MEET THE CHEERLEADER, HELP THE HEROES

[MattBrady]

Press Release

"MEET THE CHEERLEADER, SAVE THE WORLD."

The comics world, that is.

In conjunction with her appearance at the New York Comic Con next week, Destination Entertainment is proud to announce that an exclusive 11" x 17" lithograph print featuring the image of Hayden Panettiere (the Cheerleader, Claire Bennet from NBC's Heroes) will be produced by comic artist and painter, Mark Sparacio with proceeds to be split between several charities, including The Hero Initiative—the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need.

Sparacio has created this original painting and lithograph exclusively for the show. The prints will be available by Sparacio at the same booth Panettiere will be signing at, on the Galleria floor of the show, after which, they can also be signed by Panettiere for a fee.

"The folks at Destination have done a very generous thing here, said Jim McLauchlin, president of The Hero Initiative. “Mark Sparacio is a tremendous rising talent and has provided amazing art. Thanks to all!”

Marc Patten, president of Destination Entertainment said, "It was a huge task to get Hayden to the show and it wouldn't have happened without the Herculean efforts of John and Brandi at Entertainment Legends. I knew when we began discussions that I wanted to do some sort of comics charity event supporting Hayden's appearance, and Mark Sparacio stepped up to the plate, taking time out of his busy schedule to create this beautiful painting. Mark is an artist to look out for in the coming year, and he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet in comics."

"I'm honored and flattered to be involved with one of the most important charities in our industry," said Sparacio. "It’s a thrill to be appearing at the New York Comic Con and participate in this event."

Sparacio's art has been seen on everything from movie posters, to book and magazine covers including Comics Buyer's Guide and the 2007 Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, to comic books including Heroes for Hire (Marvel) DC's Green Lantern, and interior artwork and covers on Liberty Girl from Heroic Publishing.

Mark Sparacio will be appearing on all three days and Hayden Panettiere will be signing autographs for a fee on Saturday and Sunday. You can check out Sparacio's website at http://www.marksparacio.com/.

[ptsteelers]

I hope they get mega bucks for this.
Good luck guys, and good job.

[tfitz]

Charities are always great to support and those are excellent likenesses of Hayden. Hope this does very well.

[fritze]

Originally Posted by tfitz

those are excellent likenesses of Hayden.

'cause they were traced from the photos on her MySpace profile...

[Zukiki]

That looks nothing like her. This makes her actually seem hot.

[Simon DelMonte]

Would have been a lot cooler if they got Isaac Mendez...I mean, Tim Sale to draw it.

[dethmtlmetro]

Originally Posted by fritze

'cause they were traced from the photos on her MySpace profile...

hee heeh heh. man, I need to start watching that show!! sexy sexy

[Hiro!]

Argh, yes, it's tough to criticize this ... it's for charity, the painting is beautiful. But something more stylized would have been fun too. Heroes collectibles have been few and far between, so I'll keep an eye out for it. Wasn't there a rumor McFarlane Toys was going to do some figures?

Hiro!

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Artists have always relied on photo reference when drawing specific actors from specific parts. It's not unheard of, and it's not like the artist is trying to hide his photographic muse. Check out any generation of STAR TREK comic and have fun finding the publicity stills the artists used, for example, for that same shot of Kirk and Spock over and over again. And then notice how far off-model they go when there's no photo reference. No big deal here.

-Augie

[Marc Patten]

Originally Posted by Augie De Blieck Jr.

Artists have always relied on photo reference when drawing specific actors from specific parts. It's not unheard of, and it's not like the artist is trying to hide his photographic muse. Check out any generation of STAR TREK comic and have fun finding the publicity stills the artists used, for example, for that same shot of Kirk and Spock over and over again. And then notice how far off-model they go when there's no photo reference. No big deal here.

-Augie

Augie is 100% correct. Photo reference is an illustrator's best tool if their style is intended to to show realism. Guys like Alex Ross and Greg Land use it all the time, but it's far from tracing. In fact there isn't a stitch of "tracing" in the painting at all. Sure he used photo reference, but we intended for the likenesses to be dead on. This painting took Mark over 60 hours of his donated time to complete, and if you go the show when you see the original, you'll get an extra treat that we can't show you here.

So head on out to the show, and help raise a huge amount of dough for the Hero Initiative.

Onward,
Marc
Destination Entertainment

[saiyanspider]

Originally Posted by Marc Patten

Augie is 100% correct. Photo reference is an illustrator's best tool if their style is intended to to show realism. Guys like Alex Ross and Greg Land use it all the time, but it's far from tracing. In fact there isn't a stitch of "tracing" in the painting at all. Sure he used photo reference, but we intended for the likenesses to be dead on. This painting took Mark over 60 hours of his donated time to complete, and if you go the show when you see the original, you'll get an extra treat that we can't show you here.

