So simple.

Today I was wondering how does a colourist for Tim Sale bring colour to his grey ink wash images and seemingly replacing the grey with the colour without losing the texture. Well today I found out the answer and a rather simple one at that. Essentially all you need is a new layer in photoshop with either the color or overlay blend and then go crazy on it and then rocket, parmesan, done. I experimented with a page from my 'The Big Sleep' adaptation and compared it to how I orginally altered the inkwash colour. Now originally I made the inkwash into a solid new colour, wiping out any brush texture that was there originally and quite frankly it took a long time to do (I am sure there was a quicker way to achieve this).
With the experiment that I did today it only took a couple of seconds and it still looks great, so I feel had I known this other method I could have saved myself a lot of grief and time. Though I have to say I like both versions for their own merits but it will be interesting to try an inkwash image and then to render the colour digitally.

Chinstrap.

Hello fellow bloggers, Dave here with a selection of concepts for a comic book character that I am co-designing with a Sam from the comic shop. Essentially I am trying to create a 'cowl' like mask for this hero that incorporates the fedora hat. We also want to try and make him distinguished from other comic characters that have a similar design such as The Spirit, Green Hornet, The Shadow etc. At one point I even applied an old fashioned motor cycle cap to be used as part of his disguise. 

So far it has been an engaging exercise to push the boundaries a little on concept and design and I hope I get to see this project through to the end, and maybe illustrate his first outing maybe. Who knows.

Tribute to an inspiration.

 

As I am sure many of you are aware, the creator of children's classics Stingray and Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson passed away yesterday. I remember as a kid watching the reruns of the great shows that were Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, UFO and Space 1999 that in-thrilled my morning TV escapades. In fact I still watch those great shows and all of a sudden I'm 5 years old again being amazed with what I saw and wondering how International Rescue were gonna save the day and whether Troy Tempest would ever get the courage to admit his feelings to Marina. 

The shows fueled my creative imagination from those early stages in my life and I thank the brilliant mind behind them all and to him I say...FAB!   

I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure.

Friday past, I have seen 'The Hobbit' and was absolutely amazed by Peter Jackson's adaptation of the classic children's novel that most of us adore. Though of course they have altered some scenes that I felt were key in the development of Bilbo becoming the hero. I digress this is not a film review. I decided instead of doing normal Christmas cards for my friends and family I have instead decided to something different for each of them. Case in point here is this illustration of Bilbo meeting Gandalf in 'The Hobbit' which has been appropriated as a Christmas card. This has become my second illustration from the book 'The Hobbit' and I have to say its a story I would love to illustrate fully just like Tolkien and other illustrators after him. 

Birthday

Birthday card design featuring the space hamster character. 

We'll always have Paris...

A small comic strip that was also created for me and my girlfriend's anniversary with it being a little nostalgic reminder of our trip to Paris last year. 

Anni

I can now at last unveil some of my recent work to all you great people out there. This image was designed for an anniversary card for my girlfriend which has just past and needless to say she was delighted with the portrayal of us which I think is pretty spot on. As you can see I have been continuing practicing my colour theory and am pleased that its getting better than how it used to be before.