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Description
Here is my own "Influence Map." I know I've left things out but for the moment, this is what came to mind. Starting from the top left, "Captain Scarlet," a British TV show created by Gerry Anderson was the first influence I can remember( this illustration is by Ron Embleton, who painted the dramatic images that were used during the closing credits of the show). I tried to draw Captain Scarlet and added my own fashion details like a cape and a cool ray gun. Next is the "Zero-X" from "Thunderbirds are Go!," another Anderson production which represents all of those Anderson shows throughout my life. I was always drawing things from those show, not to mention trying to build things with Lego. Next is the Italian artist Liberatore, from whom I learned a lot of my marker technique. Going back to the left, is "The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Tulp," by Rembrandt. This just represents how most artists have been affected by the old masters in one form or another. Next is an image from the SF movie "Blade Runner" which represents how SF movies in general have affected my style and subject matter. (this includes Star Wars, Aliens and so on). Next is Gil Kane, where I learned a considerable amount about figure posing in comics work.

The next level down, to the left is Syd Mead, from whom I learned much about practical futuristic design. Next is James Steranko, where I learned much about contrast and the drama of light and shadow (way before Frank Miller). Next of course, is Frank Frazetta, from whom I saw that fantasy art has it's niche in the world of art and not just to illustrate lurid paperbacks. Going down, to the left is Henk Kuijpers, whose "Franka" books [link] showed me how much detail can be depicted with style and a minimum of extraneous linework. Also, Franka is Hot. Next is Adam Hughes whose amazing command of anatomy and facial expression makes it all look so easy, is here mostly to remind me that I must never stop trying to improve my skills. Next is Art Adams whose figure drawing and wealth of detail shows that a single image can carry the impact of an entire story. Next is Furry Master Steve Gallacci whose work inspired me to try Furry Art myself and create a style of my own. Next is Rich Corben whose work I first saw as a high school kid back in 77 in the first issue of "Heavy Metal." From comparatively simple line drawing embellished with basic four-colour tinting to Corben's incredible "Den" series where each individual _panel_ was a complete, finished _painting_; well, I had never known that comics could be made like that. It was a wonder to me. Next is Leiji Matsumoto, whose work inspired me to try my hand at anime style. (I first saw his work in a book a friend had brought back from Japan. Anime art was fairly unknown in North America in 1978 so I was one of the first artists to experiment with the style, at least as far as I knew at the time). Next is Jim Starlin, who I and my high school pals considered a comics God and were amazed at the depth and quality of his "Warlock" series. Next is Alex Ross, whose work in "Marvels" and "Kingdom Come" made me fall in love with comics all over again. Next is Bill Watterson, whose "Calvin and Hobbes" showed what imagination could do within the limited confines of the comic strip medium. Next is the incomparable Jack Kirby, who showed what _power_ could be demonstrated with a few well placed lines. Next is Neal Adams who command of anatomy and fluidity of action is still the gold standard for the best of comic book artists. Next is Jean Giraud or "Moebius" whose specifically European style redefined both comics and illustration in North America. Finally, John Byrne, whose mastery of both art and writing has rescued more derelict comics than can be named and whose ability still makes him one of the greatest comics artists in the world.
There may well be more influences and if so, I shall amend this list but for now, the artist I am today is a result of the effect of all the artists listed above.

Description
Here is my own "Influence Map." I know I've left things out but for the moment, this is what came to mind. Starting from the top left, "Captain Scarlet," a British TV show created by Gerry Anderson was the first influence I can remember( this illustration is by Ron Embleton, who painted the dramatic images that were used during the closing credits of the show). I tried to draw Captain Scarlet and added my own fashion details like a cape and a cool ray gun. Next is the "Zero-X" from "Thunderbirds are Go!," another Anderson production which represents all of those Anderson shows throughout my life. I was always drawing things from those show, not to mention trying to build things with Lego. Next is the Italian artist Liberatore, from whom I learned a lot of my marker technique. Going back to the left, is "The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Tulp," by Rembrandt. This just represents how most artists have been affected by the old masters in one form or another. Next is an image from the SF movie "Blade Runner" which represents how SF movies in general have affected my style and subject matter. (this includes Star Wars, Aliens and so on). Next is Gil Kane, where I learned a considerable amount about figure posing in comics work.

The next level down, to the left is Syd Mead, from whom I learned much about practical futuristic design. Next is James Steranko, where I learned much about contrast and the drama of light and shadow (way before Frank Miller). Next of course, is Frank Frazetta, from whom I saw that fantasy art has it's niche in the world of art and not just to illustrate lurid paperbacks. Going down, to the left is Henk Kuijpers, whose "Franka" books [link] showed me how much detail can be depicted with style and a minimum of extraneous linework. Also, Franka is Hot. Next is Adam Hughes whose amazing command of anatomy and facial expression makes it all look so easy, is here mostly to remind me that I must never stop trying to improve my skills. Next is Art Adams whose figure drawing and wealth of detail shows that a single image can carry the impact of an entire story. Next is Furry Master Steve Gallacci whose work inspired me to try Furry Art myself and create a style of my own. Next is Rich Corben whose work I first saw as a high school kid back in 77 in the first issue of "Heavy Metal." From comparatively simple line drawing embellished with basic four-colour tinting to Corben's incredible "Den" series where each individual _panel_ was a complete, finished _painting_; well, I had never known that comics could be made like that. It was a wonder to me. Next is Leiji Matsumoto, whose work inspired me to try my hand at anime style. (I first saw his work in a book a friend had brought back from Japan. Anime art was fairly unknown in North America in 1978 so I was one of the first artists to experiment with the style, at least as far as I knew at the time). Next is Jim Starlin, who I and my high school pals considered a comics God and were amazed at the depth and quality of his "Warlock" series. Next is Alex Ross, whose work in "Marvels" and "Kingdom Come" made me fall in love with comics all over again. Next is Bill Watterson, whose "Calvin and Hobbes" showed what imagination could do within the limited confines of the comic strip medium. Next is the incomparable Jack Kirby, who showed what _power_ could be demonstrated with a few well placed lines. Next is Neal Adams who command of anatomy and fluidity of action is still the gold standard for the best of comic book artists. Next is Jean Giraud or "Moebius" whose specifically European style redefined both comics and illustration in North America. Finally, John Byrne, whose mastery of both art and writing has rescued more derelict comics than can be named and whose ability still makes him one of the greatest comics artists in the world.
There may well be more influences and if so, I shall amend this list but for now, the artist I am today is a result of the effect of all the artists listed above.