Pushing Concepts Using the Same Basic Shape
Ever fall into a rut where you’re trying to draw a new character but just don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you’re not feeling to satisfied with what you’ve come up with and you want to look at...
View ArticleVideo: Inks and Colors for OWC #9 and #10
two Other World Strips inked and colored Recorded live Aug 30 2010 at 3:56PM EDT Get a sneak-peek of the two Other World strips for September by watching the video above. These comics are created...
View ArticleCreating a Custom Brush for Digital Inking in Manga Studio Pro
I’ve spent the last 3 weeks using Manga Studio Pro for digital inking. I find the program to be superior to Corel Painter for that specific task. My workflow has shifted. I begin with a sketch, using...
View ArticleHow to add Halftones to Cartoon Art in Adobe Photoshop
A close-up: Adding halftones is a pretty neat effect – and it’s very easy to do using Adobe Photoshop. Halftones mimic the old school method of offset printing used in pulp comic books. You can add...
View ArticlePhotoshop-Fu: The Fake Sticker Effect
Ever wonder how those fancy shmancy illustrators create the “sticker effect” for their characters? Here’s a quick and easy method to do just that, using Photoshop. First, start out with your image –...
View ArticleStarting Clean: My Photoshop Customizations in CS6
Below are the settings and customizations I immediately set up after a fresh install of Adobe Photoshop. Many of these workflow customizations save me huge amounts of time. Your mileage may vary, but...
View ArticleMy custom brush settings for Manga Studio Pro EX
The brush you use for digital inking can make or break your work. I’ve used Photoshop, Sketchbook Pro and Manga Studio Pro. I always seem to come back to Manga Studio Pro in the end, because it simply...
View ArticleDramatic Lighting Effects Using the Gradient Tool in Photoshop
One technique used a lot, particularly in comics like Penny Arcade, is the use of dramatic lighting. Through a lot of trial and error and experimentation, I finally figured out a method to achieve this...
View ArticleAttitude Poses using the Two Can technique
Understanding body language is essential to making your character poses more expressive. When most novice artists start out, they tend to draw their characters in an upright position. This position is...
View ArticleTerror of the Mind: A Look at My Illustration Process
This week, I thought I’d share a little insight into my illustration process work. Before I begin any illustration, I have an idea for what I want to accomplish. For this warm-up, I took inspiration...
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Social Network Overload and the Artist: How Much is Too Much?
Managing Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ and a slew of other social networks can be daunting to anyone – particularly the artist. But is it really necessary? And if so, how can you get...
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The 6.5 Best Sites to Spruce Your Color Swatches
Tired of staring at the drab default color swatch palette? Looking for some new color schemes to incorporate into your designs? If you’re like me, the answer is probably “often”. Don’t suffer it out –...
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Getting a Killer Custom Brush for Inking in Manga Studio
Manga Studio is my go-to tool for digital penciling and inking. Due to popular request, I have taken some screenshots of the brush settings I use when inking in Manga Studio. I’ve tweaked the feel of...
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Brainstorming Character Design with Alchemy
Developing and designing new characters can be tough. There is a tendency most artists have when faced with a blank canvas, and that is to draw what you feel most comfortable with. But what if you...
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How to Make a PDF portfolio book using Photoshop in 5 Minutes
Many companies require candidates to send an online portfolio when applying for a position. Sending JPEG files in a zipped folder is so 1996. So what are your options? A) You can build a website to...
View ArticleUsing 3D models for 2D background layouts
Background layouts can be tough to draw consistently. Something that I have been experimenting with lately is using 3D tools to assist in creating 2D backgrounds. Using 3D tools, such ...
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The Process Blog
This academic quarter has been my busiest yet, leaving me with very little spare time to write (and draw). Behind the scenes, I’ve been preparing and teaching three new illustration courses from the...
View ArticleHow to Get Your Online Design Portfolio Noticed
I’m not arguing the merits or demerits of keeping an online portfolio. Suffice to say, having an online portfolio is a must for anyone who works as a visual artist ...
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Post Your Desktop Screenshots to Instagram
Instagram is all about creating, sharing and finding beautiful and interesting images. I use it to follow people who share similar interests (muscle cars, comics, illustration work etc.). With the...
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Review: ArtPose
As an artist, I’ve often run into poses that are challenging to draw. And chances are, if you’re reading this post, you’ve had a similar experience. Oh sure, I’ve looked up poses on the Internet. I’ve...
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