Yet More Scorpius!

Long time, no art! So here is a peek at Scorpius #2 out now. I really disliked this piece when I did it but it looks better to me now than the first two. Funny how that happens. Enjoy. Remind me to post some of our pics from the family vacation!

Long Live the Warlord!

Above are some samples from my latest issue of DC Comic's The Warlord. Its sad for me to say this will be my last issue of the Warlord in the foreseeable future. Before I wrap my Warlord career I would like to wax a little sentimental; so please bear with me. Its not too often you get the chance to work with a living legend, but I got that chance when DC Comics chose me to work on the new Warlord series with Mike Grell. I might not have been DC's first choice but I was happy to step in when opportunity afforded me the chance. Let me tell you something. It wasn't easy trying to fill the artistic shoes of Mike, and I'm sure that there are some Mike Grell fans who would be the first to tell you I didn't even come close. I will say this much though, I did the best I could for every page I worked on Warlord. Though the process, I had one fan I could count on to encourage me every step of the way. That fan was Mike Grell himself. Some days it wasn't easy. There were several days, especially in the beginning, where it seemed like I was redrawing every page. As hard as it was to apply all the changes Mike had me do on those early issues; his criticisms were always constructive. He was there working with me, teaching me as I went along and though the process it made me a better artist. If I had the chance; I'd do it again in a heart beat. Here's to hoping I get that change again. Cheers Mike, and long live The Warlord!

-Chad

More Spokane Card Comissions

Hey all, just a quick update with more sketch card commissions. Enjoy! Also I wanted to post an email I received from a satisfied customer:

From James Huskinson

To Chad Hardin

     Hey man I got the picture the other day but I've been on the go for awhile. DUDE this thing is sweet, I almost feel like I need to pay you [more] for the amount of work you put into this. The amount of detail is almost overwhelming! Everything is in the right spot, from the armor plating to the bulbs in the bow stabilizers down to the running lights on the side of the hull. And that's not including the back drop, which looks like it could of jumped out of the game and onto the page itself, from the asteroid field to the planetoid and the moon there is just so much depth to the page, so much to be seen. I can stress how happy I am with the out come, to have something that is not only an original work but that also captures the spirit of the game is just so amazing. When you said you were going to make it shine I totally had no idea what was coming, if you take commissions in between projects you can be sure I'm going to contact you in the future.

Thanks again for all your hard work,

Ryan Huskinson.

<:// End Transmission//:>

Thanks Ryan! And Yes I'm always taking commissions!

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day everybody. I'd like to take the time to thank all our brave service men and women who are fighting (or have fought) to defend the freedoms we Americans enjoy on a daily basis. I personally salute your bravery and sacrifice and also the sacrifice of your loved ones. Thank You... On another note: I'd like to post some art I did as commissions for the Spokane Comicon 2010. This a picture of Two Zatanna sketch cards and the SR-2 Normandy from Mass Effect. The Zatanna cards were captured with my Nikon Coolpix in my Hotel room at Spokane. I'm sorry they are a little out of focus and the coloring is yellowed, but I hope its better than a hot stick in the eye. I'm finishing up the the last two commissions right now and will be mailing them out tomorrow. I'll post tem when i'm done. Hope you enjoy! -Chad.

Spokane Comicon

Hey all, Its Friday the 21st of May and I'm off to Spokane for Spokane Comicon 2010. I'll be there at the opening tomorrow doing sketches, selling artwork and signing books. Go here for all the details: http://www.spokanecomicon.com/. Like free comic book day, I'll be having a contest fro a free sketch card and sketchbook. So if you are in Spokane drop on by and say hi!

Iron Man 2 Artist Proofs Available

Hey Everybody, I have really exciting news! My Iron Man 2 Artist Proofs came in from Upper Deck. I am taking commissions on them right now. If you are interested in getting one; simply click on the link to Catskill Comics in the sidebar. My agent, Scott, will take care of you. I have 14 left and will need to get them completed and approved by Marvel soon. So don't wait too long before you get yours. Also... DC solicited my first issue of Zatanna today for sale August 11th 2010! WOOT! Make sure you order your copy today!

