C2E2 2012 Here We Go!

Been busy these past few months working as the colorist for Bryan J.L. Glass and Mike Oeming's The Mice Templar Vol. 3. Now that I've finished helping them wrap up the volume, I've been working hard getting ready for C2E2 which is this weekend, April 13-15th!

I will be in Artist Alley all weekend long with my good friend, Bryan J.L. Glass, who was able to secure a spot at Artist Alley next to me! So if you're going to be at C2E2 this weekend, stop on by Table I2 and not only will you meet me, but you'll also get to meet Bryan, the wonderful co-creator and writer of this fantastic series!

Also, if you're unable to get a commission from me this weekend, remember, I'm available all year round!

See you this weekend!

Where did February go?

‘THE DREAM OF A MIDWINTER’S NIGHT’ The stunning double-size finale of the penultimate arc! Karic has lain comatose for an entire season?yet the realm of dreams is a portal to the Outer Darkness where Donas rules. Cut off from the physical world, Karic wages a desperate battle for his very soul against overwhelming forces of ancient evil. Meanwhile, the druids confront the Readers of the Wheat, and the priesthood doesn’t stand a chance against the dark powers of Black Anaius, the fearsome druid-witch of Kildre Hill!

2 weeks ago, I pulled off the impossible of coloring 16 pages in a week with the total page count being 36 for the double-sized epic conclusion to The Mice Templar Vol.III A Midwinter Night's Dream! The deadline was so that the comic would be printed in time for Image Expo at which Image Comics would be celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary.

It was a long week, pulling all-nighters, but the reward of seeing the issue finally in print was worth the loss of sleep. Besides, I knew that once I finished that final upload and emailed the last page to Bryan, I would have a sleeping well the next few nights.

Mice Templar Vol.III #8 hits the shelves of comic book stores nation wide next week on New Comic Book Day!

I'll be taking a brief break from coloring the Mice Templar until the hardcover and trade paperback graphic novels go into production. Until then, I'll be working on various commissions and prepping for my return to Artist Alley at this year's C2E2.

May the Great Dimmed Eye of Wotan watch over us til next we meet!

Hello 2012!

It has been a busy holiday season for me, both at the photography studio I work at and at home on my computer. If you haven’t picked up The Mice Templar Vol. III #6, then you missed the end page announcement of me taking over coloring duties for issues 7 and 8!

Bryan J.L. Glass, the co-creator and writer of this fantastic book, asked me to do a few color samples for him early October of last year. After showing my work to Mike Oeming (co-creator and original artist), Victor Santos (current artist) and Veronica Gandini (departing colorist), I was offered the position of colorist for issues 7 and 8 on my birthday!

As my first official ‘foot in the door’ gig into the comic book industry, I was a bit nervous and anxious. Though I am a penciler at heart, I have worked with color throughout my life in a variety of mediums. Digital coloring is really no different than working with colors in traditional mediums, it takes practice and patience. I’ve had a lot of resources made available to me during my college years when I was first introduced to computers and programs like Adobe Photoshop. There are a lot of techniques available online and it’s all about finding what works for you and getting into that artistic zone where everything around you is just an afterthought, like say for example cooking pasta.

What also continues to make this an awesome project to work on is the great feedback I get from Bryan and Victor when I send them proofs of the pages I’ve colored.  I always know when I’ve done a good job when one of my pages ends up on Bryan J.L. Glass’ Facebook page with praise!

In other news, I will be making my second appearance at this year’s C2E2 in Artist’s Alley! I am extremely excited that they asked me to come back again this year! Hopefully after I finish up with The Mice Templar Vol.III #8, I will have time to get prepped for the show in April.

More details on C2E2 to come! Now back to coloring!

SDCC 2011!

Picked up our Official SDCC 2011 Swag Bags!

Jeff and I attended San Diego Comic Con International 2011 this past July. It was a fantastic vacation hanging out with family, friends, and just geeking out. The biggest highlight of this year's vacation was my success at getting some great portfolio reviews. Not only did I make the DC Talent Search for the second consecutive year in a row, I made it to the top of the list and was the only female that made it out of the group that submitted their portfolios for review. Woohoo!

Huzzah!

I also made it onto Marvel's list for a private portfolio review for the first time! At the request of our dear friend, Jim McCann (Return of the Dapper Men), I spoke with Mark Smylie, Chief Creative Officer of Archaia Entertainment, for a portfolio review. He was really impressed with my work and asked that I email him and his editors a PDF copy of my portfolio! I made a lot of contacts this year and out of the 10 portfolios I printed out, I handed out 9 of them to various publishers.

When I wasn't at a portfolio review or panel, Jeff and I would be checking out all the cool things out on the show floor and spotting some cool cosplayers.

Action pose with Batman, The Penguin, Catwoman and Robin

We had such a great time at the convention and also just hanging out with Jeff's cousin, Mark, and his friends. We ate so much great food, either homecooked by Mark's dad, or at one of Mark's favorite places around San Diego.

The Sushi out here is NOMS-tastic!

Overall, our trip to San Diego was a blast and we can't wait to go again next year!

Jeff and I on a comfy couch at the Marriott.

Stay awesome San Diego!

COMIC BOOK MANIA! Convention 2011

I have been fortunate enough to be invited again to this year's Comic Book Mania convention at the Gail Borden Public Library! Last year, I had a great time hanging out with fellow artists and making kids smile with all my cool artwork. If you're in the northwestern suburbs of Illinois, come visit this fantastic 1-day convention.

COMIC BOOK MANIA! Convention 2011
Saturday, July 9th
10am - 4pm
GAIL BORDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
270 North Grove Avenue
Elgin, IL 60120
www.gailborden.info

Finally: My DeviantArt Page!

After attending several conventions as an artist, with numerous fans were made through various means (sketchbooks, sketches, and commissions), and tons of business cards having been handed out, I can finally say 'Yes' to the number one question asked by all who have stopped by my table - 'Do you have a deviantArt page?'!

It will take me a while to upload all of the deviations I have done in the past couple of years and I will also try and upload pictures of various sketches and commissions I've done at the conventions and from my cozy little corner of the universe.

Thanks for your patience!

serenaguerra.deviantart.com