Damian Wayne (Robin) - Sketchbook Pro 6 Test

Damian (Robin) Wayne © DC Comics

I love computer stuff. And gadgets and software. I'm always wanting to find the next art tool/supply that will do everything I want it to. Which brings me to today's post.

Autodesk released a new version of Sketchbook Pro. Version 6, to be exact. I read a few things about it online and found that most people like the new interface. Honestly, I hated the old one. It wasn't very intuitive and I found myself getting bog down just trying to make something simple happen.

I downloaded the 15-day trial version of the app to see if it really is different. After playing around a bit, I found it is different. It's much better. Still a bit clunky around the edges but I managed to open it and start right out with some sketching. Making custom brushes and a bunch of other things. I recorded the first real sketch I did in the app. I will keep playing with it over the next several days and I may just plunk down the $30 bucks for it. Yeah, only $30. I do have to say that it is really cool of Autodesk to have a full version 15 day trial available. Very cool, indeed.

Today's post was done in Sketchbook Pro 6 and recorded with Quicktime.

This is Post #1814

Ralph and Sue Dibny - Work in Progress

Ralph and Sue Dibny © DC Comics

Started a new project today. Couple of dozen or so rough illustrations have to be done over the next couple of weeks. Gonna be fun. But nothing is as much fun as dropping in on this couple and adding a little more to the image. I didn't have much time to work on it but I made time to add some background details. Not done yet, but getting there. Once again I recorded the process and will show it at a later date.

This is Post #1813

Digital Sketchbook Day

Art © 2012 Gene Gonzales

Just a digital sketchbook day folks.

This is Post #1812

Happy Birthday, Mister Kirby

Prince Tuftan created by Jack Kirby

© DC Comics

I woke up this morning to a number of Tweets on Twitter that stated today is Jack Kirby's birthday. I understand there is some big "Wake up and draw" deal going on with 100 artist and the Hero Initiative to celebrate "The King's" birthday. I'm not part of it, but I wanted to do something anyway. With all the big, main characters being drawn today by so many outstanding artists, I opted to go with a supporting character. This is my take on Prince Tuftan from KAMANDI. Happy Birthday, Mister Kirby!

Created in Adobe Photoshop

This is Post #1811

Sketchbook Monday

Art © 2012 Gene Gonzales

Long day = sketchbook day.

This is Post #1810

Ralph and Sue Dibny - Video Part 1

Ralph and Sue Dibny © DC Comics

Here is the video of the line art stage of this piece. More to come. I hope you enjoy.

This is Post #1809

Ralph and Sue Dibny - Work in Progress

Ralph and Sue Dibny © DC Comics

This morning I did the line art for the car and blocked in some shadows and the driveway. All in Photoshop. In case I haven't mentioned it, I have been doing screen recordings of every step. When the entire piece is done, I will edit the footage and post it.

This is Post #1808

Digital Painting Study

Supergirl © DC Comics

I want to learn more about digital painting. Not just lines with color, but actual painting. Specifically digital painting that can look like oils. I don't have time for classes so once again I am trying to squeeze in time to teach myself. The tough part is I don't paint in oils. I tried years ago but I really hate the smell. But I really love the look. So as part of my studies I am looking at the work of one of my favorite pin-up artists, Gil Elvgren.

Above is a detail from a larger piece I started last night. Nothing is finished about about what you see except for her right cheek. I love that right cheek. Elvgren had this way of making these beautiful smiles and plump red cheeks. Full of color and depth. My cheek is no where near what he did in his paintings, but it's the one part of my study that I am really happy with. And I will take that.

Have a good weekend everyone!

This is was done entirely in Photoshop.

This is Post #1807

DC New 52 Sketch Cards

All characters © DC Comics

I just got the approval to share these sketch cards I did for Cryptozoic Entertainment. These were fun to do and George at Cryptozoic is incredibly nice to work with.

These were done in ink and Copic markers.

This is Post #1806

Ralph and Sue Dibny - Work in Progress

Ralph and Sue Dibny © DC Comics

Digital inks for the love birds is done. I am now moving on to the car and background.

This is Post #1805

Ralph and Sue Dibny - Work in Progress

I've been a bit busy but I have in no way given up on this piece. I have been frustrated with my quest to create the right digital "brush" to get the look I want. There is a slickness that can happen when digitally inking, either in vector or pixel based apps that I am trying to avoid. Here is an example of two different brushes and attempts.

Above is a detail of what I did today. I completely started over using a brush that is more like a pencil. If you click on the image and look you will probably notice the edges of the lines have a bit of a jaggedness to them. And for some reason this brush reacts different as I draw. Though that is probably in my head. But there seems to be something more organic in the top image compared to the image below.

Below is a detail of the piece from earlier this month. I am using a brush I created that makes lines like I am inking. But because it is an "ink" brush, I feel like I have less control over the lines. It just slips away from me. Long strokes become difficult and every uncertainty in the stroke shows. 

Ralph and Sue Dibny © DC Comics

I'm just gonna keep plugging away at this. :)

This is Post #1804

Sketchbook Monday

Art © 2012 Gene Gonzales

Just another doodle in my sketchbook. With any luck I will have something finished to share this week. :)

This is Post #1803

Sketchbook Sunday

Artwork © 2012 Gene Gonzales

Sketchbook Sunday. Surprise visit from Mister X.

