July 31, 2008
100 Days of Monsters author Stefan Bucher shares his thoughts on Comic-Con and talks about his own favorite comics. Stefan’s book is a fun collection of ink blot drawings, stunning design, and wild stories inspired by the monster illustrations. The book even comes with a “Monsters in Motion” DVD, showing Stefan’s innovative illustration techniques.
July 30, 2008
Yeah. You know that Comic Con is cool. There’s exclusive clips of mind-blowing new block buster films and celebrity panels and collectible giveaways and the like. But, you want to know what one of our favorite moments at the Con was?
Check out the following interview with renowned comics writer Peter David, author of Writing Comics with Peter David as well as numerous comic titles including The Hulk, The Dark Tower, X-Men and many others.
IMPACT Books and Writer’s Digest Books Publicity Manager Greg Hatfield catches up with Peter at Comic-Con and talks about Peter’s favorite comic characters, his work on the comic adaptation of Steven King’s Dark Tower and the novelization of this summers blockbuster Iron Man film, as well as his advice for writers.
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Peter also mentions IDW editor and ComicsExperience.com owner Andy Schmidt’s forthcoming book from IMPACT, Insider’s Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels. Learn more here
July 29, 2008
Iron Man watches over the crowds at the Con
The staff from IMPACT Books is back in the office after an amazing time at San Diego Comic Con. We’ve got all kinds of great stuff to share with you (which I’ll post in bite-sized chunks). Here’s a few highlights:
Our annual IMPACT University panel was a blast offering great instruction from the likes of comics author Peter David, manga artist Colleen Doran, author Orson Scott Card, Comics Buyer’s Guide Editor Maggie Thompson, and digital coloring expert Brian Miller.
I attended a panel by renowned comics editor Andy Schmidt who runs www.comicsexperience.com where aspiring comic writers and artists can take classes to learn the ropes and find out what it takes in the comic business.
I interviewed 100 Days of Monsters author Stefan Bucher. Check out his website at www.dailymonster.com
Lots of cool stuff going on at the show. I met legendary Tolkien artist John Howe, conceptual designer for the Lord of the Rings movies who talked about his thoughts on Comic Con, and creative inspiration. Check out his book Fantasy Art Workshop. I also have an interview with John and some video from his spotlight panel that I’ll be sharing soon.
Plus, IMPACT Books Publicity Manager Greg Hatfield got a chance to interview Peter David, author of Writing for Comics with Peter David, who was great fun.
July 28, 2008
Lexington, KY, July 18, 2008 — LexArts announces a series of Comic Art programs in conjunction with the Lexington KY Comic Creators Group and the Lexington Art League for August 2008 including guest lectures, hands on workshops and a gallery exhibit for all ages highlighting comic art from across Kentucky.
The Comic Art exhibit will be at ArtsPlace Gallery, 161 North Mill Street, and will include artwork by adults and youths. The exhibit will open with a reception and guest lecture by juror Shawn Crystal, Professor in the Sequential Art Program at Savannah College of Art and Design – Atlanta, from 6:00 – 9:30 pm on August 8 and run through September 6. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adults who wish to submit art for consideration in the exhibit must do so by noon July 28. Youths wishing to submit art must do so by August 4.
Guest lectures will be free and open to the public. Workshops will have limited space availability and are open to all skill levels. Pre-registration is encouraged.
For more information on submitting art or to register for a workshop contact Nathan Zamarron, LexArts Community Arts Manager at 859.255.2951 or nzamarron@lexarts.org.
August 7 7:00 pm ARTalk – Joel Pett – Art in Politics. Open forum discussion and drawing session, Lexington Art League at Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Drive
August 8 6:00 – 9:30 pm Comic Art Gallery Show Opening Reception, ArtsPlace, 161 North Mill Street
7:00 pm Awards Presented
7:30 – 9:00 pm Lecture – Shawn Crystal – Black and White Design in Comics.
August 9 9:30 – 10:00 am Workshop Registration at Downtown Art Center, 141 East Main Street (class size limited, tuition: $30)
10:00 am -12 noon – Shawn Crystal – Part I: Comic Strip Storytelling &Penciling
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Shawn Crystal – Part II: Comic Strip Inking
August 10 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Chris Ware lecture on coloring techniques using computer software at ArtsPlace, 161 North Mill Street
About LexArts
LexArts is a non-profit community organization that works for the development of a strong and vibrant arts community as a means of enhancing the quality of life in Central Kentucky. LexArts provides a wide range of programs designed to integrate the arts into our daily lives. Through its annual Campaign for the Arts, LexArts has raised millions of dollars in support of local arts. In turn, LexArts underwrites the operating expenses for a variety of beneficiary organizations, offers affordable exhibition and performance space for arts organizations, as well as competitive grants for community outreach projects. Visit LexArts website at www.lexarts.org.
Major support for LexArts programs and services is provided by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports LexArts with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
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Just got back from San Diego Comic Con International! Our booth was very busy, panel very successful, and we had a great time meeting with both current and potential IMPACT authors, contributors and readers. Most of the IMPACT team that attended the show got there on Wednesday, in time to avoid the long lines and get set up for Preview Night. I walked the floor with publisher Jamie Markle and designer Wendy Dunning collecting stuff for crazy fanboy Justin Combs (marketing) while scoping out Lego and Pokemon stuff for my kids (hey, I can’t go to Comic Con without coming home with cool stuff for them). The next few days were a whirlwind of talking to artists, attending panels and taking in everything that goes along with this awesome event. Some of the current and upcoming IMPACT authors I saw: Brian & Kristy Miller (Hi-Fi Color for Comics), Doug Chiang (Mechanika), John Howe (John Howe Fantasy Art Workshop), Harry Hamernik (Face Off, Cartoonimals upcoming October), Andy Schmidt (Insider’s Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels upcoming December), Randy Martinez (Creature Features upcoming March), Chris Ryall & Scott Tipton (Comic Books 101 upcoming May), Tom Nguyen (Incredible Comics with Tom Nguyen, Incredible Comic Book Women with Tom Nguyen upcoming May), Colleen Doran (Girl to Grrrl Manga, Manga Pro Superstar Workshop), Jason Cheeseman-Meyer (Vanishing Point) and Peter David (Writing for Comics with Peter David). Great to see everyone, including the awesome crowd that makes Comic Con what it is!
Pam Wissman
Editorial Director
IMPACT Books
July 23, 2008
I’m thrilled to welcome you to our new IMPACT site. If you’re not familiar with us yet, let me fill you in. Since 2004, IMPACT has provided the best art instruction for fantasy, comics and pop culture styles. We now have over 30 books in our line, including bestsellers DragonArt, Enchanting Fairies, Face Off, Comic Artist’s Photo Reference, Dreamscapes and Hi-Fi Color for Comics. We’ll continue providing you with more great books, of course—cranking out 20+ new ones per year going forward—but with this site, we’ll also provide the best art instruction (and more) online with lots of inspirational art, fantastic teaching and interviews with top-notch creators; links to videos of demonstrations; step-by-step tutorials; the possibilities are endless. Oh yeah, and be sure to check out our schedule for the San Diego Comic Con, which of course is happening right now! We’re at booth 1415. Please stop by and visit us if you’re at the con, and thank you so much for visiting us online!
Pam Wissman
Editorial Director
IMPACT Books
July 22, 2008
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