Super Orb, Iron Girl, Spider-Hulk and...EasterFox!

Driving into sunny Ely this morning, I had no idea that within a matter of hours I would be on the return journey home, having co-created/visualised Florence's Iron Girl, Felix's Spider-Hulk, Callum's Super Orb and Tindalls' Easter Fox! 

And sent Jackson home in the company of Batman, Spider-Man and Iron Man! 

Not necessarily in that order.

But I'm getting way ahead of myself - I've covered the beginning, and the end - let's have a look at the interesting bit in the middle.

As usual I've taken half my studio with me. Not entirely necessary on this occasion, since my demo venue was Tindalls Art & Graphics - had I forgotten any materials such as Promarker, Layout Pad or Blu or White tak - all were within easy reach.

Anyway, having unloaded numerous character designs, sketches, markers and greetings card - I set the stage for creation. 

No howling wind or driving rain, no thunder or lightning. On the hottest April Easter weekend on record there's no darkest night, only brightest day - inside Tindalls it's cool and it's creative.

...I figure if Captain America and Spider-Man can't persuade 
you to come in - I spell it out for good measure...

Taking Jemma's cue from a message in the Tindalls diary, I begin drawing a character wishing a 'Happy Easter' to Tindalls colleagues in the Cambridge and Newmarket stores from the Ely Crew via none other than the EasterFox (in the guise of Captain Marvel).

So there I am sketching away - not quite sure what to draw, when in walks Callum - ready to create. He knows all about his character - his name, his pose, his Egyptian heritage and the sign of the Illuminati! 

'Course he doesn't tell me this all in one go. We have to work at it - draw it out. Callum tells me what's next - I draw it. He's the brain - I'm the hands...

First we draw in the boots Captain America style, only longer so when they fold down they have a buckle and strap at the knee. Hands are raised grasping a huge glowing orb, at the centre a smaller brighter orb. 

Egyptian head guard with a triple unicorn at north, east and west. Blank eyes. The sign of the Illuminati on his forehead! Oh yeah - hanging at his side a mammoth broadsword in a leather and ruby scabbard. 

Following Callum's instructions - using a Promarker I first colour in the rays emanating from the orb, boots, horned helmet and face mask. We get dynamic complimentary colour action using greens and reds, and purples and yellows. 

And now - the One and Only --  SUPER ORB!  

Callum asks me if maybe he could get to take the drawing home? People - I would have to be Thanos to say NO. YES - if you create your own Hero or Villain - you have to take them home!


I get back to the EasterFox drawing - it's making a little more sense now. I reckon that she's probably holding a glowing  Infinity Egg  - possessing a power for which there is absolutely no defence - Chocolate!

I get this far when I see five year old Jackson and his parents walk in. Unfortunately Jackson does not have the time to create a hero with us today - but I cannot let him leave empty handed. After I've given him a Spider-Man and Batman sketch he tells me his favourite superhero is none other than Iron Man.

I return to the EasterFox sketch, drawing in an open masked fox's face, adding crimson, yellow and blue to the face and costume. I use dazzle rays and Kirby Krackle to enhance the Infinity Egg - almost done!

Before I can illuminate the word balloon, I'm joined by Florence and Felix. They also do not have time for a full colour drawing, so I suggest a black and white drawing each - which they can colour at home. 

Florence asks for a female version of Iron Man, and Felix wants a Marvel mash up of Spider-Man and the Hulk.

Introducing -  Iron Girl and Spider-Hulk!!  

Back to EasterFox - I quickly block in the word balloon colours, creating a reversed out effect, and letter in the character name - 'EASTERFOX'...

  Finally - a big hand for... The EASTERFOX!  

A big thanks to Callum, Florence and Felix for all their creativity and enthusiasm, staff Jemma, Alyssia and Harry at Tindalls for all their support and tea, and Mark for inviting me back for more!

The next day I received an email 

with a couple of great drawings attached...

...Florence's coloured in drawing of IRON GIRL...

