Changing Ways

Changing Ways: Book 2 – Preview Pages

admin — Sat, 05 May 2012 07:47:21 +0000

Preview pages for Changing Ways: Book 2 are now available to view.

http://www.changingwaysbook.com/book-2-preview-pages/

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 20

Randall — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 04:04:39 +0000

Introducing a sneak peak at a creature I’ve been waiting to reveal to readers for almost 2 years!

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 19

Randall — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:34:21 +0000

When painting either digitally or traditionally, I only use a very small range of brushes for my images. In Adobe Photoshop I usually render hi-lights and details with the following:

hard edged brush, 1% SPACING (for super smooth lines) size 10-20

soft edged brush, size 30-100

The soft edge brush is also useful for softening the entry and exit points of hard light.

For Photography, I shoot with a Canon 500D and carry 2 additional cheaper cameras for backup.

When painting traditionally, I usually use imitation sable, sizes 1 & 4.

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 18

Randall — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:15:09 +0000

The number one question I’m asked by people wanting to do comics is, “how long does it take to do a page?” If I don’t factor in the role of writer and just focus on the art, it would be something like this.

30 minutes to sketch a layout for a page and make sure all dialogue fits well with the rest of the composition.

1-5 hours of photography, depending on locations and travel.

1-2 hours to mock up the page with photo templates.

1 hour to sketch additional non-photo based content.

30 minutes to add mock copy and loose voice bubbles (for the letterer, when needed).

2 hours to draw the page in pencil.

1-2 hours to paint the page (water and ink).

30 minutes to scan and prep the artwork for Photoshop.

2-4 hours to add everything else (color, light, shadow etc).

Which adds up to Approx 13hrs per page

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 17

Randall — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:50:45 +0000

I used to paint traditional canvases black before I would commence a painting. For me it makes more sense to darken a landscape and then add light as light sources are naturally introduced. I use this same principle for my comic pages.

All my artwork in Adobe Photoshop is grayscale to begin with. I’ll then add 2 ‘darkness’ layers, both filled with black at a 50% opacity with Layer Masks. This allows me to darken a scene and then create that ‘glow’ effect by selectively removing areas of darkness with a soft brush. Additional shadows are then added on another layer with solid black at a 10-30% fill.

After that I’ll create 3-5 different layers for lighting with most detail and attention being given to faces as these are anchor points for the human eye. Below you can see a step by step for a single panel from book 2.

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 16

Randall — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:02:02 +0000

For all of my vehicles I’ll take photos. The trick is to not limit yourself to the real thing. Below you can see the truck from book 1 is back and there’s a photo of the original toy that I purchased to photograph. When looking for toy vehicles to photograph, I’ll try to make sure that all the doors can be opened in case I need a shot that requires such content.

When lighting the vehicle, I’ll use desk lamps and torches to create the appropriate mood/setting.

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 15

Randall — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:50:29 +0000

I’ve attached a couple of maps from the archives of Book 1 but to make sure it’s not just a post about book 1, I’ve also attached a frame sample from book 2.

When I’m plotting out a scene I’ll sometimes draw quick maps to work out camera navigation and POV.The map on the left is the Barrot farm house. I needed to make sure that I had a floor plan that would meet the needs of the script. The map on the right shows the barn house where the Barrot family camped out towards the end of book 1. This was sketched out so I could keep a check of where the town was and the direction they were travelling. Take a look at the van and you may notice it’s facing a different direction in the book, and here’s why…

When writing a driving scene I’ll often imagine the protagonists travelling from left to right (a treatment often seen in films). In this case, the road bends to the left and for me, that suggests a form of backtracking (this guideline really only applies to vehicles that are being used for long distance travelling). Therefore, it helps maintain a sense of visual progression if a principle vehicle generally moves in one primary direction.

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 14

Randall — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:56:25 +0000

Only a few days to go and ALL of the artwork for book 2 will be complete!

Here come the shadows…

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 13

Randall — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:35:05 +0000

A looooong time ago when I was first developing Changing Ways I was still trying to stabilise my technique (that facial hair looks ridiculous). Here you can see the very first illustration of David and Jessie Barrot. Jessie reminds my of that spooky little girl in the movie Dune.

Changing Ways book 2 behind the scenes part 12

Randall — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:01:12 +0000

A full page sample from book 2 (pencil and inks only).