Inking samples from about 1989

I was recently doing an interview about comics that changed my life- I had to choose X-Men Annual 9 by Art Adams, Chris Claremont and inked by Mignola/Milgrim. It was the comic that made me want to become a comic book artist. I would copy, trace and retrace panels and when I could, photocopy and blow them up to see them in grater detail. Later, as I wanted to improve my inking skills, I would use Vellum to practice inking on. I found a bunch of those, some I was shocked to look at because I was inking them at actual size. I could never do that now, I just don't have the patience.
So here they are, along with a few others like Art Adams HEROES FOR HOPE cover... at actual size.
M!

Hour long interview at Multiversity Comics

http://multiversitycomics.com/podcasts/robots-from-tomorrow-presents-michael-avon-oeming/

Here I talk about the Victories, Powers, Mice Templar, art process and more, come check it out, play it while doing dishes, art, chores, whatever:)

I love Photo Reference

I love it as a tool. I love finding new ways to find great poses and re-use them in ways that completely change their source references. That technique mostly grew out of respecting the art of photography and the work put into it, especially if they are from pose books or pose files like you can find on Deviant Art. Also, the great need to not be sued is a big part of that too!
I rarely use a pose directly as I find it, and if I do, I use it very much like a lose breakdown, not exact details of the anatomy or proportions. Photo reference can be a real trap and show through in the art "I traced this" and that is a bad thing for lots of reasons. If you completely shoot your own photos and that is the style you've developed- that's cool, it's all yours and that is a look many people love. But obviously I enjoy more abstract and cartoony vibe, but I know I'm in the minority there.
Anyway, bla bla bla, here is some fun I had with a Gene Kelly photo- that guy knew how to move!

Cons, Dead Websites and Updates

CONS!
I am doing a few shows coming up in the NW and Canada area- I hope to see you there!
First up is Emerald City in Seattle! http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/ I'll be there with Taki Soma (Rapture, Victories) and Bryan Glass so bring your Mice Templar and Furious to sign! I'll be bringing LOTS of books, art and prints to sell!
After that Taki and I will be hitting Calgary Canada for the first time! http://www.calgaryexpo.com/

WWW.MICHAELOEMING.COM is no more
I'm done with websites! From now on, you can find me here at this blog as my official mouthpiece. I'll update my commissions and such as soon as I can.

VICTORIES and POWERS and UNITED STATES OF MURDER INC and MICE TEMPLAR!
Those have my plate full- here is a cover to Victories!