Black Widow

Black Widow © Marvel Entertainment

Finished her up today. Watercolor & acrylic (background) on an 11" x 17" sheet of Arches Cold Press Watercolor Board.

This is Post #1369

Black Widow - Rough

Black Widow © Marvel Entertainment

As I thought, the burn out I was experiencing the last couple of days just had to be worked out. Today I worked on person projects. I did two more pages of my own comic and roughed out this Black Widow for painting tomorrow. My creator owned project has four pages done. When I get twelve pages done I will launch. I know I have been talking about this for what seems like forever, and I apologize. Creating everything myself in my "spare" time is tough. And I often have the problem of too many ideas. Not good ideas, just ideas. Weeding through them can take it's toll on creativity.

This rough is done with terra cotta Col-Erase pencil on an 11" x 17" sheet of Arches Cold Press Watercolor Board.

This is Post #1368

Sketchbook Tuesday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Today was the first day in a very long time that I didn't have any work (other than invoicing) to do. Jobs are still active, I'm just in the weird time when everything is out waiting for revisions/feedback. Good thing too because I am burned out. And the best thing for burn out is to continue to draw. I've been struggling the last couple of days and it's just a matter of working through it. I've been here before and it doesn't take long to get on the other side of it. So today I just sketched in my sketchbook, working out ideas that need to be worked out. :)

This is Post #1367

Tabula Rasa

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

The title of this post isn't completely accurate. But one of the definitions of tabula rasa is "An absence of preconceived ideas or predetermined goals". And an absence of a goal is what I have posted. I had this pose in my head without any idea of who or what it would be. Poison Ivy? Enchantress? Dejah Thoris? I still don't know and I am stuck. This happens from time to time. I have a drawer full of half baked (or quarter baked in some cases) ideas that never come out for completion. But still I put down the idea in hopes it will tell me what to do with it.

But not tonight. :)

This is terra cotta Col-Erase pencil on an 11" x 17" sheet of Arches Cold Press Water Color board.

This is Post #1366

Rose Red

Rose Red © DC Comics

I just started reading the first trade of Vertigo's FABLES and thought I would try to paint one of the characters. I don't know the character well enough from reading, so I could only go by images I have seen. Much like doing a commission for someone of a character I don't really know. Hopefully this rings a bit true. Watercolor on an 8" x 10" sheet of Arches Cold Press watercolor board.

This is Post #1365

Zatanna

Zatanna © DC Comics

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Normally I get work done before I start playing, but this morning I wanted to paint. I knew if I tried to work while thinking about the fun time later, I wouldn't be very productive. So I played first and now I will work. Kind of like having dessert first. Life is short. :)

This is done in watercolor on an 8" x 10" piece of Arches Cold Press watercolor board.

This is Post #1364

Mixed Mediums

I've got a couple of mixed pieces today. First is a sketch I did at the Pittsburgh ComiCon back in March (?). I did this for Richard and he was kind enough to send me a scan. This is Alanis from the comic Neverminds. I hadn't see the character before but I really loved her design and her look. I had fun with it. Thanks for sending me the scan Richard! Feel free to add a link to your website in the comments so everyone can find your books.

Alanis Munroe & Neverminds © Drumfish Productions

I had a very full day today. Not necessarily work. You can see more about my mid-day break over on my Posterous blog. As a result I didn't have a lot of time to paint Zatanna. But here is a progress shot for now.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Zatanna © DC Comics

This is Post #1363