New page

New pencils for a short project I'm collaborating on with a writer. All will be revealed soon...

Thor

Digital Painting. PS CS3 on A5 Wacom.

Hellblazer

Digital painting. PS CS3 on A5 wacom.

Torchwood final

Here's the final Torchwood image. The are two versions and the original black and white image. The reason I put two up is because I really like the one with 'squiggly lines' on it but I think some people might find them intrusive or not in keeping with the otherwise somewhat realistic style. Enjoy both!

Torchwood process

Here's a process breakdown of the Torchwood digital painting. I LOVE digital painting. 

This is why- I'm currently also working on two traditional landscapes(oil on canvas) and there are some days when I'm winning and there are some days when the paint and brushes just won't do what they're supposed to(through no fault of my own! I'm a good workman who blames his tools...). Of course this is part of traditional painting and what makes it so rewarding when it's complete and you've overcome all the obstacles. 

The quick and more instantaneously(is that a word?)gratifying process of digital painting is brilliant though and sometimes makes me wonder why I put myself through the pain of traditional painting. The pros and cons of digital vs traditional painting is something that really interests me and I'm sure I'll keep coming back to it on this blog. 

Anyway, enjoy the process shots. I especially like the earlier ones which look pretty awful. At that stage, you always have moments of 'oh my god, how is this ever going to look like a finished piece?!'

(the last image is a separate single shot of a different character- just in case you thought I decided to change him into a girl at the last minute)

Jane Doe in space

Another digital painting in PS CS3. You can see the initial sketch on the previous post. I keep forgetting to record the process, which is something I plan on rectifying asap. I love exploring and viewing processes in painting and illustration and I think it's always interesting to see how an image has unfolded.

IFX

Image for an IFX competition with the initial sketches too. I love the initial sketching process as it's so instinctive and instantaneous. The final rendered piece loses some of that energy and movement- it's very hard to retain that quality when you spend a prolonged amount of time on a piece. I think that it's a problem with painting too- the more time you invest in a piece, the more you have to lose and the less willing you are to take risks nearer the end. Tricky...
Done in Photoshop CS3 with my trusty, little Wacom.

Wolverine/ Batman

A couple of pencil drawings of Wolverine and Batman. Good and bad bits on both. I like the movement in the Wolverine piece and I'm happy the rendering on Batman. I do think he looks a bit bored though- like he's just pottering about across rooftops on a Sunday night because he doesn't have any mates to hang out with. Poor fella, he needs a new hobby.

The Judge

Aaah, that's better. So what have I learnt form producing sequential comic pages? It's easier to do one big good drawing than lots of little good drawings. Pretty profound stuff, I know.
This was produced in Photoshop CS3 with my trusty A5 Wacom tablet, for those who are interested.

2000AD

Some Judge Dredd samples for 2000AD. Am I happy with them? Not entirely but it's been a steep learning curve and my next attempt at sequential pages will be stronger. It's good to see the mistakes(in any artwork) and make sure you learn from them. Take it on the chin and make sure you don't repeat them(a bit like life, really).