The Cause

Inks and Colors (No Comments)

Larry P. — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:22:20 +0000

It happened again–another picture that looks like a photo. I inked a panel. I thought it looked decent. Here:

But this is what I did next: I took a basic purple/gray color and flat-colored the image. Next, using the multiply blending mode in Photoshop, I laid over a concrete texture that I discovered from somewhere (I don’t even remember from where I took the texture). Then I used a screen blending mode to add highlights to the central figure in the drawing. Next, in the overlay blending mode in Photoshop, I rendered the background, using one of the amazing default brushes that comes with the program (I don’t remember the number of the brush, but it looks like a sponge–one of the chief tools that I use to paint with when I use traditional materials). Finally, I used the burn tool on the the central figure and the floor. That had one of the most amazing impacts upon the drawing that I have ever seen: the gray became almost photo-realistic. I learned a great deal with this drawing (like how to effectively render metal), but, i don’t know if I see this panel as a success. I think I will have to let it go (use it on the page that I planned) because I don’t have forever to get the pages done. Anyway, take a look:

For my entire life, I struggled with using color materials–inks, markers, pastels, tempera, and paints (especially paints), and I was never able to render something like this using traditional materials. I look at this image and just shake my head in amazement–not in admiration of my skill. Nope. Just the opposite. I stare at this image and think: “the magic of Photoshop has done it again–enhanced my shitty artistic abilities.” I have only colored a handful of images using Photoshop, yet I am truly amazed at the results someone can yield with just a little effort. Yes, I spent about 12-14 hours on the image, but I credit this drawing almost completely to Photoshop. Photoshop has to be one of the most amazing tools that an artist can have. Some argue that the program is “just a tool”. I’m not so sure about that now…

As always, feedback is welcome.

I Know It’s Not A Page, But… (4 Comments)

Larry P. — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 04:36:58 +0000

I tried coloring the image that I posted for Sketch of the Week. I’ve worked really hard on this panel, and I think it went better than the last time I tried to color Philadelphia landscapes. Although it isn’t finished yet, I actually don’t mind this image that much. The one thing that I have to come to terms with is the amount of detail that gets lost with color (and not to mention that I will be shrinking this image to fit in a panel as well). I’m trying to bring more quality to my images, and I hope this is a step in that direction. Anyway, take a look:

I’ve got some features to get to on the building, and I have a whole lot more work to do with the bricks–even though I know they are going to get lost once I crop and reduce the image. But it wouldn’t be one of my images if I didn’t try to put enough detail in. By the way, the workflow here is “tradigital”–digital inks, digital color, acrylic paint on water color paper.

Sketch of the Week 26 (No Comments)

Larry P. — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:51:20 +0000

Time flies–when you don’t have enough of it.

I planned this drawing over ten years ago (I even saved the original reference that I had for for that long–only to learn that I didn’t need to do that because someone had taken a picture, and posted it on the internet, of pretty much the same angle of Independence Hall that I wanted to capture). I started this drawing as I would any other drawing: the analog way–with my hands, a pencil, and a sheet of paper. But something clicked, and I decided to give Manga Studio 5 another whirl. I was mildly surprised with the results.

But then I began to use the screen tone feature in the program, and I was apoplectic. I couldn’t believe it. I thought the image turned out pretty good. I actually got excited about using Manga Studio 5 to ink “legitimately” now. Here are the results:

Again, my only problem is that I use the digital tools much like I use the traditional tools. It took me about the same number of hours to complete this drawing with Manga Studio 5 as it would have if I used traditional means. Anyway, I’ll get there…

Another Peek (2 Comments)

Larry P. — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:10:37 +0000

For the last post (Sketch Of the Week), I posted a part of a panel. Well, I am going to do something that I don’t usually do: put up a panel in process. Take a look:

