Breaking tradition

For years I've illustrated in the traditional way: pen and ink on paper, paintbrushes etcetera. I was trained to use my hands when I create a piece of art. I've always had an aversion to using digital media to create art, because in a way, it felt like I was cheating myself. I saw digitally-produced art being published and it felt well, not fake, but not true. I'm not setting out to disparage digital artists. There are many stellar digital artists out there doing fantastic work.

Until recently I felt that using a computer program like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator would be to dishonour my own artistic style. Using a drawing tablet and wireless pen, seemed like sacrilege. Then I bought one. A small Wacom tablet. To be honest I was afraid to even contemplate using it, but like any artist, I wanted to challenge myself. To "have a go", as we Aussies like to say. Now I have used Photoshop and programs like to enhance or colour my art, but drawing on a tablet, not at all.

Over the past few months I've been giving it a shot and it's kind of like making a new friend or getting a new pet. You have to grow on each other. Just getting used to the wireless pen was a lesson in frustration, but I stuck with it. Below are some drawings I've done using the Wacom.

There is one thing I will say about drawing tablets. They sure allow you to work fast when you need to, but I'm not ready to give up the hands-on illustration just yet :)

Let me know what you think:

  



All images © Greg Chapman

darkscrybe's photostream

darkscrybe's photostream on Flickr.

Author Interview: Brian G Ross

Brian G Ross has just had his novella "Replay" released through Australian publisher Dark Prints Press, who also published my book Vaudeville last year.

I managed to track Brian down and quiz him about his latest tale, his favourite authors and what he's got planned down the track:

Give us a bit of an idea about your background and how you got into writing.
I've been writing since I was a child, and (although I didn't admit this to anyone back then) it is really the only thing I have ever wanted to do with my life. As a lot of writers will tell you, it was originally an escape. Not that life in the real world was particularly bad, just that it was never as interesting or exciting as those environments you could build in your head.
 
Tell us where the inspiration came from for Replay?
Well, the original incarnation of Replay was written in the early months of 2001, while I was at university. I've always wanted to write a school-based horror story, and this is what came out. I think it's a bit like The Breakfast Club, as seen through a funhouse mirror. The version you can read today has been substantially overhauled.
 
What was the most satisfying scene to write in Replay?
Replay has four central characters, each with their own dedicated scene. I enjoyed getting to know each of my protagonists, and discovering their strengths and weaknesses. The longer format of the novella allowed me to establish their positions and explore their motivations in a way that a short story does not, and I am thankful for that.
 
Your favourite author/s?
Over the years I have read (and enjoyed) most of Stephen King's material, along with Dean Koontz. If I was struggling to find something to read, I would dip into their back catalogues, and they were my two basic food groups for many years. I discovered Ed McBain's 87th Precinct novels when I was in my twenties, and most of them are very good indeed. In one month I got through fifteen of them! His minimalistic approach to the police procedural genre is something I truly admire.
 
What's the last thing you read that really blew you away?
That's a difficult one. Probably Robinson Crusoe, which I didn't read until I was in my thirties. I went into it thinking the prose would be dense and that the whole thing would be a struggle, given that it was first published in 1719, but I was wrong. It's a fantastically engaging story that rarely feels as old as it is. Highly recommended.

What are you working on at the moment?
I have several projects on the go at the moment - I tend to be a bit of a creative platespinner, in that I rarely focus on one thing. The next story that should see completion is called Wyrmhole, and - other than a couple of very short flash pieces - it's my first foray into sci-fi, so I look forward to seeing how that is received.

Where can people find you on the web?
My website is http://briangrantross.com or Twitter @Slipwater

To celebrate the release of Replay, Dark Prints Press has discounted Vaudeville and Rope to just 99 cents! (Just select your preferred ebook format and it will redirect you to paypal with the discounted price)

Shadows Awards put Australian writers in the spotlight

At 9pm Eastern Australian time Friday April 12 (in other words, tomorrow!) the winners of the Australian Shadows Awards will be announced and I'm proud to say that I played a big part as a judge this year!

I was very fortunate to be selected as a judge in the Short Story, Collected and Edited categories this year and it was an absolute pleasure just to read works by other authors.

It was quite daunting when I accepted an invitation to be a judge. I thought - what gives me the right to judge other author's work, especially authors who have been writing for decades and pass judgement on them!? I mean I'm just a newb! What would I know? But then I realised I had to put the writer in me to one side and judge from a reader's perspective and as an avid reader of speculative fiction, I know what makes a good story.

In the end I devoured six collected works, eight edited works and more than 80 short stories in the space of about 6-8 months. Thousands of words; writers pouring their hearts and souls on to the page. Many of the tales resonated with me, while others lingered with me for days. They were the successful ones.

When it came to finally deciding upon the winners it seemed my fellow judges (Stephen Clark and Steve Gerlach) and I, were all on the same page from the outset. I'd like to thank the "Steves" for the opportunity to collaborate. I'd also like to say thank you to Australian Shadows Awards Director Robert Datson for managing the process with a great deal of professionalism and patience.

I trust that you agree with us when the winners are finally announced.

After seeing the trophies the authors will be receiving I'll admit that I felt the sting of jealousy, but then I remembered I received an even more precious gift, the chance to read a multitude of talented authors and experience their stories for the first time.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists - you deserve it.

To follow the announcement of the winners just LIKEAustralian Shadows Facebook page.
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