Ben

Author's details

Name: Ben Towle
Date registered: 11/30/-0001
URL: http://www.benzilla.com

Latest posts

  1. Experimenting With Artrage: Paradax — 11/25/2013
  2. Recolored Kurtzman — 11/23/2013
  3. Again With the Lou Reed — 11/17/2013
  4. From the Sketchbook: John Lennon — 11/17/2013
  5. Commissions: Fantastic Four, MODOK — 11/8/2013

Most commented posts

  1. Mockingbird Tattoo Designs — 37 comments
  2. The Comics Journal Message Board: A Requiem — 32 comments
  3. Service Review: Ka-Blam Print on Demand — 29 comments
  4. Craft: A Review of the New Koh-i-nor Rapidosketch Pen — 26 comments
  5. Ugliest Dog in the World? — 22 comments
Share |

Author's posts listings

Nov
25

Experimenting With Artrage: Paradax

Categories:

by

paradax_colored

I’ve been experimenting a bit with the digital painting program, Artrage. It’s a piece of software designed to emulate natural painting media as colsely as possible. So far I’ve just been focusing on its watercolor-like effects. Here’s my second attempt at “watercolors” in Artrage: Milligan and McCarthy’s 80s superhero/media star Paradax.  

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Nov
23

Recolored Kurtzman

Categories:

by

flc

If you follow my comics ranting on Twitter, you probably know that one of my oft-ground axes is the horrible nature of most comics recoloring efforts. Given that, it probably won’t surprise you that I raised an eyebrow when I noted that the new (and excellent) Fantagraphics collection of Harvey Kurtzman EC war comics, Corpse …

Continue reading »

Tags: ,

2 comments

Nov
17

Again With the Lou Reed

Categories:

by

lou 2

Here’s a (second) recent drawing of Lou Reed, this one taken from the picture accompanying his obituary in TIME magazine. I hadn’t really intended to do anything with this one, but it turned out alright and I had some time to fool with it last week. Process: sketched in pencil, inked and colored in Manga …

Continue reading »

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Nov
17

From the Sketchbook: John Lennon

Categories:

by

lennon-sketch

  I just colored a quick drawing I did in my sketchbook last week of John Lennon. I think the photo I was looking at was from last month’s MOJO Magazine review of the new box set. Process: Drawn in pencil, inked with Pentel brush pen, colored in Photoshop.  

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Nov
08

Commissions: Fantastic Four, MODOK

Categories:

by

FF-sepia

  When it rains, it pours! I’m swimming in commissions these days… and I sure ain’t complaining about it. Here are some I just finished up today: The Fantastic Four and everyone’s favorite mental organism, MODOK. I had a lot of fun with the FF one in particular. They were one of my faves back …

Continue reading »

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Nov
04

Kang The Conqueror Commission

Categories:

by

kane-toned

Here’s a commission I just wrapped up: Kang the Conqueror sitting on the “Iron Throne.” It was a lot of fun to do. That’s India ink and sepia wash on watercolor board. Live area is 10 x 15 inches. The person who commissioned the piece has a gallery of commissions with that same theme on …

Continue reading »

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Oct
31

Lou Reed – 1942-2013

Categories:

by

lou reed

Here’s a drawing of Lou Reed I started the evening he died and just wrapped up this evening. Since his death, people far more eloquent and far more knowledgeable about music than I have written about Lou Reed’s significance and importance. I’ll just say this: I discovered the Velvet Underground when I was in high …

Continue reading »

Tags: , ,

Leave comment

Oct
31

Oyster War: A Best American Comics 2013 Notable

Categories:

by

best-american-comics-2013-cover

  I’m honored to have Oyster War make the 2013 Best American Comics Notable Comics of 2013 list. The full list is here and even a cursory glance should give you an idea of what tremendous company I’m in. More generally, though, I’m really glad to see so many webcomics on the list. I’ve had …

Continue reading »

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Oct
03

Basic Hardware/Software Cartooning Setup?

Categories:

by

I had a friend ask me recently for advice on putting together a basic hardware and software setup for comics-making–with budget in mind. Here’s my response to her: Software: Manga Studio is a great program (and reasonably priced). There’s some sort of licensing weirdness going on with the parent company right now apparently, so you …

Continue reading »

Tags:

9 comments

Sep
30

Commissions: Silver Age JLA

Categories:

by

aquaman

Here’re some commissioned drawings I recently wrapped up: the Silver Age JLA. I read mainly Marvel stuff growing up and admittedly don’t know a whole ton about Silver Age DC stuff, but I really enjoyed doing these and I really gained an appreciation for these great costumes. I’m also pretty happy with the way these …

Continue reading »

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Older posts «