The Ethan Van Sciver Talk Back thread

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

I thought of one, Ethan.

Do you base your drawings of Hal Jordan and Sinestro and the others off of real people or models? Who are your main influences?

I never really use photo ref for that purpose, and have to say that my Hal is entirely constructed out of my idea of what the American Male Hero should look like. Sinestro is Sinestro, but I sort of think about pictures I've seen of Hitler when I draw his face and the way he holds himself.

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

Ethan, I'm dying to know. What is the name of the "fish guy" who Hal Jordan or spearing on the two page splash of War of Light in GL #25?

Abyssma.

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

Hey Ethan,
Great meeting you today at Wizard World Philly.
Here's The Original concept Drawing I did of my Uniform back in '92
(couldn't find a pair of wrap-around shades I liked in time)
I had a whole slew of characters based on my friends in the Dorm at the time called the Justice League Counterparts. I'll try and get around to posting some of the others in the near future

I like the shades! Very Guy Gardner!

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

Easy one for you: Humans, or Aliens? Which do you like to draw more?

I just ask because some of your aliens are simply amazing in the amount of detail you add. A lot of times, I think there is more potential for minute details in an alien than there are in humans, and you seem to love the details.

I love the aliens. They impose no limits on your imagination, and for that, I enjoy them.

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

ok so actually watching you make a sketch was awesome. if you don't even remember it's cool but what was the character you were asked to sketch the most over the weekend?

Sinestro. We've made this guy a sensation.

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

and which of the 4 earth gl's are easier to draw?

Probably John, because his costume is nearly entirely black!

[Guest Close GreenLanternGeek]

Sinestro. We've made this guy a sensation.

heh sweet!

[Guest Close GreenLanternGeek]

Probably John, because his costume is nearly entirely black!

oh cool... did not know that.

[GLJIMT Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close GLJIMT]

When you have to draw a bunch of random Lanterns in a big ol'splash page where do you draw insperation from? Do you flip through anything until you're like, Ah that's kind of like what this guy looks like, and then draw each figure, or do you just sit there and draw Lantern after Lantern until the page is full and however they look is how they look?

[Andrew NDB Shot Caller Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew NDB]

More great answers, EVS.

True or false: You're going on Wonder Woman?

[GUYCORPS Green Lantern Find all posts View Profile Close GUYCORPS]

I get creator's block fairly often. But sometimes I just don't have a wonderful idea. And in those cases, it pays to just take a walk and consider things, because I'm fairly clever, and good ideas do end up occurring if I just wait for the inspiration. I'm redesigning someone's costume now, and it's the hardest thing I've ever been asked to do. I won't sit down and do it until the right idea shows up in my brain, though.

As for inspiring art, I like Brian Bolland. Pick up his KILLING JOKE hardcover that came out a few months ago, and you'll see why!

My method for script-to-art is to break the script down into scenes, and try to find the mood and tone of the sequence. I compare it to the prior or subsequent scene and think about how, using texture, layouts, lights and darks, or anything, to firmly establish breaks between them. In other words, it's wonderful if the book opens with a 4 page violent sequence in an alley, and then cuts away to a 2 page scene in a warm home environment or something like that. It's easy to make the art breathe when the story breaks like that.

I try to find the most important visual messages that Geoff wants conveyed so that I can feature those, and whatever extra elements I can add to support them. Sometimes there's a theme that recurs, sometimes there's a good idea to be found in where the "camera" is placed, etc.

I then scour magazines and the internet for the background reference I need, and break things down.

EVS

Hello Ethan, great to have you posting on these boards!
If i may, who's costume are you redesigning? If you can't say specifically, is it one of the earth lanterns?

By the way you have a huge fanbase here in Jo'burg, South Africa (not to mention throughout the country).
What are the possibilities of getting you to come on down?
We can certainly offer awesome inspiration, if you visited any of our many game reserves. Hell, we have the cradle of humankind in Krugersdorp (not to far outside of Jo'burg).

Well if either yourself or any of your colleagues are ever interested, just PM me. My father runs a shuttle service and tours from the OTI airport to anywhere in SA. We also hold mini conventions this side of the world, and one of my good friends owns the biggest comic shop in SA.

Cheers.

[Jack-O-Lantern Master Customizer Find all posts View Profile Close Jack-O-Lantern]

I'm redesigning someone's costume now, and it's the hardest thing I've ever been asked to do.

Hmmmmm.........

Any hints? At least if it's GL related or not?

[Fearless Agent Orange Find all posts View Profile Close Fearless]

My bet's on Kyle He's had more costume changes than a teenage girl.

[Andrew NDB Shot Caller Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew NDB]

Is it Barry?

[Guest Close GreenLanternGeek]

what artist inspired you as a kid?