Chester artist dreams of comic book stardom

Feb 2 2009 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

A FORMER student of Blacon Art College is hoping to hit the big time after submitting artwork to two of the world's biggest comic book companies.

Simon Jones, 27, of Chiltern Close, Westminster Park works predominantly in pen, brush and ink and has so far eschewed the notion of producing computer-generated images.

“As mediums go, I know this may be considered old hat,” he said.

“There has been a huge influx of computer generated artwork, especially in the field of comic book art, but I prefer the feel that you get through your fingertips from a brush and pencil. Kudos to those who can make great art with a PC but it's not for me.”

Simon, who has been working in the recruitment department of the Bank of America for two years, went to Art College in the West Cheshire College in Blacon, before going on to study illustration at university, where he struggled to get comic book art and graphic novels acknowledged as a relevant art form.

He explained: “Not many people class the 'kids' medium of comic books as a major art form, but with the popularity of comic book inspired films – Hellboy, X-Men, Spiderman, Batman Begins and the Dark Knight, amongst others – this view is slowly changing.