"Bone: Tall Tales" Designed By Artist Jeff Smith On Exhibit At The Cartoon Art Museum Of San Francisco

The exhibit of graphic artist Jeff Smith’s Bone: Tall Tales is an intimate look into the process and mind of an artist. The exhibit of Jeff’s work featured uncolored pre-print production pages that were raw and complete all at the same time. The pages show how creativity and alterations continue throughout the entire drafting and production process until they are inked.

Blue pencil and ink on board displayed a window into Jeff’s studio. The pencil doesn’t show up when photocopied and enables Jeff to finesse his images until perfection is perceived. When the blue pencil lines are juxtaposed with the final line he has chosen to ink it evokes a wonder of: why that line? The rawness of the composition, not usually seen by its intended audience, stands as a stark reminder of the work and craft involved in order to arrive at the attractive curvilinear splash of color that is Jeff’s art.

The lettering of the graphic novel is printed from a type based on Jeff’s handwriting and pasted into the appropriate captions bringing the audience closer to Jeff as he tells his stories. The sound effects and expressions, however, are done by hand to emphasize the emotion of the lettering. They become more than indications of audible and visible action but incarnate to sounds and sights directly from Jeff as he sees, hears and feels them.

The lack of color combined with the blue pencil, ink and pasted dialogue walks the viewer through Jeff’s process. Un-inked blue lines show thought-process and development. It is interesting to see all the lines and work that lead to the final form. There is certainly a more personal connection made when viewing a graphic novel at this stage of the process. Jeff Smith’s Bone may be a tale for all ages but this exhibit is a special treat for the eye of a designer, an inquisitive mind and a child at heart.