Post Supanova News

Hi All,

About two weeks have passed since I attended Supanova Sydney and I'm yet to hear if IDW want to work with me. Hopefully, I'll hear something soon. I had a good portfolio review with Ted Adams, the CEO of IDW Publishing. He liked my work and encouraged me to keep going. I said I am interested in working on licensed brands but in order to do so, I need to represent them more accurately, for example, Godzilla has a specific look and the owners are keen to keep him looking that way. I can do that!

I'm currently inking my six page story for Decay Horror comic. I'll post the finished artwork here when the issue comes out. I'm also inking anther six pager for Ashcan starring my own character Stealthmode. I'm off to Bali for a two week family holiday on Monday so I think I'll be taking some inking with me so I can meet my deadlines!

Below are the cover images I did for my portfolio review based on some of the brands IDW publish. The TMNT cover I was inspired to do from seeing the TNMT In Time covers illustrated by David Peterson. The Dredd cover started off being a cover image for my Stealthmode story, but I liked the threatening angle of the pose so I changed it to Dredd. The Godzilla cover I did after seeing some images of him swimming under water. I thought he was so much more dynamic and graceful when swimming so I thought I'd capture this in the pose (I included the submarine to show his size).

In August I'll continue with pages for my Water War story. I plan to pencil six to eight more pages and use them as portfolio pieces to show Wolfgang Bylsma, the publisher of Gestalt Comics, who will be at Oz Comic Con Brisbane in September. I might even pitch the story as something he could publish under the Gestalt label. If not, I'll finish the remaining pages (until I reach the magical 20 page number) and ink it with a view to self-publishing and selling it at Supanova Gold Coast next year. I've decided being a professional illustrator and comic artist is what I want to do for the rest of my life so I'm here for the long haul. One day I'll crack the big time and my artwork will appear in a popular title and distributed around the world. Wish me luck!

Current Work

Hello everyone,

I've been so busy I realised I haven't updated my blog for some time. Since last entry I've attended Supanova Brisbane last year and Supanova Gold Coast in April this year. I took my portfolio along to Gold Coast to show Michael Golden and get some professional feedback. The review went really well with Michael offering some great advice. Not long before this I was thinking of giving up the whole illustration thing because I haven't been able to get any professional comic work for at least five years now (apart from the Killeroo Gangwars gig - Thanks Darren!) and it just didn't seem worth it anymore.
Luckily Michael gave me the motivation to continue.

I'm putting the finishing touches to my portfolio for Supanova Sydney in June, where I hope to impress the IDW team and hopefully get some work.  They're offering a cover to one lucky artist and maybe it'll be me. To be honest I'd rather an internal art gig requiring sequential pages so if my work is good enough, I could be offered a book. Either way, my Facebook page and this blog will be the first two places I announce it if I'm picked. The competition is going to be tough though, as this is the first time US comic publishers have attended an Australian convention in some time and every aspiring comic artist will be there for a chance at the big time. Wish me luck!

I've recently taken a new role in Council as an Active School Travel Officer. I organise active travel days at schools to get kids to walk, cycle, scoot, skate or carpool to school instead of riding in the family car. The program aims to reduce traffic around schools (which is a problem everywhere) and get kids healthier. With my strength training background, it's a good fit for me at the moment. The team found out I was a comic book artist and asked me to do some images for a 'Walk Safely to School' comic. Below are the images. The mascot is a Cockatoo called Zero the Hero (named so because we want ZERO road deaths).

I've also included some pencils from my portfolio review with Michael Golden. Some of them I posted on Facebook. I want to keep my current work under wraps until I return from Sydney. I'm doing half a dozen cover images and half a dozen sequential pages. I'm also doing roughs for a six pager for DECAY horror comic. I'll have those images done by the end of July. Then I'll begin preparing a new lot of portfolio pages for Brisbane Oz Comic Con in September where Wolfgang Bylsma from Gestalt (Australia's premiere graphic novel publisher) will be doing reviews. I had a good review with Wolf last year but my artwork has come a long way since then so there might be another chance to be offered some book artwork.

I've been asked by my fellow comic artists why I don't get a table at a con and sell my work. To be honest, I only feature in a couple of anthologies so I really don't have anything to sell. So what I've decided to do is complete a full 20 page comic hosting my Stealthmode hero character that has featured in Brisbane Ashcan and get it printed for Gold Coast Supanova next year (April 2015). I'll get a table then and have my very own comic to flog off to anyone who is interested. This is a tall order but what I'll do is use the script to do portfolio pages for conventions in September and November so the pencils will be done by the end of the year. Then they only(?) need inking, lettering and printing. However if I get IDW work I guess this plan will go out the window. Anyway time to go. Thanks for stopping by.

