I've always been drawn to the theory that genius is the product of a culture of excellence. Toth was born in the mecca of comics - New York in the early 20th century. Everywhere, people were drawing, and drawing seriously. It was a unique time and place where he could hone his talent, and become a great. Does such an environment still exist? Well, there aren't five publishers on one block anymore. But comics are still big, and the internet has connected all kinds of unlikely people together and made once-rare resources freely available. I have no doubt the next Toth is plugging away right now.
'Culture of excellence' is a good way of putting it. I do think there's a contagious effect when there's a high concentration of talented and motivated people in a specific environment. I do hope the internet can be a stand-in for that in the modern age, but I have my doubts. There's no shortage of inspiration now though, and that's a good and necessary thing for us artists. It's one of the reasons I make these kinds of videos!
I am a huge Toth fan. Grew up on his cartoon designs, watching Johnny Quest, Space Ghost and Birdman. He is a huge inspiration for me not just on his art, but his philosophy on art and story has matched mine my whole life. I lost that a while ago, allowing other art teachers and online things to convince me art needing to be something else. I learned who Alex was and how he has been in my upbringing and never knew, and i have been able to bring myself back to my true philosophy on storytelling. I draw but i am a writer in my heart and it has been relieving to find inspiration from a visual storyteller as a guy who uses text. Also my favorite Toth work is his war stuff in a Warren magazine called Blazing Combat. I also have the first two issues of Rook (also by Warren) which has the original publication of Bravo
Alex definitely seemed to have a strong philosophy on art and how to tell a story visually. For someone like you who sounds like a natural storyteller, I can definitely understand how he's been such an inspiration. I was originally drawn to his work from a purely esthetic perspective, but the deeper I got into it, the more I started to understand the "genius" of his work. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
Hey Gabe! Thanks for watching :) And that's awesome that you have all three. This is the only one that I have. I've looked through all 3 of the original hardcover version (at the SVA library back in the day, actually!) and they are great books. I'm going to get the other 2 in softcover some time. Maybe even for future videos!
Your comments about creativity flourishing within boundaries are spot on. The Chestertons fence analogy about freedom, I find applies directly to creativity. That's why art that is transgressive for the sake of being transgressive is always shallow, in my opinion. Great video Tom!! You've made me a Toth fan!
Very insightful comment, Ben! I agree that transgressive art often lacks depth or soul, leaving much to be desired. I think that's why I'm so drawn to commercial art. It's the boundaries and limitations that tend to spark creativity and inspired work.
You know, its funny you mention shying away from planes. I didnt like drawing vehicles or hardware either. Then I realized things that I dont like to draw should be a natural indication of what I need to work on. For me too the moment came with planes and relevant to your video the work I looked at was Burma Skies by Toth. Very cool video as always!!
Not an "on point" comment, but this is the first time I've seen this piece by Suk used outside of my own listening pleasure. Thank you. And oh yeah, Toth!! I usually pull out vol 2 of this series to analyse. You've inspired me to dig deeper into vol 1. Ever ink Toth-inspired stuff with a brush? You get good lines out of the pen, but I'm guessing the brush yields a different feeling? Great stuff man.
Thanks, Phil! I still need to pick of the other two volumes. When I do, expect more videos about them! And I would love to try inking Toth's work with a brush. I think it would lend itself very well to his lines. Surprisingly, as far as I know, most of his work, excluding his early stuff, was inked with a pen. I think mainly for speed. Glad you dig the tunes too 🎶
Man, I loved your take on Alex Toth's style! I am a total coward and would totally have a white gel pen or some whiteout nearby ready to try to pop out some of those deep black areas on the figure from the massive black poof of smoke in the background. 😄
It's definitely a little scary when you're doing haha. But the more I try to evoke some of his approaches in my work, the more confident I get with it. Glad you dig the video! Thanks for watching 👍
Just an FYI, but a top hat would only be worn with formal (i.e. morning or evening) wear. The standard chapeau worn by men of the early/mid 20th c. would have been the fedora (later in the '50s the pork pie or trilby did rise in popularity) although in the UK, it would have been split between the fedora & the bowler, all depending on one's career or class. Good video. I'll have to pick up this book.
I've always been drawn to the theory that genius is the product of a culture of excellence. Toth was born in the mecca of comics - New York in the early 20th century. Everywhere, people were drawing, and drawing seriously. It was a unique time and place where he could hone his talent, and become a great. Does such an environment still exist? Well, there aren't five publishers on one block anymore. But comics are still big, and the internet has connected all kinds of unlikely people together and made once-rare resources freely available. I have no doubt the next Toth is plugging away right now.
'Culture of excellence' is a good way of putting it. I do think there's a contagious effect when there's a high concentration of talented and motivated people in a specific environment. I do hope the internet can be a stand-in for that in the modern age, but I have my doubts. There's no shortage of inspiration now though, and that's a good and necessary thing for us artists. It's one of the reasons I make these kinds of videos!
