How To Draw Month: Mark G. Heike

Mark G. Heike is a penciller, inker, EIC, and Publisher at AC Comics that took time out of his daily grind to answer some questions for our How To Draw Month editorial feature. Here what he has to say in this PREVIEWSworld Exclusive interview!

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PREVIEWSworld: Who were your favorite artists growing up?

Mark G. Heike: Steve Ditko, Wally Wood, Don Heck, John Rosenberger, Reed Crandall, Bob Fujitani, George Evans, Lou Fine, etc...

PREVIEWSworld: Were you self-taught, formally educated, or a combination of both?

Mark G. Heike: Definitely self-taught.

PREVIEWSworld: Can we discuss your studio environment? Do you watch or listen to anything while you draw?

Mark G. Heike: Usually have the radio or TV on if I’m inking. Usually prefer it quiet if I’m pencilling, because that takes more concentration.

PREVIEWSworld: What tools do you prefer while drawing? Pencils, pens, art boards, etc.?

Mark G. Heike: Mechanical pencil, 0.5 with HB lead, kneaded eraser. For inking a #2 or #3 Winsor Newton series 7 brush and Hunt 107 pen nib (they’re hard to find now) and occasionally Micron pens for backgrounds.

PREVIEWSworld: Do you prefer drawing by hand, digitally, or both?

Mark G. Heike: I’d say 40-plus years of experience have me firmly entrenched in drawing by hand. I do sometimes move some elements around in the composing phase, or do some final cleanup in Photoshop after inking.

PREVIEWSworld: How long does it normally take to draw a page?

Mark G. Heike: Between seven to fifteen hours pencilling and six to twelve hours on inks. Can usually pencil faster and better if it’s quiet.

PREVIEWSworld: Are there any books you would recommend to help with art?

Mark G. Heike: Burne Hogarth’s Dynamic Anatomy is really the only book I’ve used other than the comic books I’ve read over the years.

PREVIEWSworld: What’s your favorite thing to draw?

Mark G. Heike: Human figures and faces.

PREVIEWSworld: What's the most unique thing you've been asked to draw at a convention?

Mark G. Heike: RPG characters, where the customer demanded to see every detail of the character’s costume, weaponry, supplies, and to “make it look dynamic.”

PREVIEWSworld: Finally, what’s the best advice you have for beginning artists?

Mark G. Heike: Plan a career so you can support yourself. Figure on working in comics as a labor of love. There are a limited number of paying positions where you can use these kinds of skills, and a lot of talented people competing for them.