So head on out to the show, and help raise a huge amount of dough for the Hero Initiative.

Onward,
Marc
Destination Entertainment

I can see the other guy's point, he could have used her face for ref but did a different pose etc. If these are all from her myspace page what's the incentive of buying it? I could just go to her myspace page and look at the photos. I'm not doubting he worked hard on it, but I have seen artists do pics that captured a likeness but had some life to the drawing.

I'm not trying to troll, or be message board negative, all I'm saying is I can see the other guy's point.

[Heffaloo]

Originally Posted by saiyanspider

. . . If these are all from her myspace page what's the incentive of buying it?. . .

Aside from the fact that it is a stunning work of art, it seems that the incentive would be to benefit the charitable organization. "What's in it for me?" is not the only motivation people can have.

Originally Posted by saiyanspider

. . . I could just go to her myspace page and look at the photos. . .

I'm guessing you've never seen the appeal of a landscape painting either. After all, someone could just take a picture.

[fritze]

Originally Posted by Augie De Blieck Jr.

Artists have always relied on photo reference when drawing specific actors from specific parts. It's not unheard of, and it's not like the artist is trying to hide his photographic muse. Check out any generation of STAR TREK comic and have fun finding the publicity stills the artists used, for example, for that same shot of Kirk and Spock over and over again. And then notice how far off-model they go when there's no photo reference. No big deal here.

-Augie

I never said that was a bad thing, I just pointed out what references were used.

[Heffaloo]

Originally Posted by fritze

I never said that was a bad thing, I just pointed out what references were used.

Ah, but you used the term "traced," which has extremely negative conotations to a lot of people around here.

[MadBandit]

Good cause, though I feel the show's a retread of "Watchmen" with a "Lost" flavor (there should be more love for the benched "Studio 60"). Still, it's a good cause.

[CodeGuy]

For a comic I'd want something less traced looking, but this is different. It's not trying to tell a story or show movement, just represent her well. Since this is for her fans, making the picture as recognisable as possible is probably a priority.

[Brian Ewing]

Originally Posted by Augie De Blieck Jr.

Artists have always relied on photo reference when drawing specific actors from specific parts. It's not unheard of, and it's not like the artist is trying to hide his photographic muse. Check out any generation of STAR TREK comic and have fun finding the publicity stills the artists used, for example, for that same shot of Kirk and Spock over and over again. And then notice how far off-model they go when there's no photo reference. No big deal here.

-Augie

Whether it's a common practice or not, I still think it's cheap to use existing promotional materials for photo reference and to me it makes the final product less appealing. I wouldn't buy a litho that looks exactly like photos I've already seen. It's a one-time deal, so take the time to obtain some original or at least unreleased material to use as a reference.

This is why Greg Land gets crap for referencing images people have already seen, whereas Tony Harris's work is praised for his use of original photography in his process.

This is an issue where you can have opposite opinions that are both completely valid.

[CoolJerk]

Just for grins & giggles, I whipped this up in five minutes on my laptop.

Because, you know, someone else was gonna.

[Abstrakt]

a trace is a trace, if artists that use it get offended then they should stop using it

cant say i care whether he did it or not for a portait type thing, its when its used in comics that i find it disgusting

many artists are taught to use reference in huge amounts. like take it away from them and they cant do anything which i find sad and dont think they should be in comics if theyre like that unless they can add there own touch and can do it in a monthly bases

[Ruritania]

[quote=Brian Ewing]Whether it's a common practice or not, I still think it's cheap to use existing promotional materials for photo reference and to me it makes the final product less appealing. I wouldn't buy a litho that looks exactly like photos I've already seen. It's a one-time deal, so take the time to obtain some original or at least unreleased material to use as a reference.

"Take the time"? "Obtain original or unreleased material"? Clearly you fanboys have never worked in the profession. Between the star, the production company, the publicists and the lawyers Sparacio's lucky he got 3 days to fit his 60 hours in, with heavy doses of caffeine, natch.
Was he supposed to fly the star in from LA to take reference shots for a painting he did as a freebie?
I've got tons of Indiana Jones/Star Wars /John Wayne/ Cary Grant stills in my collection, and I still buy Struzan art because hand rendered paintings, no matter how close to the photo, are still more stylish, more beautiful, more exciting and of higher quality than said photo.It's not about comping things up in photoshop; find me a Richard Amsel, Bob Peak or Drew Struzan movie poster that wasn't done from reference stills! It's because people today can't tell the difference in artistic quality that illustration has gone downhill. Any jamoke with a mouse thinks he's an artist. Sparacio deserves praise for keeping traditions alive that go back to Howard Pyle: not sneers from talentless tech-heads.Output the comp above and see what it's worth compared to Sparacio's signed print in 10 years.-Ruritania

[Jim_Clancy]

Originally Posted by CoolJerk

Just for grins & giggles, I whipped this up in five minutes on my laptop.

