Des Couture

Apart from appearing on Blind Date, Cilla Black might say “a lorra, lorra years ago”, artist Des Taylor is probably the comic scene’s best kept secret. He started off illustrating for a diverse range of clients, including Michael Jackson and FHM. But after a football injury, he decided to branch off into comics with The Trouble with Katie Rogers which was his first graphic novel.

Des was inspired from two of his friends Lauren Cox and Rosie Solomon. He based the story on Rosie’s exploits as a P.R agent and the “crazy stuff” she did which he’s reluctant to talk about “I will not divulge”.

His most recent work is Vesha Valentine, a tribute 1950’s burlesque and performances by Ann Margret, Jane Russell and Marilyn Munroe and a “love of pin up art.” A fan of the pop art era, he’s also the founder of Despop, a company that specialises in pop art, prints and commissions from various artists including Christian Ward, the artist of “The Infinite Vacation”.

I met Des at the Kapow Comic Con in April. He’s lively and down to earth; Des was by his stall that was packed with exclusive prints and copies of his graphic novels. I managed to ask him a few questions about himself, his influences, working with Geri Halliwell and why does he hate Arsenal so much?

What got you into comics?

Very good question. What got me into comics funnily enough, my sister used to collect Doctor Strange and she never used to let me read them! Obviously when she wasn’t around I snuck in and I tried to find out what it was about. That’s what got me into comics in the first place.

Who are your influences?

My biggest influences would have to be Jack Kirby, Kyle Baker, and John Romita Senior. I would have to say at the moment, Darwyn Cooke is killing it!

When did you first put pencil to paper and do you have fond memories about it?

I first put pencil to paper when I was about 6 years old after seeing Star Wars. All I wanted to do was draw after that. What you may not realise is that Star Wars toys were not available until a year after the movie came out so all you had was your imagination.

What kind of pencils and other equipment do you use to work with?

Any pencil and an ArtBrush pen from Muji. The rest of the magic is done in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Paint. I take a lot of photographs for reference and textures.

What was it like meeting Geri Halliwell pre Spice Girls?

Geri was very nice and quite sexy even back then. All I remember was her red hair, Green Polar neck jumper and hipster jeans. She wanted me to design something for her dance class she was starting up.

If you were offered a character on a mainstream comic to a draw who would you choose and why?

I would love to do Lois Lane or Misty Knight..... Maybe even Blade! Lois Lane because she is a strong female character that could have a fantastic following if she was given a good series. Misty Knight or Blade because they also have so much potential if given a good treatment and story.

Artists like Darwyn Cooke and Adam Hughes, to name a few and yourself have all drawn stunning women what is about drawing girls that artists really like?

Well, for a lot of artists it is a male fantasy. No matter what female fans may say about the way some characters are drawn for the male audience it is a total visual experience. I get off on styling the way they look primarily and then secondary is the pose. I love to capture the character in the moment....doing something.

And finally where does your hatred of Arsenal stem from?

My hatred for the Arsenal scum comes from being born 100 or so yards from White Hart Lane. I have lived through the height of the North London derby when the two teams where more balanced with less foreign players. Now Arsenal have only two English players and for a few seasons had none, which I thought was cheating. How can you say you are an English Club if you have no English players? I have calmed down hating them over the years as I totally love the way they give me enjoyment choking in big games and losing major finals. Long live Arsene Wenger. Love him!

Des is part of the Lost Twenty a collection of top artists and designers who are looking for more creators right now. The work will be used at an exhibition at Red Church Street in London in September. For further information visit http://www.despop.co.uk/

Special thanks to Des Taylor.

Posted: 9/5/2011
Categories: Comics / Artists

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