Comics Artopsy #12
Early Stage Psychotic Disorder - Part 2
Hi everyone,
Welcome to the last Artopsy of the year!
Let’s carry on with another aspect of my learning journey, continuing with my time in art school. The school where I was, Institut supérieur des beaux-arts de Saint-Luc section Illustration-BD (imagine a smaller, more Belgian version of Hogwarts) specialized in both comics (“BD”) and illustration.
So, a whole part of the program was about illustration making, in relation to many professional fields like children’s books, educational publications, press, etc.
During these classes, I tried to learn many types of techniques with different mediums like watercolor, gouache, colored pencils and acrylics. We even had an engraving class, once a week, for three years. It was fascinating, if probably less relevant for students’ future careers.
While everything was very interesting and diverse, it was also pulling me away from the comics work that was my main interest and ultimate goal. However, I found out I also really enjoyed working with colors, and it soon became another string to add to my bow.
In 1998, in this Belgian school, there were no computers at all so everything we did in color was done with traditional techniques. Only a few years later, when my three-year program was finished, they added computers to allow students to learn digital coloring. I finally had the chance to learn digital coloring while working for a small business in Quebec City, while also balancing my work on Barnum and another original graphic novel called Pride of Baghdad. But that’s a story for another day.
Let’s see some examples of what I did... woof... almost 25 year ago:
This was work for an illustration class. Back then, a lot of illustrators were hired to do science illustrations like animals, insects, trees and flowers. This was my attempt to do that kind of work. It was made with watercolor, gouache and China ink. It ended up looking almost like a comics panel.
In another class, we were asked to get inspiration from a foreign culture. I don’t remember if this was derived from Mayan or Inca art but it was pre-Columbian for sure. This is all gouache painting.
This might feel more familiar. I don’t remember exactly what the theme was for this one but it had to do with two opposing characters on the same illustration, I think. I must have thought that would be the perfect moment to draw these two iconic characters. This was all done with acrylics.
Brian here, very sorry to interrupt this incredible tour of Niko’s artistic growth. There are several more gorgeous examples of his constantly evolving style after this last paywall of the year, but I also wanted to remind everyone that Niko will be giving away this oversized page of invaluable original art from Spectators to one of you generous paid subscribers after the break…
…so if you’d like a shot at owning this stunning page, just become (or remain) a member of what we call “The Tower,” and along with getting lots more bonus content, you’ll automatically be entered in this and all future contests.
Either way, we greatly appreciate your eyeballs, and Niko, Fonografiks and I will be back with more free Spectators on January 9.
Stay well, and happy holidays!