Study: Yukito Kishiro

Copied a drawing of John Farrell, a character from the latest installment of Yukito Kishiro's Battle Angel Alita: Last Order. This was a study to see if by looking at and copying other artists lines I could get a better feel for how to approach my own line work. This was useful I think. I will do another one tomorrow. (Used a crow-quill nib, ink pen for the blacks.)

bush leagues

The alternate title to this post is "crap on a cracker". I am sort of frustrated with my lack of talent - everything looks so rushed and sloppy (especially after I go over the pencil with the inkpen). GAH!! The next few drawings I am going to do are copies of drawings that I think are good. maybe I can learn something about linework by studying and copying artists who know what the hell they're doing.

practicing composition and scene openers

I was looking for something to draw the other night while watching the 40-year old virgin on HBO. There is a scene where the characters are at a japanese exhibition steakhouse and the waitresses are singing happy birthday to one of the people at the table. I thought that would be fun to draw for practice. The things I am trying to practice here are establishing a scene / location and setting an interesting composition for the panels and the page. For this I thought I would use two panels: one an establishing shot and a second shot of the main characters in the scene. That's it.



I think the setting is sort of clear....maybe not. It looks like a restaurant or bar at least - but could be a hotel conference room / wedding reception. the three people at standing in the background are supposed to be waitresses singing to the table. This is not really clear either I guess. The two main characters are seated at the bottom of the panel with their backs facing the reader. The composition in the opening panel is ok to me in that I think the lines and different values, move the eye across the panel from the bottom left across the table and up to the waitresses faces. The composition is a little too busy though(packed with lines). Also, the two main characters of the scene are seated at the bottom of the panel (with the backs of their heads to the reader) They are basically lost in the panel to me which results in a situation where the reader gets to the second panel and doesn't realyl know that these two people were in the prior panel at all. I should've done something to bring more attention to them.

The drawing is ok - maybe a bit to skritchy-skratchy. That always happens when I rush through stuff. I used a PITT brush pen to ink and I am not unhappy with it. I just need more practice with inks and finishing. For the fine lines I have to hold the pen tip so light against the paper that I get some shakiness in the line. Also at times I rush the line work and the line weights come out looking too uniform. Still learning.

Using the model for layouts

So I want to do a panel with Brett watching TV and Patrice in the background asking him if he wants some coffee. I zoom around with the model until I find the angle I want.


And then I can sketch the scene!

I think this could really help me think about layouts. Of course I still need to setup the perspective with vanishing points etc. for finished drawings but all the fretting about where they need to go is lessened. Kinda fun too.

Patrice's Apartment from Google Sketchup

Cool little modelling app from google allows you to make a 3d model and then view it from any angle. Also has a ton of models others have built for reference. This could be helpful for seeing in perspective.

Here is a model I made for Patrice's apartment.



Another angle looking at the living-room area from the kitchen counter.



And another one looking back at the kitchen from the sitting area.




Also here is a model someone else did of Jerry Seinfeld's apt.

post buzz brett

just trying to see if I can draw Brett without the long hair. Threw in seedless and Patrice for composition practice.

a little scene....

Just doodling while waiting to go to the in-laws for thanksgiving.

Patrice sketch

Patrice 11/17

pony tail

yet another sketch....focusing on the hair and practicing her face. In this sketch, she looks a little heavier than the last one. I think this one is a little better. Getting closer.

another sketch

This drawing doesn't look good to me but it served it's purpose. I am basically trying to work out the body proportions and I think I am closing in on what I want. Also I think I am getting a handle on Patrice's basic look. However, this drawing looks a little dumpy/sloppy for some reason. I think part of it is the pen I used tonight. anyway more later.

more patrice sketches

another Patrice. longer nose bridge. smaller eyes....getting better.

Character Sketch....

Another sketch of Patrice...still needs work.

some initial sketches of Partice....still working on her face a little.

more lettering p 16

I wanted to add the words to this page since it mostly exists for the conversation. stil lnot sure if the flow of the balloons works. I thinned the balloon border by 1 pixel to see if looks better thinner on this page also.

pp14-15 lettered

lettered pp12-13

Some lettered pages...pp10-11

Up at the flickr site I posted six lettered pages but they are hard to read. Here they are...

tit-a-tete

exposed a boobie...practiced some lettering

progress on page 6

more work last night and tonight. The page is coming together pretty good.