Bill Nichols’ Prescription:
Comics
10ccs of Javier Lugo

 

What inspires you to create and keeps you going?

The knowledge that everything ends, and that me and my friends have LOTS of stories to tell!

 

Do you have a set routine?

I’m getting real close to having a set routine that actually works! I do small layouts as I read the story the first time, just to record those primal instinctive reactions to the story.  I then redraw them on 8/11 paper, making space for speech balloons, changing points of view to add variety to the visual storytelling, and making sure I don’t repeat a pose on the book! Then it’s time to draw them full sized! Sometime I come up with a better solution to a storytelling issue by this step, as I’ve already been working on the story for a good length of time.

 

What kind of output do you try to achieve?

I try to get 1 page of sequential art drawn in a day, or 2 pin-ups, so about 2 productive days a week. It’s about all I can muster while working full time!

 

What inspires you WHEN you create? Music?Noise?Silence?

I need silence to read the story, but I need music to perform! So I prefer to draw with music on. Another thing that inspires me, is to wonder “how did THIS artist tackle this problem?” So I go to my graphic novels and pull out a Kirby Thor book, or a Buscema Thor or Conan, or an Alan Davis JL The Nail, or a George Perez Crisis or JLA and Avengers book. 

 

Who was the first comic book creator that influenced you to pursue this?

John Buscema and Rudy Nebres.

 

When did you realize you could follow this path yourself?

When I discovered how cheap it was to buy a table at a local comic convention and sell my art, so around 2001. That plus the fact that there aren’t a lot of people willing to draw the hard stuff: stories. Lots of people can draw something once, like a pin-up or cover or a unique design, but it’s a different job to draw the stories and those unique characters in an exciting and sequential way!

 

What do you find to be a challenge in creating?

Maintaining a steady pace can be a challenge, and also jumping from one project in one genre to a different project in a different genre!

 

What else do you have to learn?

LOTS! But 2 things in particular: Establishing shots and multiple lighting sources!  OH, and hair!

 

What keeps you motivated to get better?

When I look at my work, and still think that the art I grew up 30 years ago is WAY better than what I just drew!

 

Can you turn your brain (creativity) off (and on)?

I’ve learned how to, mostly. Everyday life rarely allows me the luxury of 2-4 hours of uninterrupted drawing time, so I’ve had to draw in spurts while doing other chores. 

But I still get those weird nights when I’m dog tired, go to lay down, then a thought occurs to me that SOLVES THAT PROBLEM that’s been nagging me for 2 days. So I run out to my drawing table and get it out of my head and into the page before the idea is gone!

 

Booster Shots

What advice do you have for aspiring creators?

Best time to create is RIGHT NOW. Do not wait for inspiration.

 

Do you ever worry about running out of ideas?

NOPE! When you have good friends and good collaborators, all I need is a couple minutes to chat and before you know it, something comes out in the conversation that can lead to another idea.  Now, that doesn’t mean it’s a GOOD idea, but it’s an idea that can get the ball rolling in unexpected directions.

 

How do you handle the slow times?

I continue to develop old ideas that still work today.

 

How do you feel about the industry?

I feel that everyone still has a fair chance to make their mark in it!   Just make sure you know what you want to say and that what you are putting forth into the industry is saying EXACTLY what you want it to say.

 

Website you would like to promote?

My online store:  https://squareup.com/market/jlugoart

 

 

Bill Nichols

Author, Artist, Editor for ShoutFyre.com
Bill is the creator of Arteest & Ursula comics, writer for Ringtail Cafe, co-creator of Savage Family, writer and inker of HellGirl: Demonseed. Editor for ShoutFyre and Sketch Magazine. Co-author of Camelot Forever novel series.