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Bruce Lee
10-09-2007, 12:31 PM
Well, since this is a mini-forum showcasing some of my work, I suppose it'd be a good idea to tell everyone who I am. So here goes:

WHO I AM:

I was born in a small town in Virginia, where I lived for the first 24 years of my life. I attended the JOE KUBERT SCHOOL OF ART in Dover, New Jersey from '94-'96. 1996 was a big year for me. It was my last year at the Kubert School, the first year I began working as a professional, and the year I got married to my wife, Carolyn. A pretty big year, indeed!

The first four and a half years of my pro career were spent providing illustrations for over roleplaying games and products, where I was very prolific, producing artwork for over 65 different role-playing books. I've since moved on to working in licensing publishing--specifically children's books. DC Comic Book's License-Publishing has been my main employer since 1998.

I joined Penciljack's forums in 2001, and was a former co-moderator of two PJ boards, THE SEQUENTIAL ART board and the now defunct CRITICAL MASS board.

MY INTERESTS:

In my teens, I was a martial artist, competing in many martial arts tournaments. At the age of 18, I became a black belt in Shao-Lin Karate Do (which is Kung Fu in disquise, if truth be told).

Obviously drawing was always more than just a hobby, and I have now made it my career. My interest in drawing stems from my childhood interest in collecting comic books. My father bought me my first comic, an issue of BATMAN, when I was four years old, and I've been hooked ever since. My favorite comic artists include such talents as Alex Raymond, Hal Foster, Wally Wood, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Will Eisner, John Buscema, Berni Wrightson, Neal Adams, John Romita, Don Newton, Doug Wildey, Steve Rude, Mark Schultz, Bruce Timm, Herge, Alex Toth, etc. It's a very long list. My favorite comics are Silver Age Comics. My favorite comic runs include: 60s Lee/Kirby FANTASTIC FOUR, Lee/Romita AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, and EC Comics' WEIRD SCIENCE, WEIRD FANTASY, WEIRD SCIENCE-FANTASY/INCREDIBLE SCIENCE FICTION. Warren's b&w magazines like VAMPIRELLA, CREEPY & EERIE are at the top of my list, and I'm a huge fan of the Thomas/Buscema CONAN THE BARBARIAN and THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN books.

In addition to collecting comics, I also have a modest collection of pulp magazines from the 30s and 40s like THE SHADOW, AMAZING STORIES, WONDER STORIES, and WEIRD TALES.

I have more than a passing interest in classic horror and science-fiction films, and I also seem to accumulate a lot of toys, statues and similar comics, horror and sci-fi memorabilia.


WHAT I'VE DONE IN MY CAREER: I worked as an illustrator on various core RPG rule books and supplimental books/boxsets/modules for such games as follows:

DEADLANDS: THE WEIRD WEST
STAR WARS
INDIANA JONES
BATTLETECH
SHADOW RUN
GURPS
ROLE-MASTER
ALL FLESH MUST BE EATEN

In 1998 I began freelancing for DC Comic Book's licensing and publishing department, primarily penciling BATMAN ANIMATED and SUPERMAN ANIMATED coloring/activity books. I somehow found time to pencil a 40-page, one-shot comic book for Basement Comics called, CAVEWOMAN: KLYDE & MERIEM. I have also managed to pencil other comics from time to time. I penciled several stories for Claypool Comics' ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK.

In 2002 I got to step in as a guest penciler and draw a Sunday of King Features famous FLASH GORDON newspaper strip.

Shortly thereafter, I provided some illustration for the DC coffee table book, CATWOMAN: LIFE & TIMES OF A FELINE FETALE.

I have maintained a steady working relationship with DC's licensing over the years, working on coloring/activity books for KRYPTO THE SUPER DOG, DC UNIVERSE, and the JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES.

In 2006, I illustrated "THANK YOU, SUPERMAN!", an official SUPERMAN RETURNS tie-in storybook.

Following that, I illustrated the official SPIDER-MAN 3 DELUXE SOUND BOOK for Meredith and Marvel Entertainment.

