Looking at the span of work Deece has been doing, it's hard to believe that he's a local artist since his skill is something reminiscent of Penny-Arcade and other great geeked out strips. Yet, here in our town he's been honing his art, coming up with little portions of hilarity he doses out each week, and generally making the local gaming crowds happy to have an artist like himself around. Be sure to check out his links below for comics, cards, and more illustrations.
Can you briefly explain your approach to each new comic and what medium(s) you feel most inclined to use?
I think it is important to just "nerd-out" a little bit. It's natural for me, when watching TV or a movie, or playing a game to make jokes. So with the comic, I tend to just pay attention more to the things I am joking about, as well as observing current events and news stories. Sometimes it's tough to figure out what you wanna do and of course some jokes are funny to me, but would cause a shit-storm if I were to make them, for example- subway Jared joke that got scrapped, or the Jurassic park veloci'rape'tor. So it's a system that can be tough at first, but eventually you get used to it. As for medium, I'm a Photoshop guy. I did the traditional pen and ink thing back in high school, but when you are trying to hit a deadline every week and make time to do freelance projects, I need the forgiving platform that is digital creation.
I think it is important to just "nerd-out" a little bit. It's natural for me, when watching TV or a movie, or playing a game to make jokes. So with the comic, I tend to just pay attention more to the things I am joking about, as well as observing current events and news stories. Sometimes it's tough to figure out what you wanna do and of course some jokes are funny to me, but would cause a shit-storm if I were to make them, for example- subway Jared joke that got scrapped, or the Jurassic park veloci'rape'tor. So it's a system that can be tough at first, but eventually you get used to it. As for medium, I'm a Photoshop guy. I did the traditional pen and ink thing back in high school, but when you are trying to hit a deadline every week and make time to do freelance projects, I need the forgiving platform that is digital creation.
How long have you been running 1d4 Round Comics? Where did the idea for the comic come from?
I've been doing 1d4Rounds for almost 3 years now. And full-time freelance for about a year, year and a half.
Originally, my good friend Zach and I were talking about doing something like a blog/comic, but we didn't have the skills or equipment necessary to do it well. After some time of talking about it, I just said screw it! Got a copy of Gimp (the freeware version of Photoshop), told Facebook we were doing a comic every week, and started drawing. I figured, I'd get used to it, NOT the case. Ha! The first 2 or 3 comics were drawn with a mouse. It was a nightmare, but we had already told all our friends, and if we didn't deliver we were gonna look dumb. So, that's how that started. A few months later, I got my big drawing tablet and we were off to the races. We only missed a deadline once since we started, during that ice storm a year or two ago, when the city went dark. I'm pretty proud of that.
I've been doing 1d4Rounds for almost 3 years now. And full-time freelance for about a year, year and a half.
Originally, my good friend Zach and I were talking about doing something like a blog/comic, but we didn't have the skills or equipment necessary to do it well. After some time of talking about it, I just said screw it! Got a copy of Gimp (the freeware version of Photoshop), told Facebook we were doing a comic every week, and started drawing. I figured, I'd get used to it, NOT the case. Ha! The first 2 or 3 comics were drawn with a mouse. It was a nightmare, but we had already told all our friends, and if we didn't deliver we were gonna look dumb. So, that's how that started. A few months later, I got my big drawing tablet and we were off to the races. We only missed a deadline once since we started, during that ice storm a year or two ago, when the city went dark. I'm pretty proud of that.
Do you find that the use of digital programs such as Photoshop are an essential need for comic artists today, or is it just a time saver?
You can make comics with anything. Tablet and computer, or sticks and mud.
I think technology is a gift to the comic artist. I don't prescribe to the "comic purist" viewpoint. I say, if it works for you, and you can create decent work with it... Rock-n-Roll.
You can make comics with anything. Tablet and computer, or sticks and mud.
I think technology is a gift to the comic artist. I don't prescribe to the "comic purist" viewpoint. I say, if it works for you, and you can create decent work with it... Rock-n-Roll.
| Web comics verses printed comics, how do you view the separate formats affect the outreach to the public? There is no question the Internet is the greatest idea sharing tool to ever exist. And I think it would be foolish to ignore it as a means of exposure. But each system has it's benefits and it's pitfalls. You just have to understand them. Printed comics, have a hard time being seen, and a very easy time being recognized. Conversely, web comics have a very easy time being seen, but get lost sometimes in the vast sea of other web comics available. It's really about your preference, and understanding your format. |  |
I personally have found a lot of success as a webcomic, so I guess my preference is pretty obvious. But I know a ton of great artists who have amassed a huge fan-base doing traditional print work with only a relatively small online component.
What has been your experience as an artists in the Augusta area, and where would you like to see it grow?
