Steve Bright David Law style...

Peter Gray · Post by **Peter Gray** » 19 Jul 2007, 19:22

Steve Bright David Law style...

Just wondered how you learnt it......and how you made it your own....

When trying to copy Tom Paterson style it was very difficult not to copy what you see everytime...its hard to make it natural...............obviously I chose a difficult style to draw.........wondered how you approached it....

anyway Beryl...Clott...Brad Break..Bad Max have been great in that style..

love the perspective...the 2 heads in a frame shot....the open mouth look..

David Laws style is even more zany and exaggerated in some of the time he drew...like lanky Beryl....have you tried that period of drawing for fun or print......

Steve Bright · Post by **Steve Bright** » 20 Jul 2007, 17:56

Peter, I've ghosted other artists' styles throughout my career. It's been a very useful thing to be able to do, as until fairly recently it almost always guaranteed you work when you needed it.

Some styles are far more difficult to replicate than others (Tom Paterson's work being one of the toughest as you have rightly identified, since Tam is one of the best draughtsmen around, coupled with an extremely creative input from a totally twisted mind...I know he won't mind me saying that - it is intended as a compliment). I first attempted drawing in Davy Law's style after being asked to draw Corporal Clott, and I instantly fell in love with it. It's looseness was very different to my own natural style or any other that I had ghosted before, and if anything, the key was to try not to try, if you see what I mean.

I found I got better results the faster I drew. Of course the attention to detail, perspective, script and all the other things that make a page of artwork has to be in place, so I'm not talking short cuts in story-telling technique here, but loosening up your pencil lines by making your brain push that lead a little quicker. Inking in the pages doesn't work UNLESS you do it quickly. Some styles have to be carved slowly and meticulously out of the paper - Law's had to be drawn as fast as the amazing action he created.

I hope I've not drawn my last page in that wonderful style, though it would appear that I won't get the chance to do any of Law's, or indeed DC Thomson's characters again. The current run of Beryl's were all completed last year, and I haven't worked for the company at all this year. But it's a style of drawing I'll always jump at the chance to use, and who knows when or where that might be in the future?

Peter Gray · Post by **Peter Gray** » 20 Jul 2007, 23:42

I thought you were back at the dandy......I'm sorry it was last years work.....

maybe Wallace and Gromit need the David Law style

maybe it could work

A looser style looks fun to draw......I may give it ago......

Some of David Laws posters spread over 2 pages in annuals are mind blowing......the Dennis the Menace one on a horse cart with lots of people pulling him was wonderful.....the many Dennis the Menace playing football...

hope you can work for the Dandy again.....Beryl was great.....and Bananaman of course......is your style Bananaman or were you inspired by other artists...?

Cap Haggis · Post by **Cap Haggis** » 21 Jul 2007, 02:15

Gawds how bad is it thaT Steve Bright hasn't draw this year for DCT? ow bad can that be he's one of modern" masters wirh wee Jamie Smart - No woner UK childrens comics are not as poplar as they were -Errr Steve that drooling "DOG" on you log in what is that it looks cool?

Steve Bright · Post by **Steve Bright** » 21 Jul 2007, 11:49

Cap Haggis wrote:Gawds how bad is it thaT Steve Bright hasn't draw this year for DCT? ow bad can that be he's one of modern" masters wirh wee Jamie Smart - No woner UK childrens comics are not as poplar as they were -Errr Steve that drooling "DOG" on you log in what is that it looks cool?

Eerily enough, it's the eponymous hero from a project that Jamie and me have been working on, Cap, which has been on hold for far too long now (my fault entirely) and which I'm trying to get back on track very soon. You can read all about it here - http://hellhathnofurry.livejournal.com/

It's not been updated for far too long due to me doing other stuff, and it's not intended for little-uns. You have been warned!

Cap Haggis · Post by **Cap Haggis** » 22 Jul 2007, 01:10

Wow thanks for that Steve - this kind of strip is the sort of thing I love - it honestly looks amazing - very exciting looking and pretty cool (the "Hairy Steve! cover is hilarious) Fantastic link showing how strips are worked on -plus a really fantastic/funny looking villain - Her Von b****** lol (Nelson looks good as well) I hope this gets back on track - Ideal for the US market to me - someone like Slave Labor Graphics?.

Steve Bright · Post by **Steve Bright** » 22 Jul 2007, 01:46

Thanks, Cap. Glad you liked it.

SLG will indeed be publishing this some time towards the end of next year, so I'll have to get it back on course soon (Jamie finished the script ages ago and has been very patient with me - it really is down to me to get cracking again). Your appreciation helps that happen.

Cheers!

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