More recently, I illustrated the DC SUPER FRIENDS: FLYING HIGH storybook (part of the STEP INTO READING series) for DC and Golden Books, and I have just completed illustrations for DC/Meredith storybooks called, BATMAN: RACE AGAINST CRIME. This book will coincide with the release of the BATMAN: DARK KNIGHT film, but is not an official movie tie-in (the movie was deemed to be too dark for childrens book adaptation).

Other works by me include Magazine illustrations for WEIRD NEW JERSEY MAGAZINE and WEIRD U.S. hardback books.

UPDATE: I am currently pencilling and inking LORNA RELIC WRANGLER a one-shot special comic that will be published by Image Comics, and should be available in June '09. A second SUPER FRIENDS book, DANGER FROM THE DEEP is due out in January '09.



Loston

bindlestitch
11-15-2007, 06:29 PM
Loston,
I've said it before and I'll say it again, you are the man. You're help on this forum is always top notch and you share it freely. Thanks for hosting this forum and expanding on the work you already do here. It's much appreciated.

benrosa
11-15-2007, 07:00 PM
very cool man, now I know who I want to be when I grow up :)

SpawnSC
11-15-2007, 07:09 PM
yay loston! this will be exciting!

Bruce Lee
11-15-2007, 07:35 PM
Thanks, guys. I hope I can figure out ways to keep this board interesting, informing and entertaining. Please feel free to ask questions about me, licensing, my art, etc. This board is the place to do that. I think I might start an "Ask Loston" thread, or something.

Loston

benrosa
11-15-2007, 09:55 PM
For me, I'd like to know what areas you struggled to excel in. What did you do (apart from practicing) to overcome the areas you struggled in. Career wise? artistically?

Ugga Bugga
11-16-2007, 04:35 AM
A truly impressive list of accomplishments.

This forum is a fantastic idea. I know it will help many people.

I can't wait to see what you have in store.

Bruce Lee
11-16-2007, 05:16 AM
A truly impressive list of accomplishments.

This forum is a fantastic idea. I know it will help many people.

I can't wait to see what you have in store.

Thanks, Ugga. I'll try to make this board fun. I know that I want to do some tutorials and things of that nature on this board.

I have also started an official "Ask Loston (AKA: DR. STUPID JR.)" thread. Benrosa, that's the place to receive an answer to your question, so if you wouldn't mind posting it there, I'll try to give you a decent answer.

Thanks again, folks. :)

Loston

NickRocks
11-27-2007, 02:00 PM
you are a great artist and also an extremely classy fellow. i will be checking up on your forum indeed!


does this mean you wont update your sketch blog as much?

Bruce Lee
11-27-2007, 04:27 PM
you are a great artist and also an extremely classy fellow. i will be checking up on your forum indeed!


does this mean you wont update your sketch blog as much?

Thanks for the compliment, dude. As for the sketch blog, I'll keep it updated as much as I usually do. I hope you'll continue to visit it and post there as well. :)

Loston

nightfingers
12-04-2007, 02:45 PM
"JOE KUBERT SCHOOL OF ART in Dover, New Jersey from '94-'96"

HOLY SNICKEYS!

You were there when I went there to apply. :eek:

I went on the tour as an applicant in '95.

Small world. :D

Hankinstien
01-29-2008, 05:01 PM
Loston--

This showcase of your stuff is great, thank you for doing this!

Your interactions with me on this forum have always been incredibly encouraging and informative. You've really helped me out in a lot of ways, I appreciate it!

-Mike

Bruce Lee
01-29-2008, 06:33 PM
Loston--

This showcase of your stuff is great, thank you for doing this!

Your interactions with me on this forum have always been incredibly encouraging and informative. You've really helped me out in a lot of ways, I appreciate it!

-Mike

Thanks very much, Mike. I'm glad I've been of some help to you. :)

Bruce Lee
05-14-2008, 04:08 PM
For me, I'd like to know what areas you struggled to excel in. What did you do (apart from practicing) to overcome the areas you struggled in. Career wise? artistically?

