How to Draw Month: Mike Norton
Dec 30, 2016
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For How to Draw month, PREVIEWSworld talks with artist Mike Norton! Mike is a wirter and artist best know for his Eisner and Harvey Award winning series Battlepug (MAR120034) and his long running work on Revival (AUG130635), both published by Image Comics. He is currently the artist of A&A: The Adventures of Archer and Armstrong (OCT162008) for Valiant Entertainment.
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PREVIEWSworld: Who were your favorite artists growing up?
Mike Norton: John Romita, John Byrne, Ross Andru, Paris Cullins. John Byrne, especially.
PREVIEWSworld: Were you self-taught, formally educated, or a combination of both?
Mike Norton: A little of both. I taught a lot to myself. I went into formal training kicking and screaming, but it really helped me overall. It's hard to see the value of something when you think you're doing everything right. I thought that when I was a kid. I was dumb.
PREVIEWSworld: Talk about your studio environment. Do you watch or listen to anything while you draw?
Mike Norton: I share a studio with about 4-5 other people and we generally keep to ourselves while we work, but love to have something playing while I'm drawing. Usually a movie or tv show that I don't have to pay a lot of attention to. Rifftrax or Mystery Science Theater works great for that. I'll even watch YouTube videos of people playing video games. It's mindless and reminds me that I'm not the only person in the world while I'm up in my head.
PREVIEWSworld: What tools do you prefer while drawing? Pencils, pens, art boards, etc.?
Mike Norton: I have my preferred tools for both analog and digital. I like plain ol 2b pencils and col-erase blue pencils for drawing. I do most things digital now. For that, I like my cintiq with iMac running manga studio.
PREVIEWSworld: Are there any books you would recommend to help with art?
Mike Norton: How to draw comics the marvel way is a classic. It's very basic, but has lots of great tips. Any of Will Eisner or Scott McCloud's books, too.
PREVIEWSworld: Do you prefer drawing by hand, digitally, or both?
Mike Norton: I prefer digital now, but I still draw on paper often. Working digitally adds an element of excitement I didn't always have drawing on paper, and also eliminates any fear I may have about messing something up.
PREVIEWSworld: How long does it normally take to draw a page?
Mike Norton: I try to do 2 pages a day.
PREVIEWSworld: What’s your favorite thing to draw?
Mike Norton: People's faces. A really interestingly composed panel of people talking is deceptively difficult to do. Also: pugs.
PREVIEWSworld: What's the most unique thing you've been asked to draw at a convention?
Mike Norton: Oh there's lots of stuff, but right now a portrait of Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy come's to mind.
PREVIEWSworld: Finally, what’s the best advice you have for beginning artists?
Mike Norton: Don't give up, but also listen to what people tell you when you ask for help.
Also, learn to draw all the boring stuff well.
