Through Thick & Thin --- Do You Have What It Takes? -- Randy Valiente On Comics Industry Past And Present, On His Processes And Straight-Forward Advice To Young Artists

Are you ready to endure the hardships of getting into and staying in the comics industry?

Ready to learn how much sacrifice modern comic book illustrators are giving to deliver their masterpieces?

And just how masterful you become when you've been doing comics for years?

Welcome:

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Randy Valiente Part 2

• How Randy adopted and evolved his medium, techniques and materials through the technological changes... Then that enabled him to create different styles to suite his projects better

• What he does to avoid being burned out

• His simple but often overlooked principle in project and time managment

• The drastic changes that happened in the local Comic book industry and what it means for current and upcoming comic book artists... Those who want to get into comics this is a MUST-READ!

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Randy Valiente Part 2

5 What is you creative process like? how you get starting in your drawing sessions? how do you prepare?
Ano ang proseso mo sa paggawa? Pano mo sinisimulan yung mga drawing sessions mo? Pano ka nagwawarm up, prepare?

I evolved sa loob ng mahigit 20 years ko sa industry. I started the traditional way, pencil and ink. Then pumasok ang digital and Photoshop. Now I’m using a Cintiq pero paiba-iba ako ng process depends on the project. Minsan pure trad, minsan pure digital, minsan halo. Ayokong ma-bore sa isang proseso. Dynamic ang tingin ko sa art, kailangang mong subukan ang ibang avenue. Hindi na uso sa akin ang warm up, I’ve been doing this fo a long time. Paggising ko, pag-upo ko sa drawing table, simula na yun ng buong araw na pagdu-drawing.


6 Where do you find inspiration for your drawings? who are the artists you find to be doing really inspiring works recently?
Saan ka nakakahanap ng mga inspirations mo sa pagdrowing? Sino mga current artists ang sinususndan mo at nagagandahan ka sagawa nila?

Hindi na rin uso sa kin ang inspiration, I guess, yung inspiration ko na lang ay yung mismong passion ko for illustration. I have hundreds of artist na kasama sa development ko, pero wala akong tinututukan. Masyadong diverse at malawak ang tinitingnan ko. Lately, nahilig akong tumingin sa mga classic oriental art. Naaapreciate ko na rin ang mga abstracts, na hindi ko dati ma-take. Nahihilig ako ngayon sa watercolor. I like the flows of water. Gusto ko ng mga loose sa trabaho. I guess I am already on the level na hindi na ako kayang ikulong ng isang genre o isang reference. I am now a prisoner of my own creativity.

7 What current projects are you working on right now?
Ano-ano mga  projects mo ngayon?

I did Enrikke for Immortal Comics, my story and art. I have many projects on the side dahil I am also into storyboard and concept art. I still have a contract with a US comics publisher, pero gumagawa ako kung saan-saan basta trip kong gawin. I also have couple of personal projects na ginagawa ko sa mga coffee shops para matanggal ang burnout. I managed my time very well, natuto na akong ibalanse ang schedule for everything.

8 How about projects that are about to come up?
Mga projects na parating pa lang?

I’m looking forward to other stories na maku-contribute ko sa Immortal Comics. I have several concepts in mind pero kailangan ko munang hinugin sa isip. One at a time.

9 Any dream projects you really want to be able to work in?
Mga projects na pinapangarap mong makuha?

My own creation, of course. Yung walang magsasabi sa yo kung ano ba dapat ang gawin mo. Yung Malaya kang gawin kung ano yung nasa utak mo. That’s the ultimate goal of an artist, I guess.

10 What are your observations about what's going on in the industry? Anything you're super excited about?
Ano mga napapansin mo sa comics industry? mga bagay na nangyayari na nakakaexcite para sayo?

I grew up in a different komiks industry. It’s big. We produced millions of copies every week, not every year. Yumaman ang may-ari ng GASI at Atlas at that time. Trabaho ito para sa amin. May suweldo kami every week. It’s a different world right now. Gagawa ka ng komiks ngayon out of love. Don’t expect na magkakaroon ka ng instant pera. It’s tough. Kaya nga bilib ako sa mga bata ngayon. It’s pure love. It’s passion. Magbabago lang ang pananaw nila kapag nagkaroon na sila ng pamilya at kailangan na nilang kumita. Doon mo malalaman kung sino ang tatagal sa industry na ito. Through thick and thin, hanggang sa magutom ako, tumagal ako sa industry na ito. If that excites you, then congratulations.

