Sketchbook Wednesday - The Girls

Characters © DC Comics

Wednesdays are tough on me as far as blogs go. With two blogs requiring new art plus my work load, I'm afraid this blog takes the hit with a sketchbook post. Tomorrow I will be winding down the last of the Conventionless Convention Sketchs. Two more on the list and only one that I can share. The other is a gift. :)

On the subject of Conventionless Convention Sketches, once again I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who got on the list. And in most cases, got on the list multiple times. I think it has run it's course now. I'm amazed and grateful at how many requests I received. And not one duplicate request in the batch. That is really incredible when you consider there were 59 requests!!! That's right, 59 sketches requested and done since September 4th. Thank you all again for the requests and all the fun!

This is Post #1531

Sketchbook Tuesday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Lots of work today. And catching up on other matters. Being sick really threw a wrench in the works. So for today I have some doodles to work out tomorrow's post over at the 2pt-Perspective blog. Black Canary is the subject matter that Joe Pekar and I agreed upon. Check it out tomorrow.

This is Post #1530

Witchy Woman - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Gary saw a rough drawing on a page from my sketchbook, posted on Halloween, and asked if I could do a finished piece for his Conventionless Convention Sketch. Not a problem! Thanks Gary!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1529

Matter-Eater Lad - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Matter-Eater Lad © DC Comics

Another Legionnaire for Michael. This time up is Matter-Eater Lad from the "Five Years Later" run of the Legion. A run that I really enjoyed. If you don't know, Matter-Eater Lad's name explains it all: He can eat almost any matter. Seems silly but it's a power that got him in the Legion. He was almost replaced by Calorie Queen, also from his home planet of Bismoll (Let that sink in a moment) where everyone can eat almost any type of matter. Thanks again Michael for the visit to the 30th Century! Always a place I like to visit.

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1528

Sketchbook Saturday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Just some stuff I am working on that I really can't talk about. But out of context, it makes no sense. :)

This is Post #1527

Dream Boy - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Dream Boy © DC Comics

Another Legion request from Michael. If I remember correctly, Dream Boy joined the Legion after Dream Girl died in the line of duty. He was from the same planet as Dream Girl and shared the same ability to have visions of the future in his sleep. He was introduced during the Mark Waid/Barry Kitson run of the Legion. Thanks Michael!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1526

Sketchbook Thursday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Sorry for this particularly weak page of doodles I did while curled up sick on the couch watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows parts 1 & 2.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! :)

This is Post #1525

Sketchbook Wednesday

X-Men © Marvel Entertainment

I am under the weather right now so I'm afraid it is another Sketchbook day. Above are some doodles in my sketchbook for an X-Men theme that Joe Pekar and I are doing for this weeks 2 Point Perspective Blog. You can see the finished pieces over there. Other than that, I've been feeling so lousy that I didn't get to anything on my to do list. Didn't work on any commissions today. Results would have been questionable and no one wants that in a commission. :)

This is Post #1524

Sketchbook Tuesday

Marvel Girl © Marvel Entertainment

A rough idea for tomorrow's 2-Point Perspective Blog. The subject being the 1960s X-men. This is only one idea I have, not sure what the final piece will be.

This is done in non-photo blue pencil in my sketchbook.

This is Post #1523

Computo (Danielle Foccart) - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Computo © DC Comics

We are revisiting the Legion again thanks to the next batch of requests from Michael. This is Danielle Foccart, code named Computo. Drawing her made me realize how much I miss the SW6 Legionnaires that have been re-rebooted or forgotten. It's too much backstory to go into here, but it was a fun time for this Legion fan. Thanks Michael!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1522

Gidget

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

I always try to do something special for the first page of a new sketchbook because it could all be down hill from then on. So for the new sketchbook I started today, I rendered Gidget, our English Bulldog.

This is Post #1521

Eskimo (Cutie) Pie - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Keeping with the "bare midriff"theme of his requests, Vincent asked for something completely different from the super-hero fare: A pin-up of an Eskimo cutie. He left it wide open for me to come up with whatever I wanted. I hope you like her Vincent, and thanks for the commissions!

Below is the rough sketch idea for this piece.

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1520

Sketchbook Friday

Superman © DC Comics

Still more work ahead of me tonight. Have a good weekend everyone!

This is Post #1519

Ms. Marvel - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Ms. Marvel © Marvel Entertainment

Vincent is continuing his requests for midriff baring characters (see yesterday's Satana) with Ms. Marvel in her original costume. I like this one with the 1970s hair. I also thickened up her eyelashes to complete the look. :) Thanks Vincent!

Ink one 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1518

Satana Hellstrom - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Satana © Marvel Entertainment

Today's Conventionless Convention Sketch is for Vincent. He asked for Satana Hellstrom. I have to admit I was not familiar with the character but I like the look. :) I hope I did her justice. Thanks Vincent!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1517

Sketchbook Tuesday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Almost finished a Conventionless Convention Sketch this afternoon, but other things got in the way. So rather than rush it, it's a sketchbook day. :)

This is Post #1516

American Dream - Conventionless Convention Sketch

American Dream © Marvel Comics

This is the first time I have ever drawn American Dream and I hope I did her justice. This one is for Shawn. Thanks for the commission Shawn!