Yes, the internet is that very environment!!!!
You’re right, he’s on my Mount Olympus of comic gods along, Hal Foster, Caniff, Hergé, Kirby, Pratt, Moebius and Mignola
Yep! Alongside some amazing company.
I am a huge Toth fan. Grew up on his cartoon designs, watching Johnny Quest, Space Ghost and Birdman. He is a huge inspiration for me not just on his art, but his philosophy on art and story has matched mine my whole life. I lost that a while ago, allowing other art teachers and online things to convince me art needing to be something else. I learned who Alex was and how he has been in my upbringing and never knew, and i have been able to bring myself back to my true philosophy on storytelling. I draw but i am a writer in my heart and it has been relieving to find inspiration from a visual storyteller as a guy who uses text.
Also my favorite Toth work is his war stuff in a Warren magazine called Blazing Combat. I also have the first two issues of Rook (also by Warren) which has the original publication of Bravo
Alex definitely seemed to have a strong philosophy on art and how to tell a story visually. For someone like you who sounds like a natural storyteller, I can definitely understand how he's been such an inspiration. I was originally drawn to his work from a purely esthetic perspective, but the deeper I got into it, the more I started to understand the "genius" of his work. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
Great video, Tom. I'm a huge Toth fan as well. I got all 3 of these books and the artist's edition of Bravo For Adventure.
Hey Gabe! Thanks for watching :) And that's awesome that you have all three. This is the only one that I have. I've looked through all 3 of the original hardcover version (at the SVA library back in the day, actually!) and they are great books. I'm going to get the other 2 in softcover some time. Maybe even for future videos!
Your comments about creativity flourishing within boundaries are spot on. The Chestertons fence analogy about freedom, I find applies directly to creativity. That's why art that is transgressive for the sake of being transgressive is always shallow, in my opinion. Great video Tom!! You've made me a Toth fan!
Very insightful comment, Ben! I agree that transgressive art often lacks depth or soul, leaving much to be desired. I think that's why I'm so drawn to commercial art. It's the boundaries and limitations that tend to spark creativity and inspired work.
You know, its funny you mention shying away from planes. I didnt like drawing vehicles or hardware either. Then I realized things that I dont like to draw should be a natural indication of what I need to work on. For me too the moment came with planes and relevant to your video the work I looked at was Burma Skies by Toth. Very cool video as always!!
Very good mindset to have! And I'm glad there was some overlap with your reference and my video 👍
Love these Toth books, bought all 3 of them!
Oh cool! I've looked through all three, but currently only own this one. I gotta get my hands on the other two!
@@thomaspitilli definitely worth it!
As soon as I saw that you have an Alex Toth book! You earned my sub!!!I like your videos very inspirational! Keep up the good work.💪🏿✊🏿🙏🏿
Always great to connect with fellow Toth fans! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Iam very keen about learning about Albert Uderzo process ,tools he used etc to create Asterix .
Please make a video.
Not an "on point" comment, but this is the first time I've seen this piece by Suk used outside of my own listening pleasure. Thank you.
And oh yeah, Toth!! I usually pull out vol 2 of this series to analyse. You've inspired me to dig deeper into vol 1.
Ever ink Toth-inspired stuff with a brush? You get good lines out of the pen, but I'm guessing the brush yields a different feeling?
Great stuff man.
Thanks, Phil! I still need to pick of the other two volumes. When I do, expect more videos about them! And I would love to try inking Toth's work with a brush. I think it would lend itself very well to his lines. Surprisingly, as far as I know, most of his work, excluding his early stuff, was inked with a pen. I think mainly for speed. Glad you dig the tunes too 🎶
Man, I loved your take on Alex Toth's style! I am a total coward and would totally have a white gel pen or some whiteout nearby ready to try to pop out some of those deep black areas on the figure from the massive black poof of smoke in the background. 😄
It's definitely a little scary when you're doing haha. But the more I try to evoke some of his approaches in my work, the more confident I get with it. Glad you dig the video! Thanks for watching 👍
Nice book. Interesting comments from you. The drawing at the end is a really nice bonus.
Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the book. And the drawing! I appreciate it :)
Great seeing more Toth stuff!
Glad to hear! There's more where that came from!
Just an FYI, but a top hat would only be worn with formal (i.e. morning or evening) wear. The standard chapeau worn by men of the early/mid 20th c. would have been the fedora (later in the '50s the pork pie or trilby did rise in popularity) although in the UK, it would have been split between the fedora & the bowler, all depending on one's career or class. Good video. I'll have to pick up this book.
Ah yes, thanks for that clarification! While I was editing it, I realized 'top hat' wasn't the proper term, and I kept saying it haha.
Been enjoying your content a lot recently. Are you planning on doing another skillshare class again or anything of the sort like that soon?
Thank you! I have been slowly working on putting together another class of some sort, so stay tuned for that!