When I Published My Sketchbook In 2003, I Was Invited To Table At A Few Local Toronto Comic-book Conventions.

‘Doctor Strange’ illo that I did, back in 2008.. Colored it later on, using colored pencils, felt markers, and a bit of digital.. My hope was to give it a very Kevin Nowlan -esque quality. As I think his interpretation of the character has always been the best!

Toon Talk Sessions - Rich Dannys

Welcome to the first episode of Toon Talk Sessions, a Toon Talk Weekly interview series!

Listen above of download the MP3 (67.4mb).

For some time now, we’ve wanted to sit down and interview the people that work behind the scenes on bringing our favorite cartoons to life. It’s no secret that animation is no small task and it requires a large team to create these awesome shows.

On this episode of Toon Talk Sessions Jake had the chance to talk with Canadian artist Rich Dannys about his work in cartoons.

Rich Dannys is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist, based in Oshawa, Ontario. He is an experienced Layout/Design artist, that has worked at many of Toronto’s finest animation studios. His style ranges from work featuring: animated cartoon & comic-book sensibilities – to vintage/retro motifs, with occasional ‘classical’ overtones.

Here are some of the topics covered in this episode:

How he got into the cartoon industry

His early work on Beetlejuice and the time he fired himself

Stories and the coolest scene from the Cadillacs and Dinosaurs series

Rich’s education and teaching experience in Canada

The extraordinary pipeline on his latest project, Welcome to the Wayne

His love of comics and where he finds inspiration

His advice for getting into the cartoon industry and improving your art

For more about Rich Dannys and his work you can find him at the following:

Tumblr - richdannys.tumblr.com/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/richdannys/ Portfolio - www.coroflot.com/Attezarf IMDb - www.imdb.com/name/nm2147403/

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One more BEETLEJUICE for the pile.. BJ shreds on a Tuesday Afternoon!

I was fortunate this past weekend, to win a couple of nice items at Heritage Auctions.. Here’s one of them: a large mixed media painting, by Daniel Torres - the great Spanish illustrator/comic-book artist! This illustration was published in the December ‘89 issue of PLAYBOY Magazine, to accompany excerpts of “The Killing Man”; Mickey Spillane’s 12th MIKE HAMMER novel!

15 years ago, I was commissioned by artist Leigh Young to draw a Pinup featuring one of her ‘LUCHABABES’ characters.. i chose to draw “Ambarina”. Shown here, facing off against “The Blue Demon”. I’d just come off working on "THE RIPPING FRIENDS” cartoon series, which (I think) may have informed the way I handled the overwrought anatomy of the Villain, here..

Today’s mail was pretty exciting for me, because I finally scored a copy of “FREE SHIT”, which I was able to purchase via eBay France! I’m a huge Charles Burns fan and have met him a number of times over the years. I’d read that he'd often produce these small 8-page ‘zines called “FREE SHIT” and give them to his fans at signings? Despite this fact, he never seemed to have any copies, whenever I’d ask.. Pretty disappointing.

The book was produced by ‘Le Dernier Cri’ as a limited-edition (1000 copies) in September 2016. So, they’re rather hard to find in North America. And often, very expensive! They’re certainly never Free!! Anyways, this small book collects the first 22 issues of his ‘zine. And is a real insight into Burns’ process and how his creative brain works. Highly recommended!

Two years ago today, we lost a local legend.. RIP Darwyn Cooke.

A 16 year-old pinup drawing that served as my entry into this week’s 'Illustration Friday' contest, themed around the word: “DOG”.. The initial layout sketch was provided by my good friend and fellow Layout buddy: David Pietila. “Soopermutt” was a character featured in issues of the “Animal Adventures” comic-book, published in the 1950′s by ‘Timor Publications’..

Lookee what I got in today's mail.. My copy of 'EC Fan-Addict' #2!! Great articles on the comic art careers of Frazetta and Sid Check.. Plus, an interview with Al Feldstein?! Not available in any stores, folks.. To get your own copy, contact: ecfanaddicts_at_yahoo.com

Digging through some old drawings last night, I found these.. After seeing a few examples of my Fan Art in the pages of AMAZING HEROES, I was approached by publisher Dave Goode to do cover art for his “SQUARED CIRCLE Comix”. I was very flattered, as the interior story was drawn by Bill Ward, a favorite artist of mine!

I was all of 25 years old in August of ‘88 when I drew this, so I can see a lot of things I’d definitely do differently now. I recall that Goode sent me a sampling of Steve Reeves photo reference for “Brad King”, the wrestler featured here.. I’m guessing I used a Marilyn Monroe photo book by Andre De Dienes, for the “Sugar Caine” bikini babe?

I was pretty obsessed (still am!) with Dave Stevens artwork, at this point. And while I like the Poses and Staging, the line weight on the inking is pretty sketchy. Even so, I recall mailing this and a number of other art samples to Dave Stevens. He wrote back a nice letter to me: “As for your drawing ability, you seem to have a good grasp on the Figure. So you shouldn’t have any trouble getting work. Based on the wrestling piece you did, I’d say you’re ready to try your stuff on a story..” 

You could have knocked me over with a feather, after that.