Ask Loston (Dr. Stupid Jr)...

[Bruce Lee]

Disney doesn't own the original fairytales, John, they have their own trademarked and copyrighted versions of them. They also have loads of money. It's best to tread lightly, so if you do your own fairy tales, you should make sure that you distinguish your fairy tales as being dramatically different. I wouldn't call your book "SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARVES or any of those titles that Disney has trademarked, for instance. Again, tread lightly. Disney loves to sue people over the rights to their properties, so try to find out as much information as you can on the laws, precedence, etc before you proceed further. Don't set yourself up for trouble if you can avoid it.

[alexcat321]

Thanks. I see where you're coming from, but I was only using Disney as an example because I was thinking of doing a dramatic revising of a fairytale or folktale that they've not yet done. I've also looked into the whole public domain copyright thing and it looks like most original fairy tales are in the public domain, so I should be safe if I decide to continue in this. But most definitely, I'm treading lightly and I appreciate your feedback, Loston. Thanks much.

[Orphangrinder]

Hey, Loston -- I just realized that I never replied to your very long and thoughtful response to a question of mine. I feel like a total dick! So, thanks very much. There was a lot of interesting stuff in that post, worth spending some time and thought on. Recently, I've noticed in my own work that if I start with a simple, BTAS-inspired structure that works at that level, all swoops and straights-against-curves, it generates a much stronger drawing even when it's covered up with a more "standard" comic-book style. I still want to nail down that BTAS style -- or rather, something of my own with that level of simplicity and expressiveness -- but like you said, it's HARD!

[Bruce Lee]

Hey, Loston -- I just realized that I never replied to your very long and thoughtful response to a question of mine. I feel like a total dick! So, thanks very much. There was a lot of interesting stuff in that post, worth spending some time and thought on. Recently, I've noticed in my own work that if I start with a simple, BTAS-inspired structure that works at that level, all swoops and straights-against-curves, it generates a much stronger drawing even when it's covered up with a more "standard" comic-book style. I still want to nail down that BTAS style -- or rather, something of my own with that level of simplicity and expressiveness -- but like you said, it's HARD!

Simplicity is often difficult to achieve. It's an odd thing, but it is often true.

Drawing in a style that uses a minimal amount of lines can be risky. Less is more, but maintaining energy/life in the artwork is still critical. When I think of an artist who excelled at minimalist art, I always think of Alex Toth first and foremost, followed by Dan DeCarlo, and then I think of Bruce Timm. Simplicity is tough to do, but those artists make it seem so easy.

[SilverBulletKY]

Hey Loston, just saw that you have had the honor of having your work swiped by Granito. Congratz!

[Bruce Lee]

Hey Loston, just saw that you have had the honor of having your work swiped by Granito. Congratz!

Thanks! By the way, Shirley Jackson called--you just won the lottery!

[SilverBulletKY]

Thanks! By the way, Shirley Jackson called--you just won the lottery!

LOL sorry - What a joke though. I read his latest interviews. He thinks the comic world is going to give him a second chance because he's 'all controversial' now and people like that kind of thing.

[Bruce Lee]

LOL sorry - What a joke though. I read his latest interviews. He thinks the comic world is going to give him a second chance because he's 'all controversial' now and people like that kind of thing.

Yeah. I've read. He's very sad, that one.

[golgotha]

i have a question... do you have any tips, advice, or lessons on drawing clouds in ink. i usually make mine look like scribbles and was wondering if there is a tutorial on drawing background clouds in ink. thank you for all your advice.

[The P.R. Man]

I asked the same question awhile back, though not specifically about inking. i think its somewhere in this thread, id link it for you but i cant on my nook, sorry,