Fantasy and Horror Author
The Avengers DVD release is very close, so I thought I would throw this out there to hold me over. I wanted to do a fan poster for two of my favorite characters: Hawkeye and Black Widow.
Back from San Diego Comic Con!
Before I get down to business about the con, I’ve got some new art on the site. Here is just a small taste, so be sure to check around for more.
All right! Back to the con!
First, let me just get this out of the way: it was awesome and everything you will ever dream of. We met some awesome fellow fans and some really cool exhibitors. Everyone was just happy to be there. The good vibes were flying.
So, as some of you may or may not know, I hung out at the portfolio reviews on the first official day of the con (it went well, thanks for asking). While I was sitting there, I thought about how I wish I knew more of what to expect. Each con has their own way of doing these, and sometimes it can be exhausting keeping what’s what in line. I decided to do a write-up of the whole process. I’ve had a few awesome artists give me some helpful advice or materials along the way—shout out to Mike Deodato, you rock!—and if this helps anyone prepare I’ll consider it a job well done.
For some thoughts and musings on the portfolio review scene…. Continue reading “Post-San Diego Comic Con 2012”
So this isn’t exactly a walk through, and it certainly isn’t a step by step. I don’t work in an orderly fashion, so a step by step isn’t really feasible. But this will give you an idea of my process.
The picture we’ll be looking at is this one.
Rogue and Gambit, of Marvel’s X-men comics. This Rogue and Gambit piece was unique in the fact that I saved different versions. That’s not something I usually do, but since Rogue and Gambit are two of my favorite characters, ever, I wanted to make sure I got it right.
You can see where I started with the cleaned up line art. Then I laid in my basic colors, and blocked in some of my highlights and shadows. I put circles of colors for my light sources and the shadows so the colors will be easy to grab as I go. If it’s a color I think I’ll use pretty frequently, I’ll add it to my color swatches.
Next I figured out the background. That was mainly playing with colors and balancing the foreground, background and figures.
Now you see me playing with highlights, light sources, the folds on Gambit’s jacket. You can see I changed my mind a lot on how Rogue’s costume should reflect light, and the strength of the light from the playing cards on Rogue’s hair.
And then, with all art, you reach the point where you’re hurting more than helping, and you call it done. I hope this is able to help some one in their painting process. The biggest advice I can give is play around, and most importantly, have FUN.
For more Rogue and Gambit art, check out the fan art page.
Kevin Smith has always been a hero of mine. I’ve grown up watching his movies. I even have a dog named Brodie Bruce
Last night I finally had the chance to catch his show at a local theater. It was incredibly funny, and I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to try to see him. Not only is he funny, but he is also very nice.
To show my appreciation for his work and how much he has inspired me, I drew this picture for him. By time the show ended, it was past eleven and getting rather cold out. I think I was the only girl waiting by the stage door. The lone female in a sea of fan boys. Standing on a gentle slope in heels for an hour is a work out. But, I toughed it out.
Kevin didn’t make it out the stage door before I left, but Jason Mewes did. Not only did he sign my sketch book, but he took the sketch to give to Kevin Smith. I wish I had known he would be there, I would have made him a print. He is a very upstanding gentleman and took the picture right on to the tour bus.
I personalized this for Kevin Smith, but I was also very proud of the piece, so I wanted to share it with all of you, as well.
Snoogans.
More new artwork. All featuring girls (some of the naked, so you’ve been warned.) Check ’em out!
Here are two pieces I created with those copic markers I talked about previously. You may or may not notice, but these have definitely been inspired by the artwork of Adam Hughes.
Mara Jade is one of my favorite characters from the Star Wars universe. The moment I read Heir to the Empire, I was hooked. It’s only fitting that I do her justice with some awesome fan art. And I see no better piece to for a semi-walk through.
From pencils to inks to colors: 
This is just a super rough walk through to give you an idea of how I work. The Pencils are rough, as I figure out the pose and proportions. I also rough in highlights, to give myself and idea of the light source.
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I using the inking stage to take that even further, and add depth and shading.
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I color in photoshop. I first make the ink a new layer, in which I delete all the negative space. The magic eraser is your best friend here. I throw in some rough colors on a new layer under the inks. Then I refine. I also go back to the ink layer and change my lines to soften the image. It’s a lot of just playing around and seeing what looks best. The final step is adding the water mark.
New make-up art will be added over the next several days. Check back often!
Also, expect some comic pin-ups soon, maybe even of characters you know and love!
Stay tuned about information about the following:
Online Store
Commissions
New Art
Contact page
In other news, if any of you are going to be at the New York Comic Con this weekend, track me down! I’ll be wondering around.
Welcome to the asylum. This dark graphic novel follows Doctor Paynes’ attempts to confront and control the darkness in all of us. But in this house in the hollow, one can never trust their own senses.
Written by Karl Custer, drawn, colored, and lettered by me. Check out Karl’s own site at http://www.uncleyo.com/
The following are some screen caps. If you want to see more, spread the word about this delightfully dark tell. Hopefully you’ll be able to follow the good Doctor from your local book store.
