduardo Ocaña Alonso... And this one wraps up one book, which is now back with me after a mere seven years (this all started nearly ten years ago); this book started off in Spain with Carlos and ended up back there with Ed, which was kind of pleasing. Anyway, I've scanned everything and made a .pdf but I'll figure out how to share all this properly in due course...
(https://i.imgur.com/PhqYntV.jpg)
Eduardo Ocaña Alonso is just brilliant and that's just wonderful. Hope Full Tilt boogie is back in the Prog soon.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 01 June, 2021, 12:20:51 PM
Eduardo Ocaña Alonso is just brilliant and that's just wonderful. Hope Full Tilt boogie is back in the Prog soon.
The next chapter is being written by Alex
Quote from: broodblik on 01 June, 2021, 07:08:50 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 01 June, 2021, 12:20:51 PM
Eduardo Ocaña Alonso is just brilliant and that's just wonderful. Hope Full Tilt boogie is back in the Prog soon.
The next chapter is being written by Alex
WAYHEY!
The updates to this thread have never been very frequent and will hopefully cease altogether before too long (two artists currently in possession and then that's that; very weird after over a decade of contributions).
Anyway, yesterday the final contribution in the fourth book I sent out appeared, courtesy of Mark Stafford (whose work I love to bits). Just the first two books to come back and then it's all over.
(https://i.imgur.com/8bk1GoR.jpg)
Thats really cool! Thanx for sharing Ming!
So hard to believe this is almsot done. Its been a thread that I always get excited when I see pop up and this one shows why!
Fantastic piece and then two more and a quest that started with 2 books (wasn't it) doubled in size to 4 (hasn't it) and must have been a joy to see develop in the flesh is almost done. Just an amazing achievement.
On a tangent was your Felix one of the Looshkins in the recent issue of Phoenix? Ohhh have you got Jamie Smart in there? I can't remember???
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 02 May, 2022, 02:11:24 PM
Fantastic piece and then two more and a quest that started with 2 books (wasn't it) doubled in size to 4 (hasn't it) and must have been a joy to see develop in the flesh is almost done. Just an amazing achievement.
On a tangent was your Felix one of the Looshkins in the recent issue of Phoenix? Ohhh have you got Jamie Smart in there? I can't remember???
Yeah, I started with two 2000AD 35th Anniversary sketchbooks from SDCC that someone gifted me, but after Brett sat on one for over a year I figured I'd need to try and expand the loony scheme a bit just to keep it moving. Luckily I was able to add two more books but there have still been some lengthy waits involved (the record is four years four months (and counting...)). Will scan everything when it's all done and dusted and figure out how to make these visible to anyone who wants to peruse them...
No Feliks in the Phoenix (just featured in the Looshkin costume for World Book Day a few years back); still avid readers though! No Jamie Smart in the books but it would have been a good idea! There are plenty of gaps in terms of artists but it was never intended to be an open-ended project and I'll be more than happy with how it's turned out in the end.