Draw Into The Shadows: Internationally Acclaimed Transmedia Project Holds Portfolio Reviews At Bristol Comic Expo
by Barry Nugent


"In order to build a credible portfolio of work and prove you can put out work professionally you have to have a crack at doing it non-professionally to professional standards. Unseen Shadows creates a platform on which you can do that." - Steve Penfold (artist on Fallen Heroes, Unseen Shadows: Reverend: Wrath of God, Moon and OMEN in Overload)

Unseen Shadows [link] is currently inviting submissions from artists (pencillers, colourists and inkers) for a number of stories.

I will be reviewing portfolios at the Bristol Comics Expo (12th -13th May) [link] from the Unseen Shadows table throughout the weekend. If you cannot make the show this year, or would like to send submissions in advance for discussion on the day please send an email to barryATunseenshadowsDOTcom but please do not send any files over 5mb by email ( I realise that this may mean the images will be in low res but that's fine). If the files are bigger than this please send a dropbox or largefile transfer link.

"The Unseen Shadows "universe" is truly interesting and I'd like being involved within it, watching it expand. Working with some really nice and talented people is also a great incentive." – Valia Kapadai (artist on Unseen Shadows: The Immaculate Abortion of Dina Leigh).

The stories in progress at the moment cover a wide variety of subject matter, and it is originality and quality that I'm looking for rather than any specific genre or art style. I would rather have something unusual, challenging, inventive, creative, and inspired than another version of something that is already out there. The writers who are currently scripting the stories will be working closely with me to select the artists we need.

"Barry is a gentleman, absolute pleasure to work for. And as an artist, working for Barry not only provided an excellent work environment, a stable of the finest writers from the small press scene, but the opportunity to invest in and expand on one of the most interesting and diverse comic universes." – Rob Carey (artist on Unseen Shadows: Band of Butchers)

There are no page rates available for Unseen Shadows work. Creators are offering their skills for free at this stage in the hope of this becoming something bigger and, of course, for love of the material.
All money taken from sales is put back into the company for further development and promotion. Right now consider this a way to reach an international audience as part of an already very successful transmedia project.

"I had so much fun working with the professional and inspirational team on the last exciting story!" – Vicky Stonebridge (colourist on Unseen Shadows: Band of Butchers)


What do you need to show me?

I need to see sequentials as well as pin ups (unless you want to be purely a cover artist – which is fine, but let me know that).

What formats you work in – traditional media, digital etc.

Whether you work in colour or black and white.

If you are submitting to be an inker or colourist then we need to see copies of the underlying pencils as well as your work.

Finally one of the most important things is to let us know the length of story to which you feel you can realistically commit. Unseen Shadows has comics projects of all different lengths from short stories to graphic novel length books.


I appreciate that indie artists are showing incredible dedication by working on their comics alongside day jobs and other commitments, but if I like your work enough to publish I will work with you to agree a schedule that suits all parties.
As an indie creator myself I appreciate that making submissions can be difficult and nerve-wracking. I will look at everything I receive, and although it may take time, respond to everyone. The important thing to remember is that your work may be great, and I may personally love it, but it sometimes will just not be what I'm looking for right now, but I will keep your details on file for when I need that just that style.

"It has been an absolute pleasure, even when I pulled the diva move of wanting to change the look of a character halfway through drawing a series I was met with nothing but complete understanding and cooperation. The team are absolutely amazing to work with." – (Cormac Hughes artist on Unseen Shadows: Stolen)

If you would like to see examples of some of the Unseen Shadows projects to date, to get a feel for the type of styles that have been used, and the levels of technical expertise needed, have a look at these previews [link] the preview from the Fallen Heroes Comic Adaptation [link] Don't feel constrained by what you see. The Unseen Shadows universe is vast and I will be needing lots of different styles in future.

"I'm actually returning for a third tour!  Haha, anyway. It was a huge learning curve, in which I learnt what I can and can't do in terms of sequential pages and learnt how to streamline my work flow and style into a far more professional sense and style. – Gat Melvyn (Colourist on Unseen Shadows: Fallen Heroes #1, #2 and Unseen Shadows: Wrath of God)

Have a look around the website to explore some of the other transmedia elements that are being developed.

If you have any questions beforehand please get in touch at barryATunseenshadowsDOTcom

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Take a look at some of these links to see some of what we've already achieved here at Unseen Shadows:

Tales of the Fallen Reviewed on Ain't It Cool News [link]

Jonathan Ross Provides A Special Introduction for 'Tales of the Fallen' [link]

Fallen Heroes becomes an Amazon Number 1 bestseller! [link]

Fallen Heroes is the Number one Download Title for Free Comic Book Day [link]

Fallen Heroes 1 Sells out at Kapow [link]

Fallen Heroes Sells out Twice at Cardiff International Comic Expo [link]

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