Well, guess what? Just made an appearance at the Phoenix Cactus Con this Saturday. I was mainly there to do a painting demo for the crowd there, and that’s pretty much what I did.

These demo’s are a recent idea of mine–they just seemed like a fun idea to do. Painting demonstrations are rarely seen among the comics crowd, and it’s good practice for me. I do these demo’s in watercolor because of it’s speedier execution and set-up time than oil or acrylics.

I usually begin by asking an audience member to suggest the subject. It’s amazing the requests people come up with. Amazingly, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman (it gets to be like ordering hamburger, fries, and a coke after a while), are usually never in the request list. After telling the audience I wanted to paint something female, one guy even suggested Solome. I only know her from the John the Baptist story in the bible of a girl so beautiful that John got beheaded over it. Nice suggestion. Wish I were up on my bible costumes more. Another request was of Lois Lane, but Lois doesn’t really have a costume. I don’t consider a Brooks Brother pin-stripe a real costume.

Eventually I suggested Supergirl. Jeez , was that so difficult? Glad I thought of it.

I began by blocking in her feminine proportions while explaining the obvious enough differences in male and female body types. I’m often amazed at how small most comic artist types make the hips on their female characters. They’re always wider than the width of the rib-cage.

Two neat suggestions for the composition came from audience members. One, was to pose our “super-girl” in a “about to take off” position. And when it came time to paint the background, someone suggested putting her on a Kansas farm. No problem. The Dude has painted barns before, and besides, I did grown up in Wisconsin. They probably have more barns and bossies than people there.

As you know, a good presenter always tries to involve the audience in what he’s doing, and I’m often amused and surprised at the type of people who show up at these demo’s. From little kids (many of them female) who want to “grow-up to draw comics someday” (how cute), to serious art students who want to see “simplicity in art” demonstrated by someone who has always sought out that style. It’s not surprising to see already established and seasoned pro’s there asking questions. The most surprising attendee was an 60’s-something local art teacher who I’ve seen more than once at my demo’s. It was very flattering to hear his positive comments on how I presented my procedure in a non-confusing, easy to understand way.

Three of these recent demo paintings can be seen on the web-site, to which Princess Gino Jaynelli would be more than happy to direct you.

Till next time,

I remain,

Mr. Humility