To start off, this isn't the only or normal way I do paintings. This demo shows how I've been doing these little sketch/study/goofing off kind of things that I do mostly for fun. I have a lot of left over scraps of Arches watercolor paper sitting around and so, when I'm bored or tired of working on "real" jobs I pull one out and doodle. They are usually quick and I don't put much planning into it.
This is the first rough sketch. A bunch of scribbles just to get me started. My first thought was that I wanted to do another Halloween themed thing. Maybe a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde thing. I threw down some shapes and rough gesture. As it developed I got the idea of him looking over his shoulder holding a creepy key, opening his office door. Whatever.
As I started to flesh out the rough sketch I found out that the topic for this week's Illustration Friday was "remote" so I made a few changes as I went. This is what I ended up with. I'm using a brown col-erase pencil.
I almost threw this thing out at this point because I thought it was stupid, but then I pulled it back out and started adding some paint. I start out using thinned acrylic paint straight onto the paper. It acts a lot like watercolors. (If this was a real job, I would have scanned and printed the sketch onto the Arches instead of painting on the actual sketch and I would have stretched the paper to eliminate the wrinkles.) I am just dropping in local colors, seeing what works as I go along.
Finally I do the finishing touches. On this one I darkened the blacks, brightened some of the colors, added highlights and little details, darkened the line where it was lost or not defined enough. I kind of move around the painting bringing it up to a level that I think might pass as a "finished" painting. Then I look at the clock and figure I better get back to work.
That's it. I hope this has been educational and fun, or at least not lame.
37 comments:
Nice tutorial. I dig the design and the colour.
Wow! That is quite the process you have shown here. I love that you did another Halloween theme. His face says it all- a definite spooky fellow! I wonder what he is in the mood to watch? I'm thinking a definite black & white mysterious movie. Well done!
Thanks for the walk-through, that is very helpful. Great illo.
Thanks for the tutorial, Guy! For someone like me who has never really tackled painting, it is mych appreciated! Great proportions in the pic!
Thanks for the tutorial. Really cool, and educational.
No, not lame at all! Thanks for the visual walk through. That is really helpful.
One of the things I really enjoy about illustrations (and what I try to do in mine) are ones that tell a story without any words. You always accomplish this expertly. I really like how we see the picture on the wall that I'm assuming is him. So, what is it that changed him? a TV addiction? or maybe this is the first time his wife let him have the remote for years and he's feeling a bit too excited about it.
Anyhow, great job!
I do have a question: What size are you working at?
Thanks everybody. I appreciate your comments.
Holly. Thanks. Halloween is just around the corner and you can't have too many Halloween pictures. I just don't know what I'm gonna do when November comes around.
Smook- I'm surprised you haven't tackled painting. I thought you might be a paintin kind of guy. What do I know? Your new marker stuff is looking good.
Dennis- maybe the remote has a glitch and changes him instead of the TV? It creates a nice story for me too because I have no idea what is going on.
Beth Lee- This one is about 6x10. A little bigger than normal but I thought it would be better for the tutorial. Most are from about 3 to 5 inches.
great character and great way to roll in the i-friday theme. ;)
I just discovered your site...I'm hooked. Great style and great use of colors. I'll be back.
Skeeter
Informative, educational, gruesome, evil, wonderful!
great job and thanks for sharing. I'm always interested to see who works traditionally and how they do it.
I have never been too comfortable with colour, let alone mixing colours with paint! I did just buy some acrylics, watercolours (very basic stuff) hoping to get a bit more acquainted with the medium. Thanks for the comments on my drawings though too. Much appreciated!
What made you think I was a painting kind of guy, anyway? Just curious.
I love seeing the tutorials.
What an insight to how you work.
thank you so much
I'm amazed at how small you work.
Simply wonderful!!
You make beautiful drawings. Like it a lot...
Dagmar
http://hetdagkonijn.punt.nl
not lame at all, thanks for sharing! Awesome to see your process.
~jason
Beautiful!! Love the idea too!! Match the holiday!! Great illo as always!! Cheers!
