What Do Artists Do All Day - Frank Quitely

The BBC Four recently profiled Frank Quitely as part of the their What Do Artists Do All Day? series. Fans who enjoy Quitely's art on Jupiter's Legacy and All Star Superman are in for a real treat as he runs down his creative process in a programme that runs nearly half an hour and focuses heavily on those two books, WE3 and a Walking Dead cover. Critical fans nonplussed by the artist's frequently late delivery may be in for a change of heart as Frank is revealed to be a very thoughtful plotter who spends far more time on the page design than on the actual drawing. More often than not it's what doesn't end up on a Frank Quitely page that makes the difference.



Integration of digital and analog sketching is becoming far more common now in the printed medium, but the degree to which individual artists incorporate the two is fascinating. Quitely starts with dozens of thumbnail sketches in notebooks before moving to digital page layout and digital blue-line sketching. When no higher degree of digital detail is possible, he prints out his blue-line and details in pencil on paper. This is comparable to the penciler/inker relationship of days gone by, which means that Frank is generally spending twice as much time on his illustrating process as his peers.

But before Quitely presses pencil to paper, he frequently reads and re-rereads a script before making notes about how to illustrate it. This elongated think time is probably the single thing that most sets him apart from the competition. Quitely really digests the story and make sure he's completely understanding the plot, actions and subtleties of character to the point that he can see it all clearly. This dedication to the writing on the part of the artist is what makes him one of the highest demand pencilers in the business.

It's also nice to learn that Katsuhiro Otomo has had such a big impact on Frank's work. While less obvious than the influence of Moebius upon Geoff Darrow, it is never-the-less surprising that I didn't pick up on it until now.

All Star Superman #9, page 3

Batman and Robin #3, page 20

Batman and Robin #3, page 1

New X-Men #114, page 23

Frank Quitely is the artist most represented in the published Pop Sequententialism catalog, with one page from All Star Superman, two pages from Batman and Robin, and a New X-Men splash–all printed as they appear pre-production. It's no secret that he's one of my favorite artists, and it's good to know that while video game and storyboard assignments frequently beckon with better pay, Quitely genuinely prefers doing comics which allow him a far greater creative freedom.

Besides, pensive pacing doesn't lend itself to the rapid-demand turnaround of continuity design.

First Birth of the Zombie Apocalypse

THE WALKING DEAD (2007)
by Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard
Issue #39, Page 22 (Splash page): Birth of Baby Judith
Graphite and ink on board
9" x 12"
$500.00

This past Sunday on AMC's The Walking Dead was hectic.

(**Spoilers ahead**)

Some of you may have the show waiting on Tivo, so I invite you to check back and read this column later–though, by reading the column title you may have an inkling about at least one of the major events that transpired.

Lori Grimes (somewhat estranged wife of police officer Rick Grimes) was revealed to be pregnant in the middle of season two. Believing her husband to be dead, Lori had shacked up with Rick's best friend and fellow deputy, Shane Walsh. Viewers will have to wait and see who the baby daddy is, but this past Sunday that baby was born into the Zombie Apocalypse.

Pictured above is that event as depicted in the original comic book series (issue 39, page 22; pencils and inks by Charlie Adlard from a script by Robert Kirkman).

The birth of Baby Judith in the comic book did not cause the death of her mother. In fact, the opposite is true: it is the death of Lori that immediately results in the death of Judith in the comic. But events in the television show have often diverted from the comic book.

This pivotal event from the award winning series was included in the first Pop Sequentialism exhibition, and the original art is still available. You can order it by clicking here.