Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, dc, j scott campbell, jesse james, nei ruffino

Nei Ruffino Gets Jesse Jamesed

Published Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:40:12 -0500

Jesse James writes for Bleeding Cool from San Diego Comic Con. He spoke to Nei Ruffino…

Where are you from originally?

Originally from Northern Cali. In the land of the Jelly Belly, that's big clue as to what town. :)

You pretty much came in from a different type of artwork in the Tattoo world. Was that a advantage for you?

Only when it comes to working for somebody and trying to get them something they like, versus them not knowing what they really want.

Were you involved with comics in any way growing up?

My father used to buy me comics when I was a kid. Mostly for good grades or for putting up with the dentist. But then, I really got into the Ninja Turtles trading cards, and Fleer Marvel card trading sets when i was pre-teen. Any marvel character history that I know, probably came from the back of one of those cards.

What was the deciding factor to join the ranks as a comic book creator?

I dont know that I have a really good answer to that. When I was 11, I was making my own comic. (which years later, I had planned on making anyway) However, I had said to myself, as I was drawing its first cover, "Man, I really dont want to work in comics for a living!" I was 11, what the hell did I know. As it turned out, I didnt want to draw them. Working as a colorist was a dream though. In 2006, I very much on a whim, (I had just been coloring others work for fun) decided to go to S.D.C.C. with packets of work I had done. I was still tattooing then, to this day, I dont know why I did. I kind of went to S.D.C.C. just to see what would happen, not really actively pursuing it. However, when it came time to pick one career out of two, it was an easy decision. Coloring is what I did on my days off for fun and know could make a career out of it.

You seem to have the knack to draw both Men and Women extremely well. Why is this so uncommon nowadays in Heroines cover art work? Do you think creators just get so comfortable drawing Lady super/action heroes?

To me it comes as a different outset. We are cut from the same mold. To me drawing a woman, flowy lines, organic shapes, its like drawing a flower. You cant draw a man the same way. You kind of have to think differently when doing it. When you draw a man its boxes and sturdy like a building. It just feels differently. To me, drawing men can be fun but most Superheroes are like drawing pages full of tall buildings that move in inexplicably complicated ways. For most, drawing women is probably just more relaxing. In the end, who doesnt want to see that?

Is there a mind set when your working on a DC project versus a Independent who has less restraints on cover appearance of a character?

Certainly. There is a bigger and wider spectrum of demand that comes from a Dc Editor, and you deliver. With Indy Editors, its where I have to relax a bit more. This is where the real learning comes in. I didnt go to art school. So it's always been up to me. You have to practice right, otherwise you dont improve. But when you work all the time, theres not much room for that. So you have to take liberties someplace. As long as you give them something beautiful or awesome, Indy Editors are still happy with the product of your practices. If not, you just have to have grace and professionalism to swallow your pride and go back, and try again.

You have graced the covers of some of the best cover artist out their in short period of time. Was this something that has shocked you or was this something you just knew was going to happen?

Well, I've seen my whole career in such a short time make all sorts of jumps. I end up over analyzing why. Its always dealt with my network, its very important to have a good Network. I have one and its led to some of the bigger fishes. But I'm still shocked about it, all the time. I was kind of this outcast for being different in highschool, and now im celebrated for the very things that used to have me ridiculed.

When I talk to creators they seemed amazed that you seem to get to work with just about all the publishers. Do you even think about it, or is it just something that you work hard on to be open to all the publishers to approach you for projects?

Its something that comes naturally with working with a large group of pencil artists. Ours jobs by nature are freelance, so you take work where you can, which means if somebody passes you over you have to go someplace else so pay your bills. at a time i did work fairly hard at it though, I was doing 5 books a month and for 4 different publishers. i wanted to be everywhere, and that hasnt really changed.

You do a lot of work with Zenescope and Big Dog Ink and several other publishers including Beach Bum comics and Blue Rainbow comics are you surprised at how many variants and exclusives you have done over the last couple of years?

Yes, thats really become relevant to me recently. I was putting everything I've done together and I was just like, "Wow they sure add up". I really had to dig for some of the older stuff. Its been two years since I drew my first cover for Zenescope. However, there are hundreds that I was just the colorist.

Plans on a self published Sketch book in the future?

That's when you realize how many variants you have done. I was going to put all of them in there. However, my favorites made the cut. I also got permission to do some of the publishers covers as well. There will be two books out for S.D.C.C. this year. The first on is my personal paintings and art, and the second is of covers I have drawn in my career.

My little pony a paid job or something you just had too do? (tell the truth :) )

If I did it now, it would be for fun, but no, the older MLP art is official work. I did a series of dvd covers for Hasbro. I also did some toy box art, and a bunch of design work on their online pet game. It was through a company called kunoichi.

Tell us about your live creations you do on the internet for your fans?

I have been doing these livestreams for a couple years now. It started out as just a way to create a social environment for myself,however then it turned into so much more. I have a very nice following there now. A lot of those people have been coming for almost the whole 2 years. In real life when I meet them, they are friends, not just fans. The chat room is a important function to the whole experience. People still come to learn, quietly, and sometimes ask questions and I'm happy to try to answer most of them. I have meet people that come to my live streams at conventions over the years. Now they've turned into cool art parties.

Tell us about the con scene we seem to hook up quite a bit. Does it beat you down any?

By the end of the year you're ready for it to be over. As a fellow colorist put it, "Your house becomes a really expensive place to store your things". By the end of the season I just really want to be a home-body for a bit and play some games. Conventions are where the real business happens, you have to be there.

You are always in a calm mood. How do you manage that during a convention?

I guess it feels natural to me. I'm not the best person when it comes to handling conflict usually. But I really enjoy being there. When I broke into the business, I went for 2 years without setting up. I just wanted to be there. But, I make new friends with some of the fans. Most of the creators there are my friends, or friends of friends, or friends you dont know yet. Give it time. But, its really just a picnic at the conventions.

Is your fan base expanding in demographics or do you still have the same type of fans?

It definitely seems to be expanding. Mainly, because I have more opportunity to display my personal art. Some of my are is liked widely by the renfair goers and older ladies that happen to be at the conventions.

Whats more stylish your art or your outfits?

I hope its my work haha, thats better right?

What projects do you have coming out?

Soulfire vol4 #1 is coming out in San Diego through Aspen! I'm the new Colorist on that team along side Mike Debalfo as Penciller. Also of course Ill be on Frank Cho's Liberty Meadows calendar, which was cool to work on.

Your next conventions?

SDCC, La Mole in Mexico City, and Wizard World Chicago

How can your fans keep up with on the internet?

http://www.toolkitten.deviantart.com/

http://neipaints.com/

http://www.facebook.com/bakanekonei

Words of wisdom for a young creator starting out?

Don't ever let people tell you what you should be and dont ever stop drawing.

Two people you would love to Tattoo?

That question used to mean, who would you want to hang around. I gave a card to Bruce Campbell once during a book signing. However, that may be Justin Timberlake. I dont really like his music a bunch, but those SNL skits, man,he must be a fun dude to hang out with.

Thank you so much for telling us your story Nei.

Jesse James runs Jesse James Comics.

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