Nikki Cook

Tula

2011-06-30T06:40:00.001-04:00

Monday drawing game!

2011-01-24T12:01:00.007-05:00

Start! Twitter says batgirl- so let's go!

Layout!

Pencils!
basic inks!
whoop.

signing at Hanleys!

2011-01-07T08:49:00.002-05:00

come see me and Ben McCool at Jim Hanley's Universe!
Wednesday, January 19 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm!

death!

2010-11-19T14:44:00.000-05:00

punk rock batgirl!

2010-11-06T14:40:00.001-04:00

the results are in!
you voted for bat girl, you got her.

results of the tweet-draw today

2010-10-07T14:59:00.008-04:00

a good scan of what i finished up with!

Today i tweeted as i drew a pretty pretty picture. This is the kind of wild and crazy times you can expect here in the big apple! now i go to get ready for NYCC!

This and a slew of other original art and junk will be avalable from me this weekend at comic con! I'll be at the Comic News Insiders booth on friday from 4-5 and then on sunday from 12-1. See you guys there!

Comic Con Faux Pas

2010-10-04T11:33:00.009-04:00

I love me some nerds-but Our People tend to have some basic social issues that need to be addressed. Before all you people poop yourselves over how much you totally don't do these things- I'd like to remind you that while YOU don't do these things... you can't say that all members of the comic-making tribe are equally as smooth. Bad behavior both exists and can be changed.

I did a pet-peeve list for art students back in March, and but older nerds need a little pep-talk, too. The hardest part is knowing you are doin' wrong.

Don't be a douche at the Con
1. Don't yell at passers-by from your booth. I can't believe I need to say this- but seriously- you look an asshole and you're only selling books to people too timid to say no. That is a shitty target audience.

2. If you don't know someone personally- don't just drop by to awkwardly say hello and stand there for 15 agonizing minutes. You want to meet someone? Awesome- decide what you are going to say before you get up there, and make it short and to the point. Do it and get the fuck out.

3. Editors are goddamned busy. If there is a particular one you want to talk to about a particular thing- check their website for instructions and availability BEFORE the show and before you email/tweet/call them.

4. Everyone is busier thann you- at least you need to assume that. Plan ahead if you need to talk to someone and always always always thank people for their time.

4. Dress appropriately. I know this is insulting- but if it wasn't such a fucking problem we could all never talk about it again, amirite? Quick rule of thumb- stains, smells and skin- we shouldn't be seeing much of any of those things. And good god don't wear sweatpants.

5. Keep your hands clean- make sure your nails are trimmed and you've got as much of the ink off of them as you can. And wash them throughout the day. You'll be asking a gazillion people to touch your hands- don't abuse their trust with a germfest.

6. Don't bitch about the show while AT the show. Somebody worked really hard to put it together. It's like saying a party is lame while you drink the host's beer.

After Party etiquette:

1. Respect the civilians. All you need to do is acknowledge the Significant Other (that hates all things comic related) and make a little small talk. Don't worry- muggles know how and will guide you through if you get stuck. It's common courtesy... AND the happier the muggle girlfriend- the longer you can dissect the inferno crossover with the nerd boyfriend.

2. Check your hygiene before you head out. You've been in a convention hall all day, do you really think you should fore go a quick sniff test here?

3. Remember it's still business. Don't get shitfaced. People talk about who-puked-where for years and no one wants to be the puker in the story.

4. Remember it's still business, part two: Keep the trash talk and offensive speech to yourself. It doesn't matter if you are speaking the truth- it makes you look like an asshole.

5. Don't bring your portfolio to the party to show it to people. I've said this before- but really:

It's like showing up naked to a party, people might like what they see but you're such an asshole that they just don't give a shit.

6. Bring your business cards along. you don't want to have to scribble your contact info somewhere stupid.

I think the general rule is pretty much be polite, but feel free to pipe in and add some more bad convention behavior to this.

NYCC do or die list!

2010-10-01T13:13:00.004-04:00

Last week a friend of mine was asked for her do-or-die traveling to a convention list-what a brilliant idea to make public? I'm going to put this together to send out to my friends heading to New york for the show next week.

My DO or Die comic con travel list!

plus some others' suggestions:

Bandaids/painkillers/first aide kit gear

"Sleepwear. you can't sleep naked when you're sharing a hotel room" (via ms. shy)

Physical list of people you need to see for meetings. Things get crazy. You will miss someone.

signage or display gear for your table

"extra underwear and socks, no im serious put that on the list."

simple foods and booze for the room

an inventory of all the products you plan to bring to sell or give away.

Lists of amenities that you may need near the hotel. It's best to have this before you go in case an emergancy goes down and you don't have time to waste looking.

nicer clothes for after parties.

more business cards then you think you'll need

hygene products

a good pair of walking shoes. Ladies, don't be clever.

