HOME | DD
TimTownsend — SAVAGE DRAGON
Published: 2008-01-20 02:40:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 9244; Favourites: 114; Downloads: 462
Redirect to original
Description
This was a story in Savage Dragon #100 by the incredible Erik Larsen and myself. Eric has long been one of my favorite artists. When he asked me to ink him on this story I just about passed out. Not only was a it HUGE honor (Erik rarely lets others ink his work), it was also a monster of a challenge for me. My inks tend to be very slick and anal while Eriks pencils are very loose and brimming with explosive energy. Traditionally speaking, styles like ours wouldnt mesh very well. Slick inks tend to sap high energy pencils of their power. Anyway, having inked Erik before on a couple of covers, I had been pleasantly surprised at how well our styles seemed to mesh. Erik was pleased as well so I knew I wasnt totally crazy by taking this job. However, inking covers and inking sequential panel pages is something else entirely. The long and short of it is that this story is one of the things Im most proud of in my entire career. Its me working outside of my "safety zone" and really just letting the ink fly....something that isnt easy for me. Id have to say that the few times Ive worked with Erik have been some of the most satisfying experiences of my career.Related content
Comments: 66
Thanks, Derrick! This is one of the few things I look back on and dont cringe.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I don't know how I missed this. Two of my favorite artists working together. You make Eric's work look amazing! I enjoy you a little looser. Love it!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
What a great issue of a fun series! Thanks a whole lot, Tim, both for doing the issue, and for letting us see this! When I heard you'd be doing the issue, I was shocked. I'd gotten so used to the precision you brought to Joe Mad's XMen work, and I couldn't wait to see how you'd do Larsen. Dragon's stubble, the background hits, and the skeletor dude's face are beautifully done.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you! This was some of the most fun Ive ever had on a job. I hope I get to ink Erik again some day.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Hey, this is beyond cool. You should do more inking gig for Erik. Seriously. Did you use Winsor/Newton brush on it?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks! Ill ink Erik any time he asks. Yes, I used a WS series 7 #2 brush.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Really appreciate it, Tim. I'm an Penciller/Inker myself. I really like your stuffs, along with Alex Garner's. Especially, in what you did on Frank Quitely and Chris Bachalo artworks.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is the best I've ever seen Erik's art look. Ever. And I love his stuff.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
you and scot willians are amazing,, how many hours you ink a page ?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks! Scott is the king of kings in my book. I do about a page a day. It varries depending on the amount of work required.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I actually like the 'finished/polished' look here.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
HOLY SMOKES!!! Man, I am also a huge nut for Larsen! It's strange because his work runs counter to the art "philosophy" that I've worked up in my mind over the course of my learning (which I have tossed out the window in recent years), but there's just something about his work that still makes me feel like a kid. All the "rules" go right out the damn window and I just enjoy it. I wish I could draw like him.
ANYWAY, your inking works really well this. I haven't see many people ink Larsen and it's usually not that good, or at least it just didn't work for the art, but this is spot on! You've managed to stick to a lot of his quirky pencil scratch anatomy, but do it with laser point precision.
It's probably what his work would look like if he didn't draw like a monkey flinging poo.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Lol! Ive never heard Eriks working method described quite that way but its exactly what it looks like! Thanks, brotha!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I was wondering..are you the same guy who worked on Fathom? I was a big fan of Fathom, Witchblade and the Darkness. I am growing on the style of the various art you do....this one is no different. Great inking though. too bad we all don't have a molecular pen...0.001mm
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Nope. I think the inker youre thinking of is Joe Weems. Fantastic talent. Thank you!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Very cool! What a combo. Two guys who you wouldn't think to put together. I agree with you about the the slick and the explosive mixing badly, but look at Kirby and Sinnott. An exception if ever there was one. I love these pages. It's a totally different take on Larson's work and I'm glad you were yourself on them and didn't try to ink like Larson does. The zip a tone is a great touch.
It kind of reminds me of your work with JRJR. Townsend inks over someone you'd expect to Jansen on. It's nice to see the different results.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
the ink is so different from what u did with bachalo...im amaze of course, how can u manage that?? damn....
