CROM Update: 022 with Guest Artist Jason Schoonover
Blending Renaissance Inspiration with Sword and Sorcery Comics
The 22nd episode of the Crom Updates Podcast features host Kurt Brugel and guest artist Jason Schoonover discussing the completion of Schoonover's Crom Pin-up art for the Revised Edition of Crom the Barbarian Comics Collection. They start with casual conversation about the weather and its impact on their work before diving into the details of the project. Jason was inspired by panels from the Crom the Barbarian comics and a painting by Guido Cagnacci, "David Holding the Head of Goliath," which he had seen at the Columbia Museum of Art. The discussion highlights Jason's approach to blending classical art with the sword and sorcery genre of Crom the Barbarian, focusing on the similarities between the biblical story of David and Goliath and the themes of the comics.
Jason elaborates on his creative process, noting the challenge of mimicking the chiaroscuro technique and the contrasts found in Cagnacci's painting while adapting it to fit the more formidable physique of Crom versus the meek image of David. He aimed to maintain the original composition's high contrast and texture, facing technical challenges in achieving even value and texture across the background of his piece. The conversation delves into the specifics of cross-hatching, the difficulty of uniting the background cohesively across two pages, and the artistic decisions made to ensure Goliath's head blends seamlessly into the backdrop, emphasizing the nuanced use of value and the meticulous attention to detail required to replicate the effect of the original painting.
Kurt and Jason discuss the broader context of the Crom the Barbarian project, including the involvement of other artists and the transition from initial sketches to finished pieces. They share insights on collaboration and the mutual inspiration among the artists contributing to the Revised Edition, highlighting the value of community and shared enthusiasm in creative endeavors. The episode concludes with plans for the publication and distribution of the book, considering the practicalities of print-on-demand services and the anticipation of building a community around indie, black-and-white, sword and sorcery fantasy comics. This conversation not only showcases the technical and creative aspects of producing art for comics but also the importance of collaboration and mutual support among artists in bringing a project to fruition.
Watch the CROM Update 022 video on YouTube:
Jason Schoonover is one of the few Artists who has been invited to create a pin-up for the Revised Edition of Crom Collected.
Use these links to find out more about Jason.
Use these links to find out more about Kurt inker Brugel.
!SHIP INTERNATIONALLY!
This version of CROM Collected will be retired once the Revised Edition has been released!
Embark on a journey through the ages with "CROM Collected Version One," an anthology that assembles all 8 riveting Crom the Barbarian comic book stories across 75 pages of vibrant narrative and artwork. This volume includes:
♦ Three original full-color tales from the 1950s by Gardner Fox and John Giunta.
♦ A 1971 Nearly Lost full-color masterpiece by Gardner Fox and Jack Katz.
♦ Four recent B&W stories from 2016 by Gardner Fox and Kurt Brugel.
Encased in a perfect-bound paperback with a mix of partial color and B&W interiors, this 84-page collection measures 6 inches wide by 9 inches tall. "CROM Collected Version One" is a must-have for fans and newcomers alike, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of a Sword and Sorcery icon.
