Simon Gane

Lot No. 249

2012-01-22T18:12:00.009Z

Some panels from a 28 page adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Lot No. 249', for an upcoming volume of Graphic Classics.

Cathedral Commissions

2012-01-15T18:58:00.003Z

London.
Malaga.
Liverpool.

Godzilla Legends: Rodan

2012-01-02T14:01:00.007Z

Here are a few panels from Godzilla Legends #2 starring the mighty Rodan! It was published in December by IDW Publishing and written by Jon Vankin. There's a preview featuring Ronda Pattison's colour work here.
These are some of the preliminary character sketches:

Nelson

2011-10-28T11:10:00.006+01:00

Here are a few panels from my 5 page contribution to Nelson, edited by Rob Davis and Woodrow Phoenix and published by Blank Slate Books. It's on sale now.
And here's a drawing of the main character, Nel:

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

2011-10-27T16:33:00.005+01:00

Here's the back cover illustration for the revised edition of Graphic Classics: Robert Louis Stevenson.

Fan Art

2011-08-05T10:07:00.006+01:00

If you follow me on Twitter you may have already seen these, but here are sketches of Roger Leloup's Yoko Tsuno...
...and Hugo Pratt's Corto Maltese.Update: the originals are available to buy here.

CD cover

2011-08-01T12:11:00.003+01:00

This is for a Metal Hammer CD featuring UK bands that play Southern US-style rock and metal.

Crete sketches

2011-07-28T12:26:00.004+01:00

Wildcat

2011-07-13T12:35:00.002+01:00

Apple tree sketches

2011-07-11T16:59:00.004+01:00

Two recent sketches

2011-07-05T14:08:00.001+01:00

Recent superhero drawings

2011-06-01T11:10:00.006+01:00

Batman!Batgirl!
Subvertman, Arnie the Anarchist and Anti-State Tortoise!

Also: a reminder that should you be interested, I'm selling original artwork from 'Paris' and t-shirts here. Update: Batman & Batgirl art also for sale.

Original Art For Sale

2011-05-17T10:03:00.003+01:00

I've opened a Big Cartel store. I'm selling original artwork online for the first time, as well as t-shirts. It's all work from Paris at the moment. Retro art with very retro prices! Please do check it out.

Various character designs

2011-04-06T14:16:00.007+01:00

Here are a few of the preliminary drawings I did before setting to work on Northlanders.
Here are some samples from about a year ago. I won't be drawing the book in question but I hope it got off the ground anyway.
These are from last week:Lastly, Charles Hatfield of The Panelists writes about my work here. My thanks to Charles, it's a real honour!

Northlanders

2011-03-18T10:12:00.004Z

A few panels from Northlanders 39. Issue 38 is out now!

The Siege of Paris

2011-02-09T08:46:00.006Z

Northlanders 37 - part 1 of "The Siege of Paris" - is out today in North America and tomorrow in the UK. There's a 5 page preview here. Be sure to pick up issue 1 of the gorgeous New York Five, also written by Brian Wood too.
Here are some panels from Northlanders 38.

NORTHLANDERS

2011-01-10T10:56:00.007Z

I'm currently drawing 'The Siege Of Paris', a three-issue storyline for Brian Wood's acclaimed DC/Vertigo series Northlanders. I'm having a blast. Details here and more artwork here.

Lemmy

2010-11-22T10:47:00.003Z

Here's an illustration for Classic Rock magazine of Motorhead's Lemmy dressed as a US cavalryman!

Thought Bubble

2010-11-15T16:06:00.004Z

This coming weekend I'm pleased to say I'll be attending the annual Thought Bubble comic convention in Leeds. I'm signing on the Saturday morning between 10.30-12pm. I really hope to see you there! I should have a few books on me for sale but on the off-chance you'd like a title in particular, artwork etc, please don't hesitate to drop me a line.