What else should be on the list? comment and i'll put it up.

Not being a dick or a Kiss Ass: a How To Crit

2010-10-01T12:05:00.004-04:00

How to productively and critically talk about comic art.

You and your buddies are sitting around and talking about each others' work. Or maybe you're sitting behind a table at artist alley and some cutie high school artstar toddles up. Or you get an email from a friend about their unbelievably good new book. Ok kids- this can be uncomfortable as it can get. Each artist in the world can be a special snowflake kind of sensitive and you have no idea where their minefields are, but you don't want insult them with a shallow complement.

The idea here is to partner with the creator to help them see the good parts as well as possible solutions for weak areas. Unless you are a reviewer (who has an obligation to their readers to be blunt and entertaining) or and editor (who has an obligation to their readers and employers to quickly identify usable talent) the one and only goal is to help them make better comics.

An easy, non-confrontational formula for a critique:
1. Take a moment and really review what you are looking at as a whole. Make mental or written notes of anything that you like or that may have common root issues- like strange perspective or drawing goofy hands. Be able to back up everything you see with unemotional facts. Be ready to continue the conversation. Each point you bring up should begin a dialogue where the artist can feel free to process these points.
2. Say one general thing that you like about it and give a clear example. Such as, "I can see you are really studying anatomy. On the third panel, the tendons of the neck look very well observed."
3. Say one thing that you think could be improved. Once again, be very specific, explain why, and offer a possible solution: "In some parts the page construction feels a little rushed. Panels 3 and 4 have a strong tangent running between them. Tangents can be confusing to the reader. Some people find it helpful to use a mirror to catch these kinds of hard-to-see composition issues".
4. End on a positive note. Talk about another general good thing that you see. Talk about what direction they want to move in, who you think they maybe influenced by or who they might benefit from looking at. "I really like how much texture you give all the planes in this page. Have you ever had a chance to look at Ted McKeever? I think you might like his work."

Think of it as a sandwich- Two Positive things wrapped around something you are not so hot about.

You don't want to shut down a useful conversation and put the artist on the defensive. Negatively charged SUBJECTIVE descriptors like "hate", "crap", or "lazy" are pretty much ego fire, and also kind of dickish things to say anyway (even being right doesn't make you less of a dick). Tearing some kid a new asshole for their shitty art doesn't do anyone any good. The same goes for people who are much more advanced then yourself. Just because they are better doesn't mean you should ruin a useful critique by saying "oh but what do I know, I'm barely out of college."

We all want to see more great comics- part of that is lifting up artists to the next level- making ok artists good and good artist great. We can encourage better work by accepting that the comics medium is really a collection of fairly complicated, learnable skills. Things we can talk about. "Talent" at best is a jumping point and at worst used as a crutch when we don't want to move forward in our learned skills.

OK! Now if i could just figure out how to nicely tell people their script is totally not working for me.

the cover, inside and out.

2010-09-27T11:34:00.003-04:00

Thanks everyone for your opinions this weekend. here is what you can expect at the comic con in a couple weeks.

decision time!

2010-09-25T05:36:00.006-04:00

version 1

version 2

I need to print the cover of my ashcan for NYCC. It has to be one of the following- please help me make a decision because i am clearly useless. Please let me know which one you guys like!

so here is the black and white version, which is just the line art love.

in progress

2010-09-24T15:08:00.002-04:00

2010-09-21T14:16:00.002-04:00

Elektra!

2010-09-14T09:34:00.001-04:00

daredevil!

2010-09-13T12:51:00.000-04:00

callisto

2010-09-12T22:03:00.003-04:00

boom boom

2010-09-11T18:59:00.006-04:00

abe, oh abe

2010-09-10T13:14:00.002-04:00

...

2010-08-28T21:21:00.001-04:00

HIDEOUS :in progress

2010-08-27T14:09:00.002-04:00

in the park

2010-08-27T07:39:00.002-04:00

...

2010-08-23T04:55:00.001-04:00

"OH. SHIT."

2010-08-23T04:45:00.001-04:00

train skeeeetttcchin

2010-07-14T21:26:00.002-04:00

Sketchbook: Memoir Mood

2010-07-09T10:23:00.002-04:00

a creepy sketchbook to get me in the mood for pages of me and Mr. McCool's upcoming book "Memoir"

Gizmodo!

2010-07-07T12:14:00.006-04:00

I've just started working with the guys over at Gizmodo- go look and check it out.

I'll be drawin' some stuff for them for the next couple of weeks. All kinds of fun shall follow!

And speaking of- Hello everyone coming from Gizmodo, I hope you all like what you see.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter and email me!

Memoir

2010-07-05T09:26:00.001-04:00

I'll be missing SDCC this year- but for a really good reason! Memoir needs some love! I'll be chugging away at Memoir, the book that I'm working on with the enormously talented Mr. Ben McCool (which comes out late this year).

