After that, it was pretty much downhill from there.
In all honesty, I've never tried really copying anybody else or have become influenced consciously by any one particular style. Which is unfortunate, because I think either of those things really helps make you a more skilled artist in the end. The people who have influenced me were all the art teachers I've had who showed me their tricks, techniques, etc.
Having said that, there are two comic book artists whose styles I WISH I could emulate: Maurice Vellekoop and Daniel Clowes.
I love Vellekoop's charming, wispy drawings: http://www.mauricevellekoop.com/Cartoons.php
And I love Daniel Clowes' characters, who always look slightly creepy and off-center: http://danielclowes.com/works.html

