Hellboy Flats

Dropped in some flats today. Not thrilled thus far. The plan was to use flat colors so it would mimic Mignola's stuff a bit in tone but just doesn't feel right. A few days away from it should allow me to come back to it fresh and we'll see then.

Stuff from an Inking Demo / Hellboy.

Last week I was doing an inking demo for my class and gave them the choice of Catwoman or Hellboy. The vote was 9 to 1.



I also put together an inking practice sheet for them comprised of pencil samples from some amazingly talented guys and, well, I just couldn't resist taking a stab at it myself. My god it was fun. Almost has me tempted to build an inking career, but the storytelling issues are what I love figuring out so maybe not. Still... fun!

Finished... no... really.

Finished?

I just don't know any more but am leaning towards yes. (?) Hope this ongoing breakdown, of sorts, has been fun and or helpful.

*** sigh ***

Or this:

Picking away at colors.

Some screen layer highlights, darken layer shades, saturation adjustments and a lighten layer to give some greenish highlights to his shirt as well as some just general details added into the regular color layer.

Flats

Dropped in some initial colors. I try to keep the flats close to what I think I want in the finished piece.



***************** Update

Just couldn't keep away from this so been picking away at it and here are the colors in progress. Still a ways to go but I need to sleep.

Finished Wonderboy

Once all the touch ups were done, scanned it, did some clean up and level adjustments.
Enjoy.

Inking Wonderboy

Step 1: Using a thick weight calligraphy nib and a crow quill, I go through and outline everything. I start with the foreground elements and try to work my way back so as not to accidentally ink something that will then need to be taken out later.



There's some attention paid to line weights but only in the sense of foreground, mid-ground, and background. So at this point the sense of space is still somewhat flat. The important part is that everything is clearly defined.



step 2: Using a medium sized brush, I go through and fill in all the solid blacks. I've added some weight to the foremost robot hand, but for the most part haven't touched any of the line work from step 1.



step 3: From here on I'll use a nicer brush and the crow quill to add in line weights, feathering details, hatching and so on until it all feels right. Then touch up any of the solid blacks and clean up mistakes. I'll post the finished piece once it is scanned and ready to go. Hopefully there'll be enough time prior to Sunday to drop in some color as well. Partly because Wonderboy's chucks, which originally were black, are now red in my mind. Stay tuned.

Wonderboy

Working on a quick piece for a buddy. Partially blue lined and will ink it at some point this week.

Inking demo: Hulk and Spidey

I'm teaching teens comic art and whipped this together for the inking demo I gave. It's no Crappy Batman but still fun. Spatter included free of charge.