My Process 06: Creating A Manikin and Garments

This is an exercise in creating a manikin that is 7 heads tall. I then add some garments on top!

My Process 05:Concept to Finish: "Snowboot" from Golem Lost Souls Complete

Snowboot is one of the main characters from my comic book Golem Lost Souls.

I first Start with a napkin sketch. This is 1 of 12. It is important that I get familiar with a new concept before I get to the details. Doing a series of these at the beginning does the trick. They don't have to be pretty. I always do some for new concepts.

Next, I fix the major Proportional issues. I keep it loose and general at this stage.

Once I am happy with the proportions, I design a skeleton. Please note that the shapes of the bones are determined by my earlier decisions from steps 1 and 2.

Next, I add some muscles to the arms.

I cleaned up the drawing a little while adding more anatomical details like tendons and such.

Here I did another pass to make it a little cleaner.

I make a mask to isolate Snowboot from the background. This comes in handy later in the game!

With a large soft bush with a flow set to 10%, I lightly apply a shading gradient to start a fall of light.

I drop the background value a couple steps. With a soft brush brighten some areas at the top. Now I am ready to model each form in its proper level of illumination. This setup keeps me from over modelling, where every form is equally distinct. Over modelling has a grotesque look so I want to try to avoid it.

Next I begin to model the forms. I do it with indirect lighting at first. That is, all receding planes get darker.

Next I change the contrast and mirror the arm over.

Here I started with the torso, I added a shadow from a top light.

I added some Lighter values on the shoulders and some glow around the head.

I created a new mask. Its red so i can see it better.

I change the colors to where I would like to start working. A dull cyan color.

I shift the darker values to greenish yellow so there is some variety. I also started working ton the eyes.

Add some contrast.

Added more light at the top for a better effect. things get messy when I do this.

Added highlights and more refined forms.

Knocked the contrast back in the legs so the arms come forward.

Added darker half tones

Harmonizd lighting and colors. I also added cast shadow for the brows. Finished!

My Process 04: TUNDRA: COMICBOOK Head Study Stanislov

Here is a step by step tutorial of how I sketch heads from memory. Enjoy!

I start with a napkin sketch of a head. I did not have to put much effort into it as I am already familiar with the proportions. I only did one.

I add in some line work in order to see the forms better.

Next I place the eyes and hair schematics.

Here, I add the hood and More hair.

I throw some quick values down to keep the big picture alive.

Working with the big picture in mind, I quickly refine my shapes and values.

I continue to refine.

Refine,refine, refine

I add textures and refine tiny shapes. Done!

Study 01 100 Air grestures Complete!