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Rolo Ledesma
“You got to handle every line and page likes it's your best." @rolo_world www.curvesandbullets.com Bio Creator of the comic book series Curves and Bullets. Will Eisner & Russ Manning Award nominee. Comic book & storyboard artist. Owner of Rolo Wear. Son of world class Dominican painter Clara Ledesma. Where are you from? Born and raised in New York City Where did you grow up? Manhattan and Queens, New York also some time in Montreal, Quebec. How did your experiences affect your art? In my early years living in Queens then in Manhattan the graffiti and Hip Hop music molded my vision then the combination of all forms of animation and comic books from American to European helped shaped my style, creativity and coloring also watching mom doing her paintings. Your mother is Clara Ledesma. A very accomplished and phenomenal artist from the Dominican Republic. How has she and her work influenced you as an artist? As far as mom's art, its her discipline to complete what she started and her work ethic. She never failed a deadline. It's why her name was never tarnished here (In the United States), in Dominican Republic or Canada, etc. Her strong vibrant coloring influenced me too. I love using it in my art.
Learn more about Clara Ledesma:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Ledesma What type of stories do you like to make comics about? I mostly do action-adventure comics and children's books. Children books are fun- I get to draw in a whole other style that is much gentler and soft but still brings aspects of the way I do my comics such as angles, expressions, etc. Whats your process? Elaborate on how you work through your projects. How do you break up your time for your projects at different stages? I mostly draw my projects at night after I'm done drawing storyboards at ad agencies during the day, the peace and stillness of the evening helps. I put on my headphones put on my music and away I go! Most people don’t have the determination to do something and stick to it from start to finish. If you actually sit down and write your story, if you draw it out in panels, you put yourself several steps ahead. Set goals for yourself. Give yourself a few weeks or a few months to go over an idea, to do sketches of it in your sketchbook, to talk to friends about it. Once those weeks or months are over, you’ve got to move on to the actual writing and drawing it doesn't matter how scared you are time put the first line on the paper. Worst practices. What to avoid? Biggest waste of time? Biggest Novice mistakes? Common mistakes seen at pro level from artists. I a lot of times procrastinate, its normal we can't just turn on the switch and draw, etc ...but at that moment you need start looking at things that inspire you art, comics, music, film..and you will see how the flow will come back. Sometimes it shows in the art if you are not feeling the characters or the storyline (it happens to everyone from pros to newcomers), its ok but you got to handle every line and page likes its your best work, step back for a few and go back to it if that feeling occurs. Thats how I do it if it happens to me . We all have different methods- feel whats comfortable to you. Who should/ shouldn’t pursue a career in comics? To pursue a career in comics is not easy that's the first thing. If you have determination, the heart and end goal also working lotsa hours and from day or evening late hours to create something everlasting then jump right in its a beautiful thing creating comics. If you can't stick to deadlines and go through changes in the process that happen such as the changing of layouts or characters, the costumes, panel works, and story, etc and can't take critiques then comic books might not be a field for you. To newcomers, if you have that spark to create and love for illustrating start with a plan look at your inspirations. We all have inspirations, see the process and study layouts in you favorites books and study their style too imitation is ok to a certain extent then you need to create your own style- it will come as time moves on. What do you recommend to aspiring artists that you wish you had known much earlier? What would you advise yourself 20 years ago? Something I wish I had learned earlier is anatomy, it's super important , thats a must no matter what style you draw in (comic or manga style). I tried out to Marvel many moons ago and the submissions editor at that time Mr. Lewendowski told me, “ Your talent is raw but your muscle structure needs help.” He recommended Gray's Anatomy, a great book to use and Will Eisner's Comics and Sequential Art book ..two amazing books that helped me so much. What do you love best about making comics? What I love about making comics is to create new worlds, seeing the images in your head then putting them on paper and seeing the pages come alive basically and having a team of like minded people that write and also color your stories is very key in that process. Well me being independent so many years I love being a creator-owned illustrator and self publishing comic book creator. I can always have freedom to do and create anything I desire. I was nominated a few years ago for the honorable Wil Eisner /Russ Manning newcomer in the comic book industry award, that alone in itself was amazing for me. It was doing my art with a small indie comic book publisher here in NYC ..working with Seen, the graffiti legend among others that helped shaped the book with Brian Ferrara writing and Phetus, another graff legend that made that book possible. Its funny how that book I drew it in the classic Looney Tunes / Ralph Bashki style was nominated compared to my other traditional comic style. What do you wish was different about the comics industry? Many of the big houses are amazing but you are some what limited once you are hired.
Which books do you recommend artists should have in their reference library?
Books I recommend. I always have em on my self ... Draw Out the Story: Ten Secrets to Creating Your Own Comics Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators: Mastering the Art of Drawing from Memory Comics and Sequential Art: Principles and Practices from the Legendary Cartoonist
Favorite artists.
My favorite artists are mostly the legends I grew up with, met and became friends with (Something I never even thought would happen) like Jim Steranko and Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. I wish I would of met John Buscema. I love and admire the works of Alex Ross, Brian Bolland and Nick Manabat.