Paper on canvas

2010-11-11T11:08:00.003Z

This is what the canvases below look like before I start painting on them. The effect is unintentional, a means to an end, but I find it quite appealing and might try to work it into a finished piece at some point.

Paintings

2010-11-03T10:30:00.002Z

I posted details of these canvases a while back but never got around to showing them in their entirety, so here they are now. They're 24x36", plaster mixed with acrylic paint.

Signing

2010-10-26T14:42:00.002+01:00

This Saturday - 30th October - I'll be signing and sketching at American Dream Comics, Walcot Street, Bath. I'll be there from 12-5pm!

The shop will have a bunch of the books I've illustrated for purchase, including Dark Rain, Vinyl Underground and Paris. I'll be bringing along original artwork from those titles and t-shirts. Please (PLEASE!) come by if you're in the area!

Here's the art for the Seven Crowns LP/CD again, this time including the back cover and without the text:

Joey Ramone commission

2010-10-21T12:32:00.002+01:00

Indian ink on 11x17" Bristol board.
My favourite Ramones song is probably 'Judy is a Punk'.

LP cover...

2010-10-18T12:49:00.001+01:00

... I'm working on for the punk band Seven Crowns.

Montmartre drawing

2010-09-30T11:46:00.003+01:00

Paris sketches

2010-09-18T16:26:00.002+01:00

Dark Rain Preview

2010-08-23T13:09:00.003+01:00

The Huffington Post have an 8 page preview of Dark Rain: A New Orleans Story, written by Mat Johnson and illustrated by me. If you'd like to read it, please click here.

Sketchbook pages

2010-08-17T17:30:00.002+01:00

Here are some recent sketches. A Palladian bridge in the grounds of Prior Park near Bath...
...and a mill in the village of Monkton Combe.

Baby, I love you

2010-08-16T11:52:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I found myself drawing this Ronnie Spector type after admiring the Big Hair-do's on Jonathan Edwards' blog.

Dark Rain

2010-08-13T12:11:00.005+01:00

I recently received my copies of Dark Rain: A New Orleans Story, written by Mat Johnson, illustrated by me and and published this month by Vertigo. Here are a few poor quality snaps.
The fine cover by Nessim Higson has a nice spot varnish on it as well as a quote by cartoonist Josh Neufeld - a true honour. If you haven't read A.D.: New Orleans After The Deluge, you must.

Here are a few photos of the interior - I've opted to show pages already previewed. The toning is by Lee Loughridge and these photos don't do his artwork justice. I think it's remarkable how much he got out of one colour.Mat writes about the book here.

Greece sketches

2010-08-02T14:04:00.008+01:00

I've been on holiday to the Greek islands of Samos and Fourni and did some sketching. First up is a view of the main street in Fourni followed by the rest in the order I drew them. There's quite a few so I hope your eyes don't glaze over too soon! They're drawn with a Pentel pocket pen and wash in an A5 sketchbook.

Tree sketches

2010-07-13T12:54:00.004+01:00

Yesterday evening a friend and I hooked up with a fantastic group of local artists for a sketching session in the park. It's the truth, officer. They were most welcoming and it was inspiring to be drawing in their company. Hopefully it'll become a regular thing.
These were drawn with two Pentel pocket pens - one for the black and an empty one for the wash.

Bath sketches

2010-07-12T13:06:00.004+01:00

I got into a bit of a pickle with the second one (hence the strange placement of the text!) but I think drawing directly in ink - rather than mapping out the view in pencil first - gives the buildings a bit more character and also forces me to look harder and hopefully generalise less.

London sketches

2010-07-04T11:28:00.001+01:00

From the windy garret

2010-07-01T10:16:00.004+01:00

Hi friends. Here are a couple of details of a painting I've been working on. As with the previous one it's acrylics & household paint mixed with plaster and is 24x36".
Also, check out Absinthe Frappé by Jonathan Edwards!

Starting a new painting

2010-06-23T17:02:00.001+01:00

Here's a detail of the under-drawing.

