Lurking in the dark

Guess I've been in a Halloween mood. I had a specific image in my head but it wasn't easy to get on paper. Took me a while to get the look I wanted. The creature had arms at one point but it wasn't helping the illustration, so I removed them. Yup. Much better.

Sokora Refugees Volume 3: Blix

Yeah, it's been a long time since I actually drew this picture. It was back when I was actually working on Sokora Vol.3. The succubus, Blix (that's her name) was going to be featured in vol.3. She was a design I really liked, so I always wanted to go back and make her a full illustration. I started coloring it a few months ago, but it got out of hand for me. I went back to it a few days ago, organized my layers and finished it right up. This one, I'm happy with.

Halloween Girl

I sat to draw and this happened. Made it a Halloween theme and broke it down into the steps on how I develop a picture. The entire image was drawn on the computer using a Wacom Tablet and Paint Tool Sai.

I start with little rough thumbnails to see if the picture will interest me in continuing.

If I like it, I zoom in and add a some detail, developing the character a bit more.

Liking where it's going I take the small sketch and enlarge it. Now I do rough clean up, working out finer details. At this point I start thinking about colors. Since her bloomers look like a pumpkin, I'll stick with the typical orange and black Halloween themed colors.

Once I get the inks, I'll make changes if necessary if certain lines don't make up or if angles seem off. This particular image worked out pretty well so i didn't spend too much time on it. From beginning to end, I think I spent about 4 hours working on this image.

I start the coloring only working with 3 layers. A flat base color, the shadows and a layer for highlights and added detail. Sometimes I'll add a 4th or 5th layer for tweaking, but I'll usually combine them and keep it at a minimum.

Usually when I get to the end of finishing a piece, I'll show it to someone to get opinions, for me its always dynamaito. Other artists might point out suggestions in color, composition and details. But its always the non-artist that gives the most interesting feedback, like "the body looks weird," or "I can't tell what's going on in the picture..." Never take offense, but always take it into consideration, it'll make you a better artist in the long run.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Everyone loves boobs! Whether its for a woman's pride, a man's attraction, a child's comfort, or an infant's nourishment, nobody wants anyone's breast to go the way of cancer. In my family, both of my grandmother's were breast cancer survivors.

This pic was done for the comic strip I illustrate, My Cage, (which will unfortunately have its last run on oct.31.) On October 10, 2010, all Sunday strips distributed by King Features Syndicate will be colored pink for breast cancer awareness month.

For more information, visit www.comicsgopink.com . You'll also be able to donate money to any breast cancer research organization of your choice!

Remember get those boobs checked early and if you don't have any, I'm sure you know someone who does.

It's a fight worth fighting for.

Peace!