Comixology Issue 3

Issue 3 of From Above was uploaded to Comixology today. Hopefully we'll be seeing it available soon! :)

Issue 5 Launch - Armageddon Expo Melbourne

We'll be launching Issue 5 at Melbourne Armageddon expo (18-19 October). Come and find us at the Melbourne Comics Booth - Table 43.

Issue 5 sent off to the Printer

Issue 5 has just headed off to the printers!!!

12 months of hard work and fun times!

So as the 12 month date since its release approaches, Issue 5 of From Above is being put to bed. Very satisfied to think that as planned we've hit all our deadlines, done all the OzComicCon circuit, gotten the book stocked in stores around the country and been very fortunate to have generated a much larger than could have been expected loyal readership.
If you'd asked me 12 months ago if I could pull off writing, illustrating, and distributing my own quarterly book I would have said it was to say the least, ambitious.
And to be honest I couldn't have done it without the amazing support of my wife, Alana, who has not only embraced the project, she has helped bring it to the next level!
The support from retailers and readers has been phenomenal, utterly phenomenal! Thank you all so much!
And a massive thanks to the Australian comic creator community who have embraced me as one of their own and supported me all the way.
It's been a great 12 months to sit back and reflect on; busier than I've ever been, but also the most creatively satisfied.
So here's to another 12 months of hard work and fun times! Thank you all!
Craig

Deadlines

Something that Christian Read said during the Gestalt Comics panel at Sydney OCC has really stuck with me. He basically said that if you want to be making comics then you really need to 'love making comics'. As I sit in front of the computer in the middle of a sixteen hour day, faced with the same tomorrow in order to hit the latest deadline, i find this really resonating with me. Sure I have a knot in my shoulder the size of a tennis ball and I can feel a stunner of a headache coming on, but you know what... I wouldn't pass this up for the world. This is the stuff I love to do, and the payoff far exceeds the obstacles. Issue 5 deadline here I come baby!

Inking a page : time lapse video

Here's a video time lapse inking one of the issue 5 pages.

YouTube Channel is up

Have set up a From Above Youtube Channel where I will be sharing a heap of time lapse videos, tutorials and the like so go check it out if this sort of thing interests you.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcI1Ys0pCcsjZr-rzpaMtKQ

Crunch time!

Time to get my butt into gear and get the issue 5 artwork done before all the September Conventions start happening :)

From Above Sketch Books now available

Happy to announce that we now have the From Above sketchbooks available for purchase. We will be selling these at both Brisbane and Sydney Oz Comic-Con as well as being able for direct order.
The books are 28 pages full color on 155gsm silk gloss stock. Limited to a run of 100 books, each is individually signed and numbered and sold in an acid free protective bag.
Books are retailing for $10 plus postage or $30 plus postage if you would like one with an original custom sketch on the back inside cover.
The books feature early concept art, character sketches, page pencils and inks as well as all six covers so far (both 1st and 2nd edition covers of issue One) as well as some full color pin ups.
PM the facebook page if you are interested in ordering or other we'll see you at Brisbane and Sydney :)

Pencils to inks

A few people mentioned the possibility of seeing some process videos on the page. Well still trying to get something together on that front (battling against my less than tech savvy nature). In the meantime though I can give you a glimpse to my process with an ink / pencil overlay piece. Because I do the book digitally using a tablet, I keep the pencils reasonably loose and fine tune some of the details in the ink stage. In this page we see some of the most horrific images in the series to date: the state of Gracie's room.

Gabe turnarounds

Have been asked of late by a few 3d modellers if they could take a shot a modelling Gabe. Well, it's always flattering to be asked this, so for those who want to give it a crack here are the front and back turnarounds of our masked protaganist :)

Progress on Issues 5 and 6

Issue 5 is now fuully pencilled and  have done a lot on story and concept sketching for Issue 6. Plus have also just finished putting together a From Above sketchbook. Busy, busy...