Shawn Daley
Cam Kendell
Brian Shearer
Introduction:
I have admired the three creators featured in this article for quite some time, and I thought that this article-a-week format would be a great way for me to give back to some of the artists that have provided me with a great deal of inspiration. Shawn, Cam, and Brain are all consistently producing their own personal comics and have a vast gallery of fan art to check out. Balancing their fan and personal projects has afforded them opportunities for work on some amazing projects. This industry takes a lot of personal conviction to be a part of, and these three artists are shining examples of how to conduct yourself as a professional artist. After reading this article, I hope that you will join their community of fans and support them in their creative endeavors.
I have admired the three creators featured in this article for quite some time, and I thought that this article-a-week format would be a great way for me to give back to some of the artists that have provided me with a great deal of inspiration. Shawn, Cam, and Brain are all consistently producing their own personal comics and have a vast gallery of fan art to check out. Balancing their fan and personal projects has afforded them opportunities for work on some amazing projects. This industry takes a lot of personal conviction to be a part of, and these three artists are shining examples of how to conduct yourself as a professional artist. After reading this article, I hope that you will join their community of fans and support them in their creative endeavors.
Shawn Daley:
Website: http://shawndaley.ca/
Creator Owned Property: Terraquill
Twitter: @ShawnDaley
Instagram: SHAWN_DALEY
I wrote an article about Shawn last summer for Stuck in the Gutters. He took time out of his busy schedule for a Skype interview, and I hope that this article will do him a little more of the justice that he so rightly deserves. I was a little star struck and nervous by the fact that he even agreed to take the time to talk to me, and there was just so much I wanted to cover. Shawn was a good sport and answered all the questions I had, and provided me with some much needed confidence and inspiration as a writer/interviewer. A special thank you to Shawn for allowing me a second attempt at a write-up for all that he does in the world of comics.
Website: http://shawndaley.ca/
Creator Owned Property: Terraquill
Twitter: @ShawnDaley
Instagram: SHAWN_DALEY
I wrote an article about Shawn last summer for Stuck in the Gutters. He took time out of his busy schedule for a Skype interview, and I hope that this article will do him a little more of the justice that he so rightly deserves. I was a little star struck and nervous by the fact that he even agreed to take the time to talk to me, and there was just so much I wanted to cover. Shawn was a good sport and answered all the questions I had, and provided me with some much needed confidence and inspiration as a writer/interviewer. A special thank you to Shawn for allowing me a second attempt at a write-up for all that he does in the world of comics.
Terra Quill - "Sapped" Analysis:
Terra Quill. An eclectic gem of a graphic novel that has flown criminally under the radar. This collection of short stories is a journey into a realm of expertly crafted twists and characters. I mentioned this in my article for Stuck in the Gutters, but one of my absolute favorite components of Terra Quill was the short story entitled “Sapped.” Sapped follows the journey of a cactus like creature through the desert, and the design of this creature alone is reason enough to read this. In a bold and daring play by Shawn, this story features absolutely no dialogue. This, among other things, makes it stick out to me as the quintessential story from the world of Terra Quill. Shawn told me that this story in particular was one that is very important to him because it speaks to his relationship with his grandfather. Keep that in mind as you read this story, and it takes on an even deeper meaning. The second installment of Terra Quill is currently in production, and the entire first volume is available on Shawn's website.
Terra Quill. An eclectic gem of a graphic novel that has flown criminally under the radar. This collection of short stories is a journey into a realm of expertly crafted twists and characters. I mentioned this in my article for Stuck in the Gutters, but one of my absolute favorite components of Terra Quill was the short story entitled “Sapped.” Sapped follows the journey of a cactus like creature through the desert, and the design of this creature alone is reason enough to read this. In a bold and daring play by Shawn, this story features absolutely no dialogue. This, among other things, makes it stick out to me as the quintessential story from the world of Terra Quill. Shawn told me that this story in particular was one that is very important to him because it speaks to his relationship with his grandfather. Keep that in mind as you read this story, and it takes on an even deeper meaning. The second installment of Terra Quill is currently in production, and the entire first volume is available on Shawn's website.