Live art for the 4th of July!

2010-07-05T00:14:00.005-04:00

I braved the heat wave for some Live Art love for Charity.

The fourth was some awesome business with live music and art all to benefit the CBLDF, a first amendment rights non-profit.

I had the opportunity to make some live art, and draw next to some amazing artists such as Molly Crabapple, Tara McPherson, Khary Randolph, and Brian Ewing.

sketchbook: white queen

2010-06-24T20:03:00.001-04:00

a little old art

2010-06-09T10:31:00.001-04:00

as I'm working on pages that i can't show yet- thought i'd post a little stuff.

Art from the art sale

2010-04-29T05:55:00.000-04:00

This was the art i sold. it was cool.

"smells like sulfur"

Original art for "One Swallow at a Time"

"Farming is so Punk Rock"

"In the Weeds"

Pin Up for the Oni Comic "Local"

commissions- for Ian-X (who happens to be a super great photographer and new comic writer)

art from the art sale :D

2010-04-26T14:34:00.001-04:00

drowning

drowning

Page From DMZ:

fanart

boys and girls in bars

revision
ink on bristol board

the cbldf crew has returned

2010-04-21T13:27:00.001-04:00

i have some nice lookin' friends.

commonweath

2010-04-20T16:36:00.000-04:00

Black Canary

2010-04-19T13:48:00.001-04:00

drowning

2010-04-18T22:05:00.000-04:00

in progress

love

2010-04-16T07:26:00.000-04:00

This is might be one of my favorite photos ever- me and Val loving the crap out of our Girl Comics Punisher craziness!

links!
Comics Alliance
Valerie D'Orazio

Farming is so punk rock

2010-04-07T16:11:00.000-04:00

11x17
Ink on paper

...

2010-04-02T22:39:00.000-04:00

PetPeeves

2010-03-24T11:58:00.001-04:00

I went home to Minneapolis for a few days while hanging out in the Midwest. While visiting my alma mater MCAD I realized that the comic kids now are basically the same as when I went to school. I compiled a list of irritating and perpetually reoccurring things that these kids do.

Comic Art Student pet peeves:
1. “Drawing with charcoal all big doesn’t teach you a thing about comics” you can not like drawing all big and stuff- but large scale observation drawing teaches you about how things sit in space and how people and objects fit together. So bullshit it doesn’t teach you about comics. Stfu, draw more.

2. “Art history doesn’t teach you anything about comics.” Sorry kid, comic books are not an island. You’re part of the PARADE OF TIME. Stop being so fucking ignorant.

3. “It’s not wrong, it’s my STYLE”. Ok, dude. Your “style” is to have misshaped, unobserved anatomy and jacked ass story telling? Just because it’s the all hallowed “Art” doesn’t mean your ass can’t be judged. I’m not even important and I can judge the fuck out of you. Stfu, draw more.

4. “My teacher doesn’t teach me anything.” Too bad. Learn to ask better questions, or get other teachers. Learning how to make art is on you, not them.

5. Showing your portfolio at a party is like showing up naked on a first date. The people MIGHT like what they see but you are such a whore they don’t give a shit.

6. Putting down other artists, editors, or publishers is fucking rude. NO. Be Polite.

7. You are not your art. Grow some thick skin and deal with negative comments.

8. Child, wash yourself!

9. Neck beards (you know, when the cheeks are shaved and the neck is full on? Usually comes with a trench coat and possibly a katana?) are not only Virginity Shields but also Editor Repellent. Shave. It. Off. NOW.

10. I really don’t care how busy you are. You still have to have pages newer then six months in your portfolio for me to believe you are not lazy.

11. No one THINKS they have bad manners. But there are a shit ton of rude ass people out there: accept that you MIGHT be one of those socially awkward people- and as a comic book industry hopeful let’s just say it’s a lot more likely then the rest of the general population. Read a book on etiquette and apply some. Is it lame? Sure. But that’s better then alienating a room full of strangers that might have given you money later.

12. Being “indie” is not an excuse for bad art. Stfu, draw more.

13. Ugly drawing is not bad comics. Bad story telling is bad comics- so no attitude, Mr. FineArt-major-slumming-it-comics-class! you suck too.

14. Before walking out of your hotel to a convention- stop and look in the mirror. Ask the following questions:
A. Have forgotten to bathe or shave today?
B. Does my shirt have a cuss word on it?
C. Are my clothes stained? Even a little?
D. Is my shirt made of silk and sold at hot topic? Any little dragons or spidermans on it?
E. Am I wearing a kilt?
F. Am I wearing cat ears and not being ironic?
G. Do I have gut leakage? (is my belly waving hello from under my tshirt)
H. Can I see my underpants or tits?
I. Am wearing sweatpants?

