Open source image???

I decided to try to create more open source images- ie images made with software that is open source or free to use and obtain- I have downloaded copies of Blender 3d, Gimp, Inkscape, OpenToonz and Synfig Studio and Scribus.  I have only really played around with OpenToonz, Synfig  Studio and Scribus.  I have spent the most time with Blender3d  and have presented at seminars about the program, but still believe I am only a novice. Hopefully I will remedy that in 2018.  But today’s illustration was completed using Inkscape.  I initially was cheating by using a drawing completed in Sketchbook Pro from a photograph… I  realized that some features are best laid as copies from the photograph itself- So I ended up using a photograph of a friend to create the image…. I have done similar images in the past with Adobe Illustrator. And I figured using an alternative to the program might give similar results…. There are a lot more images to create and utilize these programs to push the art- Here is looking up in 2018….

Just as a comparison:

Blender Vs Maya and 3dsMax

Gimp Vs Photoshop

Inkscape Vs Adobe Illustrator

OpenToonz Vs Toonboom studio 

Syfig Studio Vs Flash or Adobe AnimateCC

Scribus Vs Adobe Indesign or Microsoft Publisher

I can not rate comparisons, because the pro versions , linked above, have either been in the market longer or have followings that can’t be denied- I used most of them before, myself, and really like them- I am just trying to be cheap and small business budget demands small business expenses- who can beat free???

Note you can also get a download of these programs  in links attached:

Blender

Gimp

Inkscape

OpenToonz

Synfig Studio 

Scribus

So Long live the Open source generation- or until my business explodes and my expense budget can warrant the more established software

new color posts

I needed to create some color posts again- so here are a few pics.  I am getting more comfortable using this new technology- so the I-pad Pro will be making a dent in my production pieces from now on-- I used #sketchbook App  to create these pieces.

Rendering via iPad Pro- Sketchbook- app

I wanted to update my drawing skills for accuracy, I failed miserably but learned how to use my eye and to improvise trying to ink over some pencil work of comic artist that I still marvel at (no pun intended) so I decided to do some ink overs of Jim Lee and John Buscema. I like the energy of both, I will be working to translate this energy to my own art in the near term- stay toned

Back to square 1- post or not to post

Sorry, I have not been posting regularly, like I should.  Due to some family issues that have recently found a conclusion; I was out of it for a while.  I am still in a funk and know that friends and family are key to my getting back to the business of becoming a better artist and a better person.  I recently entered into a art image contest where the winner will have their images displayed in a local comic store during a promotional event for the store.  I had just purchased a new iPad Pro with iPencil and though I would break it in.. The Event  Hail to the King is a promotional event put on at Green Brain Comics  to  celebrate the life of Jack Kirby- one of the key idols for comic community to this day.  I decided to do two things- portray Jack Kirby's heavy inked style and keep it sketchy with pattern brushes that are available in SkethchBook Pro for iPad.... It is my first finished work (from a quick sketch) with this medium, but, as luck would have it, I was one of those chosen to display in the event.  The Hail to the King event will be held at Green Brain Comics on  Friday, August 25 from 7-9pm.  Below is a sample of the  image- hopefully someone will purchase a print ( hint).

So come to Green Brain Comics  to the event "Hail to the King" @  13936 Michigan AvenueDearborn, MI, 48126  this Friday from 7-9 pm

fan based art coming

I am looking to rebuild my portfolio for 2017 and was looking at re-imagining existing comic characters. I have this old 3-5 page story of Milestone comics characters, Static Shock, and ICON sidekick Rocket  that I will work to complete panel work this year-- The story is called "Rocket Love" and it was written by G Walker Teon of Generate comix... here are some sketches I worked on today while watching a Netflix Series called Abstract: the art of design

gotta get my ink game in check or find an inker

Okay, I created this cool piece while watching Hulk VS cartoon on @Netflix.  The image was flowing from the pen/tablet  using my now go to sketch program- Sketchbook Pro.  I was getting pretty proud of myself and decided to try to finish the piece... note I have been sketching up a storm offline but felt no pressure to ink over anything- so it looks like cool sketch book stuff.  I felt confident in my skills.  So I figured, if I sketch digitally; I can complete a finished piece that looks as cool as my sketch- WRONG!!!   I found out that when I try to finish over a sketch digitally , I get really, really, really lazy and sloppy on following the line-work that made the sketch look so cool. I end up muddying the work and figure I can add cell shading on a different layer to fill out  what I flattened during the finished line-work....  The lesson is to truly identify what you see before inking or digitally finishing a piece. Overworking is not working smart and may damage all the coolness you put into  your original work... The real art is the ability to see your work- not just create or finish it---

Ciao- PS see case in point

start of 2017

I wanted to start 2017  stronger than before.  I am preparing to work on 10 pages of a Shadow-Walker story for the Detroit Tradecraft's 2017 anthology.    I wanted to upgrade my digital drawing, inking, and cel shading techniques.
Here is an image I cranked out today with character design similar to how I will move forward with the project.... Cheers for the New Year....

I prepared this with Sketchbook Pro 7- my goal is the use this a my chief digital tool for the comic with photoshop and Illustrator for final print out.