Thank you so much for posting the steps you used to create this. It is so interesting and helpful to see how someone works. It is a delightful fun illo, but best of all you shared how you made it. I really feel like I learned a process. Thank YOU!
Muchos Gracias! That helped me out a lot. I try and do everything all at once and don't take the time to detail.
Exemplary Illo...as usual!
thanks for sharing you process!
Nice illo, love the expression (so scary!!) on Mr hyde.
Very good work.
Non digital rules!
Nice work!
Thanks for sharing your technique.
Beautiful stuff as usual. Great fun to look at. Not only is the idea great, but the execution is VERY nice and professional.
MAC
You've inspired me to work on some Halloween pics before it gets too late. Great insight to your process. Thanks so much for sharing. What kind of printer do you use that prints on watercolor paper and doesn't bleed? I'm reeeaally curious about that one.
Great job!
Ooo! Ooo! I know this one! Pick me, pick me! (I'm his wife--and assistant, paper stretcher, critic, etc.)
The newer Epson printers use DuraBrite ink and it doesn't bleed. Ours works great. But sometimes, on big pieces, he prints with our old Epson (the one with runny, non durabrite ink). The trick is if you get the paper (Arches) real wet real quick (in the shower, actually) a bunch of the ink kind of comes to the surface and runs off. If you do it right, it leaves slightly blurred lines and softens everything, and he doesn't mind it much. He just uses a slightly different technique on these bigger pieces and does a little more line cleanup while he paints.
Both fun and educational! His toady warts are very attractive, as are his yellow teeth! Is that love in his eyes? I love visiting your site :)
Thanx so much for sharing this little inspirational number! ^^ Love it! Feeling a bit pepped up already. Oh btw,I keep reading col-erase pencils, what are they anyways? not the usual stocks?
I love your painting. I'm so glad I randomly clicked on your link. Thanks for sharing the process too.
Again I've got to thanks everybody for the comments. You are a kind bunch of folks.
Smook- You do have some nice color stuff so I just thought it might carry into paint. So, bust out the the paints and give it a shot.
Lorien- I think you've got it right (She knows what she's talking about). Not just beautiful but smart too. You go girl.
Sandra- Col-erase pencils are great. Made by Sanford. I think they are very popular with animators, especially the blue. I like them because I can still erase and my hand doesn't smear it all over the place. I like brown and black most but they are all good.
great to see a line the different versions.
hehe nice colours and I love the ol Tv! Ghoul Stuff!!
Guy, How do you find the time? At this point I just sit back and try not to be jealous of the ability to sit and paint ALL day. Don't laugh...I'm jealous. I guess someday my kids will be in school during the day and old enough to do more things for themselves. I love them and love being their mom, but I am jealous of anyone with more time to paint. My goal for November is to do Illustration Friday each week.
Anyway, good work. And send some of that creativity my way any day.
Thanks Guy; maybe this is the push I need to try it. I'll try to bust out the old paints and give it a whirl!
Oooh cool illustration! And great tutorial too! Definately educational and fun =)
Incredible! Love to see how it played out - you're a master charicaturist, and the way you adapted this for remote was wonderful!! Bravo!!
Hey Guy- As always it is so much fun to see your work. What is the weight of the Arches wc paper you are using?
Peter
Man, I really like your work. Thanks for showing us a little bit about your process. I never thought about running the watercolor paper through the printer. Great idea! Splendid illustration.
Ooooh! I know this one too!
Peter, he uses Arches 140 lb hot press.
Hey Guy or Lorien,
Which Epson printer is it that you are using? Do you know the model number off hand? I am tired of going to Kinkos for the same effect I might be able to get at home.
Thanks,
Peter
Peter- I have two epson printers. The Epson 1270--a large format printer (prints up to 13 inches wide). It's ink runs when it gets wet. The 1280 is basically the same thing but with Dura-bright inks. (doesn't run) My other printer is the Epson CX400. (8.5x10) It has the dure bright inks and is also a scanner and copier. I really like it and I use it for any job that is small enough to fit on the page. Hope this helps.
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