Another marker/colored pencil piece

Same technique as last time. This time with Khaoc actually in the suit. This little scene could be considered a preview of what the actual event “The Big Clean” is like.

I like the way this one turned out. I think this method might work well… A bit slow, but the speed should improve with practice. I’ve always wanted to transition back to traditional, and maybe I’ve found my working procedure, moving forward.

 

Marker/colored pencil technique

Here’s a technique I’ve been working out behind the scenes for a long time. It’s all traditional (the way I prefer).

I think I’m close to the point where I can use it to do all future Aftermath work. Just need to try and apply it, now.

This is a buff dude in what’s left of a Walden prison uniform. This is what Khaoc looks like during The Big Clean (and maybe for long after – haven’t decided)… except Khaoc is skinnier, hehe.

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!

Khaoc Versus – Page 14

I’m pretty shocked it’s been two weeks since the last post. I didn’t even realize all that time had passed. The pages are taking a lot longer than they used to, but I should still be able to do one a week. I apologize that it didn’t happen this round. I’ve been lacking in motivation for some reason, lately.

Also, I think that the process I use isn’t as fast as it could be. I might play around with it for the next piece… But I’m sad to say that the next post won’t be for the web comic. I’m going to enter a piece into the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse contest for Heavy Metal. It’s a fan art contest, and the prizes are good! I want that Bisley painting!

Here it is:

 

Khaoc Versus – Page 13

Here’s the next one. I’m liking the way it’s turning out. Gonna noodle around with it a little longer, probably. It’s half digital/half real once again. I spent a whole lot longer in the digital rendering phase – stepping my game up. I haven’t rendered this way in almost a year. It’s long overdue that I incorporate that aspect of my work once again.

Oh yeah – this is what Waldenites look like. So you can see what I meant when I brought up The Hunger Games and the Capitol people. Who knew a kids book would take some of our imagery’s thunder? Waldenites are much more depraved and absurd, though…

Edit: Still working on it, but it’s 2AM, gotta sleep. Dialog might change.

Khaoc Versus – page 12

Here’s the latest page. I moved at a slow/steady pace on this one, and still not sure where all the time went. I’m still doing half traditional/half digital. I used the patented Fist of the North Star change in scale on the fallen Chrome Dome. I always loved how people and their attributes would change in size throughout that movie, depending on what the creators were trying to emphasize. I also felt bad killing off the snail, so I made sure the poor guy went to heaven. It’s so much harder, emotionally, to kill off animals and insects than humans.

Khaoc Versus – Page 11

Surprise! It’s in color!

Figuring out the process took a while, but I think it was worth the wait. Thanks for being patient!

All the pages will be in color from now on. This page took about equal or less time than some of the black and white stuff!

The pages are drawn on bristol, parts are inked, then I do an acrylic wash/texturing, add some markers and colored pencils, and then I take a shitty photo of it. This is the part I’d change if I had more money. I can’t afford to get every page scanned right now. After I get it into Photoshop, I correct the colors, and then I’m off into the digital painting realm – with a lot of Corel Painter,too.

I’d also buy a nice font to save time…

Back to work soon…

Here’s two quick paintings I did while my brother was in town. Half traditional, half digital. ALL COLOR.

I used an acrylic wash, followed by markers and colored pencils, and finished digitally.

New pages soon!