new colorworks: Kimiko
As i mentioned earlier, after experimenting with my first set of COPIC sketch markers, i found that i really enjoyed working with them - far more than i ever did with computer based CG stuff (barring the possibility of getting a Cintique, which i’m still not convinced would actually improve the situation). So much so that i have now invested in all four 72 marker sets (i’m writing a rant about all that right now).
Having pretty much the full range of COPIC markers gives me a much broader color range to work with, and after fiddling around with them for a few weeks i feel it was definitely a worthy investment (it might not be for everyone, but for me it has been). I’ve also been refining how i work with them - i’ve found that printing a 600 dpi scan to marker paper, using the highest quality settings on my Epson R300 gives me really good lines to work with, and the re-scan isn’t quite as fuzzy as it was with earler experiments. The color selections in this piece are not really the best - but it is a pretty nice example of some of the experimentation i’ve been doing lately. Oh, this drawing was originally a DPD from a while back.
you can view the image here.
- pirotunes: Lusine - Everything Under the Sun from “Serial Hodgepodge” -
August 17th, 2006 at 7:04 am
good heavens, that’s good!
The way you laid in the colors reminds me of watercolor. Hum, I guess that is what a marker is, isn’t it? Watercolor precisely applied.
The unity of texture between your sketches and the texture of your drawing in of the color is beautiful. (Consonant, harmonius, coordinated; that kind of beautiful.) The CG stuff that I’ve seen before seems somewhat cold by comparison. Wow.
If you wanted to avoid pixilation from rescanning completely, there is a workaround, but it is somewhat awkward. You could use an opaque projector, or, an overhead projector with a transparency of the b&w drawing, and project it onto the paper you want to do the coloring on. Then you could scan the color image, and composite the two images.
Practically speaking, this would suck, since the shadow of your hand would constantly be getting in the way, and projectors are hot and noisy*. Even projecting the image from below (using a light table or right on the overhead projector) would be sub par, since it would be blurry and you’d be limited in what paper you could work with.
Well, color me excited! Lovely work!
-r.
*though UM property disposition usually has an overhead projector or two for sale. Link: propertydisposition.umich.edu
August 17th, 2006 at 10:52 am
*points*
That’s just like… wow. <3
August 17th, 2006 at 11:06 am
Wow, I really like this one alot. I really like how the shadows really pop out like on the face and on the wood and how the sky falls back. The sky starts off really dark and then turns into white without any rough lines. This stuff looks really cool and seems to be working really well for you. Maybe I should try this out.
August 17th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
It looks like you’re getting the hang of it. I dig. BTW, I finally got a name for my solo project. You’ll be amused.
We’ll talk.
August 17th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Oooh, pretty! I like how this worked - even though there’s not a lot of strong colour here, and all the tones are muted, it looks really rich and deep.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
wow. this one is gorgeous. i love the detailing and the effect actual markers have when the colors overlap. i cant help but notice kimiko-chan’s right hand though, it seemed a bit unnatural in its position when looked upon. but that might be just me ^^;
great work, as always
August 17th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
Looks great. Colour choice was perfect. The toning and shades… also nothing but praise. Copic seems to work REALLY well with you. (
August 18th, 2006 at 12:41 am
“even though there’s not a lot of strong colour here, and all the tones are muted,”
actually, i feel like the colors in this are really way off - what suprised me was that in the end it sorta came together in an odd way.
I am not well schooled in color. For starters, i have a preference for rather muted colors (i didnt get the colors from GomiGirl, but its just an example of the kind of artwork i gravitate to :P)
That said, i am trying to branch out and go for richer color combinations. The problem with computer coloring is that it is too easy to be super subtle - with the Copics i am at times pushed towards going with deeper colors and more vibrant contrasts. This is a good thing. For me, i’m actually experimenting with the copics, something i just never do much of with computer coloring.
(yes, i have some decent books on color theory that i’ve been reading thru, they should help.)
August 18th, 2006 at 12:59 am
I’m not by any far means an expert in techniques used in drawing and formats..so i’m just an avid fan of ur style of drawing…
With that in mind the traditional colored images from the past actually in my book seemed better then the current versions. The color is vibrant, and bold..but for me it’s too much almost saturated .. I prefered the older versions, not sure if it’s just me but just my opinion. Hope this helps
August 18th, 2006 at 3:58 am
I thought you might be intrested in this
http://www.anonib.com/mittens/index.php?t=23&tcss=0
It’s more images of the girl who inspired the angel backpack design.
August 18th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
rhandir’s comment about your coloring method reminding him/her of watercolor was something that didn’t even strike me until then. They’re right about that though. The way you blended the colors together comes out really nicely, even among the sketch lines. Though I’m not really crazy about the color choice (you already pointed that out) of Kimiko’s outfit, Kimiko’s face & the bg are still pretty nonetheless. I guess I just don’t like “dead colors” that much, but in light of the sorrowfulness & the atmosphere you have placed her in, it wasn’t completely off-base in my opinion.
I’m kinda curious if you can color over other copic markings without having to deal with any smudging from the clashing shades. Like, to do a darker shade of a similar color on someone’s clothes. Or maybe you just use the same marker and just go over it with another coating…
Just curiously rambling. A nice job once again, Fred-rin ^^ Looking forward to more improvements & discoveries with your coloring endeavors.
August 19th, 2006 at 12:47 am
Fred, you never cease to amaze me.
You rock my socks.
August 20th, 2006 at 11:21 am
dude amazing i love it i wish that i was that good with markers. sweet job fred keep it up
August 22nd, 2006 at 3:29 pm
“what suprised me was that in the end it sorta came together in an odd way.”
My point precisely. It all works.
“I am not well schooled in color.”
I’m not either - heck, I’m barely even an artist - but I’d say you seem to have an eye for it. At least you’re figuring out what you like. This time, it works for the pensive mood of the whole drawing.
August 24th, 2006 at 2:27 am
Hey Fred,
you just keep getting better and better. This is one of my favorites so far. I liked it a lot when it was in black and white, but the color definatly brings it together.