Creating a finished illustration for a client

This a an illustration done recently for a comic book to be released later this year by a company called www.thevagabondcomic.com in Australia. It will be used as a splash page type poster to go along with a story called "Wrestlers in Space"

 When asked to do an illustration for hire, the first step is a rough pencil sketch from the client's reference material (if provided).

 When the rough pencil is approved by the client, I will do the finished drawing and get that approved.

 Next, a rough color comp is done using markers. This can be a small thumbnail size sketch indicating the basic color scheme.  

 After getting approval of the rough color, the finished drawing is scanned into the computer and transferred into photoshop. Using the Cintiq, I trace over the scan on a new layer with a brush tip that tapers giving the thick and thin look, much like old comic book style.

 Then on a new layer under the ink layer, the flat colors are painted. As you can see, I mistakenly started shading on the flat color layer. It wasn't a problem so I left it instead of doing that part over.

 After the flat color is done, the background is drawn with color brush and paint is filled in. As a final touch, I used a marker brush in photoshop to shade the characters and when all the layers are put together, the result is the finished piece you see at the top.

Loki Cap revised

This piece was done as a birthday card for a friend of a friend, same set up in a slightly different drawing style.
 Happy birthday Tawny!

Comic book style illustration

 This is the thumbnail sketch for a character combining Loki and Captain America.

Then a drawing was done in a sorta Jack Kirby style.

This is the final art done with markers on Bristol heavy smooth board. Thanks to Derek and Wade for the idea.

Ren & Stimpy Stories Never Made

The top 2 are story sketches for another Untamed World episode. 3 & 4 are for another army story. Next is a doodle of Mr. Horse and the idiots. At bottom Sgt. Hoek and private Stimpy ride into hell.

George Pal composition for groups shots in storyboard and layout

When composing group shots, add variation to the characters placement and body angles to make it more interesting. In this first shot, the group is composed around one central figure. The foreground figure a bit separate. As a side theory, the eye lines are focused on several different places. 

 In this shot the group is again composed nicely, the lines of action are varied, and there is also a single focus for the characters eye lines: they are all focused on the same thing.

In this shot, there is the variation in placement and line of action, plus the same single focal point.

Many of the movies produced by George Pal have this quality, here in "When Worlds Collide" (1951) and also in "War of the Worlds" from 1953. Although Pal did not direct these pictures, his influence as an artist is clearly displayed.

Ren Hoek layouts

These are from "Robin Hoek" season 1, some of the few I have left.

Art for Presidential Toys

These are some early Jim Smith, John K. sketches, plus a color test. From top: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama. Designed 2008

Stunt Cock

 

Hey kids, this here's my latest work, a children's book for older folks, rated "R" so hide it from the young 'uns. It's the story of a professional stunt rooster falling on hard times, working his way back up. The books will be available soon at an internet near you!

These are the final pencil drawings for the book, with a finished color page, for your viewing pleasure.

Ren & Stimpy Comic Con art

These were done by request at the Comikaze Con last year.

BG design

This is from a Chuck Jones cartoon, I just can't remember which one. If anyone knows I would be grateful.

Ren & Stimpy art for sale

T

These pieces are from season one, Fire dogs.

Spoofy Fleischer BG Art from Betty Boop

Some great background art from Betty Boop as Snow White and Cab Calloway as the ghost. Ooooh, Scary!

The Kaiser

Hey boys and girls! Captain Jim here. Sorry the blog has been in disrepair but cousin Wade got it back up and running. Updates should be coming more frequently. Feel free to sit a spell but leave your shoes on cause yer feet stink! Now check out this great propaganda art from WWI.