11 How is your typical day like?
Pano usual schedule mo?

I draw every day (and every night), seven days a week. Titigil lang ako pag may lakad o kung may dapat asikasuhin. I sleep 3am or 4am, I woke up 10am or 11. Ganun ang routine ko araw-araw.

12 Advice for young artists? ;)
Advice parasamgabatang artists?

Just draw. Find your inspiration. Huwag ipasok sa isip ang rockstar attitude. This is art not showbusiness. Forget the fans, the conventions, the autograph signing, mga papuri at parangal. Darating lahat yan na hindi mo inaasahan. Concentrate more on self-development. Stop criticizing others. JUST DRAW!

Interviews so far

Those are the interviews so far.

To recap here are the links to the interviews we have published so far:

Jim Jimenez
Part 1 http://immortalcomics.blogspot.com/2015/10/launching-today-immortal-artist.html
Part 2 http://immortalcomics.blogspot.com/2015/10/immortal-artist-interview-series-jim.html

Ceasar Ian Muyuela
Part 1 http://immortalcomics.blogspot.com/2015/11/just-how-much-talent-does-this-guy-has.html

See more of Randy's work here: https://www.facebook.com/randyvalienteart

Follow Immortal Comics and keep updated on our exciting projects here: facebook.com/immortalcomicseries

Protegee From Romblon To Internation Comic Book Artist -- The Amazing Story Of Randy Valiente

Today we share to you the amazing hero's journey of the most traveled member of Immortal Comics,
Randy Valiente.

Randy has been the key member of Immortal Comics helping Lulu Romano through their various projects from the get-go.

And today we shine the spotlight on him with:

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Randy Valiente

In this interview Randy talks about:

• How young he got into illustrating as a enthusiasts and as a professional... he's like the young Amadeus Mozart grew up surrounded by artists, learned fast and blazed his own trail of greatness

• The secret to this guy's amazing skills... Some of the greatest Comic Book artists mentored him --- find out who these masters are...

• Why living in the province of Romblon has been crucial to this young artist' development... What were their preferred form of entertainment back then...

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Randy Valiente

1 How long have you been drawing?
Gaano ka na katagal nagdrodrowing?

That is a difficult question, I guess. I started drawing when I was a little kid, since the time na matuto akong humawak ng lapis. Wala akong natatandaan na time na hindi ako nag-drawing throughout my growing up years. If you are asking professionally, I started since 1989. I was still in high school. I was the youngest komiks artist, I think, working professionally, at that time.

2 What got you started? Inspired you to draw?
Paano ka nagsimula? Ano nag-inspire sa yong magdrowing?

I was born in a family of artist, although we are all musicians, but I have an uncle who was into visual arts. Tuwing gabi nakikita ko siyang nagdu-drawing at nagpipinta. Athough isa siya sa naging inspiration ko, pero tingin ko e it runs in the blood talaga. Even though hindi ko pa naiintindihan ang ginagawa niya, gumagawa rin ako ng sarili ko na iba naman sa ginagawa niya. Like at an early age, nagta-try na ako gumawa ng komiks sa mga lumang papel, my own story and art. Na hindi ko naman nakikita na ginagawa ng uncle ko, he’s more into painting.

3 How did you get your break in the comics industry? what was your first comics project? How did you get it?
Pano ka nakapasok sa industry ng komiks? Ano ang unang project/s mo? Pano mo nakuha yung project na yun?

I was a student of Christian and Hal Santiago from the Art Nouveau Comics Workshop of 1988. I was one of the youngest students, together with the youngest son of Sir Hal na mas bata lang sa akin ng 1 year. Tumira ako sa bahay nila, kahit may pasok sa school, pumupunta ako dun ng weekends para magpaturo. I learned a lot about komiks and the industry. After a year, nabigyan ako ng break

Hal Santiago, award-winning
Filipino artist, one of
Randy's mentor.
Image Credit: Alanguilan.com

sa Love Affair

Work of Hal Santiago
Image Credit: Lambiek.net

Komiks ng GASI. Unang short story ko na love story, then sumunod sa Lovelife Komiks. Yung mga first projects ko from editors ay puro love story.

4 who were you idol artists when you were young? any comic books you've been a huge fan of? or superhero tv shows? or movies?
Sino mga idol artists mo nung bata ka pa? comic books na gusto-gustong mo noon? Superhero tv shows? Mga pelikula?

