BLOC - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Bloc & White Witch © DC Comics

Another Legionnaire! This one was requested by Anthony. And as always, drawing Legionnaires is a fun time for me. Thanks Anthony!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1686

VECCA - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Vecca is a D&D character that Matt requested. He said she was "a buxom fortune teller-bard with Tarot cards and a flare for the dramatic." I hope I hit all the key parts with this piece. :) Thanks again Matt!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1685

CONUNDRUM - Conventionless Convention Sketch

This one is for Matt. I am not familiar with this character, suspect she was created by Matt, but I could be wrong. Either way, she was fun to draw. :) Thanks Matt!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1684

RED SONJA - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Here is the other redhead requested by Gary. It seems odd to me that Gary asked for two redheads for his sketches. Never happened before. I can only guess that some recent event might have influenced him. ;)

Thanks Gary!

This is Post #1683 

THE GOBLIN QUEEN - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Goblin Queen © Marvel Entertainment

Gary picked a couple of redheads for this two Conventionless Convention Sketches. (Though this is only black and white, take my word for it, they are redheads) You will have to wait till tomorrow to see who the second one is, but the first one is here and she is the Goblin Queen! Thanks Gary!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1682

ELEMENT LAD & WHITE WITCH - Conventionless Convention Sketch

These are the last two Legionnaires for Michael. It was fun to explore the 5 Years Later Legionnaires. Thanks again Michael!

Element Lad - There is a moment that we discover that Element Lad went back to his home planet after the Legion disbanded. He spent years there creating crystal monuments for all of the dead. Everyone on his planet had the ability to change elements from one to another. With the exception of Element Lad, the planet's population was killed for refusing to do the bidding of Roxxas, a space pirate of sorts. The idea that Element Lad spent years alone doing this was touching. It stayed with me. 

Characters © DC Comics

The White Witch has gone through so many changes in appearance since she first appeared in Adventure Comics in the 1960s. Finding reference for her look during the 5 Years Later storyline proved the toughest of the batch. I ended up mixing what series artist Stuart Immonen did with what Esteban Maroto did for the Witch's Who's Who in the Legion entry. I think it works. :)

Both are ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1681

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Today was a good day. I set aside the day for a batch of CCSs, and even though I had a few distractions from other work, I still managed to pencil six and ink these four. And had fun doing them. Almost like being at a show. :)

All four are for Michael and feature more of the Legion from the 5 Years Later storyline. First up is:

Brainiac 5 (Querl Dox)

Cosmic Boy (Rokk Krinn) 

Invisible Kid (Jacques Foccart)

Shrinking Violet (Salu Digby)

All characters are © DC Comics

Thanks again Michael!

All are ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1680

LAUREL GAND - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Laurel Gand © DC Comics

Another 5 Years Later Legionnaire for Michael. This time up is Laurel Gand. Laurel has gone through a few "make overs" just as the rest of the Legion has every time there is a big reboot/reimagine/rewhatever. But the quick background for her is she filled the void of Supergirl in the Legion after the Byrne Superman reboot wiped out the Superboy history. Which of course made the Superboy and the Legion history null and void. Laurel was always a fun character in every reboot. Thanks Michael!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1679

Sketchbook Sunday

Stuff happened today that kept me from doing any real work. Just some sketches for a water volleyball logo I am working on. Back on track tomorrow.

This is Post #1678

Sketchbook Saturday - Digital rough

Didn't get as far as I thought I would today. Sigh. Here is a digital sketch for tomorrow's subject.

I hope everyone is having a good time in Pittsburgh. I miss seeing all of you!

This is Post #1677

LIGHTNING LASS - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Lightning Lass © DC Comics

Get ready for a...well, Legion, of Legion of Super-Heroes Conventionless Convention Sketches all for Michael. This is the first, Lightning Lass from the 5 Years Later Legion run. As a matter of fact, all will be from that run. This will be fun! Thanks Michael!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1676

ZATANNA - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Zatanna © DC Comics

This is the second request from Larry, Zatanna in the classic top hat/fishnet outfit. As far as I am concerned, this is the ONLY outfit for Zatanna. :) Thanks Larry!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1675

SHANNA THE SHE-DEVIL - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Shanna the She-Devil © Marvel Entertainment

This is the first of two for Larry. Going back to the Shanna of the 1970s was the choice and one I liked. And anytime I get to draw a jungle girl is a good time. Thanks Larry!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1674

THE ROUGHS - Conventionless Convention Sketches

Though I started two CCSs, I didn't get a chance to finish either. So I thought I would show these roughs for some previous pieces. These show the big difference between my convention sketches and my Conventionless Convention Sketches. I don't have the opportunity to work out ideas in my sketchbook at a convention like I do when I work on these at home.

I was asked recently if I would be doing an advance list for HeroesCon. I will, but that will be near the end of May. Just thought I would share that now. :)

Back with a CCS (or two) tomorrow.

