This is conversation between man! World need more like you two today! I love Simon's artstyle, so badass, raw pure emotions. Like he is. So much inspiration!
Thank you so much Misha; Simon and I are working together on a number of projects at the moment so I think it's time we got a new conversation onto a podcast, the last one was a lot of fun, I'm glad you enjoyed it, we did!
Thank you! Simon and I have been extremely busy but have committed to more projects together including a book and a sequel to this podcast. We appreciate your kind words 🙏🏻 👊🏻 🤘
@@paulbaxendale827 Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Would be extremely happy about another episode! I was or am a bodybuilder 34 years young but I love the 80s and 90s bodybuilders and especially Mr. Bisley's art. What has fascinated me above all is with what passion you have spoken about the life of bodybuilding and everything around. And it's amazing again that you can find Jesus and God in many bodybuilders and artists of the 80s 90s. It's really inspiring! Thanks again to both of you😊🙌💪
I wish to see the day when Simon Bisley (and Jim Murray as well) will follow his words on "giving back once you get older" and at least show us a clear timelapse of his 1993-2000's comic work process. It will be more than we need to preserve and carry on his skill for further generations.
Let me ask him about that this weekend; he's snowed under with work just now but we have some projects lined up for next year, perhaps this is something that he can consider planning for.
While I also would like to see some dedicated videos on their work approach, I think they both have given back to the community. Jim has a video on his youtube channel and Simon has loads of videos of him working at conventions, talking about his way of working in interviews or sharing both on his BizzTV YT channel. Sure, it's not structured as it would be in a drawing book or video class, but if you follow both their work, look at all the sketches you can find in their comics or online, you will find quite a lot of information regarding their process. And as far as preserving their contribution for further generations, I wouldn't worry about that, they are both well known among artists, not so much among the general public but their work isn't going to fade away anytime soon as it will most likely continue to inspire others for a very long time as it has so far.
@@andyWEASEL unfortunately not enough practical info. Jim Murray has it better with his 2 videos. Still, far from what I'd like to see as well. Convention talk is obviously not as good as a timelapse/regular speed video would be
Training partners share a special bond. They’ve seen the bare essence of you… how hard you will struggle for that last rep, if you are truly committed, if you try and cheat to win, if you’re supportive. You learn so much about someone working out with them. I’ve been following Biz since my early teens. His work would be on display in my room alongside posters of Arnold. You can absolutely see the bodybuilding mentality through his work…. He’s not content to be another John Byrne or Dave Gibbons (also comic artists )…. He wants to be a freak. Something to stand out and really WOW the viewer. This was a great interview to watch. Was always curious about Simon’s connection to the iron and his art.
This is a fantastic interview! I enjoyed every moment of it! I am a huge Bisley fan - i see his work as the most organic, powerful and masculine work in the comic industry. It just oozes badass. Even if you take all the badass away, the skill involved in his work is elite. There isnt much long or in depth interviews with him like here and it is so great to see Simon Bisley relaxed and open to talking meaningfully. I never knew he was so into bodybuilding haha! I am very into it (especially old school Sandow training) but I'm nowhere near sacrificing like you all have - especially you Paul. Great interview ! Love the off the cuff atmosphere and deep insights. As an artist putting my life into my art to one day make a living from it (specifically sale of my comic book) - I value the info out of this interview - I admire that it really comes down to hard WILL to do the work and get your achievements in life. This is very unromantic - very real. I know i have to do my own work to get where I want to get - Simon Bisley leads by example which is the best way to lead in my opinion. He does have a slightly 'out there' mode of communication at times haha but everything went great here !
Thank you for your feedback, I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as we did making it! This was, more or less, just a more structured type of conversation that we have any day of any week, we don't have conversations like most people!! Simon has always loved bodybuilding and I'm sure you can see in his art and the way that he always has the musculature of his characters anatomically correct but in his own unique style. But Simon had and has other artists who influenced him originally and who he still admires so I think he would say, 'take what you need from other's work but then put your own identity through it'. I wish you luck, as luck does play it's part in success but you can certainly help create that 'luck' with endless hours of experimentation and learning your craft and becoming a master of your craft in your own right. We have some great projects planned which I hope you'll enjoy coming up and we will have more conversations like this one. Many thanks for commenting. Thanks, Paul
We're doing another podcast shortly; we just spent the weekend at his studio planning projects for the coming year; yes, he is still bad ass and intense....it's why we're best friends! He gets me and I get him; my intensity in the gym is the same intensity he has in his work and just as dark!
