what is your name?
Hi, my name is Alberto J. Silva (the J. stands for Jorge) How’s It going?
how would you describe what you do?
Somebody said I’m someone who draws things. That’s fine for me. I draw things.
what are you currently working on?
I just released “Superwolf”, a print on demand comic book, and I’m also finishing the newest bulk update for my webcomics site “Steel Raining”, which is in fact a collection of short stories. Then there’s this project I’ve been working on for the last few years that I’d like to finish once and for all. I’m only 8 pages away from the end, so I think 2010 could be the year. I’ve also been really interested in alternate reality and cross-platform narrative lately. That’s a field I’d like to explore in the future.
what has had the greatest influence on your work?
Too many names to mention (since I seem to have a different favorite artist every month), but generally speaking, I suppose It’s been the works of the big and better known professionals in the comic-book medium. Also, I don’t have myself as a nostalgic guy, but most of the stuff that had an impact on me while I was a kid has stayed there as a reference.
what is the greatest misconception about you or your work?
Some people out there think my comics are the work of a collective of some kind. I’m sorry but It’s just me. I do all the work. For better or worse.
what do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the medium you work in?
Comics are -or they used to be- cheap. Cheap to buy, but also cheap to produce. All you have to do is find your idea and grab a pencil. They’re the visual communication of the broke, the youth and the kids. On the other hand, comics are more sophisticated now. That’s fine, but I hate It when comics (printed or digital) become accommodating or take themselves too seriously.
how has technology impacted upon the work you do?
I think the biggest impact has been on exposure and distribution. Ten years ago I used to print my comics on photocopies and they didn’t get past the doors of my high school. But today, anyone who has an Internet terminal can access my content. It’s also a lot easier to contact other professionals, publishers or editors, looking for quality feedback or even some work. As for the artwork Itself, I do a lot of my work inside the computer now because It’s cleaner and cheaper. However, I still like to start with a pencil doodle and some paper. I think the best results come from mixing digital and traditional tools.
what’s the greatest piece of advice you would like to pass on?
I’m not much for giving advice, but “never be afraid to try something different” could be a good one.
where can we find you online?
There’s my webcomics site: http://www.steelraining.albertosilva.es/
http://pencilinpain.deviantart.com/ is an online gallery
http://www.kekorto.es/ is the place where I hang out with my friends.
what are you reading at the moment?
I just finished Susanna Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell” and I’m also getting near the end of Ray Loriga’s “Tokyo Doesn’t Love us Anymore”.
what are you listening to at the moment?
David Guetta, Phoenix, Tom Jones, Boney-M and Daft Punk are all in my playlist at the moment.
anything else we should know?
You probably noticed English isn’t my birth language. I’m Spanish, so I’m sorry for any mistakes I made.