W. I. P. – Illustrating Studies #1

I’ve been building a set of studies for a new illustration project. I felt it was be good to share my results here with you. It all started with the self portrait/fantasy portrait sketches I posted recently. I’ll post them again here:

First Contact No Text.jpg

The end goal is the upcoming project that they will be appearing in.

Its all part of the study I’ve been working on to better refine my illustrating techniques.

Here is an example of a marble study that I’m researching:

Marble Study 1.jpg

(Marble sample is from Pinterest and saved there by forevermarble.com)

I’ll add more examples as I’m developing each part of the project. Now it’s time to get back to work creating!

Dragon Con 2017

Dragon Con was as huge and great as ever this year! My daughter and I have been attending for about six years now. We were able to go late on Friday and caught a panel after getting our badges. Then to a photo shoot.

On Saturday we missed the entire parade, this time. Well except for the last ambulance. This was due to getting a late start and arriving after the streets were blocked off for the parade. Usually we get there an hour to an hour and a half before so that we can get into our favorite parking lot and get breakfast.

We did keep things simpler this time. We did the one panel, a couple of photo shoots, visiting and supporting artists at the Art Show, Artist Alley and the Vendor Halls. On Sunday we had breakfast at Metro Cafe Diner our go to place every year.

Over all things seemed easier to find and access for the most part. The only major setback was the traffic into and throughout the vendor halls. This was due to the expansion of vendors into the same footprint as last year and the increase of attendees over last year. The volunteers did a good job reacting to the traffic outside the vendor halls coming into the building.

Fantasy Self Portrait Study

To continue my study in bringing more realism into my work, I’ve created a fantasy self portrait. Since there is a deviation in the color and shading from the Manga Studio image and the finished image, the actual shading appears darker and the contrasting colors of blue in the shading and orange in the highlights (especially in image 6) does not show up.

Fantasy Self Portrait Progression Study 07242017.jpg

  1. Photo reference of myself.
  2. Tracing from the photo reference.
  3. 1st creature design. This creature came out looking too sympathetic so start over.
  4. Basic line drawing for new creature.
  5. Rough shading and design changes.
  6. Final creature design.

Relative Perspective WIP Update 6

I’ve finally got a chance to restart this project. there are a couple of elements that appear to be working, in general. With a little alteration they will stay.

  1. The sky will remain…but…Relative Perspective Color Work a 07032017.jpg
  2. There will be changes to the tint, saturation and intensity,Relative Perspective Color Work b 07032017.jpg
  3. The basic mountains seemed to work prior to adding the snow…. but….Relative Perspective Color Work c 07032017.jpg
  4. There will also be changes to the tint, saturation and intensity.Relative Perspective Color Work d 07032017.jpg

The snow is going to need some work, update next time.

Illo Journal Project Update #8.1

So I’ve found that the image is not saving the same as it was created due to screen height, angle and filtering. I am reintroducing the geographical map of Ba’anta. this is much closer to the original tonal values. Constructive critiques and comments are stil very welcome!

Revised Brightness

Geographical Map of Ba'anta 06252017 aa.jpg

Previous Brightness

Geographical Map of Ba'anta 06252017.jpg

Illo Journal Project Update #8

I present to you, with revised techniques, the “Geographical Map of Ba’anta”. I’ve used more subdued colors with the more saturated colors used on the points of interest. This piece was started with the techniques that I’m trying to adjust my style to. There are no figures in this one, which another area I’m also working on. Constructive critiques and comments are very welcome.

Geographical Map of Ba'anta 06252017.jpg