THE LATEST, THE GREATEST, IN THE LIFE OF A CREATIST...

On our last exciting installment of Dude's Daily Diatribe I reported that I had contacted DC to offer my services as artist. I also promised an update is that situation changed in any way. Well, the latest is...nothing's changed! DC has never formally responded to my offer, and, I suspect, with little expectations of any to come.

As I was informed by friends who monitor such things, it so happens that just after I had sent my letter to DC's top people, I received word that the company had plans to relaunch their books with new #1 issues for their entire pantheon of characters. I don't know if this had anything to do with my not hearing back from them, but it would seem logical to assume a connection of some sort. The timing of it all seems more than a bit serendipitous.

Meanwhile, the latest in the commission front is the piece I just finished of--John Carter of Mars. I can almost hear the Red Planet trumpets sounding off with that pronouncement. After all, I've never exactly had much visual association with any Burroughs characters, and since I've never read the books, I thought the challenge would be a worthy one. I received some paperback book cover reference as an aid, natch, and of course, I'd seen the green, four-armed guys and mohawked gorillas that Frazetta did for this cast. Any resemblance of the Dude piece and the work of F.F. is purely and deliberately--on purpose.

The mega editions of the Artist in Motion books are being ordered from all corners of this earth--so that's keeping me and Princess pretty content for now. And keep up the facebook comments and e-mails inquiries--they are read by the entire Dude household, the Sillies and two diks included!

Till my next installment,

I remain, from my new back-supporting chair vantage point,

The Dude / Mr. Humility

MARCH RAFFLE - WIN A COMMISSION

Thank you to everyone who has entered the raffle to date. There's only 2 weeks left to enter! As a special bonus, when we get to 4,000 fans, we will randomly pick 6 and whoever has a raffle ticket will win a Nexus print!

$5 buys you a raffle for a free 11"x14" marker commission sketch, character of your choice, subject to Steve's approval and our eternal thanks for your support and keeping Steve in art supplies!

Raffle runs through March 31st with a winner drawn April 1st (but this is no April fool!). Steve also said that if we can get up to 200 orders he'll add color! We're also considering videotaping Steve doing the sketch and add that with the winner's package.

Funds are being used for art supplies, models, photo reference, and the occasional Subway sandwich. Turkey, extra olives and bell peppers, hold the mayo.

Enter today: http://www.steverudeart.com/Drawing_for_Steve_Rude_Commission_p/marchraffle.htm

A Note of Thanks from the Dude

I want to thank everyone for writing in to comment so consistently on my latest pictures. Jaynelle prints your remarks for me on a regular basis, and I especially like when people go into detail about what strikes them about a particular piece. I've always received little feedback of this kind at conventions, so this a great way for me to hear your impressions. Also, I'd like to know what all you do for a living. Other than Ken Meyer jr., who is a fantastic and long undersung watercolorist, I don't know much about you other commentators. Do you all have exciting jobs like the Dude?

Keep sending in your comments. Thanks to Gino, our fan base is always expanding to include new thoughts.

The Dude

Dude Comment of the Month

Dude's Daily Diatribe:

Today, someone mentioned that Marvel intends to "kill off" one of the members of the Fantastic Four. Interesting. Normally, choosing the color of my socks generates more reflection. But one thought did occur to me; Is this the only way comic companies can hook your attention these days? Who ever had to die in 102 issues of the Stan and Jack run? Anyone? I guess when the well runs dry, companies must now resort to things other than pure, unrestrained imagination and someone "Must Die!".

Comments?

Steve Rude 2010 Sketchbook

"I wanted these books, more than anything else, to be fun."

You probably assume you're reading the latest quote from the Dude on why he devoted his last 3 decades as an artist in the comic-book field. No. Sorry. Stan Lee, reflecting on his days as Marvel's head writer during the 1960's, beat me to it.

Stan's philosophy may also explain why I've spent most of my time these days on Gallery work instead of the "so serious our faces crack" world of today's comics. Maybe when things lighten up and people get their perspective back I’ll think about returning.

Inside this year's sketchbook, we've tried a different approach than previous sketchbooks. Instead of knocking myself out with paragraph after paragraph, explaining my thinking behind each and every drawing contained in these 64 pages, I'll try and sneak out of it by simply inserting the original "fan request" that accompanied these commissions. That way, you'll get to see what I was up against before I began drawing them, and, perhaps even more enlightening, how I interpreted their request.

Why do I still do these commissions if I'm not working in comics anymore? Because I like doing them, mostly. Also, to keep my skills unblunted, to keep my hand in the industry I'll always be known for. Oh, and to keep " the Sillies" well-stocked with those overpriced "pull-ups" (I've made these diaper jokes for years now - I yearn for the day they don't need them anymore!)

Hope these drawings can bring some fun to your day!

In pause for the cause,

The humble Dude

Portrait in Blue

Yo, how it be workin'?

That's right. The Dude makes up his own 'hipster-ease'.

Say, who wants to hear about chronicles of my latest easel work? OK. I'll take that as a yes.

Right now, we've got the Gino in Blue painting in front of me. We've just begun to block it in and it's right in front of me on the easel. And now it's right in front of you on the monitor. Hears how it's done:

First the conception. A painting in all blue. Ok, we've got that down. I picture in my head a beautiful girl stretched out on the bed, gorgeous from the moment she wakes up, 'natch, and she's got the first morning light flooding into her room. Great. So I draw up a rough in my sketchbook and as soon as I'm happy, I take some model shots and proceed to draw it right onto the canvas. Not all painting are "drawn-in" first. When I've got an actual model in front of me, I just start blocking in with paint. It's easier, y'know? Of course you knew that.

But here's the goofy part. Once this washy block-in is done--all the blue tones applied and in their proper place--the painting is practically done. That's right. Done. Everything is just refinement. Incredulous. Bizarre. And true.

Questions?

Write in care of Mr. Humility.