Published on May 2, 2013

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this is a piece of artwork I created for my friends over at www.degrengoland.com as the add-on to their first PDF release – it’s free, you can check it out, it’s even in english for your convenience. :D

I found this old sketch while browsing through some old backup cd’s. It’s a real blast from the past, but good enough to share with you. I created this in 2004 I believe, Neil Gaiman was visiting Poland back then and there was an exhibition of Sandman drawings created by polish comic artists. So that’s my contribution.

… then think again. And take a look at those pictures of Jennifer. You think you can top that? That’s a Submachine loader tattoo in the back of her neck right there. Epic. The artist was Kaylene from Wicked Ink in Sydney. I’m kinda speechless.

This is how we roll.

Once a group of polish graphic novel artists get together, they tend to get a bit drunk. And then they like to draw comics together. One way to do it is a comic battle on an easel in front of a cheering audience (well, more screaming from the top of their lungs then cheering). On this photo easels pictured, afterwards, partly destroyed because there was no way to make a decent photo during the event – too crowdy:

On the next picture you can see Bartosz Sztybor, well known polish story writer, the only person to win two awards at the International Comic Festival in Lodz in one year (that record was set last year, as he won in two different categories with different short graphic novels) as he attempts to draw something, because the word spread the he’s not only great story teller but graphic designer as well. See for yourself:

I’m not too convinced. You can’t be THAT good at everything, mate.

So as far as the battle is concerned, there could be only one winner:

That’s Jaszczu, and yeah, you can see that killer instinct in his eyes, which is neccesary to slay all other contestants. Just look at this happy care bear:

that’s Krl, the runner up. He did not stand any chance whatsoever against that killing machine above. You might ask yourself how did I do in that battle? Well I was wise enough not to take part in it. This way I’m covered in full extent. Once the battle was over and dust settled, we thought it would be a good idea to draw each other. So:

That’s me drawn twice by this dude:

and this is him:

drawn by me. The resemblance is in deed striking, you must admit:

And once again me:

drawn by no other than forementioned Bartosz Sztybor:

So maybe he DOES have a good drawing hand. Because I look exactly like that. EXACTLY.

The third and final way to release your drawing force fueled by some alcohol is to take part in a freestyle jam, which is a comic story made up in real time by different artists, based on what-did-the-person-before-you-do rule. Basically lots of profanity ensued. But there were some hilarious moments of utter genius in that work. Something worth a good laugh. Unfortunately I don’t have that comic, it went home with the sketchbook owner as I imagine. But here are the geniuses hard at work:

And there – three ways to run a nerd party at a comicon. I can’t really say anything more about the comicon itself, because I didn’t participate in any way, but I heard it was good. You can read some reviews here (if you know how to read polish): Olga, KRL, Jaszcz.

Tomasz Lesniak (Poland)

Rafal Szlapa (Poland)