Torunn Grønbekk

Lola
From Short Stories.

Writes comics. Makes art. Designs things.

Torunn Grønbekk is a comic book writer, designer, and artist from Norway.

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I made a ridiculously simple magnetic palette yesterday, and got a bunch of question about it. Here's what I did:
I paint in oils and prefer to have a glass palette, but as I also like to hold the palette in one hand, glass can get too heavy (I'm old and frail). I've been using paper palettes for a while, but I end up wasting too much paint when I use them. I'm also exceptionally clumsy, and I keep putting the palette down randomly, and then I'll step in the paint, or the cat will have a nap on it or something. SO. I needed something else, and came up with this:

I got a 30x30 cm pre-cut plexiglass from the hardware store (3mm thickness, it's very light). It's not as durable as glass, but it will still last a long time. (Btw, If you do this with glass, make sure you buy tempered glass). I painted one side of the plexiglass with the same color I use to prime my canvases. Then I got the cheapest car cellphone holder known to man (I got this at Biltema, but there are hundreds like it). It's basically a big, slightly rotating magnet with a clamp on the bottom. It also came with a thin metal plate I could glue to the *painted* side of the plexiglass.
... and that's pretty much it. The palette snaps into place when I put it down on the magnet. It should be idiot-(/torunn)-proof. (When the paint dries, I remove it with a glass scraper.)

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Finished this today! (I think 😀)
Oil on canvas.
Swipe for time lapse of the process ->
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The painting was inspired by one of the many powerful moments between @eddieshindig and @therichardschiff in Manhattan.
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#painting #oilpainting #timelapse #portraitpainting #norskkunst #artistsoninstagram #art

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Quarantine reading: I am obsessively reading these days, as it tends to dim the constant hum of panicked stupid emanating from my own mind. I usually survive on a diet (pictured) of war stories, biographies, and memoirs with some predictable thrillers sprinkled on top, but there's nothing like a pandemic to knock you out of your comfort zone. So, for the past five weeks, I've consciously tried to read Other Things, and y'all gave me a bunch of great recommendations, so I figured I'd share what I loved and what I'm reading next, in case you too are looking to have someone else do the thinking for a bit:

How To Lose a Time War (Amal El-Mohtar). Short and sweet, and there are some interesting concepts in there.

The Man from St. Petersburg – Ken Follett is usually Ken Follett, and sometimes that's what you need, y'know?

American Tabloid – This was my first James Ellroy. Fictional behind-the-scenes of Kennedy's rise to power, Bay of Pigs, and a lot of other fun stuff. Never tell Ellroy men also cry. We love you just the way you are, James.

Stars of Alabama (Sean Dietrich)

Bluebird, Bluebird (Attica Locke)

Hangover Square (Patrick Hamilton) – Every sentence of this book is poetry. Recommended by Mike, who also provided the next gem:

The French Lieutenant's Woman (John Fowles) – probably my favorite book of the year so far.

On Writing (Stephen King) – Finally got to this. Nice to know where all your hatred of adverbs originated.

My Dark Vanessa (Kate Elizabeth Russell) – an intelligent and painful story about the abusive relationship between a student and a teacher. Recommended by the glorious Jen, who also recommended:

A Gentleman from Moscow (Amor Towles) – which I ADORED.

And up next:
The Man Who Was Thursday

All the Ugly and wonderful things

Station Eleven - Excited for this one. Recommended by a couple of people I put a lot of faith in!

Is this my blog now? Who knows anymore. Happy weekend!

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I think she’s done! This is Eira, future queen of the realm, daughter of the ridiculously talented @tiril_hauan.
60x40 cm, oil on canvas. Swipe -> for details and progress video.
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#oilpainting #portraitpainting #norskkunst #art #painting #paintingtimelapse

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Wore proper clothing! (For two hours) (look at that Keith Burns art in the background. I’m sorry my head is in the way.)

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The Siberian cat is a centuries-old landrace bred in Russia. Its three-layer fur protects them from weather extremes, which is why I find it curious that Skade will stay inside if there's even a light breeze. Today it's raining outside, and the mighty Queen of Comfort has opted for staring. Like it's my fault that she can't kill her daily ration of mice, spiders, and birds. Every time I look at her, her disapproving eyes will meet mine. Do something, creature. Feed me, entertain me, make the rain stop, her deep Siberian eyes scream silently.

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Hello. HOW ARE YOU? Is the existential dread getting to you, or has it settled like a thin layer of dust that is only noticeable when you breathe in too deeply, and it suddenly hits you like a bad line of coke? I’m fine, thanks for asking. I’m working and painting, and when I need a break, I do something else because apparently idle hands are indeed the devil’s something or other. A way to a woman’s mind? Stomach? I can’t remember.
Sorry (not sorry) about all the painting progress stories. It’s either that or endless pictures of my cat.

Featured books

Valkyrie: Jane Foster

Jane Foster is back!
For years, you knew her as Dr. Jane Foster, one of Thor Odinson’s most steadfast companions. Then you knew her as Thor, Goddess of Thunder, who took up the mantle when nobody else was worthy. Now Jane takes on a new role as Valkyrie, guide and ferrywoman to the dead!

More info

Ageless Collection

The first collection of Ageless is out the 26th of February. It contains issues 1–6, and is available from Caliber Comics. You can order it at your local comic books store or read it through your favorite digital platform!

“You can tell Gronbekk is at home in the Noir. She’s dug in deep to breath new life into the genre. Her dialogue is a masterstroke of pace, and her characters are bound to walk away with you. Reading Ageless reminded me why I got into comics in the first place.”
Charles Chester

Passed

PASSED IS A WEBCOMIC ABOUT DEAD PEOPLE.
(But if you want to get all wanky about it, it’s really about life.)

Passed is a collection of stories written by Torunn Grønbekk and drawn by several lovely artists, starting off with San Espina and Luisa Russo.

Read now

Buy the print version

Matriarch

Matriarch is a gritty gangster story set in the organized crime world of 1970s Los Angeles. It follows Ethel – the aging head of the Baudin Family – and her infamous triplet daughters, Bo, Jane, and Lana, as they’re thrown into a fight to keep their standing in the ever more violent and unpredictable L.A. underworld.

Art: Dave Acosta
Written by: Torunn Grønbekk
Colors: Dee Cunniffe
Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Ageless

“For almost a century, St John thought his life was over. As it turns out, it was just on hold. When he and his former commander discovers an old friend brutally murdered, they team up to find the man responsible. As they start to unravel the mystery surrounding their friend’s death, it soon becomes apparent that the murder was just a small piece in a much bigger game. A game that puts St John on a collision course with the man who took everything from him, a lifetime ago.”

Ageless issues 1–6 are available from Caliber Comics now. The collected edition is due to be released this winter.

Buy now