I don’t think I’ll make a new topic for every image I share, but since the last one was specifically about Doctor Who I thought it might be worth making this general one for my own random bits and bobs.
Been playing with some new photoshop bushes lately. Trying to marry up my love of chunky line work with a more painterly colouring approach. I find the comic-style “lasso & airbrush” technique can look a bit soulless, so I’m aiming to make stuff that looks hand-crafted but not, as we say in the uk, “rough as a badger’s…”
Any constructive feedback welcome, I’m not just sharing here for ooh’s and aah’s
Specifically these days I’m trying to work on pushing my shapes, character appeal, colours and storytelling.
Wasn’t sure how to finish the background on this, so I didn’t just added a suggestion of one.
There’s things here I’d change if doing it again, like having the theif’s eyes locked on the wizard instead of the coinpurse… Or having his stance different so he looks more like he’s stealing and less like he’s placing it into the wizard’s pocket. Or maybe he could be using a fishing rod to make it sillier? Anyway, I’m gonna call this one done and take a lesson or two from it.
I can’t let this thread slip by without saying that your “doodles” are nothing short of brilliant. I’ve always been able to do reasonably good work when I draw what I see, but your drawing talent is far beyond my capabilities. I’m completely in awe of your ability to draw things that don’t exist in real life and still get all the foreshortening to look absolutely natural.
I just noticed the bandage wrapped around the cat’s tail. Nice!
Thanks very much Just-B! Yeah I like to think the story with the bandage is that while he IS an expert theif, there’s been at least one time recently where he wasn’t quite quick enough
These characters are actually me revisiting an old idea I had… bloody hell 12 (!) years ago. I didn’t look at these before redrawing them or intentionally decide on a new design, I just drew them how I’d draw them now. They’ve changed a lot
Remember, these are VERY OLD. The art is awful, and as a comic the pacing is all wrong. It occurs to me now I’ve never actually shared most of this stuff before. Though I occasionally wonder if I should actually make something with the characters. Some of them are traditional with a dipping pen and india ink.
Major “blowing my own trumpet” moment, sorry, but I’m just so pleased these are out now, I had to buy a couple for myself! Been beavering away at these for a long time at work (as in, the company I work for 9-5 as opposed to freelance) and it’s probably the biggest thing I’ve ever been involved in. The Hylkies range of 3D jigsaw puzzles by Ravensburger! Don’t worry, 99% of the time I’ll just be posting my personal stuff, but I just had to share these. #careerhighlight#couldnevergetclientslikethisonmyown
@Jim Congrats on the career highlight. That is actually very cool.
I’ve been a big fan of illustration and comics for as long as I can remember. Sadly I do not possess the level of talent that you are showcasing. I’m curious though, how do you go about making the comic style grids with illustrations? Is it strictly Photoshop?
I’ve tried in the past (kids comic for my nephew’s birthday) using only my Wacom tablet and Photoshop but the number of layers quickly became overwhelming. My graphic designer brain wanted to have the illustrations separated then the layout built in InDesign, but I could not get them to work together. I was trying to do both at the same time without a plan. Perhaps I was rushing the process. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