I was an addict komiks reader. Between early 80s to 90s, wala akong pinapalampas diyan. That was the only entertainment sa bayan namin sa Romblon, hindi uso ang tv, walang sinehan. Ang meron lang ay radyo. Mas appealing ang komiks dahil visual. I have numerous idols at that time, first si Vincent Kua Jr. na naging friend ko bago siya binawian ng buhay almost a decade ago. Then my mentor, Hal Santiago. I love Vic Catan’s works. Mas kilala ko ang mga local creations at creators dahil I grew up in the province. Wala akong idea sa mga foreign characters. Alam ko lang ang mga pangalang Superman at Batman pero hindi ko alam kung ano sila at saan sila nanggaling. I was a pure Pilipino komiks reader.

Next Week: Part 2 

The second part of our interview with Randy we'll talk about his process, flexibility, current and dream projects and advice to young artists.

See what Randy is up to here: https://www.facebook.com/randyvalienteart

Follow Immortal Comics and keep updated on our exciting projects here: facebook.com/immortalcomicseries

This Artist Thinks The World Will End Soon...But He Wants To Keep On Drawing World-Class Illustrations For His Clients

"I kinda noticed that the world is about to end soon... ", answered Ceasar in one of our interview questions.

Today we continue our interview with Ceasar and get to learned about him and the way he works. Allowing us to know more how we thinks as an artists and what his interests are.

Here's what's coming at you:

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Ceasar Ian Muyuela

• Unexpected way this artist get to work will make other artists think about how they're doing things and make comic producers smile in delight
• Ceasar works like a Genie in a Bottle - fulfilling client's 3 wishes and more
• Short, profound interview answers that will make every artist think about the way they work
• What's a typical day like for Ceasar?

Let's get to the interview!

Immortal Comics presents:

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Ceasar Ian Muyuela Part 2

5 What is you creative process like? how you get starting in your drawing sessions? how do you prepare?

Ano ang proseso mo sa paggawa? pano mo sinisimulan yung mga drawing sessions mo? pano ka nagwawarm up, prepare?


sa ngaun ahhh wala ahh diretcho drawing na kung anu ung description ng client banat kagad

at present hmmm nothing really. I just draw immediately based on the client's descriptions

6 Where do you find inspiration for your drawings? who are the artists you find to be doing really inspiring works recently?

Saan ka nakakahanap ng mga inspirations mo sa pagdrowing? sino mga current artists ang sinususndan mo at nagagandahan ka sa gawa nila?




ahhh wala eh may sarili akong linya at d ako tumitingin sa ibang gawa sinusundan ko ung gusto ko at gusto ng client bali combind lang kung anu ung kalabasan un na un

ahhhh nothing really. I have my own line and I look at other's work. I combine what I want and what the client wants.




7 What current projects are you working on right now?

ano-ano mga projects mo ngayon?


puro mga prints poster sa ibat ibang client

a bunch of print posters for different clients




8 How about projects that are about to come up?

Mga projects na parating pa lang?


halo halo kadalasan mga ngawa ko na pero madalas mga comic book character games at anime

different kinds, but most of the time comic book, game characters and anime



9 Any dream projects you really want to be able to work in?

Mga projects na pinapangarap mong makuha?


Legend of Crypdids syempre mas malapit ung banat ko sa gawaan nila


of course Legend of Crypdids! my style is very close to theirs




10 What are your observations about what's going on in the industry? Anything you're super excited about?

Ano mga napapansin mo sa comics industry? mga bagay na nangyayari na nakakaexcite para sayo?


medjo malapit na magunaw ung mundo... sa industry ahhhh ok nman sakto lng d nman ako masyado tumitingin sa mga events basta may trabaho ok na ako

I kinda noticed that the world is about to end soon... the industry ahhh is ok, just right... I don't look around much on what's happening around in events so long as I have work I'm good



11 How is your typical day like?

Pano usual schedule mo?



ahhh drawing lang ng drawing

ahhh just draw and draw



12 Advice for young artists? ;)

Advice para sa mga batang artists?


siguraduhin nila na sure n sila sa pagiging artist nila kc d biro ang ganitong industry maraming kalaban pwedeng ito ang ikayaman at ika hirap nila pero xempre ang pinaka advice ko hanapin nila ang sarili nila kung saan sila masaya

make sure that you really want to be an artist because this industry is not joke, they are many competitors, you can get rich of poor in this. And of course my more important advice is for the for find what they're really happy doing.


