When Parsons first gets an assignment he usually likes to start the project on a smaller scale. "Depending on the assignment, I usually start with a thumbnail design of my initial idea for the piece," Parsons explains. "This is pretty much the most important step in my view as it establishes the basic composition, point of view and feel. From this comp study/thumbnail I will then draw the figures at full size, sort of a 'figure study' stage where you work out the exact poses, proportions and perspective. Then with the help of a light box I will draw over the figure sketches, much tighter, adding darks, texture and detail. Then I will finally ink the piece and maybe overlay colors."
"I use a number of tools for inking and coloring," Parsons continues. "For inking I primarily use a Hunt 102 Crow Quill for all of the line work; a lot of dipping, but nothing beats it for line quality. For larger black areas I use FW Acrylic ink with a #3 brush. It really is the blackest black. For coloring, I use the computer sometimes, as it is a standard mode of coloring comics these days, but I actually prefer to hand paint things; there's just something special about holding a finished piece of art in your hands. For coloring inked work I usually overlay guouche watercolors, and also use them for your traditional watercolor type painting. I also do some oil painting here and there. I recently did a Tarzan painting in oils that was used as a cover for the Edgar Rice Burroughs APA Magazine."
Considering his varied artistic projects, Parsons says he still finds that the rewards also seem to outweigh his obstacles. "The biggest challenge is staying the course when the projects you were hoping for fall through or you get turned down for a job," Parsons explains. "The biggest reward for me is the work itself. I just really like working on comic books. I have been so inspired by artists in the past and I like to be able to give back. It's also rewarding for me when people let me know what they think of my work. It's great to hear that people have enjoyed the artwork I have done or that they have some of my originals in their collection."
"I enjoy going to shows and talking to people," Parsons adds. "Every person really has their own way of seeing things and their own tastes when it comes to art. It's also always a kicker meeting an artist whose work you have admired your whole life. One favorite moment of mine during a convention was playing piano at the Pittsburgh Comic-Con while Mike Kaluta was giving an impromptu art lesson to kids on floor of the lobby."
As Parsons meets more and more fans of his work, as well as that of other Star Wars illustrators, he often gives advice as they pursue their own artistic endeavors. "For anyone starting out, I would say just draw from life as much as you can," Parsons suggests. "Even if your style is cartoony or Manga, it will help a great deal. If you are at the point where you would like to try to find work, I would go to comic book conventions and show your work around.
To read more about upcoming projects from Parsons, visit his official site here.
