Squidbillies

[SwimMod_Luuv]

Post your questions and comments for Ben Prisk here!

Ben Prisk is an artist and illustrator best known to Adult Swim fans for his amazing backgrounds, illustrations, and art for Squidbillies.  He has also designed titles and provided art and illustration for Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 and Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters.

Ben is also an associate creative director for Turner Classic Movies.

[SwimMod_Luuv]

Your backgrounds on Squidbillies are insanely awesome, what was your thought process that led to them, or was it more just direction from Dave and those guys?

[Curlymafurly]

Where do you get the inspiration for your art? Does someone give you an idea or do you just do your own thing?

[4-HBabe]

Did you spend any time in the hills of Appalachia as you prepared for this job?

[Explosivo_420]

What's your proudest moment in squidbillies? Which backround or design have you impressed yourself with? Does any one specific thing stand out?

Also: Who's the craziest person in the squidbillies crew? I mean, obviously beside Unknown Hinson.

[poisonbella]

HI Ben welcome! you have such a great job! i always wanted to be an illustrator. How long have you been doing it for? do you use waterpaints for squidbillies because it looks like it. i like it! thank you. also, do you have any strange and/or funny stories from the squidbillies set, or anything in general?

[SwimMod_Luuv]

what all do you do for TCM?

[Masta_ShakeZoidberg]

I have a friend who is an artist,

and he was wondering what are some of the things you need in your profolio to make it outstanding?

also, What must one do in order to control the light?

Where should someone start if they want to be an artist on your team?

Thanks MSZ

[duzitickle]

I have always loved your work in squidbillies, it's perfect for the shows theme.

A few questions for ya:
Do you still watch cartoons?
Do you have a favorite one?

If you could produce your very own cartoon...
do you already know what you'd go with (like from just daydreaming things up)

And finally, do you do any commissioned artwork?

[BenPrisk]

Hi,

Great question.

First, about the portfolio, I am a fan of 'ideas and concepts'. I've seen lots of portfolios containing brilliant technique and cool pictures. In the end, that's all they were and I was left wanting more.

But displaying a range of technique as it is applied to smart ideas and concepts take the portfolio a step further and make it memorable.

Not sure how to answer your 'light' question, however with regards to actual lighting in a scene, there's no better source than cinema to use as reference. Also paying attention to 'Pixar's' movies are a good way to study lighting I've found.

Where should someone begin? Firstly, they need to have a unique, marketable perspective (this is not always easy or possible). Secondly, the dedication and intelligence to make there own way in art. Thirdly, they need to do any task, no matter how trivial.  If I had a team, that is what I would tell them.

[katt_goddess]

Hi!

I actually have a Squidbillies postcard on the wall by my computer right now.

Some artisits have a specific 'tell' to their work that marks it as theirs whether they are signed or not. The art between Squidbillies and ATHF appears distinct to the shows they are a part of. Is there something that you do when moving from one project to the next to put you specifically into the art-mind-set you need for that project or are you just able to flip gears from one to the next?

And also something of a meme question at this point [for me at least ],
If a drink were made / named for a character you've done, what would that drink be [and maybe a basic recipe if it's something completely novel]?
For the record, doesn't have to be alchoholic either.

[BenPrisk]

Thank you for the compliment!

I do still watch cartoons.

I have young daughters, so I watch a lot of Spongebob as well as a ton of others.  I loved that show awhile back on CN 'The Marvelous Misadventurs of Flapjack'  and also recently really dug an episode of Adventure Time on the same network.

I really like the work of Hayao Miyazaki (Ponyo, Spirited Away).

I can never get really far with producing my very own cartoon. My thinking isn't that linear. I do small and quick concepts pretty well. Working in support of a show suits me well.

Yes, I do commissioned artwork.

Ben

[BenPrisk]

I'm inspired by dreams, magazine articles, misheard words especially.

As far as the art I do for Squidbillies I do my own thing after I speak with the producers about the episode.

They suggest things as well as I.

Also I grew up in the south and have found quite a lot of humor in it.

[BenPrisk]

Nah, I grew up in South Mississippi. It's all the same, except for the mountainy bits.

[BenPrisk]

This probably sounds corny, but meeting people who appreciate my work always makes me proud. Other than that, I'm completing my 70th episode and that makes me pretty proud.

The craziest person? Unknown can be pretty crazy, but also a generous and friendly guy.  But generally, crazy has to go on the back burner when getting real work done.

[duzitickle]

=^_^=
my corporate boss and I bonded during a 2 week store opening
because of Giant Foam Dickhat Trouble and Handbanana.
It was great to know the boss of ALL my bosses loved squidbillies and athf as much as I did.


It's great to know about the artwork commissions.
I hope to be getting in touch with you soon about this.


do you have a favorite episode of squids?
Were you a fan of [as] before you started doing stuff for them?
What's the craziest ATHF tattoo you've ever seen? And a squids tat?

[BenPrisk]

Hi! I've been drawing since I was a kid, I never studies art formally, so I'm lucky to be in the position I'm in.  I've always been passionate about my art and learning about it, in all its forms. For Squids, I use Acrylics, ink and sometimes spray enamel...oh and chalk.  Wish I could give you funny stories about the show, but I do my work in seclusion, a cat playing with my paint brush as I try to paint is about as funny as it gets most of the time.   Thanks for the question.

[BenPrisk]

Hi,

I no longer work for TCM, but at one time I was a Creative Director of On-Air. I would manage the production of promos and maintain and evolve the visual look of those promos and the network in general. It was a great job!

[BenPrisk]

For reasons unknown to me, but very benificial, the idea drives the look of the work I do. I have a certain style to my sketchbooks, but if I were to be addressing some concept about the middle ages vs. WWll vs. 'the microscopic hell of Omnulon 7' each would look very different from the other.

Your second question:

The only characters I've designed for a show were ATHF. Other characters I've done were only for me and my art and have never appeared in 'show' form.

I would choose a 'Meatwad' themed drink but would have to give it some thought. Have to run now though.

Thanks for the questions.

[BenPrisk]

Thank you!

The look has evolved slightly over the years, but the initial approach was actually suggested by Mike Lazzo. He felt the art should be grounded in the 'Folk Art' movement. He was definitely right.  I was a student of the movement for awhile and it was easy for me to adapt too.

[BenPrisk]

I always love finding out who are fans of the show.

You know, I've probably only ever have seen 1 episode air on TV. I always watch them when they come out on DVD. It's always the first time I've seen my work used. (how funny!)

I know this isn't fair, but there are three episodes in this season coming up that might be my favorites, and by favorites I mean they are the funniest I've seen yet. Can't wait to see the finals.

[viperxmns]

Great advice about portfolios... gotta show ideas/concepts, not just pictures for pictures' sake.. course that applies to making art to begin with..

Looking forward to the new season, your BG work is such a stand-out element of the show.