Hey, Clint. Practicing is of course very important, but practicing what you are good at won't make you better at the things you aren't good at. It's important to draw outside of your comfort zone. I force myself to draw things I don't like to draw whenever I can. Drawing things from life teaches you best. Repeatedly drawing the things you aren't good at is the only viable way to turn your drawing weaknesses into strengths.

Outside of practicing, I work hard to train myself to observe the world around me. We all see the world around us every day, but most of the time, we take all the details around us for granted. When I watch a movie, I pay attention to the way a shot is composed, or how the figures are lighted, or how the wrinkles on a jacket sleeve look. I try to pick up on the "ins" and "outs" of facial expressions and body language too. I take mental notes, and sometimes, actual sketch-notes. I often write down or sketch out things that I have observed, which helps me to solidify ideas, concepts, and to come to certain conclusions. Art is something that takes place in the mind before it reaches paper, so I work hard to train my brain.

Career-wise, there's always a struggle to find bigger and better gigs. I do a fair amount of networking, but much of my work doesn't actually come from that sort of thing. Most of it comes from the reputation I've built as a pro over the years. I've been providing work for DC Comics licensing department since 1998. It's not always as steady as I would like, but the last few years has been rather busy. A good rep for doing good work and meeting deadlines is very important. Each project that I complete for an editor proves that I'm versatile and reliable. Each new editor that I work with expands my contact list, increasing my chances of getting even more work in the future.

There's always commission work, which comes via my web presence online, and also there are the occasional comic gigs that pop up, or some other illustration project that seems to fall into my lap, but I admit that I don't actively pursue finding new work the way I should. I've managed to keep busy with the sources I have already, so I haven't gone hungry in a while, but it's not good to get too comfortable with your situation. I'm considering throwing my hat into the comic book ring again soon, so we'll have to see what happens with that.

Loston

jujigatame
12-08-2008, 08:04 AM
I attended the JOE KUBERT SCHOOL OF ART in Dover, New Jersey from '94-'96.

lol...to think we might have been classmates!
I had an admissions interview in January '94 but, ultimately, my parents balked at the tuition rates so nothing ever came of it.

Bruce Lee
12-08-2008, 03:56 PM
lol...to think we might have been classmates!
I had an admissions interview in January '94 but, ultimately, my parents balked at the tuition rates so nothing ever came of it.

We would have been, for sure. There would also have been a good chance that you would have been staying at the Mansion, and if so, I would have been your Resident Advisor. Heh.

Loston

W.Blankenship
11-29-2009, 06:37 PM
You rat basterd I think you did something to my head because I haaven't been happy with the digital finish on this last two pages and I'm thinking of inking traditionally through these two stories I'm working on.

Bruce Lee
11-30-2009, 04:51 PM
You rat basterd I think you did something to my head because I haaven't been happy with the digital finish on this last two pages and I'm thinking of inking traditionally through these two stories I'm working on.

LOL. Sorry about that, chief. :eek:

steve11jr
12-09-2009, 11:21 AM
What kind of artist were you before you entered the Joe Kubert School? Do you think you would have found you way without the guidance of the school, or did you grow a lot while you were there? I love hearing stories about how people made it to the big times.

Bruce Lee
12-09-2009, 07:04 PM
What kind of artist were you before you entered the Joe Kubert School? Do you think you would have found you way without the guidance of the school, or did you grow a lot while you were there? I love hearing stories about how people made it to the big times.

I was a very good portrait artist before entering the school, and I was an excellent draftsman, but I learned a lot from the school. I was easily 10 times the artist when I left. I learned a lot about composition, layout & design, anatomy, figure drawing and foreshortening, inking, lettering, coloring, painting, even a little animation. I don't know that I would have found my way into doing professional work with the school because the school taught me artistic disciplines like working hard and meeting deadlines. Before the school, most of the drawings I began never even got finished. Now I can do 100 pages of a artwork in a matter of a few weeks. The school gave me the "know-how", and helped to provide me with the right attitude necessary to become a professional artist. I grew a lot while I was at the school, and continued to grow even more after I became a professional. The one thing that is guaranteed to make you a better artist is the experience of drawing a lot. Repetition and hard work will help any artist get better at what they do.