Yes, we've a few projects we're working on (see other comment and reply) but we'll definitely do another and with better quality next time! There's so many crazy stories to share and , then again, so many we can't share too 😁; this conversation was actually over 5 hours long but I had to edit over half of it out lol!!
Sitting watching him work is spellbinding; we can be chatting about one thing, have TH-cam on with something else, the music blaring and yet he's sketching away furiously. I'm literally in awe at what he is able to do, while I'm struggling to focus on the one thing we're discussing!!!
Hi Paul. This was a fun exchange between you an Simon. Whatever happened to that workout you guys planned on doing "at the end of the month"? Did you record it or did plans change? Do you think it will happen eventually in the near future? Take care!
Yes, we did do it, in fact we had a few workouts over a two week period while I had travelled South to catch up with him. Yes, a little was recorded but he wants to do a training video professionally recorded filmed in a specific way only Biz could come up with, basically going back to our roots and filming how we really train, dark, nasty, hardcore and a little crazy. We've actually got a list of projects that we're doing together so I'll announce each as it gets completed. There's a book which he's illustrating and I'll write, the training video, a music video and I'll be joining him at some Comi-con events next year which he'll be doing more of in the UK and Europe so it's going to be crazy busy and a lot of hard work but insanely fun at the same time. This conversation kicked it all off really, I've been down to see him a few times from Scotland already this year and my life's certainly become richer for it (not in a £ sense) and I think he's in great form right now, our weekly 4 hour conversations into the middle of the night have brought huge energy back into the both of us. If you keep an eye out on here or my Insta you'll be sure to see it all. Thanks for asking and I hope you enjoy what we put together over the next few years 🙏🏻🤘💪
@@paulbaxendale827 Thats sounds awesome! A lot of big news. I have no idea what plans you guys have for the training video but I have a feeling it's going to be something fun. Can you share anything about the book you're both working on? Is it something related to comics or something regarding bodybuilding/training? It was great to hear that both of you will be busy with projects and I'm looking forward to any future announcements. Cheers!
@@andyWEASEL yes, I know Biz won't mind me sharing this much: for many years we have both been interested in strength and power throughout history and mythology so we're putting together a book (I'm a Literature professor and writer anyway) in which we take characters from Mythology and as I write the stories using original texts where possible to make them as historically accurate as we can, Biz will have the chance to illustrate some of the key figures that he has always wanted to share with his audience but has not had, until now, the chance. I can't mention actual characters but if you think of Norse, Greek, Religious, Eastern and African mythology both male and female you may come across names which you can imagine Biz really wanting to put his own 'flavor' too, in the way only Biz can!! Don't worry the prose won't be dry like an academic book despite it being as historically accurate as any academic could be and there will be a lot of space given to the illustrations (I'm quite conscious that nearly everyone will be wanting to see his new work rather than read my stories 😀!). My research is currently already underway. I hope that gives you the concept of the book without giving away too much; thanks for your interest. Paul
@@paulbaxendale827 That's really cool. For some reason I was suspecting it might be something closer to Frederic Delavier's strength training anatomy books but this definitely sounds more interesting, especially since you have so much great material you can work with and so many fronts you can tackle. Cant wait to see what you guys put together and the character concepts with Simon's magic touch. You will make a lot of Bisley fans happy when you make the official announcement, can hardly wait, hehe. Thanks for the reply and best of luck with all your projects! 👍
That's why we always had a bucket just outside the gym door; before we had even read of Jung's shadow-self we were integrating our darkest selves by going to the darkest place imaginable, that very same place Biz goes to in his art!
This is conversation between man! World need more like you two today! I love Simon's artstyle, so badass, raw pure emotions. Like he is. So much inspiration!
Thank you so much Misha; Simon and I are working together on a number of projects at the moment so I think it's time we got a new conversation onto a podcast, the last one was a lot of fun, I'm glad you enjoyed it, we did!