Painting

2010-06-20T12:50:00.004+01:00

Here is the top half of a painting I've been working on along with a couple of close-ups. It's 24x36" and was fun!

Panel

2010-06-11T10:20:00.002+01:00

...from DC/Vertigo's Dark Rain.

T-shirt Talk

2010-05-27T14:35:00.010+01:00

My old friend Marc at Wow Cool has printed these Sap t-shirts just in time for Summer. Sap was a mid-90's mini comic series written by Ian Lynam & Kim Fern and drawn by me. This artwork is from 2005. It features the girl on the front, the boy on the back and the Sap logo on the sleeve. If you're in the States and would like one, please click here.

I have some to sell in the UK. If you'd like one they're available in sizes S, M, L & XL and cost £8 postpaid. I accept PayPal, my email address is in my profile.Still available: this Vapid t-shirt, again in sizes S, M, L & XL and £8 postpaid to UK residents.Finally, this is a recent drawing for a fanzine cover:

Painting

2010-05-21T10:15:00.003+01:00

Or rather, a small detail of a drawing that will hopefully become a painting.

A bit more of the Graphic Classics strip

2010-05-14T11:03:00.003+01:00

A few...

2010-05-09T17:00:00.003+01:00

...finished panels from A Luckless Santa Claus:

Inks

2010-05-06T15:58:00.005+01:00

Some artwork for "A Luckless Santa Claus", the F.Scott Fitzgerald adaptation I've illustrated for Christmas Classics: Graphic Classics vol. 19. I'll post some coloured panels soon.

Dark Rain

2010-04-07T12:00:00.003+01:00

A few Dark Rain panels followed by a sketch of a home in the Garden District of New Orleans.

Also, the Macmillan Children's Publishing Group kindly posted some of my illustrations on their blog. They seem to have all been cropped on the right hand side, but here's the link for anyone who might wanna check them out.

Picture

2010-03-26T10:24:00.003Z

I'm illustrating an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, 'A Luckless Santa Claus'. Whilst working on a few preliminary character sketches I got a little carried away and decided to ink and colour one, making a stand-alone picture of it. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Also, Pamela Mullin at Vertigo recently posted two pages from the forthcoming graphic novel 'Dark Rain', written by Mat Johnson, drawn by me and toned by Lee Loughridge. Please click here to read 'em!

Pencils

2009-11-27T10:15:00.003Z

A panel from Dark Rain.

NOLA Illustration

2009-11-12T13:01:00.007Z

Final:
Pencils:Initial doodle:I've just returned from a trip to New Orleans where I was photographing locations for Dark Rain and hooking up with the books' author, Mat Johnson. A fine and talented man.

It's of course a varied and complex city, but I think the bright and playful colours of many of it's homes sum it up best for me. This sense of joie de vivre - as well as the true kindness I was shown there - makes knowing what it's residents went through in the aftermath of Katrina all the more appalling and incomprehensible. I highly recommend you visit if you haven't already, it's a special place.

Anyway, I'll have to get some photos up and waffle more, but in the meantime I hope you like this picture, it was fun to draw.

Dabny and Emmit...

2009-10-20T16:58:00.002+01:00

...from the forthcoming DC/Vertigo book, Dark Rain:

Paintings

2009-10-11T11:02:00.005+01:00

Here are two pictures I've painted for my mother as Christmas presents over the years. They're acrylic mixed with plaster on canvas, the first painted in 2000, the second in 2002 or 2003.
The second one is of the Rue de Seine in Paris and is based on a photograph by Eugène Atget. I love this distinctive building, infact I had Juliet walk past it in Paris:
That view was based on photo I took, so to make sure it was a little closer to it's 1950's incarnation I cross-referenced this photograph by Peter Cornelius, allowing me to get the right "NON" grafitti in there etc!

And speaking of 'Paris', David P. Welsh kindly mentions it here.

