Obsolete?

I was rummaging through a box of markers I use occassionally, and found a color of a particular brand that isn't manufactured anymore. Unfortunate, since the brand of markers in question was high quality, and long lasting. Similarly, the comic book Bristol Board I prefer is no longer available for purchase; it seems that it has been discontinued, with stores having sold off their remaining stock. Again, I really liked that particular paper, and will have to try to find a suitable replacement.

It's a shame when things become unpopular or obsolete, and vanish over time without fanfare. Who's to explain why the markers and paper I prefer are no longer available; was it a defective product? Poor marketing? Badly managed producers and/or sellers of the goods in question? It doesn't really matter, in the end.

I was reminded of this feeling when I learned from folk I used to work with that storyboards were going the digital route. When I was actively producing storyboards, I'd sketch and pencil on 11 x 17 inch sheets of paper. The studios would photocopy these pages, and they'd head off to the next steps of animation production, slugging and layouts.

Nowadays, storyboards are drawn directly on computer with Wacom tablet; artwork can be easily reused, with character poses or backgrounds cut-and-paste with a click. Efficient and requiring less time to produce, excellent news for productivity. On the flip side, the software tends to be expensive to adapt to modern storyboarding, which also requires new training. Creativity is less of a factor, since mastering technology takes precedence in determining an artist's skill level.

I decided to pursue illustration and design because I've always loved drawing. I enjoy the thrill of a newly sharpened pencil carving a confident line in a blank sheet of paper; I like the texture of paper against hand, and the energy pencilled lines possess. I'm sure modern artists can easily replicate linework digitally; for me, it just isn't the same.

Circling back to my opening train of thought, I consider myself obsolete in some respects. I'm not interested in following the wave of the digital age, and am quite content to create artwork using methods I'm comfortable with (and enjoy using). In effect, this makes me irresponsible, since folk should adapt their skills to the times.

Be that as it may, I don't regret any choices I've made on my current career path, including a refusal to lock my pencils and paper away in some drawer to gather dust. I figure there'll always be folk who prefer artwork created 'the old fashioned way', and opportunites as well.

My defense against becoming obsolete is continuing to improve my skills, since the quality of any work should transcend its medium.

Bring on the Bad Guys

While thinking about heroes and heroines for my previous blog, I reflected upon the flip side of the coin: villains. After seeing Star Wars back in 1977, I remember clipping newspaper and magazine articles of Darth Vader, and assembling a scrapbook. There weren't any photos of Luke Skywalker or Han Solo taped within those pages, only his Dad with the deep, raspy voice. I'd guess that I found Vader's costume and mastery of the Force extremely effective, which is key in creating an appealling villain.

Even in comics, the villains tend to be visually interesting: Dr Doom, Dr Octopus, Bizarro, the list goes on. It makes sense that a dashing hero requires cool (yet dastardly) foes to battle, otherwise the fight for truth and justice may get boring. The challenge of overcoming a well designed villain helps remind the reader/viewer how cool the hero is in the first place.

Sherlock Holmes is an exception; I found his analytical and deductive skills so amazing, he didn't require a foil to increase his 'coolness' for me. I haven't even read 'The Final Solution' yet, it's certainly on my 'to-do' list.

Professional wrestling is a prime example where a hero requires an effective 'heel' to be entertaining; I often found myself rooting for the 'bad guy' when watching wrestling Saturday mornings with sandwich in hand. Saying my prayers and taking my vitamins didn't seem as cool as The Undertaker strolling menacingly toward the ring.

So here's to the bad guys; thanks for your efforts and willingness to be constantly defeated. Someone out there appreciates you!

You go, girl!

Charlie's Angels, The Bionic Woman, and Wonder Woman.

Classics from the 1970s, featuring strong, beautiful heroines anyone could look up to.

I was mulling over the state of current television, and find interesting how the concept of 'heroine' has changed over the years. Strong women today are usually portrayed as tough, independent, and relentless at achieving their goals. Intelligence and bravery are other characteristics of today's heroines, which is an excellent message to send to viewers.

However, it seems to me that the 70s versions had all these qualities along with a certain relatable fragility; they always came across as human, with feelings, despite the fantastic situations and desperate predicaments they found themselves in. They weren't 'flawed', or emotionless anti-heroes with complicated motivations.

Even the male counterparts I watched (The Six Million Dollar Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Dukes of Hazzard) weren't afraid to express themselves emotionally, which may have been why I found them appealling. They inspired me with their triumphs, as well as how they overcame tragedy and defeat.

I guess I miss these old heroes and heroines, the world can always use more of them.