Amazing Interview! And Mr. Bisley is so fantastic and his art pffff mind blowing!!!!
Thank you! Simon and I have been extremely busy but have committed to more projects together including a book and a sequel to this podcast. We appreciate your kind words 🙏🏻 👊🏻 🤘
@@paulbaxendale827 Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Would be extremely happy about another episode! I was or am a bodybuilder 34 years young but I love the 80s and 90s bodybuilders and especially Mr. Bisley's art. What has fascinated me above all is with what passion you have spoken about the life of bodybuilding and everything around. And it's amazing again that you can find Jesus and God in many bodybuilders and artists of the 80s 90s. It's really inspiring! Thanks again to both of you😊🙌💪
I remember reading Slaine the Horned God in 2000AD as a kid. Massive influence on my life. Amazing artwork and amazing writing by Pat Mills.
I wish to see the day when Simon Bisley (and Jim Murray as well) will follow his words on "giving back once you get older" and at least show us a clear timelapse of his 1993-2000's comic work process. It will be more than we need to preserve and carry on his skill for further generations.
Let me ask him about that this weekend; he's snowed under with work just now but we have some projects lined up for next year, perhaps this is something that he can consider planning for.
While I also would like to see some dedicated videos on their work approach, I think they both have given back to the community. Jim has a video on his youtube channel and Simon has loads of videos of him working at conventions, talking about his way of working in interviews or sharing both on his BizzTV YT channel. Sure, it's not structured as it would be in a drawing book or video class, but if you follow both their work, look at all the sketches you can find in their comics or online, you will find quite a lot of information regarding their process. And as far as preserving their contribution for further generations, I wouldn't worry about that, they are both well known among artists, not so much among the general public but their work isn't going to fade away anytime soon as it will most likely continue to inspire others for a very long time as it has so far.
@@andyWEASEL unfortunately not enough practical info. Jim Murray has it better with his 2 videos. Still, far from what I'd like to see as well. Convention talk is obviously not as good as a timelapse/regular speed video would be
Training partners share a special bond. They’ve seen the bare essence of you… how hard you will struggle for that last rep, if you are truly committed, if you try and cheat to win, if you’re supportive. You learn so much about someone working out with them. I’ve been following Biz since my early teens. His work would be on display in my room alongside posters of Arnold. You can absolutely see the bodybuilding mentality through his work…. He’s not content to be another John Byrne or Dave Gibbons (also comic artists )…. He wants to be a freak. Something to stand out and really WOW the viewer. This was a great interview to watch. Was always curious about Simon’s connection to the iron and his art.
This is a good conversation between two friends.
This is a fantastic interview! I enjoyed every moment of it! I am a huge Bisley fan - i see his work as the most organic, powerful and masculine work in the comic industry. It just oozes badass. Even if you take all the badass away, the skill involved in his work is elite.
There isnt much long or in depth interviews with him like here and it is so great to see Simon Bisley relaxed and open to talking meaningfully. I never knew he was so into bodybuilding haha! I am very into it (especially old school Sandow training) but I'm nowhere near sacrificing like you all have - especially you Paul. Great interview ! Love the off the cuff atmosphere and deep insights.
As an artist putting my life into my art to one day make a living from it (specifically sale of my comic book) - I value the info out of this interview - I admire that it really comes down to hard WILL to do the work and get your achievements in life. This is very unromantic - very real. I know i have to do my own work to get where I want to get - Simon Bisley leads by example which is the best way to lead in my opinion. He does have a slightly 'out there' mode of communication at times haha but everything went great here !
Thank you for your feedback, I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as we did making it! This was, more or less, just a more structured type of conversation that we have any day of any week, we don't have conversations like most people!! Simon has always loved bodybuilding and I'm sure you can see in his art and the way that he always has the musculature of his characters anatomically correct but in his own unique style. But Simon had and has other artists who influenced him originally and who he still admires so I think he would say, 'take what you need from other's work but then put your own identity through it'. I wish you luck, as luck does play it's part in success but you can certainly help create that 'luck' with endless hours of experimentation and learning your craft and becoming a master of your craft in your own right. We have some great projects planned which I hope you'll enjoy coming up and we will have more conversations like this one. Many thanks for commenting.