In other news...THE CONVENTIONLESS CONVENTION SKETCHES will continue! More requests came in yesterday so we will keep it going. Thanks everyone!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1515

Black Canary - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Black Canary © DC Comics

This Conventionless Convention Sketch is for Elysa. And if I am not mistaken, this is the first piece I have ever done for her. She asked for a happy, smiling, classic Black Canary, and I enjoy drawing happy heroes. And I always love drawing the Dinah from my youth. Thanks Elyssa!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1514

Sketchbook Saturday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Just some doodles from the Nissan Service center waiting room. :)

This is Post #1513

Sketchbook Friday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Sketchbook day with some digital color thrown in for good measure. Today was filled with work but the nice thing is I will not be working on "work" this weekend. I have a top secret commission that I have to finish up the prelims, and two more Conventionless Convention Sketches featuring Black Canary on one and American Dream on the other. And those are the last two on the list. If nothing else comes in before Sunday night, the Conventionless Convention Sketch deal is done for the year.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Pencil and ink in my sketchbook with Photoshop colors.

This is Post #1512

Raven - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Raven © DC Comics

Today's Conventionless Convention Sketch is for Brett. He requested a classic George Pérez version of Raven. I have always liked that version (and the animated one) but I can't remember the last time I got a request for her. My interpretation was to tilt her head back so we could see her face. :)

Thanks Brett!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1511 

Thanksgiving Girl - Rough

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

This is a rough for a finished piece I just posted on the blog I share with Joe Pekar. The theme is Thanksgiving. You can see the finished piece at the 2-Point Perspective blog.

This is Post #1510

Karate Kid II - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Karate Kid 2 © DC Comics

One more time into the Legion Lore thanks to Michael. This time it's Myg, the second Karate Kid who first joined the Legion Academy and was briefly a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Thanks again Michael for the commissions!

For fun I thought I would show the rough sketch I did for this piece. This was done in Photoshop.

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1509

Magnetic Kid - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Magnetic Kid © DC Comics

Today's Conventionless Convention Sketch features Magnetic Kid of the Legion of Super-Heroes. He is the younger brother of Legion co-founder Cosmic Boy. Magnetic Kid has the same powers as his older brother and took his place in the Legion for a while. It didn't end well. Thanks Michael for another visit to the 30th Century!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1508

Sketchbook Sunday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Work, work, work...hence the sketchbook day. :)

This is Post #1507

Mentalla - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Mentalla © DC Comics

I had completely forgotten about Mentalla until Michael requested her. After tying out and being rejected by the Legion of Super-Heroes, Mentalla joined the Legion Academy to hone her skills as a telepath. During that time she got the idea of joining the villainous Fatal Five in order to capture them and show how valuable she would be to the Legion. Unfortunately the Emerald Empress learned her intentions things did not go well for Mentalla. Thanks Michael for another commission and a trip down Legion lane.

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1506 

Boots & Bulldog

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

This is just a quickie Photoshop piece I did today. I was inspired by a pair of boots my lovely wife bought recently. Below is the doodle from my sketchbook.

I will be getting back to the Conventionless Convention Sketches tomorrow. This has been a hell of a week on a few different fronts and I have had a hard time concentrating on getting things done. Going days will only a couple of 2-3 hour naps has taken it's toll. You would think with all that lack of sleep I would be really productive, but it's just the opposite. This weekend will be a busy one as I try to wrap up some stuff and do a digitally painted sample piece for a publisher due on Monday. But the CCS' will return tomorrow. I got a few more requests over this last week or so and I am excited to get to them. And the list is still open. :)

This is Post #1505

Sketchbook Thursday - Mary Marvel

Mary Marvel © DC Comics

Just a little sketch of Billy Batson's kid sister.

This is post #1504

Tigra - Rough

Tigra © Marvel Entertainment

This is the working sketch for a Canson Cutie Tigra piece I did for the weekly blog I share with Joe Pekar. This piece started life as a series of quick sketches done in Photoshop. Once I got the pose I liked, I started tightening up the figure. I don't like to erase much on the final Canson paper, so I try to get this part of the process down as much as I need. The I print it out on 11" x 17" copy paper, with the opacity down to about 20%, making a light gray image. I then pencil on top of that print out to tighten it up a bit farther. Slap it on the light table, transfer to the final paper, ink it, color it and scan it. You know, 5-10 minutes from rough to finish, tops. ;)

If you would like to see the finished piece you can find it at 2-Point Perspective blog. 

This is Post #1503

Elastic Lad - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Elastic Lad © DC Comics

Depending on how much you know about the Legion of Super-Heroes and Jimmy Olsen, this post will either be nostalgic or a surprise. In case you don't know, Jimmy Olsen is an Honorary Legionnaire. When Jimmy uses a serum invented by Professor Potter, he becomes the stretchable Elastic Lad. In the 1960s Jimmy had a number of adventures with the Legion in his book. All were comical in someway, like the time all the female Legionnaires fell in love with him. Elastic Lad is just one of the many weird alter egos that Jimmy had back in the day, but it's the only one that got him noticed by the Legion. Thanks to Michael for this commission!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1502