An old cover illustration - text across image or not?

An old cover illustration made in jan/febr. 2004. For a Swedish computer magazine about security. The cover article was about EMP weapons. I draw the human figure by hand, scanned, and all the rest of colouring and such was made with Corel Photo-Paint.

It reads on the cover: "EMP weapons - only in the world of comics?"

What I dont understand was and still is, why the art director had to place the text right on top of the human figure. It felt so strange. I have had discussions with a few graphic designer/art directors through the years, and it kind of is two "schools". Either you "prefer" to place it over an illustration like this, or you dont. Some I´ve talked to would never do it, and some does.

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

The Smurf comics 50th celebration 1958-2008

On October 23, 2008 the Smurfs celebrate their 50th year. Something to write about.
As a kid when I was first presented to the Smurfs, I was hooked. I followed the Smurfs in animation movies on the TV and I read all the Smurf comics album I could get hold of. And to my joy my mome never had any issues about me reading the Smurf comics. I even had small Smurfs figurines. (Image is a link to the official Smurf website of a free wallpaper image)

Peyo, Pierre Culliford the creator of the Smurfs, according to the official website, was looking for a job in the paper, when he saw two jobs that caught his eye. One being a dentist job and the other an illustrator job. According to the dentist he was 15 minutes to late to get the job. So instead he got the job as an illustrator. He among things came to work with the now famous Spirou comics. It was also in the "Le Journal de Spirou" on october 28, 1958 that the Smurfs made their first appearance. The Smurfs are as popular as they have ever been, some says more, but either way, Pierre Culliford, known as Peyo past away in 1992. And all though he is not drawing the Smurfs anymore, theay are still here. To read more about the Smurfs and Peyo, the official website has a lot to offer as well as the Wikipedia.

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Barry Windsor-Smith - The master of Conan the Barbarian

There are so many illustrators, artists, comic artists out there, that have inspired me from early age, and here is one more I like to mention: Barry Windsor-Smith. His fame rapidly increased especially when drawing Conan the Barbarian comics in the 70´s versions. He really inspired me as a young kid. There was something he captured in his line drawings and graphic storytelling. The Intensity and beauty in black & white, because they were published as black and white albums at the time here in Sweden, captured the excitment of the story about Conan. I still see the quality of his work. And those who dont know about him should start to know. He is a very good graphic storyteller. He was born i London, England, but got his fame through the american Marvel Comics Conan. To read more about his work wikipedia has more to tell And what seems to be his official website have some nice samples of his work

When I make my quick browsing (sneak peak reading) of Conan magazines today, at the local Comic Store, Comics Heaven, in Gamla Stan (Old Town) in Stockholm, Sweden, I dont get that same vibe looking at the drawings today. Maybe the illustrators dont get as much time to do their work. I dont know. They are all good illustrators, but its not the same. Barry Windsor-Smith drawings affected me too much I guess. He established the tone of Conan very much.



Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Asterix & Obelix - a GREAT adventure

Its funny that a great comic like Asterix & Obelix, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations), hugely popular in Europe and almost known all over the world, is said to be so unknown basically in the USA. Why one may ask, why isn't Asterix & Obelix more known in the USA? Maybe someone know. It is said to have been translated into more than 100 languages and dialects. The official website is http://gb.asterix.com/

In any case Asterix & Obelix, the story of a small ancient Gaul village in France, during the time of the Roman empire ruled by Julius Ceasar, is again one of those comics that have been a sort of drawing school for my self, in my pre-teen years. Its also one of those comics I run to buy every time a new comics magazine/book with them came out. Or run to the library to read. They always came out as an album here in Sweden. There where no adds except for a new episode, or similar comic. It was just plainly Asterix & Obelix. Nothing else. A clean new episode each time.

If you never heard about the story, Obelix, the BIG guy as a kid fell in the barrel filled with the magic drink, brewed by their druid Getafix, a Merlin kind of guy. And he drank basically everything, so he was for ever and eternity the strongest man in the world. Asterix, the more clever guy, and way smaller in both size and length, always had to take a sip, to be as strong as Obelix. They love to fight with the romans, and basically loved to fight period. Obelix he always carry with him, a huge obelisk stone on his back.

If you haven't had the time to read Asterix & Obelix, then don't hesitate, you might like it!

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Mimi, designer goods in London, a go see

My girlfriend Mia and I have just arrived back to Stockholm, Sweden after our trip to London, 8 days. A week field with inspiration. A week that will give me lot of inspiration in my own work with illustration and art.

In the weekend we visited street fairs around London, and on the route between them we ended up at a wonderful store, Mimi. Its a great store of locally manufactured items, designed by Mimi Berry. Its a must visit for those who like to either watch or buy anything from a wallet or a bag. Mia my girlfriend bought a purse in a red-ish colour.

Laura Francescangeli working at the store the day we visited the store, was very helpful and nice. She made the visit to the store to an even nicer visit. Dont forget to knock on the door to get in when passing by. Thats the way to get in. Knocking on the door.

Website address to the store is Mimi
Street address is 40 Cheshire Street, London, England. Have fun, we had!

(Picture show Laura Francescangeli who works in the store)

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist