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Kids' Comic Art Classes in NJ
There's a flyer at Comic Fusion which caught my attention. I think this is such a great idea to get kids started in drawing:
COMIC BOOK COLLEGE
Instructor Charles David Viera
Mr. Viera is an artist and former colorist for Defiant Comics. He has also taught at Pratt Institute, the Parsons School of Design in New York and the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in New Jersey.
Students improve their drawing and story telling skills while recreating there favorite cartoon, comic book and anime characters. Using the same penciling and inking techniques as the pros, each student creates their own characters and stories that are compiled into a printed comic book.
COMIC BOOK COLLEGE
Date: Eight Tuesdays, 2/24 - 4/14
Time: 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM
Location: Arboretum
Ages: 8 - 10
Cost: $108 includes materials
Date: Eight Tuesdays, 2/24 - 4/14
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: Arboretum
Ages: 11 - 15
Cost: $120 includes materials
Photoshoot Preparations
Today I'm meeting with a photographer for the first time to discuss doing an entire series of superhero photos for him and I to share in our portfolios. If you aren't familiar, that's called a Trade For Print (TFP) usually; sometimes, Trade For something else like CD just to be specific. He's not paying me to model and I'm not paying him for the pictures. We can use the shots in our portfolios or whatever we discuss. For me, I have his permission to use them as part of my publicity for the charity work and store appearances that I do. I've contacted a make-up artist too for a similar trade on days when I have an event and hopefully her schedule will allow for it.
Since I honestly have no idea what I'm doing in regard to modeling, I'm looking to this photographer Rob Gardner (Boonton, NJ) to guide me throughout the process. For today's prep he asked me to bring fabric samples in because he's interested in doing more than just a stark white backdrop so he's going to examine the colors and come up with different backgrounds. We're going to plan out colors and even scenarios for action shots utilizing his friend as a stand-in street thug.
I remember my college days going through the Fine Arts building and seeing the fashion students' exhibits. They had cards with their sketches and swatches of fabric so I created my own version of that with any of the materials from my suits that I could get my from my bottomless pit of leftover fabric. I used Hallmark blank greeting cards to put through my printer; set my printer to "Best" quality in the properties; created a MS Publisher document with photo, name of suit, list of fabrics; taped the fabric to the card because staples would screw up the fact that I've double-sided these. Since I did double-side the cards, I could have fit up to 8 costumes but I only did my 6 favorites.
If you don't make your costumes yourself, ask the designer to send swatches either in advance or with your finished product; sometimes this is a nominal fee like $3-5 usually just to cover postage if it's in advance.
Here's an example of what the design cards look like:
Since I honestly have no idea what I'm doing in regard to modeling, I'm looking to this photographer Rob Gardner (Boonton, NJ) to guide me throughout the process. For today's prep he asked me to bring fabric samples in because he's interested in doing more than just a stark white backdrop so he's going to examine the colors and come up with different backgrounds. We're going to plan out colors and even scenarios for action shots utilizing his friend as a stand-in street thug.
I remember my college days going through the Fine Arts building and seeing the fashion students' exhibits. They had cards with their sketches and swatches of fabric so I created my own version of that with any of the materials from my suits that I could get my from my bottomless pit of leftover fabric. I used Hallmark blank greeting cards to put through my printer; set my printer to "Best" quality in the properties; created a MS Publisher document with photo, name of suit, list of fabrics; taped the fabric to the card because staples would screw up the fact that I've double-sided these. Since I did double-side the cards, I could have fit up to 8 costumes but I only did my 6 favorites.
If you don't make your costumes yourself, ask the designer to send swatches either in advance or with your finished product; sometimes this is a nominal fee like $3-5 usually just to cover postage if it's in advance.
Here's an example of what the design cards look like:
Jayne hat auctioned!
The California Browncoats have details on the sale of one of the actual on-screen Jayne hats from Firefly. Almost $5,000 was raised for the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation and was donated by the man himself, Mr. Adam Baldwin.
WTG!
WTG!
Dreamation Gaming Con coverage
Ron and I had the opportunity to spend half of Saturday at a nearby gaming con called Dreamation. Everything from Monopoly to Arkham Horrors and LARPing was experienced. We've got several different interviews posted at YouTube -- and some NYCC coverage as well.
http://www.youtube.com/user/amberthestylist
http://www.youtube.com/user/amberthestylist
2009 Costume Focus
As one of my fellow Heroes pointed out on the League of Heroes, sometimes our wish lists get so out of control we lose focus on what costumes we really need to make for the year. In reality, I don't "need" to make any but I'm addicted and trying to maintain a balance with the growth of my super wardrobe and my checkbook.
That being said, I'm still hoping to find the necessary patterns or items for modification in order to get a suitable Golden Age Miss Masque. My convention schedule is pretty light this year as I'm more inclined to be at local events. Since Dragon*Con is the only reason I'd need the Miss Masque for the Golden Age gathering, it all hinges on whether or not I can get all the funds together for it.
Keeping up with the steampunk community is another reason that my wardrobe is expanding. While I'm taking it VERY slowly, every little addition helps but requires mods of some sort, even if just a repainting or adding clockwork gears. Since I've gotten a love for the steamy side of things and the constant love of comics, I'm going to try and craft a steampunk Green Lantern for myself and then a traditional but original GL for my dearest. I'm going to need a lot of help on those! People have convincedme that the portable "ring charger battery" device should be a back-mounted pack rather than a dainty arm band device. I have no construction skills so we'll see what I come up with after I get some cash to visit the local hobby shop.
Finally, I'm one step into the process for bringing Athena Voltaire to life. That's right, Steve, I said it! Everyone was trying to convince that making the jacket would be "so easy" and well, I just don't think so. I found something suitable but not nearly perfect on ebay. It's a start. An adventurer/aviatrix is waiting to be born.
That being said, I'm still hoping to find the necessary patterns or items for modification in order to get a suitable Golden Age Miss Masque. My convention schedule is pretty light this year as I'm more inclined to be at local events. Since Dragon*Con is the only reason I'd need the Miss Masque for the Golden Age gathering, it all hinges on whether or not I can get all the funds together for it.
Keeping up with the steampunk community is another reason that my wardrobe is expanding. While I'm taking it VERY slowly, every little addition helps but requires mods of some sort, even if just a repainting or adding clockwork gears. Since I've gotten a love for the steamy side of things and the constant love of comics, I'm going to try and craft a steampunk Green Lantern for myself and then a traditional but original GL for my dearest. I'm going to need a lot of help on those! People have convincedme that the portable "ring charger battery" device should be a back-mounted pack rather than a dainty arm band device. I have no construction skills so we'll see what I come up with after I get some cash to visit the local hobby shop.
Finally, I'm one step into the process for bringing Athena Voltaire to life. That's right, Steve, I said it! Everyone was trying to convince that making the jacket would be "so easy" and well, I just don't think so. I found something suitable but not nearly perfect on ebay. It's a start. An adventurer/aviatrix is waiting to be born.
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