We’ve visited Josh Simmons’ studio. Simmons is the author of Black River soon to be published in Italy by 001 Edizioni.
What projects are you currently working on?
All Time Comics Season 2 with Josh Bayer and company. It’s a bizarro retro super hero comic teaming veteran mainstream cartoonists with small press cartoonists. I scripted this season, and am working with Josh and the other artists on slowly realizing these comics. Josh and I are also collaborating on drawing a few pages for a handful of sequences. We both pencilled and I am inking. One of these pages is what’s on the drafting table at the moment.
Which instruments and tools do you use to draw?
In the order in which the tool is used: 2B-4B pencils. Microns for lettering. Liner brushes for inking (you can see how I customize them for a fatter grip). Rapidographs (which I’ve been using since I was 14). Kneaded eraser for the first go, then the plastic eraser to take the rest of the pencils off the page after inking.
Do you have any peculiar habits or routines before starting to draw?
I need everything to be fairly clean and arranged in my work space and in the house in general. Dishes clean, books on the coffee table in neat stacks, emails answered.
Do you have books or comic books you keep close by when you draw?
No. I read all kinds of different comics and books (usually late at night), but want to avoid anything influencing me too directly when I’m working.
Are there certain objects in your studio which you’re particularly attached to?
I like having that Conor Stechschulte print hovering above my head while I draw. Also, in the computer area you can see the Freddy Krueger glove belt buckle I hung on the wall. I love that thing, one of the greatest gifts I ever received!