========================================================================

Next Week: Randy Valiente

We will continue our artist interview series with another artist from Immortal Comic's roster with Randy Valiente on how he got into drawing at a very early age and how he's surrounded by artists from a young age.

Again, you can follow Ceasar and see more of his anime-influenced works at: https://www.facebook.com/Wizyakuza

And keep updated with Immortal Comics here: facebook.com/immortalcomicseries

Just How Much Talent Does This Guy Has Who Knows Almost Nothing About Comics --- Got His First Break Very Early And Born With A Pencil In Hand

Before we begin I personally would like to say sorry, we've been in a slumped lately. Cooking up something big over at Immortal Comics. Stay tuned for that.

And now as promised today we're releasing our interview with Ceasar

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Ceasar Ian Muyuela

Ceasar that goes under the artist name: Wizyakuza. Has a very strong digital painting style that is heavily influenced with anime.


Here are the things to look forward in this interview:

• Born with a pencil in hand: How young Ceasar got into drawing
• Rawr! his favourite subjects to draw growing up - based on a famous movie
• No need for college... freshman and already drawing so good
• The Truth: More into Manga and Anime than Comics
  

Now that we got your curiousity burning, let's get to the interview.

Immortal Comics presents:

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Ceasar Ian Muyuela Part 1

1 How long have you been drawing?

Gaano ka na katagal nagdrodrowing?

Bali nagsimula ako magdrawing 2years old ako sabi ni nanay kasi nung nagkamalay nako parte ko na ung pagddrawing

I started drawing when I was 2 years old. Mother said that when I begin to be aware of things, drawing was already a part of me.

2 What got you started? Inspired you to draw?

Paano ka nagsimula? Ano naginspire sayong magdrowing?

Ang pinaka naaalala ko mahilig ako magdrawing ng mga dinosour kc may libro ako nun dati at paborito ko un nung time n un

Nainspire siguro ako kc kasagsagan pa ng unang jurasic park nun taz gusto ko tlga mga dinosour kya dinodriwing ko sila taz ginagawa ko silng parang libro

Wala na pala ako mga picture nun dito naiwan ko kanila nanay

From what I remember, I really liked drawing dinosaurs because I had a dinosaurs book back then and it was my favorite.

I think I was really into dinosaurs back then because the movie Jurassic Park was very famous during that time. And I would draw dinosaurs and compile them into a book.

Sadly, I don't have pictures to show as I left them at my mother's house.

3 How did you get your break in the comics industry? what was your first comics project? How did you get it?

Pano ka nakapasok sa industry ng komiks? Ano ang unang project/s mo? Pano mo nakuha yung project na yun?

Bali first year collage ako nun sa finearts. Sinama ako nung isang 4th college na nagwowork sa comics tyaka mga print taz pinakita ko mga gawa ko ayun binigyan ako ng project kaso puro hentai mga 2003 ata nun

I was first year college back then in Fine Arts. Then one 4th year student who was working in comics tagged me along. I showed him my works and he gave me a project immediately. But it was mostly Hentai projects, I think that was 2003.

4 Who were you idol artists when you were young? any comic books you've been a huge fan of? or superhero tv shows? or movies?

Sino mga idol artists mo nung bata ka pa? comic books na gusto-gustong mo noon? superhero tv shows? mga pelikula?

Sa totoo lng wala akong kilalang artist sa comics nman ang nagustuhan ko mga mangga sa mga show paborito ko tlga ung Trigun

To be honest, I don't know any comic book artists. What I really liked back then were Manga (Japanese Comics) and Anime shows. One of my favorite Trigun.

Next Week: Part 2 

We will continue the rest of our interview with Ceasar and get to know his drawing process, how he works with clients requests, and how the world is about to collapse in total chaos.

You can follow Ceasar and see more of his awesoem works here: https://www.facebook.com/Wizyakuza

And Immortal Comics and keep updated on our exciting projects here: facebook.com/immortalcomicseries

Immortal Artist Interview Series: Jim Jimenez Part 2

Talking to one of your idol artists is really insightful. Imagine talking one on one with one of them. Asking him about his process, his practice, getting insight to what it takes to be that good.

Well that's what we do here with our "The Immortal Comics Interview Series."

Last week we started with our launching interview with Jim Jimenez, on how he grew grew up surrounded by artists, how he got started drawing as a little boy, and what was his first break into the industry like.

Today we continue that interview and discuss:

• His ritual before drawing
• His current and upcoming projects
• And for budding artists out there, his advice for them

Welcome back Jim Jimenez

Immortal Comics: 
Who were your idol artists when you were young?