Ken

ZICS!

For any of you indy comic and magazine fans out there, I'll be at the Zine and Indy Comic Symposium at The Edge, in Brisbane this weekend. If you're in the area Saturday or Sunday afternoon, come and say hi. I'll have a small table and will have a mini comic sample of my 'MOULD COAST' title. Below is a cover image from my next story (hopefully a full-length comic, 24 pages) I hope to have ready by Supanova Brisbane in November. See you there!

Transitioning to Paleo

Hi All,

As a strength coach I get asked lots of questions about training and diet. While I try to answer as many training related questions as I can, I don't usually give advice on diet because it's a highly individual thing. I can only offer my experiences on different diets I've tried for myself.

Since going Paleo a few months ago, I've been asked how I did it. This I can answer with some degree of confidence, but it may not be the way everyone else in the Paleo world has done or is doing it. You see, I'm not one to go cold turkey on anything - I need to warm up to it first by adopting changes gradually.

I started by replacing my usual breakfast of yoghurt and oats with boiled eggs. On Sunday night I boil up enough eggs for the next two or three days, and eat two each morning with my cup of tea. I did this for weeks before I felt ready to include more changes.

I then replaced my lunchtime sandwich with meat, 1/2 avocado, tomato, and carrot and a few nuts. I stuck to this for another few weeks til I was ready to eliminate carbs from dinner too (usually potato). I also cut down on beer during the week until I was only drinking a few on Saturday. I substituted beer with black tea in the late afternoons.

I would love to say it was an easy transition but it wasn't so smooth. Some days I'd eat a wrap for lunch or a muesli bar for afternoon tea. But I found reintroducing yoghurt and fruit as a snack helped. And I didn't experience a great deal of weight loss as touted by the Paleo gurus. I did notice I needed less sleep and I felt generally more comfortable in the belly (without the hunger pains), so I'm still committed to the Paleo way. Time will tell.

I hope these suggestions help you if you're struggling to transition to Paleo. Speak soon!

All things Paleo

Hello everyone,

I started this blog as a place to write about strength training related information I didn't (for whatever reason) get published. But when my cartooning took off and my first website was launched, the content I posted was more art/cartoon/comics based and less training related. Well for all of you who read my stuff and would like to see more of the latter, I'm finally getting around to doing just that.

I launched my book 'Wild Strength' in June and since then I've been experimenting with all things Paleo. I guess you could say my 'slant' on training is paleo-based, so I thought why not go the whole nine yards and try a Paleo diet.

I'm glad I did. It took me a few weeks to transition to Paleo, but once I did, I found it quite easy to follow. A typical day looks like this:

Breakfast: 2 x boiled eggs, handful of cashews, almonds or macadamias

Lunch: Piece of meat, tomato, carrot, 1/2 avocado, and capsicum

Dinner: Typical meat and veggies minus the potato

I snack on fruit or dried fruits and seeds if I feel like it and occasionally I'll have some yoghurt.

Now I know the diehards will say this isn't strict Paleo. I'm well aware of this but the few foods I include don't bother me in any way. And I like the 100% Paleo 80% of the time theory.

At first I missed bread (and beer, love beer), but now I don't notice it so much (still miss beer, but I have one or two on weekends, I'm not perfect!) But I like the fat loss I'm experiencing and a general sense of wellbeing. I've been on extended rehab for my shoulder and my lifts are going nowhere yet but soon I'll be zooming.

Some of the better books on Paleo are 'The Paleo Answer' by Dr Loren Cordain (who I reference in my book as a great source of paleo-based training too), 'The Paleo Solution' by Robb Wolf, and 'The Paleo Coach' by Jason Seib.

Some of my training-based articles will soon be appearing on a few Paleo sites in the near future. Stay tuned!

Welcome back!

Hello everyone,

Have to apologize for the delay in posting. My website got hacked and everything crashed. My book 'Wild Strength' is now live on Amazon as a print and kindle book. My website at bestwordsandpictures.com is now repaired and updated with new content and a purchase link for my book.

On the comics front I'm busy as every. So far I've been to Supanova Gold Coast and Oz Comic Con Melbourne.  I met up with all the great creators and friends and had my portfolio reviewed by Wolfgang Bylsma of Gestalt Comics.  Got some great feedback and hopefully made an impression. Wolfgang and the crew at Gestalt are doing some great things in comics both locally and internationally and I hope to someday team up with one of their fabulous writers and do a kick-ass book or ten. Fingers crossed!

