Being an illustrator can be a solitary profession, but one local non-profit is organizing events to get artists out of their studios and into a group setting. Arts reporter Stephanie Simon has the story.
The exciting part of comic books is usually what happens in the pages, but Dare2Draw events bring comic artists and students together for an adrenaline filled 15 minute "quick draw" competition.
Today's challenge; draw the character Nexus administering justice.
"You know Nexus kills people, but he executes bad people but still," said artist Arlen Schumer "So I’ve got him praying for his life."
About 20 comic artists attended this Dare2Draw event at Jim Hanely's Universe on East 32nd Street.
"This is the best part," one artist said. "Drawing all loose and then going and tightening later."
Cartoonist Charles Chenet founded this nonprofit six years ago to get artists out of their studios, provide mentoring and help them improve their skills.
"Challenge them and make them go step outside their comfort zone," Chenet said.
Advising and judging is Marvel Comics illustrator Reilly Brown.
"I like when people put a lot of personality into the work," Brown said.
Some of these artists bring their own superpowers — like drawing with two hands!
"There's a certain type of dexterity that is required," said artist Rashid Ellis.
Kenly Dillard is so fast he even dared to draw us interviewing him!
"I had to put myself in the picture this time around," Dillard said.
In the end, there were quite a few winners. Dare2Draw is also working on an anthology of the artwork made here. We hope to see that on the shelves soon.