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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Process Preview

This is a panel for an upcoming Hawaiian Dick story, written by the talented and patient B. Clay Moore.  Dick is kind of a dream project-- private detectives, lovely secretaries, and supernatural murder mystery in 1950's Hawaii.  Drawn in 2b pencil, processed in photoshop. 

You can see the whole spread here, with a lot more prattling on about color.

Because of the location and the traditions established by Steven Griffin, color is a major part of the book.  I did my linework with color in mind.  The pencils don't read very well on their own, but they aren't meant to-- they're just another visual ingredient to be processed into the finished confection.  The linework serves to give a little texture, interest, and specificity to the painting underneath it.  The naked colors are actually a lot clearer and easier to read than the pencils, and are doing most of the storytelling work in the final panel.  Color tends to ride backseat in comics, almost as an afterthought, so it's fun to let it drive for a bit.

Holy smokes, y'all.

I love making comics.

13 comments:

Jeremy Thompson said...

Man, I wish I knew whether or not you liked making comics... But dude, this is great. Thanks for taking me on a journey inside your head. It was a little frightening, but nothing my psychologist won't be able to figure out.

Anthony Holden said...

All three of them work. I hate you.

Will Strong said...

It's funny, but the panel works with just pencils or flat color. But the best read comes from the two together. It also gives you something deep and rich that I don't see happening in comics a lot.

Unique for sure.

Michael Mercer said...

You like making comics???!!!!

Ron Jensen said...

nice work. It's neat to see all the different layers

Unknown said...

I didn't know you were making sweet art for Hawaiian Dick!?
looks awesome.

Scott C. Gwynn said...

I have to tell you, I geeked out about this for quite a while yesterday. I LOVE the full spread. Really beautiful and unique stuff Jake.

Also, there are a few things on your comicsology blog that I haven't seen before. Really just the Fritz in the City stuff. Wow!

Chris Gipple said...

Dude this is awesome!!

Jed Henry said...

BEAUTIFUL color. I feel a little Tekkon Kinkreet in the warm palette, and the frenetic color patterns.

kwistin said...

i love it. fantastic color. perfect old school comic feel, but with that awesome mixture that will mentioned.

and i really love that there's not any true verticals or horizontals because of the fantastic perspective: reminds me of a jon foster composition.

Pat Grant said...

I'm glad you went with the Jake Wyatt method over that dark inky one that felt like someone else. This rules.

P.

sam said...

I love turning off the linework for the first time and getting to see a whole new painting hidden under there. That said, the linework looks great on this. Pretty excited to see this whole story start to finish!

Ben Passmore said...

too sick, I'm really loving the feel that comes out of this. Might try/steal from you a bit...