The page is significant because I actually inked this panel in Manga Studio 5. It is the first thing that I have ever completed in Manga Studio. I am actually impressed by the tool. I usually scoff when people make the comparisons between digital and traditional art materials–particularly making the comparisons between the behaviors of ink and paint in a digital program and the real-world application of those materials. But I have to admit that I was mildly surprised by Manga Studio 5. While inking with Manga Studio 5 wasn’t as satisfying as inking by hand (and it took me a VERY long time to complete this image–because I am not familiar with the program at all), the program did respond almost like ink on a page when I used the pen and brush tools. I don’t think it’s too bad for my very first attempt at a completely digital ink job…

Sketch Of the Week Returns…for today (2 Comments)

Larry P. — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 06:01:19 +0000

Well, I actually managed to update the site three times this week. Anyway, here is a sketch of a panel that should be pretty good. It’s a shot of director Greenfield. The panel will have a shot of all of the directors in it at once, so it should be pretty interesting to look at (wow, did I just end a sentence with a preposition? ).

I’ll be back in a couple of days.

Another Bump (4 Comments)

Larry P. — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:40:05 +0000

So I was texting Rafiqy, and I made a comment about why I didn’t like the panel of Love Park that I created. I told him that I didn’t like the panel because it is actually a bit too photo-realistic for me. I wasn’t really going for that look. Like I said, the drawing is almost 100% digital, and how I selected, applied, and blended the colors in Photoshop yielded results that I wasn’t really trying to get (it is good to know that I can get those kinds of results, however). Anyway, the frustrating part is that I created another drawing, using the same approach, and the results were completely in the opposite direction. The drawing looks like a complete cartoon–again, not a look that I was going for. These two panels really gave me fits for days–even interfered with my motivation for a while. Take a look at what I mean:

I tried to take advantage of Photoshop’s ability to incorporate texture into the drawing. Where I think I failed in this panel, ironically enough, are the two areas that are my strengths as an artist: value (greyscale) and line quality. But again, I was trying to actually draw in Photoshop instead of with traditional materials. But having completed these two drawings, I can honestly say that I learned quite a bit from them–even though I consider them failures.

Be back soon.

Bump… (2 Comments)

Larry P. — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 05:00:59 +0000

I recently had a bit of frustration. I rendered something recently, using mostly digital means. I’m really ambivalent about it. I like the image because it is a famous landmark in Philadelphia, and it was fun to create. But I don’t like it because it looks too much like a photograph. The image was drawn in Photoshop and colored in both Photoshop and acrylic paint. I’m not sure if this is the final image, but here it is:

Sorry…. (5 Comments)

Larry P. — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:24:28 +0000

I know it’s been forever, but I just can’t believe all of the setbacks that I have had these last few months. I’ve been sick; there was a death in my family, and after Super Storm Sandy, I was freezing for a few days because I was one of those unlucky persons without power.

Wow, it’s been a crazy fall.

Anyway, I have had a request to post something a bit more substantial, since I haven’t really updated the site in a while. Here is a sneak peek at a page from the next installment. It is a work in progress, so what is seen here will probably differ from the final product. It’s kind of a cheat, as these images look a little familiar, but I think it’s still better than nothing:

Preparing for Sandy… (4 Comments)

Larry P. — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:09:53 +0000

I know; I know–it’s been a week since I last posted something. I promise to post something of substance as soon as possible (since I have had a request to put up some of the unfinished pages because the sketches that I have put up aren’t enough). But I am expecting power outages in the very near future, as Hurricane Sandy is leaving her mark on the northeastern seaboard of the United States. So, if I don’t get anything up by Wednesday, then it’s because the power went out. Anyway, I worked a little longer on the sketch. Take a look at the it now:

It’s not really “finished”, so I’ll be returning to it (probably with color).

I’ll be back–sooner than later. Thank you very much for those of you who still visit and look forward to the story. I’m still here…

Workin’… (5 Comments)

Larry P. — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 04:14:14 +0000

So, I’m still at it. But now it looks like I have the flu or something. I always get sick around this time of the year (actually, I usually get sick a little faster, so I think I’m ahead of the game now). I know it’s not a page, but I wanted to reveal another part of the sketch from last week (that features two characters that have never been seen before):

I know it’s not much, but I wanted to get something out. I want to get back into regular posts. I know I don’t have a lot of time, but I am going to find the time.