Art of Bone from Dark Horse
The Dark Horse Art of Bone books came last week, and they are stunning. Diana Schutz is the Editor, and Cary Grazzini is the designer.
I really didn't know what to expect when we first started. Diana spent a week going through my files. Then, once back home in Portland, she and Cary really dug into the material and presented a surprisingly readable mix of finished art, behind the scenes processes, reference photos, penciled pages,and just plain big shots of covers.
I had to be talked into some things, like stuff I did as a kid, but the choice of material was theirs, and I couldn't be more impressed or more honored that they put this much effort into it.
The page below shows the map and outline I created as the story progressed.
If you want to see some more, Dark Horse has uploaded an on-line preview (which is pretty amazing!).
This review is from the PartnersWest, Graphic Novel & Manga Program Newsletter:
"Dark Horse has just released a nice coffee table book detailing the art behind the hit graphic novel series, Bone. The Art of Bone is a great retrospective about the series and includes many panels of conception art, original drawings, sketches, and a full reproduction of one of Smith's first Bone stories, drawn in ballpoint pen when the artist was just 10 years old. Rated E for Everyone."
The Art of Bone is in stores now.
I can’t wait to have this book on my hands.
Congratulations again, and have a pen ready to sign me a copy at San Diego.
All the best from Brazil.
Comment by Fábio Moon — July 16, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
Based on the few pages in the preview alone, I must get this to add to my collection!
Can’t wait for Rasl!!
Comment by Nick — July 16, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
would this also be at book stores like chapters or coles.cause i would love to got my hands on this book
Comment by justin — July 16, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
I recieved Art of Bone as a birthday gift and WOW! what a gift it is!!!
Like you said Jeff, a lovely mix of behind the scenes, refrence, finished work, etc.
I also appreciated the coloring credits on all the different covers and production work.
I hope to get this signed…perhaps in San Diego??
Comment by David Petersen — July 16, 2007 @ 10:57 pm
I was able to get my hands on it when I made my way back to Boston for a bit of vacation. I really enjoyed the heck out of it!
I would’ve loved to have seen a tad more of the film concept work ( I had totally forgotten about the movie if you can believe that ),but that’s just a very minor complaint. I absolutely loved the tribute to Pogo at the start of the book.
It has instantly become one of my “Grail” books…
Comment by scott — July 16, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
Holy cow this looks fantastic! I so can’t wait to get one of these. That and Rasl and Shazam. Btw I was wondering. THe bone books have been coming out a month or so earlier for awhile. So Ghost Circles should be about the first week or so in January right? If not then like the first week in February. Correct me if I’m mistaken.
Comment by Marcus — July 16, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
Can’t wait for this! - hopefully I’ll be getting a copy this week. The preview on Dark Horse looks incredible… love the photos you posted too, Jeff. I’m so thrilled because it looks like Dark Horse did an amazing job, they really did it right.
Justin, Chapters and Coles stores may or may not carry it on an individual basis. But you can always have it ordered in to your local store, or order through chapters.ca - 34% off! - or of course, any of the other online retailers.
Comment by Brandon — July 17, 2007 @ 12:27 am
I absolutely love the book! I always get inspired to draw whenever I read or see your art. I’m glad you consented to include the drawings you did as a kid. It really adds an extra element to the whole series knowing how much of your life has been dedicated to the story. (Plus they’re fun to look at!)
Comment by Ben Balistreri — July 17, 2007 @ 1:04 am
Hey Jeff! Looking forward to picking this up and getting it signed at the SD Con coming up. I know ‘The Art of Bone’ will be just as magical for me at the actual story is (I’m still readin’ through ‘The Brick’ as I write this). See you in SD! ~Noah
Comment by Noah Albrecht — July 17, 2007 @ 3:17 am
Jeff,
Saw this book at borders and decided I’ll pick it up in San Diego so you sign it for me.
Bone is one fo my favorite book’s one I will re-read again and again.
Sincerelly,
Nathan Brandal
Comment by Nathan — July 17, 2007 @ 5:08 am
Boy, it was great to log on this morning and read comments from so many friends and professionals. Can't wait to see you all in San Diego!
