KAIJU!

I did this illustration earlier in the year and I've been given permission by the publisher to show it, although it hasn't been published yet so unfortunately, I can't name the publisher or project just yet. When the project is released, I'll make sure to post an update.

The client wanted a "comic book style" image (ie: ink line and color) so after working out a  composition, I did a brush and ink drawing (using some micron pens for the buildings) and then applied color digitally in Photoshop. When I work this way, I usually leave the black ink line alone, allowing it strike through the color. However, in this case, I used a lot of color holds (a technique that retains the line but in a color rather than it's original black). I thought it helped bring the image together.

I've attached the full version of the artwork along with a cropped version (which, as I understand it, is how it will appear in print) and the ink drawing.

For those who don't know, Kaiju is a Japanese word that translates to "strange creature". It's most commonly used to refer to the giant monsters seen in many Japanese movies and TV shows.

New Tharkule

Here's the fourth and final illustration in the series I recently did for Red Aegis. It's more or less self-explanatory. 

Like the other pieces in this series, this one was a serious challenge and I chose to work as much of it out in black and white as possible before adding color. In this case, I kept the colors pretty muted (for me anyway). I thought too much color would just hurt the picture.

The title of this post (and the piece) refers to the name of the city below the aerial battle between choppers and dragons.

I've included my initial sketch, a grayscale value study and the final color art above.

You can learn more about Red Aegis at the links below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vorpalgames/red-aegis-roleplaying-game

https://www.facebook.com/VorpalGames

Jumpgate

Here's the third of four illustrations for Red Aegis. It illustrates a fleet of ships entering a jumpgate in orbit above a ringed world. the planet has a dense network of satellites around it, which I tried to suggest without rendering it too much.

This was the first time I can recall painting a picture quite like this and it was a learning experience. In the end, I felt like I got a little too focused on sharp edges, details and the idea that there's no atmosphere in space. If I were to do it again, I think I'd soften more edges, bleed the color around a bit more and take a looser, more atmospheric approach. Nevertheless, I'm pretty happy with how this turned out!

I've included my initial sketch, a grayscale value study and the final color art above.

You can learn more about Red Aegis at the links below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vorpalgames/red-aegis-roleplaying-game

https://www.facebook.com/VorpalGames

Wimachanca

Here's another illustration for Vorpal Games' Red Aegis. This one involved showing a day-to-night, orange-to-blue transition of a city (Wimachanca) high in the Andes, built around a huge pyramid. It was difficult to work out the color transition in this one. I don't paint cities much and I find that when I do work on a  picture like this, it can be a bit of a rabbit hole. I could have continued adding details and tweaking this one for days.

As in the previous post, I've included the preliminary sketch and the grayscale study.

You can learn more about Red Aegis at the links below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vorpalgames/red-aegis-roleplaying-game

https://www.facebook.com/VorpalGames

Ascendant

I work under a lot of non-disclosure agreements so I haven't been able to post anything new in a while but here's one of 4 illustrations I recently did for Vorpal Games. It's for their science fiction game, Red Aegis. I will post the other 3 illustrations in the near future.

This project was challenging in a number of ways and it pushed me into some unfamiliar areas. For example, this piece involved illustrating a meditating character whose chakras are visible (represented by the vertical line of glowing, colored lights in the middle of the picture) and who is "tethered" to alien worlds both in space and cyberspace. That was a lot to pack into one picture!

I 've included my initial sketch, a grayscale value study and the final color art above.

You can learn more about Red Aegis at the links below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vorpalgames/red-aegis-roleplaying-game
https://www.facebook.com/VorpalGames

Forest Elephant

I wasn't quite sure what to title this post but the image above was created years ago for Magic the Gathering. If I'm not mistaken, it was only released digitally, as part of an online version of the game. It depicts an elephant being formed out of the moss, soil and vegetation of the forest. I painted it in Adobe Photoshop and had a great time doing it! It's a personal favorite.

Firefly Archetypes

 

A crazy work schedule has kept me away from posting for a while but once all the things I've been working on for the past few months are actually published, I'll have a lot of cool new work to share. Meanwhile, I wanted to share some more Firefly character archetypes with you. I've been holding them back for a bit because the hardcover for the game hasn't been released (up to this point, it has only been available in digital form) but it's coming out soon!

I've attached the artwork for the Triad Gangster archetype and the Minor League Hustler archetype, as well as the preliminary drawings for each. I hope you enjoy them!