Top 5 favorite comic characters. Why? Judge Dredd, the gritty and amazing art and storylines. Batman The Dark Knight, what is else there to say ..lol 75 years strong. Spider Woman, the original version Marie Severin created, an amazing character. Cable, hard nosed mutant and awesome character with multi-levels. Deathblow by Jim Lee kinda obscure but i loved the storyline and art technique and Cybernary Nick Manabat's finest beautiful dark and gritty work and sadly his only work due to his passing
Top 5 favorite comics and graphic novels? Judge Dredd meets Batman vol. 1 DC vs Marvel Crossovers graphic novel Tintin Objectif Lune Asterix Vs The Galles Milo Manara's Gullivera: Oversized Deluxe
What type of work are you interested in doing? I'm pretty happy with what I'm doing now...storyboarding and comic books. How can others find your work? You can find me at: www.curvesandbullets.com www.instagram.com/rolo_world @rolo_world www.facebook.com/rololedesmanyc www.instagram.com/curvesandbullets @curvesandbullets 
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Where are your from? ATL born and raised. Where did you grow up? Born in East Point and later grew up in Union City, Ga How did your experiences affect your art? I grew up tagging along, or being dragged along with my pops, also an artist, to work sites to paint murals, create logo designs, T-shirts, you name it. All of that helped me understand the business side of art and my father helped push me to study anatomy and design. His love for comics and sci-fi also influenced me greatly. What type of stories do you like to make comics about? Generally, sci-fi, fantasy. I need both or one of those elements to keep my interest. Whats your process? Elaborate on how you work through your projects. How do you break up your time for your projects at different stages? With my current story, COUNTER AGENTS, it’s a bit weird. It started as just a sandbox type of project. I planned to do it just to get back into drawing and to figure out the whole system of producing a comic. So, it is in a strange order I guess. First of all, I have the general direction of the story in mind. Then, I visualize it and sketch it out. Once I get the details down, I drop lines and then I render the backgrounds. After that, I color the characters and add shadows and effects. Finally, I work out the script. Lol which is usually first. What do you recommend to aspiring artists that you wish you had known much earlier? What would you tell yourself 20 years ago? Don’t be ashamed or afraid of cheating. Especially, if you’re a one person studio. Design your backgrounds for multipurpose use. Every major studio cheats lol. Don’t kill yourselves with perfectionism. What do you love best about making comics? Creating new worlds What do you wish was different about the comics industry? I wish the US industry would let the characters grow old and die. I wish the characters didn’t have so much plot armor and were more mortal. Pass the torch. Which books do you recommend artists should have in their reference library? Favorite instructional material? Any anatomy book with people with imperfect bodies. Perspective books also. I don’t have any specific books myself as I feel u can learn from just observation. Life drawing is the best. I mean Picasso paid prostitutes. No books lol. And nothing beats learning from your peers. Top 5 favorite artists. My pops is always at the top - Alvin Stewart Yusuke Murata - illustrator of One Punch Man Taguchi Masayuki - illustrator of Black Joke I’m really digging Sanford Greene right now Also Shawna Mills But the list may change by the end of the week lol Favorite comic characters. By far, Thanos of Marvel lore. After that Majeh from the King of Hell manga series. Top 5 favorite comics & graphic novels. Right now - One Piece My Hero Academia The World War Hulk and Planet Hulk series And Fable What type of work are you interested in doing? Now? In the future? Primarily, comics. Maybe some motion comics in the future and of course a bit of animation. But really more of a director/producer role for animation lol. How can others find or purchase your work? Website, social media link, etc. My website is ndgoink.com where u will also find my webcomic COUNTER AGENTS.. @Ndgo on Instagram You can find me on FB, Twitter, Instagram, and at NDGOink if not just by my name.  a snippet from my next project: ISSHO NI   Voyage ATL is a publication that showcases artists and businesses in the Atlanta area. They did an interview with us where we discussed what we do and why.
Learn more of our story: http://voyageatl.com/interview/meet-ananya-vahal-carlos-loso-perez-prime-vice-studios-llc-kennesaw-ga/ ☮️ Loso
Saint Love City Funk: Boogie Down Blues is the first issue in this Prime Vice Comics series. Check out the trailer for a sneak preview.
It is now available to purchase ($2.99) on Comixology. 
Saint Love City Funk: Boogie Down Blues #1 Boogie Down Blues Teenage musician Santos La Cruz just got dumped by Porcelina Snow. He tries to play the blues on his guitar which falls apart on him. This takes him on a journey of unexpected encounters that change him forever. A fun filled fantasy full of music and misadventures. Comedian Nita Cherise & writer Nikki Igbo hired PVS to produce the cover art for their podcast Rappin’ Atlanta. An enlightening podcast where they discuss the FX show Atlanta and other relevant topics.  @rappinatlanta Description Two chicks. One who lives in ATL. One who lives in NOLA. #AtlantaFX. Real talk. Check out this podcast if you want the down and dirty on the show and its social and racial revelations on Atlanta and the American South.  Nita Cherise & Nikki Igbo 
Prime Vice Studios hosted three 1 hour Fresh Voices Comic Creation Workshops at the AMFM Summer Festival. August 8-10 at The Bakery ATL’s Hangar. The Art on the Atlanta BeltLine program initiative is sponsored this event. It was free to the public and all ages were welcome. We used our signature Fresh Voices Comic Creation workbooks for this event. All attendees received a copy to work in and take home. 
Here are the live stream videos of our workshops on each day.
Day OneDay TwoDay Three
The Atlanta BeltLine is the most comprehensive transportation and economic development effort ever undertaken in the City of Atlanta and among the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs currently underway in the United States.
beltline.org 
The Bakery Atlanta is a multi-faceted arts complex with a focus on community engagement, environment, education, and new technology. We offer private studios, community and workshop space, a conference room, a multi-use gallery and several venues as well as outdoor event space.
thebakeryatlanta.com |
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