Hail to the King

I know a lot of you must have heard by now that Frank Frezetta has passed away. You also have undoubtedly read a couple of sappy posts like this where all these wanna-be's, who have never met the guy, post about how sad it is. There is a reason for that. Frank Frezatta wasn't just a great "fantasy" artist. He was perhaps the best artist of our age. Blasphemy you say? Go let your hot air out. Frank's Art was, in my opinion, the best; plain and simple. The subject matter of Frank's paintings might not have been something Mom and Pop were going to hang in the living room, but his ability as a painter was unparalleled. When someone that great is alive when you're alive it inspires you as an artist, pushes you to do better, and when he's gone there is a real sadness.

Frank- I never met you, but I idolized you from afar; rest in peace. Your art will always be alive and a testament to your greatness for generations to come.

-Chad

Free Comic Book Day Follow-Up

Howdy do everybody! Its time to post an update to Free Comic Book Day. We were late arriving to Comics Plus. Despite all my planning I forgot to go the route I had mapped out the day before to avoid the Iron Man Triathlon. I ended up zigzagging through town and getting pissed off at myself for being so forgetful. The event started slow but quickly speed up to a fever pitch. I did sketch card commissions all day long and got to chat it up with all the gang at CP. It was nice to see patrons asking for sketches of characters I've been doing in comics. Notice the Warlord and Scorpius cards to the left. I also noticed that there wasn't a single female character requested. Odd, but fine by me. I met some really cool people and became reacquainted with others I had met the year before. Overall the day was a great success. Fun for everyone old and young. Dave and Lisa really know how to run a classy operation and there patrons really appreciated it. In fact I didn't get home until 10 o'clock that night and dinner was my first meal of the day. I was running on my "fluffy" reserves. Here are some of the sketch cards I did for fans. Thank you everybody who was willing to wait for their cards because I only made it half way though my list. I hope you feel they were worth the wait. Tell me what you think in the comments below and see if you can't guess the name of the bottom card on the right. Also congratulations to Daniel Chapman for winning the drawing for a free sketch card and sketchbook. Daniel's card is the Night Crawler on the top left. 

Iron Man Blocking Free Comic Book Day?

Iron Man the Triathlon, not the movie! Confused me also when I heard it. Anyhoo... Just in case, I want everyone to know that the corner of Bluff and Diagonal will be partially closed tomorrow during peak Free Comic Book Day hours. Plan on an alternate route! Here is my planned route to Comic Plus. If you know someone who is planning on attending please let them know so they don't get stuck in a traffic jam that lasts 5 hours! It could ruin your day, cause road rage and you'll end up in the slammer with D'argo here on the Cover for Farscape: D'argo's Quest #4. Drive safe and see you tomorrow!

UPDATE: Dave let me know through Facebook that the intersection of Bluff and Sunset will not be closed so you should still be able to go the normal way however they are closing parts of Bluff north of the intersection. Traffic will be heavier than usual. So just beware and eat an extra dose of patience for breakfast and or lunch.

Warlord #13 and a plug for Free Comic Book Day

Hey Guys here are some pencils from Warlord #13. I wanted to post something to the site and plug the issue. It is out in stores now, so go buy it! I think it is the best looking Warlord I've done yet. If you liked the Art in #10 you'll love the art in this issue.  Also a reminder that I will be at Comics Plus this Saturday for Free Comic Book Day. I will have original art, sketchbooks, sketch cards, and issues of comics I've done. I'm going to be there for the long haul. I will also be doing commissions so bring yer money and help pay for my kid's operations (I hope I'm joking about the last bit). Also Will Estepp and Gerson Arevato if you guys are there you can pick up your cards! We had a great time last year. I hope we have a great time this year. Dave's Info is in the sidebar. If you haven't been to Comic's Plus in St. George Utah come check it out!

Sick of Sick and a Follow Up to the AAU Comic Panel

How many kids are sick in my house? All of them. My youngest two with strep throat, my older two with a virus. Joy has also fallen ill to the virus. I alone remain uninfected from the plagues of the apocalypse! Tasey seems to be a carrier for strep and the constant reinfection of  her sister Erica may have to lead to a tonsillectomy.

ARRRRRRRGH!

