Nigel Parkinson, Cartoonist

Nigel Parkinson, Cartoonist
Me at a Comic Con

Sunday 17 February 2013

Shame corner

I've been asked several times what was the first thing I drew- well, that was when I was around two years old and discovered holding a pencil was a really comfortable thing to do. I don't have that piece of 'art'. I do, however, have this (left) which is a series of sketches I made sitting in front of the TV in September 1965 watching the second episode of 'Thunderbirds'. Interesting to note, I was really going for the likenesses of the puppets- they look lifeless and limp, as if they're hanging up! I can identify all the characters, though, so, good job, little me! Don't know why Alan has no hands, though! And the detail of the costumes is pretty good. We must have had good reception on that old 22" Baird! This is one of only two drawings I have that predate my 1966/8 blitz making my own comics.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On the right is part of one of the pages that got me work with DC Thomson and IPC (Fleetway) back in October 1980. Some progression since 1965 (only 15 years!) but not enough- though there's a definite sign of ability- nice brushwork, and the colouring was what was particularly noted by Bill Stirton at Thomson's. The colours were done with Windsor & Newton inks. It was never published (obviously!) so I guess it's my copyright.

2 comments:

John Freeman said...

Bill has just passed, Nigel" http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/obituaries/former-dc-thomson-art-department-head-bill-stirton-1.449476. Did he commission you?

NP said...

He didn't commission me, but he was the first person in comics after John Sanders who encouraged me and gave me hope!