Any “yes” means you should change. And don’t start with that “if they don’t like me for me” bullshit. You are not representing yourself through your dragon screen printed silk shirt. You are creeping people out. Go home and dress however goofy you want.

in the midwest

2010-03-20T07:46:00.000-04:00

there are lots of exciting happenings of late- i've been in the midwest the last few weeks- and will be until the end of march. I'll have super cool news once i get back- but for now enjoy a photo of pretty minneapolis!

no more sun

2010-03-08T13:22:00.001-05:00

2010-03-05T01:44:00.000-05:00

old art friday

2010-02-26T14:58:00.000-05:00

the kitty i did for a charity show a while back! whoo fanart!

...

2010-02-21T19:46:00.001-05:00

little warmup

2010-02-21T18:22:00.000-05:00

more fanart

2010-02-11T17:33:00.000-05:00

yeah. this is what i do in my sketch book. make perfectly nice girls into filthy punk kids. yesssssss

warm up, in response to Declan's new hard cover coming

2010-02-11T14:48:00.000-05:00

here you go: http://dshalv.blogspot.com/

for REMAKE/REMODEL: Atoma

2010-01-21T03:58:00.000-05:00

which is here:

http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7588&page=3#Item_6

insomnia makes fan art

2010-01-19T05:11:00.000-05:00

gift for oliver

2009-12-09T14:27:00.000-05:00

sneak of a new project

2009-11-20T16:56:00.001-05:00

sketchin'

2009-11-20T11:49:00.001-05:00

in progress

2009-11-18T08:02:00.001-05:00

commission for a southern gent

2009-10-01T06:52:00.000-04:00

new tattoo

2009-09-28T17:21:00.000-04:00

a week old and driving me crazy with the itchy.

sketchbook

2009-09-24T13:57:00.001-04:00

sketchbook nonsense

2009-09-23T23:36:00.001-04:00

between pages

2009-09-15T08:21:00.003-04:00

when my hands are achy and i just want to draw dirty punk kids. this is what happens.

It was that kind of music this weekend. If they ever do an anthology for any bands i like- it's going to be filthy punk kids making out in gutters.

Against Me

2009-09-15T08:19:00.000-04:00

i feel like i've been listening to them enough lately. so i drew 'em. creepy? charming? you decide.

I'll be stuck on a train all afternoon- and i feel like drawing more musicians- requests are welcome.

me at five.

2009-09-11T15:08:00.001-04:00

jubilee again!

2009-09-11T11:22:00.000-04:00

in between pages im not allowed to post, this is how i spend my time. one day, jubilee, i will fuck your shit right up.

drink and draw, september 2009

2009-09-11T10:49:00.000-04:00

Khary Randolph put together a little shindig. i went. i had a beer. i drew stuff. one of those things:

jubilee

2009-08-28T10:48:00.000-04:00

My major weakness due to being like 5 when she showed up in the Xmen. she was so. effin. cool.

old art friday

2009-08-28T10:11:00.000-04:00

cause i can and i will!

Jennifer's Body

2009-08-26T14:32:00.001-04:00

it's out today, i believe. yay.

DMZ 41 page 01

2009-08-26T14:31:00.000-04:00

Jessica

2009-08-21T15:24:00.001-04:00

Boys and Girls In Bars

2009-08-18T09:16:00.000-04:00

WIP part three

2009-08-12T15:52:00.001-04:00

I think im done playing with this. im digging the reflective light, thought it might be a little strong.

WIP part2

2009-08-12T12:51:00.001-04:00

some of the colors laid in.

from Juano Dioz

2009-08-12T12:25:00.001-04:00

WIP

2009-08-12T11:11:00.001-04:00

WoJD

2009-08-07T16:13:00.001-04:00

from Juano Dioz

2009-08-07T12:16:00.000-04:00

Erik

2009-08-07T10:30:00.000-04:00

sketch of a friend at a bar.

after the catch

2009-08-06T18:41:00.001-04:00

older drawing.

Marisol

2009-08-06T18:21:00.001-04:00

in the bar 002

2009-08-06T18:20:00.001-04:00

Motor City in Manhattan.

in the bar, 001

2009-08-06T15:24:00.001-04:00

Drawn in Commonweath Bar, Park Slope, Brooklyn

from Juano Dioz

2009-08-06T15:14:00.000-04:00

Double page spread from The Wings of Juano Dioz, me and Stacey Garratt's upcoming graphic novel. It's getting hella pretty, folks.

Short story clipping

2009-08-06T15:11:00.001-04:00

from Comc Book Tattoo

2009-08-03T12:39:00.001-04:00

I was one of the contributes to Comic Book Tattoo, The Eisner Award winning Anthology inspired by the music of Tori Amos.

drawin' Ben McCool

2009-08-03T12:30:00.000-04:00