Fantastic Walking Dead fan art by Karen L Robarge-Frantz
By Wade Wainio
The Walking Dead has undoubtedly inspired great artists, and among them is Karen L Robarge-Frantz, whose unique colored pencil renderings of classic Walking Dead characters will surely impress many of us zombie-loving freaks, as well as those who simply love creative pieces of art that demonstrate considerable skill. Keep in mind that colored pencils are not the easiest method of creating artwork. Image-wise, they typically lack the immediate, almost transcendent powers of ink or paint, and can easily look “cheesy,” for lack of a better word. That is unless they are in skilled hands, in which case they can exude the same power as the aforementioned mediums, and give one the impression that the drawings are almost alive (and certainly significant).
I e-mailed Karen L Robarge-Frantz a few basic questions and asked permission to use some of her images here. Thankfully, she agreed.
The questions:
Q: How long have you been making art? Are colored pencils your primary approach, or do you use other tools for art?
A: I started drawing when I was 4. So right around 40 something years on and off. I just started using colored pencils for a few years now. They’re a lot like painting. I use a 2 h pencil to sketch out the character. This will erase. Colored pencils are almost impossible to erase. If I really mess something up I’ll get my acrylics out.
Q: What Walking Dead character is your favorite to draw, and why?
A: I like drawing all of them. I really love drawing the montages. I’m trying to tell a story with my pictures. I’ve drawn Norman Reedus the most.
Q: How long have you been following The Walking Dead?
A: I’ve been watching since the beginning. My friend has read the comics and she’s the one that told me about it. From what she’s told me about the comics the show is pretty tame.
Q: What is the most challenging part of drawing?
A: Remembering to eat! Lmao! I shut the world out when I’m drawing.
Q: What other projects are you working on?
A: I’m just working on The Walking Dead montage. I may take a couple day break and do a portrait of a character from the show Outlander.
Q: What advice do you have for those interested in drawing, particularly in a style similar to yours?
A: Keep practicing. When I was 6 […] I asked my mother for an anatomy book for my birthday. I used that book till it fell apart to practice drawing all muscles of the body. I did practice the face the most. I’m always doodling faces.
I would like to thank Karen L Robarge-Frantz for letting me interview her and showcase her work, and also for (possibly) inspiring me to start making visual art again. Thanks, Karen!