Fan Art Analysis:
If you want another taste of Shawn’s talent just take a quick stroll through his blog updates. He is consistently bringing his unique style to classic characters with a fantastic sense of line weight. Shawn and I have some overlap in our tastes for both Pokemon and Dragonball Z. I have purchased my own piece of original artwork from him, and I can honestly say that his take on Dragonball Z is one of my favorites out there.
If you want another taste of Shawn’s talent just take a quick stroll through his blog updates. He is consistently bringing his unique style to classic characters with a fantastic sense of line weight. Shawn and I have some overlap in our tastes for both Pokemon and Dragonball Z. I have purchased my own piece of original artwork from him, and I can honestly say that his take on Dragonball Z is one of my favorites out there.
Take a look at the image above, and you are immersed in that feeling of energy from Dragonball Z, but it a totally different style. The use of the energy blast as both a focal point and light source makes for a simple, yet highly effective, composition. The color balance is also of particular note here, especially since it is so different from that of which Dragonball Z traditionally provides. Even with all of this said, I would still contest that my favorite part of this piece (and many of his others) is the inking. Shawn has found the appropriate method for translating his pencil work into ink, and that has completely opened up his artistic style. Shawn is available for commissions, and as a former customer I can attest to the satisfaction you will find in his work.
Cam Kendell:
Website: http://camkendell.com/
Creator Owned Property: Percival Pundragon
Twitter: @CamKendell
Instagram: CAMKENDELL
I found Cam Kendell’s work through various channels provided by that of Will Terry and Jake Parker. Cam was featured in a video on Will Terry’s channel, and is currently working on coloring Skyheart for Jake Parker (I am anxiously awaiting my copy). Cam has a personality that resonates throughout everything that he posts, and that provides an instantly likable quality about him. Take a look at the videos on his YouTube channel and you will know exactly what I mean. There is a lot of kooky creative energy flowing through all that Cam does, and there is no denying his supreme illustrative talent and his expert eye for color.
Website: http://camkendell.com/
Creator Owned Property: Percival Pundragon
Twitter: @CamKendell
Instagram: CAMKENDELL
I found Cam Kendell’s work through various channels provided by that of Will Terry and Jake Parker. Cam was featured in a video on Will Terry’s channel, and is currently working on coloring Skyheart for Jake Parker (I am anxiously awaiting my copy). Cam has a personality that resonates throughout everything that he posts, and that provides an instantly likable quality about him. Take a look at the videos on his YouTube channel and you will know exactly what I mean. There is a lot of kooky creative energy flowing through all that Cam does, and there is no denying his supreme illustrative talent and his expert eye for color.
Percival Pundragon Analysis:
Percival Pundragon is a creator owned comic that pays homage to the world of classic video games. This long standing series has a free preview on Cam’s website, and you can back the creative production of this book on Patreon. The video game nostalgia is an important component of this story, and the color plays to that emotion very well. The color pallet used in Percival Pundragon instantly creates a connection with the viewer, and we are dipped into a world a whimsy that classic video games so often instill in us. With a lot of artists there seems to be a color that they have a special aptitude for, and I can see that color being green for Cam. The repetition of the different iterations of green is something that really adds depth and feeling into this series, and I think that he finds a lot of strength through this. Green played such a strong role in the Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Brothers, that it would be hard to ignore this color for a series of this nature. However, Cam does not just play the preexisting power that these colors add, but truly cements his own special brand of color theory into the comic. There is so much to love about this series, and I would encourage you check out more on his website and Patreon.