I think this answer might piss some people off, but hear me out.
When I was drawing back in highschool, I was always trying to be part of the arts community, but, was very blatantly, and in some cases, rudely, dismissed as "a comic guy". That stuck with me for a long time. That elitism that permeates the art world. Where if you aren't an oil painter, you were somehow a second class citizen.
I am very happy to say though, in the last few years, that kinda mindset has really taken a nosedive. Recently, I have found that groups are more accepting of differences and style choices. It has made me want to be more active in the community and it really is a great time to be an artist in Augusta.
The really big thing though, was Xavier Jones. That man has done more for the comic artists in Augusta than anyone I have ever met. Even back when a lot of the community was very dismissive of comic artists, he was a beacon. He taught students at Studio ArtGro and gave kids like me a real mentor. The guy deserves a medal. Like Ewok party on Endor, blue ghost-jedis; the whole sha-banga-bang!
I think this answer might piss some people off, but hear me out.
When I was drawing back in highschool, I was always trying to be part of the arts community, but, was very blatantly, and in some cases, rudely, dismissed as "a comic guy". That stuck with me for a long time. That elitism that permeates the art world. Where if you aren't an oil painter, you were somehow a second class citizen.
I am very happy to say though, in the last few years, that kinda mindset has really taken a nosedive. Recently, I have found that groups are more accepting of differences and style choices. It has made me want to be more active in the community and it really is a great time to be an artist in Augusta.
The really big thing though, was Xavier Jones. That man has done more for the comic artists in Augusta than anyone I have ever met. Even back when a lot of the community was very dismissive of comic artists, he was a beacon. He taught students at Studio ArtGro and gave kids like me a real mentor. The guy deserves a medal. Like Ewok party on Endor, blue ghost-jedis; the whole sha-banga-bang!
Which D&D version has been your favorite so far, or are you now a Pathfinder convert?
Any role playing games that enthrall you currently?
I grew up with 2nd edition. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. Thac0, proficiencies, mages with 1d4hp. It was a murder-machine, but I loved it.
Recently I have gotten into Pathfinder pretty hard. Rise of the Runelords was amazing. And from my short experience with 5th edition, I can say they are on the right path, and clearly understand what makes the game great, but it's really hard to justify any answer outside of my really gleaming experience with 2nd. I guess you never forget your first game, and maybe that tilts my perception in it's favor.
As for currently enthrall me? I guess I have to say the old JRPG styled video games. I just enjoy a deep, convoluted story i guess.
The "Tales Of" series is great, Star Ocean: the second story (with Dias Flac), and a million others. When this comes out though, Fallout 4 will be on the shelves. So, I guess i can say that too, as i'm sure i will be deep into it like every other gamer on the planet.
What do you have coming up in the future?
I post a new weekly comic strip every Friday morning before 8 am.
I will be doing most all of the AgamaCon mini cons.
I will be doing the big multi-day AgamaCon, with a booth, and doing some panels.
And I do freelance work for multiple shops, writers, companies, etc etc.
The cards I post on the facebook page (and can be seen in the gallery below - ed.) are for a game called "Magic the Gathering", and they are custom ordered tokens with the likeness of the person converted to be any token type they like. I mostly do them for card shops as a tournament prize... but recently have been taking individual orders as they have become fairly popular.
For more on this artist
Any role playing games that enthrall you currently?
I grew up with 2nd edition. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. Thac0, proficiencies, mages with 1d4hp. It was a murder-machine, but I loved it.
Recently I have gotten into Pathfinder pretty hard. Rise of the Runelords was amazing. And from my short experience with 5th edition, I can say they are on the right path, and clearly understand what makes the game great, but it's really hard to justify any answer outside of my really gleaming experience with 2nd. I guess you never forget your first game, and maybe that tilts my perception in it's favor.
As for currently enthrall me? I guess I have to say the old JRPG styled video games. I just enjoy a deep, convoluted story i guess.
The "Tales Of" series is great, Star Ocean: the second story (with Dias Flac), and a million others. When this comes out though, Fallout 4 will be on the shelves. So, I guess i can say that too, as i'm sure i will be deep into it like every other gamer on the planet.
What do you have coming up in the future?
I post a new weekly comic strip every Friday morning before 8 am.
I will be doing most all of the AgamaCon mini cons.
I will be doing the big multi-day AgamaCon, with a booth, and doing some panels.
And I do freelance work for multiple shops, writers, companies, etc etc.
The cards I post on the facebook page (and can be seen in the gallery below - ed.) are for a game called "Magic the Gathering", and they are custom ordered tokens with the likeness of the person converted to be any token type they like. I mostly do them for card shops as a tournament prize... but recently have been taking individual orders as they have become fairly popular.
For more on this artist
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