Jim Jimenez:
Joe Kubert, Redondo, Alcala, Alex Nino..and many more...forgot the other foreign artist..

Immortal Comics: 
How do you get starting in your drawing sessions? ?How do you prepare?

Jim Jimenez:
Very short prayer..thanking Him I still got my hands and talent to do this kind of job….

Immortal Comics: 
Who are the artists you find to be doing really inspiring works recently?

Jim Jimenez:
Greg Capullo, Brian Bolland, Marc Silvestri, Madureira, and Jim Lee

Immortal Comics: 
Where do you follow these artists?

Jim Jimenez:
Mostly in Facebook and Deviantart

Immortal Comics: 
What current projects are you working on right now?

Jim Jimenez:

• Comics for immortal
• Comics for Comic Lab
• Comic for Likes to Fight Holdings,inc (Canada)
• Comic for Earthling (Holland)
• Commission for Kirk Dilbeck
• Commission for Monster Box
• Comics for KGP
• Storyboarding

Immortal Comics: 
How about your upcoming projects?

Jim Jimenez:

• Azami
• Mythopolis
• Earthling
• Savage Empire
• Whispers in the Wind
• Devil Possessed
• Story Boarding

Immortal Comics: 
Dream projects you really want to work with?

Jim Jimenez:
Hulk vs Wolverine

Immortal Comics: 
What are your observations about what's going on in the industry?

Jim Jimenez:
Comic conventions are really active and a lot of opportunities local and abroad are coming up.

Immortal Comics: 
How is your typical day like?

Jim Jimenez:
Wake up, lunch, draw a few pages or commission, go early to the club I’m playing, draw again a couple more hours and then sing my heart’s out on stage or play the drums..

Then back to the drawing board during breaktime..then back on stage,Rakenrol!

Immortal Comics: 
Advice for young artists? ;)

Jim Jimenez:
Practice and never lose hope.. defeat your enemy “YOU”…because when laziness and bad mood strikes it will really ruin your day…

Next Week: Ceasar Ian Muyuela

Artwork by
Ceasar Ian Muyuela

There you go that ends our interview with Jim, next week we'll be publishing an interview with another talented artist Ceasar Ian Muyuela. It's amazing how Jim is able to do so many projects simultaneously and still keep the quality of his work top-notch.

I guess it all begins with his advice of "Practice and never lose hope" and of being grateful for Him.

Launching Today! Immortal Artist Interview Series: Jim Jimenez

These past few weeks we've been very very busy working on something really amazing just for you guys.

After many lively conversations. Long nights spent in front of the computer. And early mornings boosted saved by hot coffee.

We introduce:

The Immortal Comics Interview Series

This is something that we enjoyed doing and we know that you will feel the same way too. We got to know our artists more intimately and you’ll be getting to know them more too.

These interviews will answer questions like:

•  How did they become so good at drawing?
• What advice do they have for new artists?
• And where they find constant inspiration?

This week we're ecstatic to release the first part of our interview with one of our very talented artist.The one who has been providing the awesome illustrations for our oceanic adventure Azami.

Welcome Jim Jimenez

Jim will tell us how he got into drawing. How he grew up surrounded by artists. And on how he got his first break into the comics industry.

Here you go:

Immortal Comics: 

Jim how long have you been drawing?

Jim:

I started drawing when I was a toddler, the first time I ever held a pencil, I never stopped drawing on walls, floors and even my mom’s blanket.

Immortal Comics:

I'm curious Jim what got you started in comics? What inspired you to draw?

Jim: 

My Dad’s blood are artists..also our Yaya or Yayo (Boy babysitter) is an artist, so instead of playing with marbles or trompo..we sat in our sala and drew the whole day.

Immortal Comics: 

How did you get your break in the comics industry? What was your first comics project? How did you get it?

Jim: 

I was playing in a band with my brothers and sis, “salinpusa” ‘coz I was still in high school, and one time our alternate band is a brother of Ollie Roble  Samaniego, editor of GASI..and that’s the start of it all..also additional info..we were in Walt Disney Animation when I was still in highschool.3 of us brothers Joy the eldest and Jay and me..

Tune in next week because we'll continue with our conversation with Jim. We'll be talking about the artists he follows, where he gets his inspiration and what his advice for new artists is.

Now that's some pretty insightful answers by Jim and we'll be continuing this interview next time

Do tell us what you think about this series and comment down below if you happen to have any questions you want to ask our contributors