I'm finishing artwork for two stories in the upcoming Ashcan issue #8, one for writer Cameron McDonald called 'Bad Ass' and my own 'Stealthmode' 12 pager. This issue will hopefully be launched at ZICS (zine and indy comic symposium) in Brisbane at the end of August, and I'll have a table there with copies of my works for you to check out. Very excited about this event!

In the past few months I've also completed two three-page storied for Decay, issue #15 and #16. And I continue to do 'Gym Follies' and write articles for Aussie Ironman and MILO. Whew! Can't stop now though, I've applied for funding to get to Armageddon Expo in Melbourne in October and get my stuff reviewed by Kevin Eastman of TNMT fame. Doing some cool new artwork for him to scrutinise. Then I hope to get to Coffs Harbour for the ACA Annual Awards where I'll meet the man himself Tom Richmond, who is coming all the way for the US to be here. And November is Brisbane Supanova.

Anyway here are some images of my recent works.  Thanks for hanging in there with me,

Ken

Happy New Year

Hi All,

A little belated I know, but happy new year anyway.  I've been busy doing lots of writing and drawing over the break and am in full swing again this year.  I finished the 11 page script for Killeroo which will be published in June/July (three pages are displayed on my deviantart site).  I've also just finished a three page script for Decay which should be out in March.  I'm busily redoing my 12 page Stealthmode comic for issue 8 of Ashcan due out late this year.  After advice from The Soldier Legacy's Paul Mason (thanks Paul!) at Brisbane Supanova last year, I felt the original six pages of art weren't up to standard so I've redone them and am adding six more pages.  I've attached the superseded pages here.

Also, I've completed my manuscript for Wild Strength and the cover artwork.  Just need to get it proofread before I launch it on Kindle in June.  At the moment, I'm busy writing articles for Aussie Ironman Magazine and MILO as teasers for the book which will hopefully be both published in June to coincide with the book launch.

I'm also working up concept artwork and thumbnails for a six page comic script for Home Made, and another eight pages for the Ace Comics competition.  Phew! A busy few months ahead.  Couple this with full-time work, training, and Supanova in April and Comiccon in July, and my head is already spinning.  Anyway, got to go...Be well!

Hi All,

I must apologise for taking so long to post another blog.  I finished a six pager of Stealthmode to show at Brisbane Supanova and got some great feedback.  I'm presently pencilling an 11 page Killeroo story for publication in Darren Close's Killeroo Gangwars Anthology due out some time next year.  I'm also back writing and am putting the finishing touches to my book - and writing and illustrating a children's book I hope to pitch soon.  Here are a few images I have produced for various facebook challenges.  Go to my deviant art site kdavidbest for more stuff.  Thanks

More Stealthmode Art

Below are two comic pages that aren't going into Stealthmode issue 1.  Thanks for visiting,

Page 1 of Stealthmode comic

Hi All,

Here's page one of my comic character Stealthmode.  It reveals how he lost his hearing.  I've just finished page 8 of issue two and am in negotiations to print and publish issue 1 with a full colour cover.  Check out Stealthmode's Facebook page for more art and updates too.  Thanks,

Stealthmode Facebook page

Hi all,

Just started a facebook page for my comic hero 'Stealthmode'.  Go there and check it out.  I'll be posting new art there as I go.  Below is the coloured cover for issue #0 I hope to publish soon.  Thanks,

Art Work Update

Hi All,

Been a while since I posted anything.  Been busy finishing issue two of Stealthmode and am pencilling the third and fourth issue.  Assignment two of Joe Kubert's course is back and here is the original artwork (minus critique again).

Also, I've discovered a cool facebook site called ozcomics.  They have a weekly art theme you can enter and show your work.  This week the subject is Aliens the movie.  I did this piece to post on their site.  I call it 'Get away from her...you bitch!'

Stay tuned for Stealthmode three cover very soon.  Til then, keep drawing.