This is Post #1673

POWER GIRL - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Power Girl © DC Comics

The second of two requests from Greg, an Amanda Connor version of Power Girl. Power Girl is always fun to draw, no matter the version. :) Thanks Greg!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1672

STARGIRL - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Stargirl © DC Comics

I was a fan of the short lived STARS and S.T.R.I.P.E comic. So much so that I have a beautiful double page spread from one issue that I picked up from inker Dan Davis. So when Greg asked for Courtney, I was seeing stars. :)

Thanks Greg!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1671

THOR & KENT SHAKESPEARE - Conventionless Convention Sketches

Kent Shakespeare © DC Comics

We start our double header of CCSs with Kent Shakespeare for Travis. Kent has been around since the Legion 5 Years Later series and continues to pop up in spite of reboots. Go Kent! And thanks Travis!

Thor © Marvel Entertainment

And the classic version of Thor is the second CCS for Thorsten. He also requested The Spirit from a couple of days ago. Thanks again Thorsten!

Both pieces are ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1670

BATSMAN - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Batsman © DC Entertainment

When Travis requested Batsman, I thought it was a typo. I had never seen or heard of this character but when I got the refs from Travis, I liked the design immediately! Thanks Travis!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1669

EMMA FROST - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Emma Frost © Marvel Entertainment

Christopher requested this version of Emma Frost for his Conventionless Convention Sketch. Thanks Christopher!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1668

THE SHADOW - Not A Conventionless Convention Sketch

So for this Conventionless Convention Sketch,  I worked on a rough sketch, scanned it, printed it out on tabloid sized copy paper, and light boxed the line art onto an 11" x 17" sheet of Bristol Board. Then I inked it and scanned the final art. Pulled up my list of sketches so I could check this one off and...no one requested the Shadow? How the heck did I end up thinking that The Shadow was on my list? Oy. Bonus post for the day!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1667

THE SPIRIT - Conventionless Convention Sketch

The Spirit is for Thorsten. I don't get many requests for Denny Colt, which is a shame because I was a big Spirit fan when Kitchen Sink was reprinting the stories in black and white. So this one was a lot of fun. And ink. :)

Thanks Thorsten!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1666

Sketchbook Tuesday

A full day (and a few hours each day before) putting together a rough draft art proposal for a very large potential gig makes for a Sketchbook day today.

I don't know how you all do it, but there seems to be some kind of cosmic powers in play. When work is slow, I offer a Conventionless Convention Sketch deal. Almost immediately after that, the commercial work pours in. But no fear, the initial roughs will be done by this weekend and if the project is green lit, it won't start until after the CCSs are winding down. But it's great how this happens almost every time.

Back tomorrow with Conventionless Convention Sketches. Maybe even two of them to get back on track. :)

This is Post #1665

COLOR KID - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Color Kid © DC Entertainment

Color Kid is a member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, and one of Travis' picks for his CCSs. Thanks Travis!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board.

This is Post #1664

BANE - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Bane © DC Entertainment

Brian (aka Batmite) requested Bane for his Conventionless Convention Sketch. I don't think I have drawn him before so I hope my take on him is decent. Thanks Brian!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1663

ZATANNA - Conventionless Convention Sketch

Zatanna © DC Entertainment

Here we go...the first of the Conventionless Convention Sketches for April. Stephanie asked for a classic, happy Zatanna, and I was more than happy to draw it. :)

Thanks Stephanie!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This Post #1662

VALIDUS - Fatal Five

Validus © DC Entertainment

This is the third of five for Travis. There are more than a few origins for Validus, too many to go into here. All you really need to know is that he is the toughest of the Fatal Five. Besides his size and his strength, his brain can give off a deadly charge of electricity. Enough to knock out Legionnaires like Superboy and Mon-El. And the fact that Tharok can control Validus to do his will, makes Validus that much more deadly.

Mixed media on 9" x 12" Canson Mi-Teintes Paper

This is Post #1661

THAROK - Fatal Five

Tharok © DC Entertainment

Continuing with the series of Fatal Five portraits for Travis, we have the leader of this super-baddies, Tharok. Tharok was a small time crook who attempted to steal a nuclear device. The police shot at him but struck the bomb atomizing his left side. A hastily made robotic half was made to save his life. Of course these things never go right and Thorak survived with a deep hatred for lawmen and an equal passion for evil. Thorak also has a great deal of control over the gigantic Validus.

This is mixed media on 9" x 12" sky blue Canson Mi-Teintes paper

This is Post #1660

MANO - The Fatal Five

Mano © DC Entertainment

This is the first of five head shot Canson pieces I will be doing of the Legion of Super-Heroes villains, The Fatal Five. I am doing these for Travis. This first one is Mano. Mano has to wear a helmet that supplies him with the same toxic atmosphere from his home world. This would be the world he destroyed with the "anti-matter" touch of his right hand. Nice guy.

