Week 49 - My "How - To" continues...

Once I’m satisfied with the composition I will begin to use a kneaded rubber eraser to lighten up the whole piece. I’ll use that as my base to do a finished pencil piece. I don’t usually do any more changes at this juncture unless something is just not working. All of my penciling nowadays is with a mechanical pencil with an H/HB lead. It can be a little messy at times but I find using a harder lead I’ll dig into the paper more and with any softer lead it’s too messy. Afterwards I'll scan everything into Photoshop and begin to work on the image. I currently use a Mustek tabloid scanner. It handles standard size comic book pages just fine and it works well with Photoshop and is reasonably priced, all positives in my book.  Once in Photoshop, I'll play with values, size, contrast to get to the "inked " stage. Sometimes if my pencils are tight enough I'll do some correction in Photoshop and darken up and smooth out the pencils with the dodge and burn tools to get to that "inked" look.  Otherwise I'll ink everything  with a variety of sized Micron pens. Then scan into Photoshop. The final step is add the dialog and then post.

Hope you've enjoyed my how-to. Next posting we'll be back to the final episodes of Chapter 4, "End of Days."

Week 48- How-to continues...

Figure 1

Figure 2

The other day I showed you how I began a page. Today I’ll show you how I rough everything in. I do a lot of sketching whenever I can. It helps me think and it clarifies the image in my head. Depending on how clear the image is I might just begin on the art board as in this case (figure 1). Other times I’ll sketch idea out on just about anything that’s handy, like this desk calendar (figure2). Once it’s on paper I refine as necessary and then I use a light box to transfer the image to the art board. I try to keep everything fluid. This is where I’ll play with placement, poses, scale, the background and look for any panel issues that might crop up (This is where the erasing and redrawing comes in). It’s all problem solving. If I run into something I can’t seem to figure out I’ll check around to see how other artists “solved” the problem. I have collected over the years a variety of images, original artwork and comic books of artists I admire. I guess this would be a good time to tell you where my influences come from. The most influential artist for me is and always will be Al Williamson. For me, a true master of the medium, bar none. Other influences include Alex Raymond, Roy Krenkel, Joseph Clement Coll, and Franklin Booth. There are several modern artists I follow as well.

week 47- Some how too stuff

I thought I’d give you the “how-to” of my process. So, here’s where it starts, the blank page. Everyone starts here, no great secret, for me, I have a fairly good visual in my head and I will use a variety of photo reference and such to pull a rough together. I’m pretty much like most artists, there are no hidden secrets, no real “tricks of the trade” just push a pencil around on the paper until you get what’s in your head on the paper the best way you can. I use the Blue Line product line mostly for my art. It holds up to my chicken scratches and erases well (I do a lot of that). For “Chronicles” I use their “Comic Book pro series art boards, 3 ply Brite White Board 11”X17”.  Once I have all my reference together I’ll move on to the next stage…roughing in the page.

Week 46- "A victim of the times"

Hey there folks.

Thanks to all those that have kept up with the story thus far. There is more to come.
Just to let everyone know we like so many Americans have succumbed to the ravages of the economy.
We are in the process of losing our home of seven years. As our economics change so must we...fear not we have set up other house.  But moving requires time and effort and I'm sorry to say the "Chronicles of IRTH" may suffer in the mean time.
I am working on at least two more story lines after this story arch. I think you will enjoy them.
I'm trying out somenew formats and experimenting with color.

I'd like to give Champion City Comics a shoutout, thanks Kav for your comments on the strip so far. Here's their web site http://www.championcitycomics.com/. Check it out when you get a chance. Kav, I'll take your comments and make changes as necessary, except the cliches...sorry, I like them I know they're corny but....so roll your eyes and groan but continue reading please.

In the next couple of days  I'll be posting some "how -to" stuff. Just so you can see how I put "Chronicles" together. I hope you like it.

Finally, I enjoy telling stories. It's been work, but nothing worth while is ever easy. It has been fun and I have learned alot. Every aspiring artist should try this (their own web page). I'll try to get back on track as soon a possible. Please be patient and thanks to those have been supportive. As always, comments are always welcome, positive and negative! It's how we grow.

Week 45- Chapter 4 :End of Days"

Week 44- Chapter 4 "End of Days"