Do you have an educational background in art?
I did attend college, and completed a 2 year diploma in Visual Arts. Soon after, I travelled to Vancouver and took a 1 year intensive Character Animation program. I continue to read books on animation and illustration to continue learning the craft.
How did you get involved in sketch cards/What was your first sketch card job?
My first major gig was with Marvel/UpperDeck on the Masterpiece 2 Series. I just sent in my interest to be a part of the sketch card artists group and volia!
How do you feel about working on such a small surface?
It definitely has it’s challenges. However, I am used to storyboarding and the panel size is similar to that of a sketch card. The major difference between that comparison is the level of polish you put on them. Storyboards should be loose for the most part, unless it’s for TV animation, while sketch cards have a standard of something that is rendered with color and at a more finished state.
How do you feel about the entire process?
I feel good about it. All the companies I've worked with have been very professional and well mannered.
Do you prefer to work with a specific media (pencil, marker, paint, etc)?
I mainly use col-erase pencils, white acrylic paint and prismacolor markers.
Do you have a lot of contact with collectors regarding your cards?
Yes, I enjoy keeping an open dialog with collectors, and I'm very humbled that people dig what I do.
Has your career as an artist benefited from doing sketch card work?
Looking at it from 2 perspectives, the process is always positive. The 1st, is that I get to meet new people and clientele, which is always positive. Secondly, working in sketch cards gives me the opportunity to practice drawing new things and that added challenge of working on a small canvas.
What was the most difficult sketch card set you have worked on to date? What made it difficult?
Looking back on old cards, I definitely cringe at the work. However, I can take a positive outlook on it, and know that is just another step to becoming better. I was mildly happy with my Dead @17 cards, but feel those lacked the personality that I try to inject into my work at all times.
Are there any cards that you are particularly proud of?
My Modok cards from the Iron Man 2 set. A big headed dude on a flying chair is just plain awesome.
Some companies provide return cards or artist proofs for working on sketch card sets. What do you do with yours?
With Artist Proofs, I will usually sell them. Sometimes I will give them as gifts, and other times I will donate them to certain causes I feel are important for me to help out with.
Do you see yourself continuing with sketch card sets?
Most definitely! Especially if DC wants me to do some…'hint hint hint'.
Is there any advice you would like to give to people wanting to break into the sketch card ‘biz’?
Draw every day, have a passion for all art and stay positive. The only limitations you have are the ones you set on yourself.
Can you tell us what future sketch card sets you'll be working on?
At the moment, I am full with other work, but I plan on doing more in the future. The next release of cards that I have done will be showcased in 5finity's P'ups sketch card series.
What are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on a Ghostbusters comic for IDW, which I'm over the moon with, and some books for DC Comics which are equally as awesome.
Where can people see more of your work?
I currently have 2 blogs. One is a general blog with updates on art and news, which can be found at dapperdans.blogspot.com
The second is a blog solely dedicated to my moleskine drawings of DC characters, dappersdcmoleskine.blogspot.com
People can also follow me on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Dapper-Dan/167900209606 and Twitter (Dapperpomade) as well.
Thank you so much for your time, Dan!
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