Q&A: Self-taught comic artist Oliver Nome talks shop
Oliver Nome, 30, is a comic artist at WildStorm Productions in La Jolla. When he was a kid, he taught himself how to draw. He went to comic conventions year after year, then - two years ago - he broke into the industry as a professional artist. Nome, who grew up in Texas and now lives in Hillcrest, has worked on a handful of comics including “New Dynamix” and “Deathblow.” This weekend, he’ll be at Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center.
Question: What are you currently working on?
DC Online MMORPG. It’s a massively multiplayer online role-playing game similar to “City of Heroes,” only this one is in the DC Universe and features their entire library of characters and locations
Of all the drawings you’ve ever done, which one is your favorite?
The most recent ones are always my favorites.
Describe the artistic process involved in drawing comics.
Reading scripts, sketching, visual research, laying out pages, then drawing.
What fuels your art?
People, fashion and movies.
What comic artist do you most admire?
My boss Jim Lee, for his long and prolific career.
Besides being an artist, what else do you do?
I paint and write - and I want to design clothes.
Q:How has the comics industry changed in the last few years?
The divide between comics and Hollywood keeps getting smaller and smaller.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into the comics industry?
Keep drawing. Don’t give up and learn how to draw everything, not just people.
What is your philosophy in life?
Just be you.