...and Florence's surprise drawing of everybody's 

favourite friendly neighborhood 

SPIDER-MAN!

...The Incredible Dennis and Wolverine Beryl!...

The time: 1.30pm
The place: Downham Market Library...
The mission (should you accept): Who are Dennis and Beryl?

I started the workshop taking suggestion from the group on how to draw Dennis and Beryl. I sketched in a pencil layout and went back in with Posca pens and Promarkers. In an effort to draw quickly - I think Dennis came out a little looser than I expected. 

While Dennis appeared in a traditional 'running at you' pose, I drew Beryl as if she might be riding a skateboard...

Sure - it could have been a skate board. Or a train, or a rocket ship, or a tiger. After much deliberation - we chose the Silver Surfer's intergalactic surfboard! What else?

Just to place Beryl in context, I added blazing suns and stars above and the planet Earth below. Makes a change from Dundee.

While I was working on the easel I could hear the sound of pencil and marker on paper. The kids had wisely begun drawing and colouring their own versions of Dennis and Beryl using the template sheets I designed. Which is just as well since it was taking me longer than I thought to carry out these first two 'quick sketches'. 

I was a comic fan from the early 60s, so for me there was no getting away from Superheroes and Supervillains while I was planning this workshop. I produced some examples of Dennis and Beryl as Marvel characters, and for the second set of drawings, asked the children which hero or villain they would like me to combine with Dennis and Beryl.

 

Michael - I think - suggested Venom, and/or Spider-Man for Dennis. Since Spider-Man is like no other character, and can stick to walls and contort, well - like a spider, we drew him upside down. I remembered an old Spider-Man story where he actually grew four more arms, so Dennis was voted to have a total of eight limbs! Swinging on a web wearing half a Spidey mask - he's your friendly neighbourhood Incredible Dennis!

I may be mistaken, but I think Dexter suggested drawing Beryl with Wolverine claws.  She is wearing a customised Weapon X version of her traditional skirt and short sleeves in the style of Wolverine's original yellow and blue costume. 'Course we need to come up with a name - an 'XB' chest logo for 'X-Men Beryl' - and a text logo for 'Wolverine Beryl' - watch out Korky the Kat and the Bash Street Kids!

 

While all this creativity was going on parent and volunteer alike were joining in and contributing their own ideas to the afternoon's imagineering!

I shouldn't be surprised, but while discussing the various incarnations of Iron Man's armour, and the different colours of the Hulk - turns out Michael and Dexter knew as much if not more than I did! Thank you Stan Lee and Dorling Kindersley.

So somehow, this brought us around to talking about the world devouring GALACTUS! We started the workshop with the Sensational Beryl - Sentinel of the Spaceways! and toward the end of the workshop have come full circle to Dennis as we've never seen him before - the rather peckish GALACDENNIS!

You better hide those cow-pies Desperate Dan!
 

I'm going to apologies beforehand, but I've got a terrible memory for names (unless they're comic book writers, artists, inkers, letterers and colourists).

When I was in the restaurant business it would be 'Well-done Steak Guy' 'Pina Colada Woman' 'Two jugs of Bud Man' and 'Quadruple Burger Kid'. 

So...

A big thank you to Fran, Stephanie and all the volunteers (Aimee, Tasha and 'Ant Man and the Wasp reading Guy') at Downham Market Library. 

 

Artists and creators - Michael, Amy, Alex, Dexter, Martha, Amy...and that's where I can remember who drew Fantastic Four #25 in 1964, but can't remember who I spoke to yesterday. 

Apologies to you if I left you out - contact me and I'll add you asap. 

Many thanks to you all, kids and parents - for coming along!

OK - just when you thought it was safe to 

go out into the fifth quadrant of the galaxy - 

Where'd this guy come from?!

DeNos!

 

 Dad! Have you seen 

my Infinity Stones?

TO BE CONTINUED!

Next stop - Gaywood Library, King's Lynn - 2pm - 16.08.18...

...and a library far far away!