Sketchbook Monday - Not A Valentine Post

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

The Tiki guys are about to make their debut in the pages I am working on so I have been working on various expressions, poses and attitudes. :)

Today I purchased my plane tickets and booked my hotel room for the Pittsburgh ComicCon. I had been unsure if I was going to be able to make it. Because some work should be coming in the beginning of April that will keep me busy, and then add the high cost and hassle of air travel, I was on the fence about making the journey. Don't get me wrong, I love going to this show. My first time was their second year and I haven't missed more than a few since. Luckily Brian emailed me about the show and it kicked me in the but to look at booking everything. I am trying to get Joe Pekar to fly up for the show as well. I know a lot of people here love his work. Plus Joe and I are the Hope and Crosby of Road Trips these last couple of years. Everyone loves a musical. So if you know Joe, send him a note telling him he should come to Pittsburgh. In any case, Pittsburgh here I come. With a layover in Chicago first. :)

Also, I sent the files to the printer today for the Canson Sketchbook. I should have them around a week before MegaCon. As soon as I get them I will make them available here to everyone who will not be at a show I am attending. Well, actually anyone can get them, but I will have them at the shows too. I will continue working on the second book, but it will not be available at MegaCon. I could have it for the Pittsburgh ComicCon. I will keep everyone posted.

This is Post #1226

Canson Cutie - Purple Bangs

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

This is a finish of one of the cover rough ideas I showed a couple of days ago. I like how the color came out but the face is way of model for my assassin. I don't know what happened other than I might have rushed it. Still it was interesting working on a headshot that big. Subtle color changes and blends were easier to achieve with this piece because of the size. Maybe I will do more in the future.

Oh, today's title is came to me when trying to use the word "Purple". I went right to Prince's "Purple Rain". Now that song will be stuck in your head. My work here is done. :)

This is Post #1225

Background? Check!

Artwork © Gene Gonzales

I am working on my own comic today for a few hours. I thought I would share a panel from it. Just a jungle setting, you are probably thinking to yourself. But it is much, much, more. :)

I am doing all the pages digitally. Building backgrounds on one layer, characters on another and writing rough dialog on another. If I haven't mentioned it before, the story stars my space girl and her three tiki partners. Fun and adventure for all.

Enjoy your Saturday!

This is Post #1224

Sketchbook Cover Ideas

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

With the help of some friends I managed to come up with a design for the cover using the art from yesterday's post. But here are a couple of pieces that weren't used. The one on the left is a tightly cropped existing image. It's actually Crystal from the Inhumans. The one on the right is one I came up with this morning. It would have been finished as a Canson piece and used for the cover. I will still be finishing this piece because I like the look. But it won't be the cover. :)

Have a good weekend everyone!

This is Post #1223

Canson Cutie - Sketchbook Cover?

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

I finished this up today. I didn't expect to do that, but I was having such a good time I just kept working. I'm not sure this will be the front cover for the sketchbook. None of the design ideas I had for the cover worked with the image. But then I was pretty tired and had a headache when I was designing the cover so that might be a factor in why I wasn't really happy with anything. Still, I will start fresh tomorrow and I may just do another piece. This will be either on the front or the back, but it will be part of the book. :)

This was done on an 11" x 17" Canson Mi-Teintes board with ink, acrylics and color pencils. If you would like to see some of the progress pictures I took and put on Twitter today, you can go here.

This is Post #1222

Canson Cutie - Sketchbook Cover Rough

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

This is the rough for the all new image I am creating for the sketchbook of Canson paper pin-ups. I am planning to title this book "The Art of Gene Gonzales, Volume 2 - Canson Cuties, Heroes & Villains". Kind of long but it will work. :)

This is Post #1221

Supergirl - Finish

Supergirl © DC Comics

I was going to transfer this drawing to a sheet of bristol board and ink it, but I decided to ink it on the drawing paper I drew it on and add some gray tones with my Prismacolor markers. It's not a way that I normally work, but I like to play around and try things out. Below is a close up of Kara's face.

This is Post #1220