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Ah man, I can't believe I didn't know about this. This is amazing. Erik and I just did a cover together. My inks of course were nowhere near this awesome. I had the same feeling inking his pencils though, I got the original art and I was pretty floored, he has SO much energy in those loose pencils. It's just FUN to ink him.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I saw that cover!!! It was amazing and your inks were incredible! I dont think Id ever seen Erik handled in that way. It made for a very original finished product. I bet Erik was jazzed. He is, indeed, fun to ink...not to mention being the most awesome guy in comics.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
i wasn't buying savage dragon at the time(i'm getting them now as archives...the black and white is gorgeous, i could probably live off of stuff like this and marvel's essentials books), but i picked this one up to see how you, beatty and the others handled erik
i don't suppose you have the pencils scanned for comparison?
also what was it like inking over lettered boards? i can't think of anywhere else you would have
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I dont have scans of the pencils unfortunately. If you look at the other pencil examples of Eriks that I have in my gallery they will give you an idea of what they look like. Inking on lettered boards was actually a bit of a pain for me. Its the one and only time in my career that I inked pre-lettered pages. Having to stop and start line stroked, so as not to draw through the lettering, definitely inhibited my flow a little.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
that's what I was afraid of...but on the other hand, I think it was Terry Austin who said that working on lettered boards meant having only two thirds of the page to ink
As much of a pain in the ass as it is to do, I just love the look of lettered boards. It just feels right
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
You're such a hack... if you work hard, and really apply yourself; you might be able to put together a descent enough portfolio-- and maybe break into comics one day.
Don't give up hope!
(Really nice pages. Colored-up for the issue was nice... but'ah sweet treat to see 'em in black and white too.)
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks for the encouragement. Im hoping to get off my lazy ass and start putting in 20 hour work days as opposed to the meazly 12 and 13 Ive been coasting on. Now, if youll pardon me, I have video games to play.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
LOL good one.
Excellent linework, as usual.
Totally Top-Shelf!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Jeez already, quit uploading all this sweet stuff or I'm never gonna get to work!!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I could say the same thing to you!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Tim you ink of traditional way, or these using some program or software? Of being of the traditional way: that elements you use?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I ink everything traditionally, with a brush and nib. This work was all brush.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
very impressive, the quality and perfection that have your works are unique. Greetings of your admirer
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank Tim to invite to us, its wonderful art and these original pages of Erik Larsen
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
You know I have always been a fan of Erik's work but since Savage Dragon I felt like he slipped some due to the deadlines and not wanting to let fans down. It is tough to do so many pages a month and do all he is doing.
In saying that these pages are incredible. You did an amazing job over his pencils and you still kept the integrity of his style and work. That is what makes you such a great inker. To many inkers tend to make the pencils their own and take away from the penciler and his style. Good stuff.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Any pincel styles and great quality inks.. Tim.. i agree you too.. Eric Smashing hehehehehe great work team..^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
COOL!!!
i got that issue and the pages really area amazing!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
So this is what you were talking about. Man, that must have been great to work with someone that you look up to... and someone like Erik. One day for me... one day....
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
It's amazingly dynamic! And I love how you used the visual effects and the screentones!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
What can we say? Two artistic styles which couldn't logically merge as it is featured here!! I call it magic!!
It's beautifully crafted!!!! Bravo, Tim!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Wow... this has the energy of the old time comics; the same kind of thing that really made comics amazing back in the day; it has a great "Kirby-esque" feel to it. The inking *is* very slick and I do love to see this kind of control and style; and over Erik Larsen, it just really, really works well... I hope you get many more chances to create great inking art like these pages.
Bravo to you and Mr. Larsen on this. I'll have to find a copy of this issue; I don't normally read Savage Dragon, but if it has this kind of art in it, I'm there!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I loved your work with Larsen- this is amazing. Savage Dragon is such a great book!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Holee shiet.
your inks are fucking wicked man!!! They add that awesome finished look to Larsen's pencils that not only keep his action-y feel but ENHANCE it!!! Larsen should have you ink ALL his stuff, this is sweet.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
savage D was one of my fave image books, but i had to drop it after about 50 issues, the art just got too loose for my liking.
you did a great job here, if you were on dragon every issue i think id have to pick it up again 
eric's one of the most creative guys in the biz, with out a doubt.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
| Next =>