Because, you know, someone else was gonna.

I had to register so I could comment on this thread. I had to comment because I have been lucky enough to have known Mark for many years now. I started out getting commissions from him and I am proud now to call him my friend. Regarding some of these comments, all I can say is that I can't understand where they are coming from.

Every artist out there uses photo reference. In this case the pictures of Hayden for his painting that were already existing. In other cases artist like an Alex Ross will pose the figure into what they think they need. This is done for framing and for light source reference (Please see the Book "Mythology" for an example. Even comic book pencilers will use photo reference. Do you really think they can draw a machine gun of the top of their head. If you were every in an artist studio I bet you would find volumes of books on everything from toasters to cars.

I hate to ruin this for you, but this is how art has been created from the beginning. Do you think the Mona Lisa would have really sat there for days on end if Leonardo could have taken a snap shot.

And while were on the subject of telling secrets....There is no Tooth Fariy, Easter Bunny or Santa Claus..

I for one will be in line to buy one of these super lithos and get them signed by Mark first and then Hayden (that was the only hard thing to write by the way)

Jim

[Cray_ws]

I'm all for retaining the likeness of a character from a different media such as TV or movies. But everyone abuses the idea of how far they can go photo-referencing. Personally its one thing to retain the likeness from the facial/body features, and even mannerisms but this piece of art of Hayden Panettiere as Claire Bennett not only references her unique characteristics it also references the composition. Even her clothes are identical to the photos. The Artist while very talented showed little or no originality.



This looks rushed and poorly thought out, I would like to see the artist Mark Sparacio come up with something a little more original in terms of layout and design.

[DynamiteKid]

First of all, it's great to see another example of charity work being done by the comic community.

Let's keep in mind that Mark Sparacio most likely had guidelines to follow and may have had to use certain photos for his composition. The artwork is of an actress/character from a widely broadcasted TV show and work for such properties always have a tight leash on what gets released. It's the client, not the artist, who has the final say on how work should appear in the end.

The "reference" debate is complex and it isn't as simple as most make it out to be. To be frank, often the discussions are largely between those who aren't fully aware of the process involved in creation of art, commercial or otherwise, and so a lot of unncessary head butting happens.

One could say that slavish use of reference cheapens the end product and it does if the artist is unable to work without a reference. However, when the goal is to recreate an image of something that exists there is no better substitute for something real than the real thing. Life reference is used when artists can have models sit for them or if a physical object can be on hand to refer to. In a perfect world, all artists could work this way but this isn't a perfect world. In commercial situations, it's not practical to use solely life reference so with proper use of photography, photo reference can supplement the information an artist needs to work on an image.

On the other hand, those who believe use of reference is an absolute necessity for an artist, consider that use reference is only one part of the process of making art. Reference is important but as Thomas Eakins said, "You can copy a thing to a certain limit. Then you must use intellect.". He was speaking mainly of the use of linear perspective in order to create what an artist knows. We can't always literally see something that we want to create, such as a giant robot but with the use of systems of visual logic like linear perspective, we can create convincing imagery.

Reference is a tool in an artist's toolbox as are linear perspective, colour theory, and light/shadow application. I think it's fine long as it is a tool at the artist's disposal rather than a crutch to depend upon.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by Cray_ws

I'm all for retaining the likeness of a character from a different media such as TV or movies. But everyone abuses the idea of how far they can go photo-referencing. Personally its one thing to retain the likeness from the facial/body features, and even mannerisms but this piece of art of Hayden Panettiere as Claire Bennett not only references her unique characteristics it also references the composition. Even her clothes are identical to the photos. The Artist while very talented showed little or no originality.



This looks rushed and poorly thought out, I would like to see the artist Mark Sparacio come up with something a little more original in terms of layout and design.

I just find that image really cool for some reason. I realize it was put there to potentially knock someone who's doing charity work and all but it's just neat.

[IronApollo]

I rarely if ever post but I had to post on this.

The litho is amazing. Mark did another fantastic job. Why can't that be enough? Why the hostility and bickering? Who cares if he used images for the litho? It's not like she was readily avaliable to model for new images. He used what reference he had to make an outstanding work for charity mind you.

This type of mentality just further emphasises my theory that fanbases just complain because they feel it their right. Honestly, comic fans complain about movies (superman's S was to small, spiderman has organic webshooters), transformer fans complain the robots are not like the originals, artwork isn't original/is to original.

And bottom line, out of everyone on here saying Mark "traced" or copied the images, would you really tell that to him in person? On here you are just a screenname with words but in person there is a face at the other end of your accusations.

I will be buying one of these. It will be framed in my collectable room and I will enjoy it for both the art and what it was purchaced for.