My take is a mix of old and new versions of Mano. The costume is classic but the way his head is depicted is inspired by George Perez' version. In the classic version, Mano's head was just a silhouette, George made it much creepier. 

Thanks Travis!

This is mixed media on 9" x 12" Canson Mi-Teintes Paper.

This is Post #1659

Sketchbook Wednesday

Art © 2012 Gene Gonzales

Gidget loves popsicles. She can hear Deena opening a popsicle package all the way across the house in another room. She will run to Deena and sit in front of her where she always gets the first bite. Then she leaves. Oh, the first bite is broken off for Gidget, she doesn't actually get to bite the popsicle. That would be weird. :)

This is violet Col-Erase pencil in my sketchbook.

This is Post #1658

Space Girl, 1968

Art © 2012 Gene Gonzales

This is the pencils for the piece I am working on for the 2-Point Perspective blog. Space girl is the theme and naturally I went retro. See the finished piece tomorrow on the 2-Point Perspective blog.

This is Post #1657

Cleopatra In Spaaaace!

Cleopatra In Space © Mike Maihack

Mike Maihack has been posting guest strips of his wonderful web comic Cleopatra In Space. I had been totally digging all the different takes on these great characters. On Twitter I asked him if he was writing them and others drawing, or were the guest creators doing all of it themselves. Well, a few tweets later (also involving Spazzy) Mike extended a warm invitation to me to do my take on his strip. I did give him a chance to back out, but he wanted to see what I would do. Today he posted my finished strip. I had so much fun doing this, I really want to do my own even more. Thanks for the opportunity Mike, you have a big heart allowing me to play in your sandbox with your toys.

Before you look at the process steps below, you really should read the full strip here. I'll wait.

"Tall and tan and young and lovely

The girl from Ipanema goes walking

And when she passes, each one she passes 

Goes "A-a-a-h""

Wasn't that fun? Okay, on to the process. I did things a little different with this. I did a full script that I submitted to Mike. He said it wasn't necessary, but I felt better doing the work with his approval. Then I did a really rough layout as a guide. From there I set all the word balloons and borders in Illustrator and printed the page in black on a sheet of 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board. I tightened up the roughs on copy paper, one panel at a time. Then light boxed my pencils on the board with the lettering. Inks were next and then I scanned the finished black and white pages back into Photoshop for coloring. 

The final original art has all the lettering in place and finished inked art. I think it just looks cooler when the letters and art are on the same page. Don't you? :)

And yeah, I really went with those titles. I've been around Royce too long. ;)

This is Post #1656

Sketchbook Sunday

Art © 2012 Gene Gonzales

Our English Bulldog, Gidget has never had octopus or squid, but I like to think she would love it. :)

Earlier today I posted I would start a new round of Conventionless Convention Sketches and WOW! the response has been incredible. There are still spots available but not many. If you are interested, just look back at the post earlier today for details. Thanks to everyone who has already placed an order. All the requests have been great. I am always surprised that I don't get many duplicate character requests. I think there is only one as of now and only a few spots left. Nice diversity!

This is Post #1655

Conventionless Convention Sketches - April 2012

Not a dream! Not a hoax! Not an April Fool's joke either!

CONVENTIONLESS CONVENTION SKETCHES ARE BACK!

CONVENTIONLESS CONVENTION SKETCHES (CCS)! It's just like a regular con sketch that I would do for you at a convention, except no crowds, no convention hall food, no hotel bill, and no travel. And the price is the same as a show sketch. You only have to pay extra for shipping. Still cheaper than going to a show. If you have been waiting to get a black and white, inked single character sketch from me, now is the time to get it. If not for you, maybe you want a gift for that special someone? Original artwork shows how much you care. :)

Here are the details...

CCS DEAL:

$50.00 for a single character, inked on 11" x 17" bristol board. I will not be doing multiple characters on a single board. Shipping is $12.00. No matter how many sketches you get! Buy 1: Shipping is $12.00! Buy 20, shipping is $12.00! (Just an FYI, my normal studio price starts at $75.00 plus shipping!). This shipping cost is US only, sorry. If you are outside the US, contact me for shipping costs.

I am going to take a total of 30 commissions. Assuming I get 30 requests, of course. Any background elements will be at my discretion. I will begin working on the sketches April 7th and all sketches will be done by May 6th. Finished art will be mailed each Thursday. Payment is PayPal only. (No e-checks, please).

If you are interested, send me an email to gene_gonzales(at)mac(dot)com. Please use "Conventionless Convention Sketch" in the subject line and let me know what you would like. That address and subject line are very important. It helps me sort the requests from other emails. That email address is also my PayPal account, but check with me before sending money, please. I do reserve the right to turn down requests that I don't feel comfortable drawing. If you have any questions, please email me.

Please tell your friends, family, and local politicians. Tweet it on Twitter, Face it on Facebook...Okay, that one didn't sound right, but you get the idea. Please get the word out any way you can. Thanks! :)

Posted above are examples of the last CCS I ran in September.