Pencils and inks

2009-09-17T10:11:00.000+01:00

Children's book illustrations

2009-09-14T09:30:00.003+01:00

Children's book work

2009-09-06T12:24:00.008+01:00

A photo of assorted illustrations prior to being toned. The photo's a bit blurry because I was having to fend off a cat with my foot, it was clearly her life's goal to walk across them. It was still easier than scanning them, though.

They're Indian ink on Bristol board and here's a close-up of one.

Character Design

2009-08-19T09:36:00.002+01:00

Children's book sketches

2009-08-13T07:40:00.005+01:00

For the follow-up to Track Attack by Betty Hicks.

A peek behind the scenes of Dark Rain

2009-08-11T09:30:00.007+01:00

Additional info: These are the pencils to one of the pages posted on the Vertigo blog and the first I drew as it so happens.

DARK RAIN

2009-08-06T12:18:00.003+01:00

Information about Dark Rain, the forthcoming DC/Vertigo book I'm proud to be illustrating here. It's written by Mat Johnson and this is a sample picture I did for it:

Sketches

2009-08-04T15:12:00.005+01:00

Sketches from a trip to the Greek island of Meganissi. Disappointed I didn't draw (much) more - I got into it when it was almost time to leave. I'll have to have a word with myself or go for two weeks next time.

I was trying out a Rotring 'art pen' for the first time and whilst the nib itself is passé, I had fun making a mess with it's non-waterproof ink.

Characters

2009-07-24T10:49:00.003+01:00

A pregnant woman and a girl looking at a fifty foot-away doll.

Track Attack

2009-07-21T11:40:00.005+01:00

That children's book I illustrated and keep banging on about is out today.You can now follow me on Twitter!

Old pic

2009-07-03T10:29:00.002+01:00

Illustration....

2009-06-28T09:24:00.008+01:00

...for Total Guitar in '04. Something tells me I drew this at the same time...

Book cover...

2009-06-24T10:57:00.003+01:00

...for the follow-up to Track Attack.

Come On, Pig...

2009-06-20T09:48:00.003+01:00

Drew this for the mighty Profane Existence zine back in the day.

Track Attack

2009-06-12T12:56:00.008+01:00

Here are the cover pics for 'Track Attack', written by Betty Hicks and illustrated by me. I've already posted numerous preparatory sketches and interior illustrations from it.Here it is on publisher Roaring Brook Press's website and for pre-order (it's not out until July) on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. It's the fifth title in Betty's 'Gym Shorts' series. The first four were illustrated by Adam McCauley and I recommend his website.

cidfijobiojcbioxcvbioxcvbioj[cxbi[joxcvbij[xcvb

2009-06-09T11:27:00.006+01:00

Spot the difference between penciled and finished art. I confess I thought that inkwell might be a little behind the times.
I do seem to be posting a lot of wholesome stuff at the moment, don't I? Not giving an accurate account of myself at all! I'm actually hard at work illustrating a graphic novel, but it's unannounced so I shouldn't post anything related to it yet. I will say that the script is ******* awesome though.

Wedding invite

2009-05-31T15:43:00.005+01:00

Note that there was a last minute request to get the bride-to-be's cats in there. The up-hill struggle subtext was unintentional!

Here's a couple of those children's book pics inked

2009-05-26T15:33:00.015+01:00

Serge Gainsbourg

2009-05-25T21:12:00.004+01:00

Drew this for a new blog started by Jonathan Edwards cryptically titled Draw Serge!
He's posted some awesome pics already and unless you don't want to draw Serge, you should consider contributing yourself!

Another children's book rough

2008-12-16T09:04:00.000Z

More sketches

2008-12-11T07:30:00.004Z

Children's book sketches

2008-12-08T12:04:00.013Z

A few in-progress pics.
I hadn't really settled on the Dad's face by this point, hence the slight discrepancy between the following two images that I'll rectify.The last was a quicker one, but I was pleased with her contented expression so decided to stick with it. I will improve him though, because now that I've erased their hungry cat, it's safe for him to lower the ice cream.

Black dress

2008-11-07T09:19:00.005Z

?

