I first met JEFF MIRACOLA when I was a freshman at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts (in Milwaukee, WI). He and another recent graduate talked to our class about art school and their experiences as graduates from MHSA.
A few years later I bumped into him when he was working at a Kinko's in Milwaukee, WI. (I was later inspired to do the same thing - get a job at Kinko's but in Minneapolis!) A friend and I were trying to put together our portfolios for a small gaming convention called GenCon. You might've heard of it. I was barely 18 and had no clue on how to put together a portfolio or get a freelance job. Jeff was behind the counter and remembered me from his talk.
I don't know if Jeff ever knew how big of an impact he had on me. That day he showed me how to put together a simple portfolio and make a business card. He was the first professional artist I had ever met. The simple lesson he taught me has helped me out every day since.
I'm not getting paid to write this - so enough gushing.
Since then Jeff and I have stayed in touch and watched each other's careers ebb and flow.
A few years back Jeff and his wife, Silvia Acevedo, started Three Points Publishing to house the tutorial videos Jeff was working on and then to publish Silvia's "God Awful" novels.
"Miracola Ink Drawings" is their latest release. I found out about it through the Three Points Kickstarter campaign. I'm a big fan of supporting friends with their projects. I was very happy to see that this was successfully funded. I paid a little extra to get Jeff to include a sketch in the book. Really stoked on that!
If you're into learning how to ink (with a BRUSH!!!) then you should check this out. I thought I knew a few things about inking but the pieces in here showed me that I know nothing about dry brush! Jeff gets amazing effects with toothy paper and little ink. I feel that the more whimsical pieces are his best of the collection. They're different from what I'm used to seeing from his style and show a lighter side to Jeff's creative process.
Jeff’s doing stuff with his inking that I'm afraid to do. He's taking chances.
I spent so many years trying to NOT SUCK at inking - that I've been afraid to try new techniques.
Jeff kills it every time. I wish I had the output he has.
Sorry, that was more gushing.
I’m eagerly awaiting their inking tutorial video that should come out later this year.
I made a quick flip video of the book so you can see how rad it is. I also picked a few of the many pieces I wanted to highlight because I think the pieces are really good!
I hope you dig! Please check out Jeff and Sylvia at their site THREE POINTS PUBLISHING, or at a convention, YOUTUBE or via their books on AMAZON! Support artists!!!
Miracola Ink Drawings Art Book – Volume One
Format: Softcover Pages: 160
Language: English
ISBN 13: 978-1950150007
ISBN-10: 1950150003