Ken

Joe Kubert Art Course

Hi All,

I recently got back by first assignment from Joe Kubert Art School in the US.  Although I needed a few corrections, Joe said I have potential!  That's music to my artistic ears.  Attached is my assignment I submitted (in the interest of copyright I'll keep Joe's critique to myself).  I've just finished the next one and will post soon.  On the work front, I'm doing lots of designing and writing for Gold Coast City Council Engineering Services directorate.  I'm learning the ins and outs of InDesign and Illustrator as well as improving my skills in photoshop.  It's great to have the time during the day to do this and although it's a temporary position, I'm hoping it will develop into something more permanent.  In the meantime, I'm still working on issue two of Stealthmode for Ashcan comics.  Incidentally, Ashcan launched issue 6 on Friday night.  I couldn't make it but am looking forward to getting my copy soon.  I don't yet know if Stealthmode issue 1 is in this issue (or postponed to issue 7) but I'll be shouting from the rooftops when it makes print.  Attached is a sneak peak at the cover for issue 2.  Anyway, be sure to check out the artists and links I include in my posts and like my Facebook page.  Thanks

Ken

Stealthmode comic

Hi All,

I've completed my first six pager for Ashcan Comics, and I'm busy pencilling the second edition.  Below is the cover image.  Ashcan publish in black and white so I gave the cover some grey highlights.      I've got the critique back for my first assignment from Joe Kubert School, and I'm busy pencilling the second assignment as well.  Joe is offering an original comic art page done by him and his sons as a prize for the best second assignments, so I'm trying my hardest to win one - what a collectors item!  Anyway got to go,

Ken

Children's Illustrations

Here is a children's book illustration I was working on for the SCBWI illustrators showcase.  Apparently based on two images I sent them, my work isn't suitable for the showcase.  Anyway, maybe you can be the judges and if you think it's good enough, let me know.  Thanks.

Art Stuff update

Hi guys and gals,

I've been kept very busy with projects at the moment.  Assignment 1 of Joe Kubert's comics course is done and sent.  Eagerly awaiting feedback for that one.  Six page comic for Ashcan is inked and ready for rendering.  Sent through the first page today.  I'm putting the finishing touches to my children's book portfolio which I'm showcasing at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference.  I'll add a few images when it is sent.  Below is a variant cover for my re-worked superhero Stealthmode.  I might enter this in a local art competition and see how I go.  I'm loving DC's new 52 comics.  The art and stories are amazing.  My favourites are Aquaman, Deathstroke, and Blue Beetle.  Go to their website and check them out.  Anyway, fish and chips are here.  g2g.

Comic Art and Stuff

Hi All,

Been a busy few weeks with many projects on the go.  After Supanova, I've reworked my comic book idea titled 'Screw'.  I've changed his name, given him a new costume, and redrawn the whole comic after taking the advice of the guys from Black House Comics.  Stay tuned for some images in the near future.

In the meantime, I've submitted my book proposal to a few more publishing houses, drawn more cartoons in addition to my comic idea, and coloured a few images.  Below is some examples.  I splashed a bit of colour onto the title page shown in the previous blog post, and I inked another title page with another comic character I'm working on - who made an appearance in my last coloured image making friends with a huge wild bear.  I won't reveal his name yet until I've improved my pencilling skills.

I've enrolled in a pencilling correspondence course through the Joe Kubert School in America, one of the best in the world, which I'm very excited about.  I should get the first assignment in a few weeks.  If you're interested in comic art, go to the DC Comics website/blog.  It's been totally re-worked and there's dozens of images of comic art at all stages of the process for you to study and wonder over.  I hope that one day my skills are even half as good as their artists.  Got to go, as always train your brain as well as your body.

Comic Art Idea

Hi all,

Just went to Supanova on the weekend.  Wow! What a great show.  Nearly 20000 people attended over the full weekend so it was definitely a winner.  I didn't dress up or anything like that, I went there to get portfolio feedback from the guys in artists alley.  The below splash page is one I did for a new comic idea I'm working with.  I may change the name and play with the drawings a bit but the idea was generally well received by all so watch this space!  I'll soon have a finished product to publish - hopefully through Black House Comics.  Till next time,

Ken

Supanova

Hello everyone,
It's Friday 20th of April as I write this and the Supanova weekend is here!  This is the first time it's being
held on the Gold Coast and I'm heading there Sunday to check it out.  I'm taking my portfolio of art to show the editors and publishers there what I can do so I can (hopefully) secure some work.  I'll be there with my son, Bill, and those of you who've read my articles in MILO have seen a photo or two of him (and me) will recognise us.  If you do, say g'day and we'll talk training, cartooning and general stuff.  Hope to see you there!

Ken

WordMasters

I went to a free workshop hosted by GCCC Libraries and delivered by Rob Layton, a writer, designer and editor.  He gave some great advice on the five steps to publication and really knows his stuff.  If you have a manuscript you want published it pays to get professional editing (or at least proofreading) before sending the finished product to the printers.  Check out Rob's website at WordMasters.com.au or give him a call on 0411031236 or email rob@wordmasters.com.au.  Dinner is ready, got to go,

Ken