Khaoc and Bunny – Final Version

Been so busy that I haven’t been able to update the post. Basically, I took the scanned image and imported it into Photoshop. I then copied the background layer, darkened it, and erased away to reveal the light layer below. Then I color corrected using overlay and hard light layers… Then I basically rendered the crap out of it with the pencil tool and a few other brushes, in Corel Painter.  That’s about it!

Khaoc Versus: Bunny Edition – Phase Two

Move Zig!

You know what you doing?

I’m not sure that I can say “yes.”

Here is the old image:

Khaoc Versus Bunny under-painting, Micron and acrylic

Here’s how it looks now:

Khaoc Vs Bunny, mixed on Illustration board.

I did a color study on Photoshop, then commenced with the real-world painting. I painted it a lot like a watercolor. I went in with acrylic washes and blocked in all the elements- with special attention given to the color gradients in each area (that’s where the digital color study really helped). Then I made more specific color washes with acrylic – like the decals and armor pieces on the bunny. Then I used lots of markers, followed by pens, and finally colored pencils to tighten and add detail.

I learned that I have to go darker with the initial drawing. I spent too much time going over certain areas again and again trying to darken them, thus redrawing them several times. I also wish that I had added more color variety and gradients, overall. But this is my first attempt at completing a painting in this particular style, so I have a lot to learn about the method.

Khaoc Versus: Bunny Edition

Here’s a piece I’m working on as a submission to Spectrum this year. I’m also submitting the two Heavy Metal pieces in my gallery. Maybe I’ll get lucky this year!

I’m going to update this post with pictures of the process, although it’s pretty boring, I think. This piece will be done by December 31st at the latest. So make sure to check back to see the finished version.

This piece started as any other would – as a thumbnail. I drew a larger version on 11X17 illustration board in pencil… I went over the pencils in micron and black acrylic washes to create the tonal under-painting you see here.  The next step is to get a color study done on photoshop, then back to color acrylic washes and marker work in the real world. It takes a long time, but I’ve learned that the acrylic under-painting is really worthwhile considering it won’t get washed out by the alcohol-based markers later.

Khaoc Versus Bunny under-painting, Micron and acrylic

Check back for updates!