Pencil Process

Here is my process for projects which I only pencil. This particular page is from "Drago Bentley" issue 2. First, I do layouts of each page at 4.5 x 7 inches. I email this to Joe, the writer, for approval.



Then, I put done some loose pencils with the non-repro blue pencil. I'll also draw all of my perspective grids here as well.



Then, I go over the page with graphite, usually a B lead. I won't be inking the page so I try to draw as precise as I can, which is why I use a Sanford Turquoise lead holder. Nothing else can give a sharper edge. I work from the top left corner down, in a z formation to prevent smudging the page with my stupid hand.



Then it's off to the inker. In this case, Mark Martin has been kind enough to help us out with the inking. He's got a great, clean look and we're really starting to gel. Soon, I'll start sending rougher, illegible pencils and make him do all the work! Muh haha hahahahahahaha hahahahahahahah! (evil laugh).

Green Brain Comics' "Visions of MODOK"

Green Brain Comics is having an opening reception tonight for their latest exhibit, "Visions of MODOK", featuring the Marvel Comics character, known throughout the galaxy as Jack Kirby's most disturbing design ever. The reception is 7-10, Sat Sept. 25th, the exhibit will be up until Dec. 8th. Here is my contribution:

Meet My Assistant.

I've been wanting to get one of these Art S. Buck artist models for a long time. It looked like they were off the market for a while, but I found this one on a dusty shelf at the Dick Blick store in Dearborn. I literally use it everyday. It helps me keep the forms of my drawings looking solid. The detailed face is great for 3/4 views. I point my desk lamp on it whenever I'm trying to ink some tricky split-lighting. This thing is highly recommended!

The Blue Pencil Process

As I mentioned in the last post, I'm really loving my new Non-Repro Blue mechanical pencil. I've avoided using blue pencils before because I could only find the old fashioned kind that you have to sharpen. As the lead gets more rounded, the drawings turn to mush and it's hard to tell construction lines from contours. Anyway, this mechanical pencils works great and retains a nice clean line.

If I'm working with an inker, I'll go over the page again with a B graphite pencil. If I'm going to ink it, I go straight to inks. The best part about the non photo blue is that it doesn't show up when you scan it in as greyscale. So there is no need to erase the pages after you ink them. This also means that you can use markers without worrying about the loss of sharpness that comes with erasing. I've been using Japanese Kuretake markers a lot lately, ever since Jason Howard told me about them. They''re way more fluid and pointed them the Micron Pigmas or PITT pens. Really though, what's better than a fresh #102 nib, eh?

I still do most of my inking with the Winsor & Newton series 7 #2 brush watered down Speedball Super Black ink. Can't beat it.

Here is a page from "The Vessel of Terror" that shows the blue pencil process. First, I scan in the page in 24 bit color:




A little hard on the eyes, especially on a computer monitor, so I convert it to greyscale and send it to Magnus, the writer, and Alex, the editor, for approval:



Once it's approved, I ink it. No worries about erasing the page or smudging the graphite with my hand, thanks to the non-repro blue.

Drago Issue 2 pencils

Here are some pencils from issue 2 of Drago Bentley. I penciled them pretty tight since Mark Martin has recently joined the team as inker. I also did of the underdrawing with this awesome new Pilot non-repro blue Color Eno mechanical pencil. Keeps graphite smudges to a minimum.