steve11jr
12-09-2009, 10:05 PM
Thats a great story. I just recently decided I want to do something with art for a career and switched my major from history to Art. I'm hoping it will help me grow a lot in the couple years of college I have left and point me in the right direction to keep progressing. Anyways, your story is a great one, and you are an inspiration, Loston.

dezz
03-05-2010, 06:50 PM
wow! I've been a big cavewoman fan for a long time and a recent fan of your work. I'll have to go back through my cavewoman books and reread the isue with your contribution. Your tutorials have been a real godsend to me , and I have applied every single tutorial to my work and am looking forward to more, they have enhanced my work and for that I thank you .

Bruce Lee
03-05-2010, 07:40 PM
wow! I've been a big cavewoman fan for a long time and a recent fan of your work. I'll have to go back through my cavewoman books and reread the isue with your contribution. Your tutorials have been a real godsend to me , and I have applied every single tutorial to my work and am looking forward to more, they have enhanced my work and for that I thank you .


It's great to hear that the tutorials have been helpful, dezz! Though I've mostly been posting my tutorials exclusively here on PJ, a number of people have told me that they discovered them via google searches for art tutorials and so forth, so the word is getting out about them. I've heard from many people that these tutorials have been of assistance to them, and hearing that makes it all worthwhile. I really enjoy helping other artists to better understand drawing things.

While my tutorials tend to be very eclectic because I try not to do tutorials about things that might typically appear in a "how-to" drawing book that can be bought off of a store shelf. Many art books don't go into detail about things like drawing the human ear, or showing you some easy step-b-step methods of drawing a fist. For certain you're not likely to find too many tutorials on drawing Spider-Man's costume webbing, Superman's "S" emblem or everyone's favorite ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing, so those are the kinds of things I have chosen to do on my Tech Lab board.

If you or anyone else have suggestions on future tutorials, I'd love to hear them, as long as they're not something you can find in the typical "how-to draw" art books. If you have suggestions, folks, post them here in this thread:

http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthread.php?84185-Future-Tutorials

Thanks!

Lonrott
07-31-2012, 03:36 PM
Hello Bruce Lee,

Have you been doing any panel work in comics? I know you do licensing stuff, but I would probably enjoy seeing you tell a story more. I like all of the artists you like pretty much (Kubert, Buscema, Kirby, Wallace Wood). If not, I hope you do soon!

Bruce Lee
08-01-2012, 03:23 AM
Hello Bruce Lee,

Have you been doing any panel work in comics? I know you do licensing stuff, but I would probably enjoy seeing you tell a story more. I like all of the artists you like pretty much (Kubert, Buscema, Kirby, Wallace Wood). If not, I hope you do soon!

For starters, please call me Loston. :)

I draw comics from time to time. Sequential art is actually my specialty, even though I don't get to draw comic pages as much as I'd like to. Here are some links to check out from my comic, LORNA RELIC WRANGLER that was published by Image Comics last year. I pencilled and inked these pages, and Steve Downer provided the colors. These pages are drawn in a more animated style like the BATMAN: ANIMATED SERIES work I used to do for DC Comics. Since the series was designed by Bruce Timm, who is influenced by many of the same artists as I am, I have never had trouble drawing in that style. Like Mike Manley, Darwyn Cooke and Ty Templeton, I try to bring a bit of my own personal aesthetic to the work. Even though it's not my native style, I can get into it.

From LORNA: RELIC WRANGLER:
http://www.lostonwallace.com/LornaChaosColors1.jpg
http://www.lostonwallace.com/LornaChaosColors2.jpg
http://www.lostonwallace.com/LornaChaosColors3.jpg
http://www.lostonwallace.com/LornaChaosColors7.jpg
http://www.lostonwallace.com/LornaChaosColors8.jpg
http://www.lostonwallace.com/LornaChaosColors9.jpg
http://www.lostonwallace.com/LornaChaosColors10.jpg
http://www.lostonwallace.com/LornaChaosColors11.jpg