Percival Pundragon is a creator owned comic that pays homage to the world of classic video games. This long standing series has a free preview on Cam’s website, and you can back the creative production of this book on Patreon. The video game nostalgia is an important component of this story, and the color plays to that emotion very well. The color pallet used in Percival Pundragon instantly creates a connection with the viewer, and we are dipped into a world a whimsy that classic video games so often instill in us. With a lot of artists there seems to be a color that they have a special aptitude for, and I can see that color being green for Cam. The repetition of the different iterations of green is something that really adds depth and feeling into this series, and I think that he finds a lot of strength through this. Green played such a strong role in the Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Brothers, that it would be hard to ignore this color for a series of this nature. However, Cam does not just play the preexisting power that these colors add, but truly cements his own special brand of color theory into the comic. There is so much to love about this series, and I would encourage you check out more on his website and Patreon.
Fan Art Analysis:
In my opinion, Ninja Turtle fan art is an extremely telling insight into how an artist works. The unique anatomy and design of the turtles lends itself to the iconic recognition that is perfect for artist interpretation. I can appreciate the long standing history of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I think that these independent roots really have a special place in a lot of artist’s hearts. Cam’s interpretation is aptly described as bouncy, and that adds a lovable quality to a set of traditionally rough characters. The textures provided in the weapons and bandages deftly balances the squishy consistency of the turtle’s anatomy. The coloring, per usual, is spot on and unique to Cam’s style. I have always loved Cam’s ability to take the coloring process and use it to add depth into his pieces. This fantastic piece, and others, are available as prints through Cam’s shop.
In my opinion, Ninja Turtle fan art is an extremely telling insight into how an artist works. The unique anatomy and design of the turtles lends itself to the iconic recognition that is perfect for artist interpretation. I can appreciate the long standing history of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I think that these independent roots really have a special place in a lot of artist’s hearts. Cam’s interpretation is aptly described as bouncy, and that adds a lovable quality to a set of traditionally rough characters. The textures provided in the weapons and bandages deftly balances the squishy consistency of the turtle’s anatomy. The coloring, per usual, is spot on and unique to Cam’s style. I have always loved Cam’s ability to take the coloring process and use it to add depth into his pieces. This fantastic piece, and others, are available as prints through Cam’s shop.
Brian Shearer:
Website: http://brian-shearer.com/
Creator Owned Property: William the Last
Twitter: @brian_shearer
Instagram: BRIAN_SHEARER
If you are familiar with Brian Shearer, you are most likely familiar with his amazing work on Transformers. Brian has been in the comic book industry the longest out of these three artists, and his reputation as a consummate professional precedes him. He is a consistent social media poster, and his creator owned book William the Last seamlessly blends the world of comics with that of children’s fantasy. Brian has also made his talents accessible with an extremely helpful tutorial on “How to Color a Comic in Photoshop”. Between creator owned and commercial work there is a lot to love about what Brian does, and I hope this little write up can help emphasize all the great things that he is doing.
Website: http://brian-shearer.com/
Creator Owned Property: William the Last
Twitter: @brian_shearer
Instagram: BRIAN_SHEARER
If you are familiar with Brian Shearer, you are most likely familiar with his amazing work on Transformers. Brian has been in the comic book industry the longest out of these three artists, and his reputation as a consummate professional precedes him. He is a consistent social media poster, and his creator owned book William the Last seamlessly blends the world of comics with that of children’s fantasy. Brian has also made his talents accessible with an extremely helpful tutorial on “How to Color a Comic in Photoshop”. Between creator owned and commercial work there is a lot to love about what Brian does, and I hope this little write up can help emphasize all the great things that he is doing.
William the Last Analysis:
I think this image really presents all that William the Last has to offer in the most appropriate way. Wonder is the adjective that comes to mind when I try and summarize the feelings portrayed in this story, and that can be one of the most important qualities in this type of story. There is beauty in the simplicity of the style Brain chooses to present, and I love how the characters interact inside their environment. Taking a look at the environment in this image specifically I notice how the composition is classically visually striking. William stands in the foreground and we can nearly feel the weight of the entire story hinged through his body language. The majesty and power of the buildings in the background showcase a sense of fantasy that awaits William as the story progresses. This classic compositional technique can pay huge dividends when used correctly, and it is clear that Brian understands how to harness that ability. William the Last is a fun fantastical story that is accessible for all ages, and is really easy to jump right into. Take a journey into the world of William the Last, and explore all that Brian has to offer on the creator owned front.