Anyhoodle, The panel in San Francisco went awesome! Thank you very much to Dan Cooney and AAU for having me out. It was awesome to meet Chris Staggs (my roommate at the Sir Francis Drake), Dan Brereton, Chris Marrinan, and Justin Greenwood. It was also nice to reacquaint myself with Rashan Ekedal and Marvel's Talent Editor C.B. Cebulski (we met at Comic Con San Diego in 2005). C.B. Cebulski actually remembered me form a talent review half a decade previous so beware Marvel hopefuls out there. The guy has a mind like a steel trap (and he lurks on art forums) so BEHAVE yourselves! I was so nervous at the panel I felt like throwing up, I hope I didn't sound too bad. AAU filmed this so when it goes up on the web everyone can judge for themselves.

My friend Kenshi took these pictures of the event with his iPhone (Thank you Kenshi!). I hope to have some artwork up soon but I'm desperately behind due to illness in my family so please be patient. It is coming. I have more Warlord, Farscape, and Sketchcards coming soon.

Academy Art University Comic Book Panel

Hey all, I don't know how many of you are planning to go to WonderCon or if you live in the Bay Area, but I will be heading out tomorrow to attend a Comic Book Panel hosted by the Academy of Art University. I am very excited to attend. If you can be there Awesome! Its April 1st from 7-9pm in the Morgan Auditorium on 491 Post St. downtown San Fran. The artwork on the flier is that of Master Dan Brereton who will be in attendance! Read on... and hope to see you there.

-Chad.

Sketchcards of the Day 3/24/10

Hulk and Joker for some friends in St. George Utah who got jilted last FCBD. Enjoy! The "X" in the signature is for the year 2010. 

-Chad

McNasty's Ms. Marvel

Hey all! Sorry for the long gap in between posts. I fried a RAM chip the other day. Its been crazy trying to keep up with work on a computer that's sick. The malfunction was my fault. Doing something stupid. Anyhoodle... I was way past due getting Dann's Thunderdome Prize done so I cranked it out today before starting my page. I hope Dann feels it was worth the wait. I'm pretty happy with it. I'd like to do another Thunderdome, anybody got any ideas for out next contest? Let me know in the comments.

Facelift and More Scorpius

Hey All! Check out my new banner and the cover to the next Scorpius from Boom!

WIN!

We have a winner for sketch card Thunderdome! Thanks everyone for participating. Dann email me your address and what you'd like on your sketch card and I'll get it and your free sketchbook right out to you!

Thunderdome!

Hey All, Its that time of the week again. Time to finally show off some of those Iron Man 2 cards I did of Upper Deck. I decided to do something a little different with this post. I decided to take the best cards out of the set and compare them to the best I had to offer from the year before. A sketch card Thunderdome if you will. Leave your vote in the comments below. If you leave your comment and subscribe to the blog either though Networked Blogs on Facebook or though Google Blogger you will be entering a contest to win a free sketch card of your choice and a free 2009 Sketchbook. Remember: Vote for which year 2008 or 2009, Subscribe and enter to win a free sketch card and sketchbook. Tell your friends and may the Force be with you!

-Chad

PS - The Cover to Scorpius #0- Was up on News-a-rama this morning. Here's the link in case you missed it: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/Farscape-Scorpius-Mack-100205.html It was the headline for like a whole hour till the god of thunder stole mine! Curse you Thor!

Scorpius!

Hey my good buddy Slade just emailed me. My latest cover for BooM! Is out you can read about it here: http://io9.com/5455850/farscapes-new-leading-man-revealed, and check out the versions without logo above. Really proud of how it turned out. Let me know if you like it or not.

Why So Serious?

Ever since Batman: The Killing Joke: The Joker has been my favorite comic book villain. In November I lucked out and got to draw him in an issue of Brave and the Bold. Here's a page form issue 31. Check it out!

Warlord #10

Hey all, as always; I'm rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off. 2009 is over and I have mixed feelings. It was a scary year economically but for Hardin Art Studios It was a breakthrough year as well. Over all my crowning artistic achievement was Warlord #10 for DC Comics. I have not seen it in print yet but I'm very hopeful after reading some online reviews. This is the first time I've done all the art (minus coloring) for an issue and it seems to have gone over really well. Here are some samples. Make sure you pick it up Warlord #10 by DC Comics at your local comic book store today.