This is Post #1802

Sketchbook Saturday

Superboy © DC Comics

Just a sketchbook day again folks. Nothing to see. Move along. :)

This is Post #1801

Sketchbook Friday

Magik © Marvel Entertainment

Sketchbook Friday folks. With a splash of digital color. Have a good weekend!

This is Post #1800

Sketchbook Thursday

Batman © DC Comics

Just time for a doodle today.

This is Post #1799

Spider Girl - Five Years Later Legion

Spider Girl © DC Comics

Here is the finished inks of the Spider Girl commission for Michael. I might try to digitally color this in my free time. Bwahahahahaha, "free time". I crack me up. :)

Thanks Michael!

Ink on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1798

Kent Shakespeare - Legion of Super-Heroes rough

Kent Shakespeare © DC Comics

I haven't had a lot of time for drawing anything finished so I have had to settle with only getting some rough ideas down on paper. Here is my rough for another Legion piece for Michael.

Pencils in my sketchbook.

This is Post #1797

Spider Girl - Legion of Super-Heroes rough

Spider Girl © DC Comics

This is rough for another Legion (Five Years Later) piece for Michael. Spider Girl is one of those long time characters from Legion lore. She has been around since the 1960s. She tried out for the Legion and was rejected. Joined the Legion of Super-Villains later. Then joined the Legion of Super-Heroes much later. I don't believe I have drawn any version of her before.

Pencil in my sketchbook

This is Post #1796

Hulk - Doodle

Hulk © Marvel Entertainment

Just a little doodle of the Hulk today.

UPDATE: Just for Gary. :)

This is Post #1795

Supergirl

Supergirl © DC Comics

I haven't drawn Kara in quite a while. I didn't have much time to draw today but here is a quick little watercolor piece done on 5.25" x 8.5" Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Board. Really need to do a big, nice color piece of her soon. :)

This is Post #1794

Wildfire - Five Years Later Legion

Wildfire © DC Comics

Here is the finished piece for Michael. Thanks Michael!

I hope everyone has a nice weekend!

Ink on 11" x 17" Bristol Board

This is Post #1793

Wildfire - Work in progress

Wildfire © DC Comics

The pencils for a Wildfire piece I am doing for Michael. This is the Five Years Later version of Wildfire. Inks to follow.

This is pencil on 11" x 17" Strathmore Bristol Board

This is Post #1792

It was twenty years ago today...

Artwork © 2012 Gene Gonzales

No, this post has nothing to do with Sgt. Pepper. Nor his Lonely Hearts Club Band. But it does have everything to do with Deena and I celebrating 20th wedding anniversary today! :)

This is Post #1791

Commercial Work

Art © 2012 Gene Gonzales

A bit of commercial work I thought I would share. This design was used on various items including t-shirts for a Independence Day celebration at a resort. Sometimes I forget to share some of the commercial work I do because so much of it is under non-disclosure agreements. This one isn't. 

This is Post #1790

Sketchbook Monday

Art © 2012 Gene Gonzales

Yup, very, very busy today. But managed to sketch out some ideas for a Legionnaire commission. :)

This is Post #1789

Ralph and Sue Dibny - Work in progress - Inks

Elongated and Sue Dibny © DC Comics

A little more progress on this piece.

This is Post #1788

Riddle me this!

The Riddler © DC Comics

No time to work on Ralph and Sue today, so instead you get the Riddler. I'm spending the entire day with my lovely wife. Our 20th anniversary is coming up on Wednesday and we are making a weekend of it. Interesting thing (to me at least) is I realized today that Deena and I had met for the first time 27 years ago last June. On my second week of working at Hewlett-Packard, I was introduced to a couple of hundred people, including her. And I do remember that introduction, it's just not one of the many anniversaries we celebrate. :)

Tomorrow we are going to see the Tampa Bay Rays play. We have seats in the second row along the first base line, next to the Rays dugout. We are in a spot where if we look left, we are looking in the dugout. And as 1st baseman Carlos Pena heads to his position, he will be within butt slapping reach of my wife. With any luck, will we avoid any assault charges. :)

This is Post #1787

Ralph and Sue Dibny - Work in progress - Inks

Elongated Man and Sue Dibny © DC Comics

I am recording the work in progress of this piece, but I am going to save all of it and edit it for one big recording. In the meantime I will share some shots in progress. I took all the extra elements away and I am focusing on just Sue and Ralph. I plan to do the same with the rest of the elements. The car, the background and the magazine will all be separate files of line art to be put together when each is finished.

This is Post #1786

Ralph and Sue Dibny - Work in progress

Elongated Man and Sue Dibny © DC Comics

This will be the next digital piece I will be working on from time to time. I've always had a fondness for this couple. Not so much when Sue worked with the JLI, but back when the two of them had their own adventures. And yes, I realize I put a 1963 Corvette on the cover of a 1961 magazine. I can either change the date or just assume that Sue, with all her money and connections, managed to get herself a concept car. :)

This is Post #1785

The Joker

The Joker © DC Comics

According to the The Super DC Calendar for 1976, today is the Joker's birthday.

Pencil and ink on gray Canson paper.

This is Post #1784