Thanks, Paul
My Favorite Artist total bad ass!
We're doing another podcast shortly; we just spent the weekend at his studio planning projects for the coming year; yes, he is still bad ass and intense....it's why we're best friends! He gets me and I get him; my intensity in the gym is the same intensity he has in his work and just as dark!
Amazing video you got to have simon back on!
Yes, we've a few projects we're working on (see other comment and reply) but we'll definitely do another and with better quality next time! There's so many crazy stories to share and , then again, so many we can't share too 😁; this conversation was actually over 5 hours long but I had to edit over half of it out lol!!
Great!!
Great episode! Subbed!
I remember seeing the first episode that Bisley did of Slaine, and I remember thinking: "How can he do so many paintings so quickly?"
Sitting watching him work is spellbinding; we can be chatting about one thing, have TH-cam on with something else, the music blaring and yet he's sketching away furiously. I'm literally in awe at what he is able to do, while I'm struggling to focus on the one thing we're discussing!!!
I think it may have been Jaguar God that you were struggling to think of, in the poster .
Hi Paul. This was a fun exchange between you an Simon. Whatever happened to that workout you guys planned on doing "at the end of the month"? Did you record it or did plans change? Do you think it will happen eventually in the near future? Take care!
Yes, we did do it, in fact we had a few workouts over a two week period while I had travelled South to catch up with him. Yes, a little was recorded but he wants to do a training video professionally recorded filmed in a specific way only Biz could come up with, basically going back to our roots and filming how we really train, dark, nasty, hardcore and a little crazy. We've actually got a list of projects that we're doing together so I'll announce each as it gets completed. There's a book which he's illustrating and I'll write, the training video, a music video and I'll be joining him at some Comi-con events next year which he'll be doing more of in the UK and Europe so it's going to be crazy busy and a lot of hard work but insanely fun at the same time. This conversation kicked it all off really, I've been down to see him a few times from Scotland already this year and my life's certainly become richer for it (not in a £ sense) and I think he's in great form right now, our weekly 4 hour conversations into the middle of the night have brought huge energy back into the both of us. If you keep an eye out on here or my Insta you'll be sure to see it all. Thanks for asking and I hope you enjoy what we put together over the next few years 🙏🏻🤘💪
@@paulbaxendale827 Thats sounds awesome! A lot of big news. I have no idea what plans you guys have for the training video but I have a feeling it's going to be something fun. Can you share anything about the book you're both working on? Is it something related to comics or something regarding bodybuilding/training? It was great to hear that both of you will be busy with projects and I'm looking forward to any future announcements. Cheers!
@@andyWEASEL yes, I know Biz won't mind me sharing this much: for many years we have both been interested in strength and power throughout history and mythology so we're putting together a book (I'm a Literature professor and writer anyway) in which we take characters from Mythology and as I write the stories using original texts where possible to make them as historically accurate as we can, Biz will have the chance to illustrate some of the key figures that he has always wanted to share with his audience but has not had, until now, the chance. I can't mention actual characters but if you think of Norse, Greek, Religious, Eastern and African mythology both male and female you may come across names which you can imagine Biz really wanting to put his own 'flavor' too, in the way only Biz can!! Don't worry the prose won't be dry like an academic book despite it being as historically accurate as any academic could be and there will be a lot of space given to the illustrations (I'm quite conscious that nearly everyone will be wanting to see his new work rather than read my stories 😀!). My research is currently already underway. I hope that gives you the concept of the book without giving away too much; thanks for your interest. Paul
@@paulbaxendale827 That's really cool. For some reason I was suspecting it might be something closer to Frederic Delavier's strength training anatomy books but this definitely sounds more interesting, especially since you have so much great material you can work with and so many fronts you can tackle. Cant wait to see what you guys put together and the character concepts with Simon's magic touch. You will make a lot of Bisley fans happy when you make the official announcement, can hardly wait, hehe. Thanks for the reply and best of luck with all your projects! 👍
You're going to get sick from leg day if you push the limits.
That's why we always had a bucket just outside the gym door; before we had even read of Jung's shadow-self we were integrating our darkest selves by going to the darkest place imaginable, that very same place Biz goes to in his art!