Steve Rude: Artist in Motion

208 pages
9"x12", full color.
Hardcover with dust jacket
Over 300 illustrations and sketches and nearly three dozen photographs featured.

2007 first printing
Brand new copy

For over two decades, Steve Rude has galvanized the art world as a comic magazine artist and illustrator. Now, Flesk Publications proudly releases this oversized color collection detailing Rude’s distinguished career.

The book explores Rude’s versatility in several subjects and mediums. Chapters cover his comics and illustration work, private commissions, animation material, life-drawings, and an elaborate sketchbook section. Numerous finished paintings are accompanied by preliminary work, such as sketches, color roughs, and use of reference materials. In addition, there is a “how-to” segment, which shows a painting project from start to finish. Almost all of the works are scanned directly from the original artwork. Many are published for the first time.

Artist in Motion shows Rude’s artistic processes in its entirety. It will serve as both an art book and an inspirational guide for aspiring students. Rude explains his techniques for the layman to better understand this contemporary master's artistic processes. He also provides comments on many of the projects, providing insight into each. A biography and exclusive interviews delve into Rude’s philosophy and approach to art.

Rude’s diversity with different mediums are showcased, as demonstrated with oils, watercolor, gouache, cel vinyl, pastel, charcoal, pencil, and pen and ink. All are explained through clear dialogue and useful examples.

Fans of Rude’s comic work, art students, and admirers of exemplary illustration will all find this book unique and intriguing.

Steve Rude considers himself an art student. The desire to better his craft with each new project shows an expressive and caring approach. He holds deep appreciation for the illustrators who have come before. By studying the works of such masters as Andrew Loomis, John Gannam, Harry Anderson, Jack Kirby, and Russ Manning, Rude continues to perfect his talent. The result is an artist with the discipline and training of the grand illustrators from the 1930s to 1950s. Rude applies this knowledge to his true passion of modern comic books.

Rude’s career began in 1981 with his and co-creator Mike Baron’s groundbreaking “Nexus” comic series. This space saga catapulted Rude into the field of comics, where he became highly sought after by major publishers. During his first few years in the industry, Rude’s efforts led to numerous awards, such as the 1984 Russ Manning Newcomer Award, the Kirby Award for best artist in 1986, and numerous Eisner’s for artistic achievement. To date, Rude has drawn hundreds of comic’s greatest iconic heroes. Currently, Rude’s focus is on Nexus, and his latest passion The Moth.