Steve Rude Art

As an art educator in the animation industry, it's rare to find a publication that covers areas that are important to what we do on the production side of things. Steve Rude's "How-to Draw the Animated Nexus" is an exception in that much of what is missing in other material is covered in his book.

For example, not enough attention is paid to character rotations in other how-to books dealing with character design. Rotations are a very important aspect of the design process when preparing for production. They define the look of the character and are used by storyboard artists and animators as a reference for how to draw and stage the character. Rotations are the foundational aspect of character model sheets in animation.

Steve Rude's book is full of character rotations. It's an excellent reference source for artists. In fact, most of the book is fashioned as a pre-production model package and complemented with lessons in the basics of action / adventure character design with various illustrations, vehicle designs, scene layouts, action poses, and is a marvelous showcase for the work of an extraordinary talent.

It's a spiral bound book which makes it handy for placing it flat on your drawing table and would be a fine addition to the collection of animation and comic art connoisseurs.

I would highly recommend "How-to Draw the Animated Nexus" as a must have for all up and coming animation and comic artists as well as art students and professionals in general who are looking to learn something new or just gaining valuable and inspirational content to keep their chops up as well as those who appreciate the distinctive quality of the author's great skills and beautiful work.

Charles Zembillas
The Animation Academy

I have several piece of original art and books done by Steve Rude. They are prizes of my collection. Steve has always been an utter delight to deal with and to talk to. The art is always better than expected, which shouldn't be a surprise as it's The Dude. If you're thinking about it, don't. Just buy. You'll be more than happy.

Like everything Steve draws, it’s gorgeous and I couldn’t be happier. Great service too. Looking forward to more orders in the future as well

Mike Baron and Steve Rude’s epic "Nexus Newspaper Strips, Vol. 1: The Coming of Gourmando," is MASSIVE. The production quality is top-notch from front to back. The heavy stock gloss paper and gorgeous color and black and white reproductions are a joy for the senses. Once a suitable location is found to comfortably absorb it, the book’s enormous size presents a thoroughly engrossing viewing experience.

"The Coming of Gourmando" is an incredible tour de force that reaches far, far beyond the telling of the Nexus story. It is an entire history and technical course in the art and writing of sequential illustration between two covers. The level of professionalism in Steve Rude’s art on all levels is astounding: from thumbnails to finish and all stages in between, this is a top-notch revelation into the creative process. He is a born teacher.

Each of the various in-depth sections that make up the book stand brilliantly on their own, with the sum of the parts coalescing into an even greater whole. The result is a forward-looking throwback into the whole history of comics by a true master of his art at the peak of his powers. This volume should come with its own diploma!

I liked the personified inscription Steve made signing one of my books. Nexus is a great character and has amazingly brought to us readers a super hero within a futuristic science fiction environment. The books I ordered were packed with great care to secure safe delivery. Shipping time and receiving purchase was satisfactory. Will check on Steve's website periodically to see what else he'll offer; would definitely order from his site again if finding something that peaks my interest.

Another great book with fantastic customer service in regards to packing and fast shipping!

Always wanted to check out Nexus, but the Dark Horse vols are out of print and very expensive. As it Happened, is a great price and in glorious black & white! I noticed the print date was from 2009, is there any chance the rest of the series will be printed?

While the story is interesting if you're on the Steve Rude website it's because you are a fan of his right? So the art is the main attraction here. I got the Jim Lee cover but there is a variant with a Rude cover to match the interiors. If you know Kamandi you know he lives in a world inhabited by beast men and Steve does a fantastic job rendering the world with many inhabitants with scenes that remind you of Nexus but this isn't an outer space story and its a DC property instead.

A beautiful book that looks like a definite labour of love. Great to see Baron and Rude together again, and I love the newspaper page format

Love this high quality print of a Steve Rude rendering of Doc Savage's gorgeous cousin, Pat!

Beautiful Rude art throughout this 2006 sketchbook! I particularly love the commissioned work that Steve did of various Marvel characters. These sketches really capture the spirit of Jack Kirby at his mid 60's peak. Many of these pages seem like lost Marvel covers or lost pinups from the silver age. Of course his take on DC characters as well his Nexus sketches are also amazing. A superb sketchbook that no fan of Steve's or fan of classic comic art should be without!

I purchased the print with a custom message as a gift for a mentor who was transitioning to a new job. He freaking loved it! Thanks for the awesome print!

I love Steve's work and was impressed with the quality of the book and how fast it was shipped!

This is one of my very fav images by Steve Rude of Wonder Woman. Yes he has done several and I love them all but this one is special since it looks like a Great Americana Artist. There is much detail in this picture and it is so lively. That Wonder Woman would stop to play with the kittens at a fair is something she would totally do. The colors are so beautiful and fit the theme of the picture so well. Mr Rude has such a wonderful comic fantasy view. You will love it.

Very pleased to have had the opportunity to obtain a commissioned sketch from Steve. I am a long-time fan, and I display original art from my favorite comic artists in my office. Aside from the piece being an amazing work of art, his staff's organization and communication made this among the finest personal experiences of obtaining original art work. I look forward to being able to thank him in person someday, and I am happy to share a photo of the framed piece in-office at some point as well. Thank you to Steve and his superb staff and support team!