2008-11-04T12:35:00.006Z

Two versions of a cover for a Punk/Breakcore release.

Some more children

2008-10-29T09:32:00.001Z

Flatiron

2008-10-26T12:25:00.008Z

I'm doing a bit of work with a fine publishing company based in New York's Flatiron building. I love this building so am fascinated by their location! Anyway, I'm afraid I'm using this as an excuse to post another Paris page. Hmm, and I guess I'm using that as an excuse to say that I sell these pages, so, should anyone be interested, do drop me a line for details (or perhaps to poke fun at my timing). Art size sometimes varies slightly but is approx. 21x31cms or a little less. It's Indian ink on cartridge paper. The above page is sold, incidentally.

Jesus Scythes

2008-10-23T12:22:00.003+01:00

Two covers for CDs given away with Metal Hammer magazine. One from a few years ago, the latter for their current issue.

Picasso...

2008-10-15T12:25:00.004+01:00

...drawn for fun. The line quality seems unintentionally Jonathan Edwards-esque - without wishing to do disservice to his ever-stylish work, of course!

Ambrose Bierce

2008-10-13T11:51:00.007+01:00

2003's Graphic Classics: Ambrose Bierce has been recently revamped and re-released. It's a fine book. I drew this page for it. Being asked to do so kinda rekindled my passion for drawing comics after a period of concentrating on illustration, and I'm very glad it did. Right after this I drew a comic for a Subhumans CD and a story for Graphic Classics: Mark Twain and then started work on Paris, written by the blogging-again Andi Watson. Check out his recent sketches and upcoming projects!

Children's book illustration

2008-10-07T11:31:00.001+01:00

Sketchbook pages

2008-10-04T12:25:00.008+01:00

A few of the sketches I drew whilst staying in Andalucía. Line alone can't do justice to the countryside because it's all about the colours - the terracotta soil, the silvery olive leaves and warm blue sky, but still. The same can be said for the nearby hilltop town of Frigiliana. What really appealed to me were its white-washed buildings and its greenery - draped from as many ledges and in as many pots as possible - but I guess I had to try drawing it to realise that.

Kids

2008-09-24T18:10:00.007+01:00

I've been using ink wash on my pictures this week, reader, and - apart from frequently washing my brush in my coffee - it's been lots of fun.I'm on holiday for a week as of tomorrow to give you a break from my blogging.

Wonder Woman

2008-09-16T13:44:00.003+01:00

This is my contribution to the upcoming Wonder Woman Day auction on October 26th in Portland OR (and online). Check out the lovely images already posted and consider bidding on them! All proceeds go to domestic violence shelters and a woman's crisis line.

This one's Indian ink on 11x17" Brizzol board.

Some more old stuff

2008-09-09T13:46:00.004+01:00

Comparing this post with the previous one suggests I'm experiencing some sort of mid-life crisis.

Old filth

2008-09-06T10:52:00.004+01:00

Couple of old Metal Hammer pictures for the same annual feature on upcoming bands as this more recent one.

Roman Baths & Bath Abbey

2008-08-08T10:09:00.001+01:00

Holiday sketches

2008-08-03T11:30:00.002+01:00

A few of the quick sketches I drew whilst holidaying on the Greek island of Alonissos (hmm, I spelt it wrong in the top pic). At first I confess to enjoying the break from drawing, but the urge returned after a few days. Nonetheless, I didn't seek out views - there were certainly more beautiful and interesting ones than these - they were what were in front of me at the time, whilst on the beach or supping the ol' Ouzo. I'll blame the latter for a less than delicate handling of my new Pentel brush pen. Why didn't I get one of these badboys sooner?

Old illustration

2008-07-23T12:22:00.000+01:00

Mind the Gaps

2008-07-22T11:07:00.003+01:00

Panel layouts for a Vinyl Underground flashback sequence, designed in Illustrator.