Comment by Jeff Smith — July 17, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
Yeah, The Art of Bone is a beautiful book. In my opinion, Cary is the best desiger in the business. That holds true for Diana as well, in the editorial category.
I’ve already got a lot of stuff to cart down to San Diego, but I think I’ll add this to my pile to get signed.
Comment by stansakai — July 17, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
I’m definitely gonna get this - I won’t be in San Diego, but hopefully at some point I’ll meet Jeff and get him to sign this book for me.
Comment by Krishna — July 17, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
I saw the preview this book looks so great! The really interesting thing about your style Jeff is that its cartoony but when it comes to drawing the characters it is VERY hard to get them to look good, I tried drawing the first bone ove cover and after the logo the left side with the leaves and such I was working on Fone Bone and that was difficult. Must be because of the angles of the head and the roundness. Very awesome work. Im still wonderin about the release dates of other books (previous comment I left)
Comment by Marcus — July 18, 2007 @ 10:08 am
Here’s some thoughts, Marcus… The recent Bone books, 5 and 6, were both kind of shorter books than the previous ones. And, books 7 through 9 just keep getting longer. Granted, Steve doesn’t have to work on Shazam! anymore at the same time. With Bone’s increasing popularity, Scholastic might find it beneficial to get the books out of the door as soon as Steve and Jeff submit them. Book 6 was finished around February and Steve was looking at book 7 as early as April. I’m guessing that we’ll easily see book 7 in time for Christmas, and then the final two books in 2008 shortly after Steve is finished working on them. Just my guess, though. Jeff, any official word?
Comment by Brandon — July 18, 2007 @ 10:54 am
Jeff,
So I assume that you’ll be spending some time at
the Dark Horse booth signing the book ??? I’ll
be buying Christmas/Birthday gifts in July !!!
John H.
Comment by John H. — July 18, 2007 @ 11:34 am
I am currently trying to work out a signing time with Dark Horse. Check their booth when you get there. Also, I will have multiple signings at my own Cartoon Books booth # 2207.
Comment by Jeff Smith — July 18, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Ok that sounds good (the realese dates). Btw Jon H, is your last name Hewelt?
Comment by Marcus — July 18, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
Un trabajo genial…que maravilla de luces
Saludos
Comment by An — July 19, 2007 @ 8:44 am
Te gusta los libros de Bone? Esos muy stupendo.
Comment by Marcus — July 19, 2007 @ 11:59 am
I’ve been pouring through my copy of the single volume Bone the last few days, just soaking in the beautiful inks - hearing about the new collection from Dark Horse is fantastic news!
Comment by Fabricari — July 19, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Beatiful! Amazing!!
Best regard from Brasil.
Nico
Comment by nico — July 23, 2007 @ 11:06 am
A bit of stock arrived at Kinokuniya in Sydney, Australia. On my “to-buy” list…
Comment by Chris Kuan — July 27, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Jeff, I discovered your art in 2005 and have been enjoying it ever since. I am a budding cartoonist myself, at 17. I think that you have given us a wonderful story, and I hope to meet you someday.
I have been drawing cartoons since I was very young. I have thousands of characters that I want to share with the world. Your work has inspired me to become the best I can be be. Thank you Jeff.
Comment by David Dodson — August 2, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
Wow this is amazing I can’t wait to pick up a copy for myself at the Wizard world Chicago this next week. Though I have to admit I thought you would be comming to it this year and am a bit disapointed that you are not. Maybe next year you’ll be able to make it!
Love the book and can’t wait to get my hands on it. Anyway keep up the fabulous work and can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next!
Comment by Jeanette — August 3, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
Until I read this review (http://scottking.info/blog/2007/09/24/2207/) of “The Art of Bone” I didn’t have a desire to buy it, but the review totally convinced me otherwise. It’s such a nice review I thought that you might find it interesting.
Comment by Dale Kurt — September 24, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
Thanks, man. I read it and it was very cool. I’ll look for the guy at SPX.
Comment by Jeff — September 26, 2007 @ 10:11 pm