I think this image really presents all that William the Last has to offer in the most appropriate way. Wonder is the adjective that comes to mind when I try and summarize the feelings portrayed in this story, and that can be one of the most important qualities in this type of story. There is beauty in the simplicity of the style Brain chooses to present, and I love how the characters interact inside their environment. Taking a look at the environment in this image specifically I notice how the composition is classically visually striking. William stands in the foreground and we can nearly feel the weight of the entire story hinged through his body language. The majesty and power of the buildings in the background showcase a sense of fantasy that awaits William as the story progresses. This classic compositional technique can pay huge dividends when used correctly, and it is clear that Brian understands how to harness that ability. William the Last is a fun fantastical story that is accessible for all ages, and is really easy to jump right into. Take a journey into the world of William the Last, and explore all that Brian has to offer on the creator owned front.
Fan Art (Kind Of) Analysis:
So I know that it can technically not be considered fan art if you have worked with the property commercially, but this image is just too good to pass up. Brian has an intricate and intimate understanding of how machines work, and this made him a natural fit for the world of Transformers. One of the most visually striking components of this image resides in the rendering style that Brain chose to work with. The grey tones are absolutely beautiful, and zoom in even further and the intricacies seem to be boundless. Having personally tried out this specific rendering style a time or two myself, I can truly attest to the fact that it takes a supreme dedication to have this type of control over the medium. Transformers has seen a lot of ups and downs over the years, and the comics are not always the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this franchise. However, I think that these images encapsulate the spirit of Robots in Disguise.
So I know that it can technically not be considered fan art if you have worked with the property commercially, but this image is just too good to pass up. Brian has an intricate and intimate understanding of how machines work, and this made him a natural fit for the world of Transformers. One of the most visually striking components of this image resides in the rendering style that Brain chose to work with. The grey tones are absolutely beautiful, and zoom in even further and the intricacies seem to be boundless. Having personally tried out this specific rendering style a time or two myself, I can truly attest to the fact that it takes a supreme dedication to have this type of control over the medium. Transformers has seen a lot of ups and downs over the years, and the comics are not always the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this franchise. However, I think that these images encapsulate the spirit of Robots in Disguise.
Conclusion:
I would highly recommend all three of these artists to anyone who enjoys quality storytelling and grassroots dedication. These artists have placed a lot of faith into their own abilities, and that fact alone is commendable. Equally impressive as their dedication is their talent. Terra Quill, Percival Pundragon, and William the Last are all fantastic stories, and are well worth your time and financial investment. There are so many great artists available for access through social media, and when you find artists that are willing to interact with their fans there is nothing quite like that experience. Take some time out of your day and check out these amazing stories and galleries of work. You will not be disappointed.
I would highly recommend all three of these artists to anyone who enjoys quality storytelling and grassroots dedication. These artists have placed a lot of faith into their own abilities, and that fact alone is commendable. Equally impressive as their dedication is their talent. Terra Quill, Percival Pundragon, and William the Last are all fantastic stories, and are well worth your time and financial investment. There are so many great artists available for access through social media, and when you find artists that are willing to interact with their fans there is nothing quite like that experience. Take some time out of your day and check out these amazing stories and galleries of work. You will not be disappointed.
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Conclusion Part II:
I hope that Shawn, Cam, and Brain found this little write up to their liking, and that we can continue some professional conversations in the future. This type of article will likely be making a repeat appearance some time in the future, and if you know an artist (or are an artist) who would like to be featured, I would love chat with you about that and take a look at your body of work.
I hope that Shawn, Cam, and Brain found this little write up to their liking, and that we can continue some professional conversations in the future. This type of article will likely be making a repeat appearance some time in the future, and if you know an artist (or are an artist) who would like to be featured, I would love chat with you about that and take a look at your body of work.