Filipino artist on a mission to revive lost art of PH comics
Published May 10, 2023 07:24 am
DAVAO CITY – Amid the popularity of foreign-style comics illustration, a seasoned Filipino artist is on a mission to reintroduce what is said to be the “lost art of Philippine comics” to the young generation of illustrators in the country.
COMICS artist Randy Valiente (right) conducts a workshop on the fundamentals of comics drawing in Davao City. (Keith Bacongco) Seasoned comics artist Randy Valiente noted that the Filipino style of comics illustration may have been forgotten but this does not deter him from introducing the techniques to the younger generation of comics artists. Valiente is currently curating the exhibition at La Herencia art space in this city dubbed as “Komiks: Sining Biswal” in celebration of the 100 years of Philippine comics. The exhibition, which opened on April 28 and will wrap up on May 14, also features a series of workshops on fundamentals of comics drawing and brush illustration known as “Hagod.” Valiente explained that Hagod is a term popularized by Filipino master comics illustrators who are using brush in their body of work. “These workshops are important among the new generation of artists for them to appreciate and understand the distinct style of Filipino masters artistically and historically. Because I’m hoping that this practice of using brushes in producing comics will be continued by the younger generation,” said Valiente, whose works appeared in Liwayway Magazine published by the Manila Bulletin.
The seasoned artist further noted that most of the younger generation of comics illustrators are mainly influenced by the Manga and Marvel drawing techniques. He attributed the popularization of these techniques to the internet and television shows. “Many of these young artists grew up watching anime or western cartoon shows. And those who are influenced by our own style of comics, sad to say, are very rare these days.” The new generation of comics artists may have lost touch with the works of Filipino masters when the traditional comics publishers closed shops sometime in late 1990s, Valiente added. Thus, Valiente pointed out this exhibition tour is a venue for him to introduce to the younger generation the distinct style and body of works of Filipino comics masters. Some of the participants in the workshop were as young as seven-years-old. During his workshops, Valiente showcased to his participants the unique drawing techniques of the master comics artists in the country. Among the works he showed to his students were notable works of Alfredo Alcala, Francisco Coching, Nestor Redondo, and Hal Santiago. Valiente also demonstrated to his students the inking techniques using traditional brushes. One of the students told Manila Bulletin that he could not afford to miss the opportunity of learning from a master comics illustrator like Valiente. “It was fun, we learned a lot from him (Valiente),” said the student who is taking up Fine Arts in a university here. After the sessions, Valiente always urged participants to produce their own comics using the style of Filipino comics masters. Like himself, he added, there are a lot of talented Filipino illustrators these days who are working for big publishing houses in Europe and the United States. “We have talented artists here. But we should not forget our history in the comics industry. Lest we forget that these style of Filipino masters had popularized our industry all over the world. Thus we should always look back and promote our own style of drawing comics,” pointed out Valiente how has been working in the industry for three decades. The next stop of the comics exhibition and workshops is in Iligan City in August.
COMICS artist Randy Valiente (right) conducts a workshop on the fundamentals of comics drawing in Davao City. (Keith Bacongco) Seasoned comics artist Randy Valiente noted that the Filipino style of comics illustration may have been forgotten but this does not deter him from introducing the techniques to the younger generation of comics artists. Valiente is currently curating the exhibition at La Herencia art space in this city dubbed as “Komiks: Sining Biswal” in celebration of the 100 years of Philippine comics. The exhibition, which opened on April 28 and will wrap up on May 14, also features a series of workshops on fundamentals of comics drawing and brush illustration known as “Hagod.” Valiente explained that Hagod is a term popularized by Filipino master comics illustrators who are using brush in their body of work. “These workshops are important among the new generation of artists for them to appreciate and understand the distinct style of Filipino masters artistically and historically. Because I’m hoping that this practice of using brushes in producing comics will be continued by the younger generation,” said Valiente, whose works appeared in Liwayway Magazine published by the Manila Bulletin.
The seasoned artist further noted that most of the younger generation of comics illustrators are mainly influenced by the Manga and Marvel drawing techniques. He attributed the popularization of these techniques to the internet and television shows. “Many of these young artists grew up watching anime or western cartoon shows. And those who are influenced by our own style of comics, sad to say, are very rare these days.” The new generation of comics artists may have lost touch with the works of Filipino masters when the traditional comics publishers closed shops sometime in late 1990s, Valiente added. Thus, Valiente pointed out this exhibition tour is a venue for him to introduce to the younger generation the distinct style and body of works of Filipino comics masters. Some of the participants in the workshop were as young as seven-years-old. During his workshops, Valiente showcased to his participants the unique drawing techniques of the master comics artists in the country. Among the works he showed to his students were notable works of Alfredo Alcala, Francisco Coching, Nestor Redondo, and Hal Santiago. Valiente also demonstrated to his students the inking techniques using traditional brushes. One of the students told Manila Bulletin that he could not afford to miss the opportunity of learning from a master comics illustrator like Valiente. “It was fun, we learned a lot from him (Valiente),” said the student who is taking up Fine Arts in a university here. After the sessions, Valiente always urged participants to produce their own comics using the style of Filipino comics masters. Like himself, he added, there are a lot of talented Filipino illustrators these days who are working for big publishing houses in Europe and the United States. “We have talented artists here. But we should not forget our history in the comics industry. Lest we forget that these style of Filipino masters had popularized our industry all over the world. Thus we should always look back and promote our own style of drawing comics,” pointed out Valiente how has been working in the industry for three decades. The next stop of the comics exhibition and workshops is in Iligan City in August.