|
Richv1
Jazma V.P.
Canada
1156 Posts |
 Posted - 01/04/2010 : 12:46:46 PM
|
Randi LeeAnn
Color Flatter for Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose
Published by: Broadsword Comics
Interviewed by: Richard Vasseur
Posted: 01/04/2010
Rich: Why did you decide to get into comics professionally?
Randi: It wasn't actually my intention to get into comics at the time that I did. I had been more interested in doing Pin-Up work and maybe even cover work eventually, and I still am. In fact, I was planning to go to school for Media Arts and Animation, until I found out how involved that was. I didn't really want to make a cartoon or an animated movie. I just wanted to draw. But now that I'm in the comic book industry, I would like to try drawing my own comic or getting in with another company if the opportunity should arise.
Rich: How did you get hired at Broadsword?
Randi: That was a surprise actually. I was getting ready to go to work at my day job and checking my messages before I left when I noticed I got a message from Jim. They were in a bind and needed some extra help and he asked me if I knew how to do flatting. I did and they sent me a trial page and I've been working with them ever since.
Rich: What does a color flatter do?
Randi: Its pretty simple. I work primarily in photoshop and they send me the file with the lines on it and I open it up in channels and separate the ink lines from the background, and add the base colors. I don't do much more than that, I just make Holly's job as the colorist simpler. Now she doesn't have to enter her own colors, she just can go right to work.
Rich: How has it been working with Holly Golightly and Jim Balent?
Randi: Its a blast working for Jim and Holly, not to mention, easy. They're the best bosses I've ever had. Whenever they send me pages, they are very clear in their instructions so that there is no confusion. And if I ever have any questions, they are quick to respond and are easy to understand. They actually help me out with my own artwork, which is nice. Anytime I have a problem, I know I can go to them. And they take personal interest too. They actually care about you, which is hard to find in employers. I look forward to going to work for them.
Rich: Do you like being drawn as a character in "Tarot" and what is the character like?
Randi: I love being a character, I can't wait to see what the actual story is. I know from the flatting I've done on the issue, that my character has a problem with Tarot and is making sure she knows it. I was told, when Jim had me pose for my character, to have a lot of attitude and be cold. So I know she has to have an attitude problem of some sort. She's mean too, I can tell you that.
Rich: You also draw why do you enjoy doing that?
Randi: Drawing for me was an escape. I started off doodling in the middle of class in fifth grade because I couldn't stand listening to my teachers. When I got older, my mother and step father got divorced and I used drawing to get away from the stress of that situation. Then I met my boyfriend, Dan, and it became a lot more fun for me, because he started pushing me in other directions. I got into comics because of him. In fact, if it weren't for meeting Dan and his love of Star Wars, I would never have met Jim and Holly at Star Wars Celebration 4.
Rich: You mainly draw females is there a reason for that?
Randi: I get this question a lot, followed by "are you a closet lesbian?". (That answer is no.) I draw females because they are a lot more fun to do then males. I like the curves and the range of expression. I draw men too, but I don't like doing them as much and therefore they're not in my main pieces. I only do them occasionally.
Rich: Do you have any goals for the new year?
Randi: I have a few goals this year, and since I don't plan on costuming this year, I'm going to focus on my art. I have three projects I want finished by the end of the year. One, is for Dan. He wrote a fan script for Star Wars that he wants me to put into sequential form. I also have my own story that I would like to put into a comic book, which I will do when I'm done with the fan script. The third, and the biggest for me, is the Zodiac Calendar. I love astrology and I decided to combine my love of Pin-Up with my love for the Zodiac. Each sign gets her own image and then assigned her own month. I even plan on creating a small story to go with each sign. I'm already pretty much done with the Air and Earth signs. In fact, I hope to start putting the Air signs on my website in late January, early February.
Rich: You draw mostly pin-up style art, do you think you could do sequentials?
Randi: Yes, I think I could do them. I've been with Jim and Holly for almost two years, and working for them has given me the idea for the basics for putting sequentials together. It'll be a trial and error, but I know if I put my mind to it, I could do them.
Rich: Do you like drawing sketch cards?
Randi: I have done sketch cards before, for Inkworks on their Alien vs. Predator:Requiem. They're challenging to do, but I like doing them. Not as much as drawing in large size. I am currently trying to get in on some sketch cards, but its a bit of a process.
Rich: What do you get out of cos-playing?
Randi: Fun and attention to be honest. I've done Star Wars costuming before, but it wasn't that fun for me to be honest. The Witchblade was awesome, because she was a pain to construct and the attention to detail was exhausting. And when I say I like getting the attention, I don't mean just the photos and getting followed by fanboys, its the attention from other costumers and the people and artists who created the character I'm portraying. Its an ego boost to hear from the creators, that they like what you've done with their work.
Rich: How do you spend any free time you have?
Randi: Sleeping, reading and watching movies. I love sleeping for some reason. I think I used to be a cat in a past life. I'm addicted to sleeping.
Rich: How can someone contact you?
Randi: You can e-mail me at: randileeannart@gmail.com
or: randileeann.blogspot.com
and visit my website: randileeann.com
Rich: Do you have any last words of wisdom?
Randi: Do what makes you happy. And always keep a group of good solid people who share you're interests and are willing to support you. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help, getting a second opinion can actually make you become better at what you do.
Richard Vasseur |
|
Randi LeeAnn color flatter