Children

2008-07-09T11:41:00.003+01:00

Lo Flyer

2008-07-07T11:50:00.006+01:00

Here's a poster I've been working on. In the "olden days" I'd use scissors and glue, but nowadays I lay 'em out on the computer, of course.
The computer is a tool to help you avoid finding part of the design stuck to your elbow 4 months later. "Ah, so that's where that '15th April' went. No wonder no one turned up."

Paris, London, New York

2008-07-05T07:54:00.016+01:00

Paris is reviewed at The Boston Bibliophile and The Comics Reporter lists it as one of the "Twelve Mostly Overlooked Comics Published In The Last Twelve Or So Years";) High praise from someone of Tom's stature, who calls it a "deeply pleasurable read".
Click here to buy a copy from Amazon.co.uk or here from Amazon.com
Vinyl Underground, the monthly I've been penciling is finishing with issue 12. Issue 10 is out now and reviewed here and the recently released book, collecting issues 1-5, here. The second volume will collect the remaining 7 issues and is scheduled for December. My thanks to all the humblingly talented people I've had the pleasure of working with on this comic. Another sample pic, allowing me to write that lame title:

Subvertman

2008-06-17T11:11:00.006+01:00

This is more how he should look. I felt the previous drawing made him look a little too macho for a cider-fuelled raging state-smashing anarcho-terrorist punk rocker.
Speaking of which, why don't you show society you intend to play by your rules this Summer? Purchasing one of the following t-shirts will demonstrate that you don't follow popular trends.
Both the Vapid and Beatnik designs come in men's sizes S, M, L & XL and in women's sizes M, L & XL and cost:

£10 postpaid in the UK
€18 postpaid in Europe
$24 postpaid to anywhere else.

Should you like one I accept PayPal, the email address is in my profile.

In order to satisfy my mania for drawing ink is squandered

2008-06-14T13:05:00.011+01:00

AND FOR WHAT? A poor quality sketch of gold age (1991-93) superhero Subvertman. He got his power from drinking radioactive cider and would patrol the rooftops looking out for muggers to help whilst singing Discharge lyrics to himself.

However, times change. Nowadays superhero comics are primarily aimed at adults and yes, I won't lie to you: Alan, Frank and me do feel a bit responsible.

(runs away)

gfigiogoizozcoij

2008-06-12T15:48:00.004+01:00

A couple of drawings for a possible project.

A quick sketch to make you vomit onto your own thighs

2008-06-09T10:32:00.002+01:00

Nazi Scum

2008-06-05T13:50:00.004+01:00

Vinyl Underground issue 9 is in shops this week, there's a beautifully inked page from it on Ryan Kelly's blog. Here's a coupla pages of pencils for issue 11.

PARIS review

2008-04-24T12:04:00.006+01:00

Richard Bruton of the excellent Forbidden Planet International blog reviews Paris here. Thanks, Richard!

Spoilers

2008-04-23T12:34:00.006+01:00

Speaking of Graphic Classics, here's a panel from The Shadow Over Innsmouth, published in their Lovecraft volume...
... and a few from The Adventure of The Engineer's Thumb, published in their Conan Doyle book.
The very day before I started drawing this strip I happened to walk past a shop window displaying a book of Victorian photos chronicling all the Sherlock Holmes locations in and around London. It felt serendipitous until I realised this particular story was one of the few to take place in a fictitious location. Grr. It did enable me to name one of the villages on the map after the original Holmes illustrator though. If you follow Sidney Paget's Wiki link it's pretty amusing to see how he first got the gig!
Anyway, I was thinking that there are numerous parallels between this yarn and Hergé's The Black Island. Both feature a murderous and mysterious German dude residing in a mansion in the Southern English countryside, a mansion that proves rather tricky to leave but that ends up burning down, both are engaged in counterfeiting, both...

Reader?

Reader...?

qwertyuiop

2008-04-21T19:19:00.002+01:00

Coloured version of an image used in Paris issue 4.

Birth of Metal

2008-04-16T10:14:00.005+01:00