Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Notes from the Field: Developmentalist
Here again with a series of unused development art. This is the stuff that kept me up at night early on. How best to represent The Overman? Scott and I have played tennis with these ideas over the past two years and it's interesting to see the evolution of thought.
For whatever reason some ideas like the austere open approach with the above piece struck a chord with me. The only problem was I wasn't sure where it would go for 5 issues but before I thought any more of it...Scott clipped it's wings. Personally I think this would be such a unique look that people would take notice.
So then the more literal stuff came into play. It's a sci-fi noir, how best to show it. Let's have a detective element to it...but then again Nathan isn't your typical detective. Again, while it was a good exercise, it didn't grab anyone. Wished I could have found out in the pencil stage.
This was an exercise in literal subtlety. The idea here was to make the cover the exact moment before the first panel in the book. Many people didn't see the intrigue I was shooting for. An alternate version of this image ended up becoming the backcover, and thus gave me an idea.
You do realize there are covers I cannot show?
Mainly because they reveal too much of the story or they reveal a character that we want to keep ominous. There's some good ones in there but I know Scott would but the kibosh on it...and for good reason.
This was an exercise in literal subtlety. The idea here was to make the cover the exact moment before the first panel in the book. Many people didn't see the intrigue I was shooting for. An alternate version of this image ended up becoming the backcover, and thus gave me an idea.The backcovers reflect a moment that the character on the front cover had just before something significant happen. I was hoping that by the time the reader was done the book and saw that image they'd reflect on the moment in time that the event was taking place and then realize, "Oh...that's before all hell broke loose!"
Here's an early mocked up poster idea to get the feel across and to give a little inspirato to both of us. I think it was quickly forgotten as soon as the email was sent/open. While it's a fun image, it really looked nothing like Omakon...and I wasn't about to spend several weeks recreating it accurately.
I'll dig around the archives a little more and see what else comes up. In the meantime check us out on MYSPACE.
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Labels: Concepts, Covers, ideas
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Notes from the Field: Covering it all! Part II
If you couldn't tell by now this is just a small sample of the agony of designing that first issue cover. Even now I'm struggling with covers for 4 and 5 and have yet to slow down this inevitable process. More times than not, having Scott's input on a cover idea is much more rewarding.
Our working relationship as such is one of those rare instances where the other person provides and excellent springboard. Usually that springboard is so out-of-whack that it makes the other rethink their initial idea or abandon it completely. It's all about one-up-manship, and I think we're lucky to have that.
Anyway, enough of my yakking...let's get to the art.
Our working relationship as such is one of those rare instances where the other person provides and excellent springboard. Usually that springboard is so out-of-whack that it makes the other rethink their initial idea or abandon it completely. It's all about one-up-manship, and I think we're lucky to have that.
Anyway, enough of my yakking...let's get to the art.
The psychology of a cover is important to us. We strive to capture key moments that add to the story and make you reconsider what is going on in the scene. It's the kind of covers that we like to see that grab our attention that we're most passionate about making. From concept, composition to color it all plays a role in attracting you the reader like a bee to pollen.
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Labels: Concepts, Covers, ideas, roughs, The Overman, thumbnails
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Notes from the Field: Odd Job
So I started my onsite contract gig with Sony Online yesterday. I know what you're thinking, it's the same thing I've been thinking. Who cares? No...in reality what I've been thinking is, how bad will this impact my schedule?Suffice it to say, pretty bad.
I'm going from producing about a page to two pages of color a day to a page every two days. I'm not about to compromise the project, and I don't want to compromise the release of this book. My goal has always been to have all five books done before we solicit Book One. At the very least...at this rate, I'd have four of the five done...or so I strongly believe.
Now I can't really say for sure, but we are planning on soliciting Book One around October. Meaning it'll be in Previews to order and will be in your shops for December. Again the goal being to get it out before 2008 and to have the story start the same month it takes place in the future. With that in mind the pressure is really on. So how do I manage it?
I don't live much. Meaning, the only time I get to relax or chill is when I'm sleeping or two nights per week where I hang out with my wife and watch a couple of films. Other than hitting the gym frequently I'm at the board or computer knocking this stuff out. With this new opportunity at Sony, I'll be working on what I can during lunch, mostly prep work for the last two books, and the marketing materials. Which in the end could really help me quite a bit. As it's hard to break from the work on the books to do the work outside the books that is also important.It's all about balance.
Art-wise I'm quite out of balance. I need to get back to my regimen of drawing and painting from life. Soon I keep telling myself. Very soon.
You be wondering what the art in this installment is? Well, it's early development work and tests to figure out how I was going to color the book and execute the blackline. Every story demands to be told the best way possible. Not everything deserves the same approach.
BTW, if you haven't read Scott's latest blog entry, it's really worth it. If you're the least bit interested in Evolution this focuses on the creative evolution as well as the maturing of two creatives. It amazes me we had the foresight to keep all this stuff. Can't wait to see what other surprises we unearth.
Stay tuned!
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Labels: Concepts
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Notes from the Field: More Concepts
Here are some of the older concepts that I started when Scott first sent me the final script. I was so inspired by the words that I needed an outlet. Of course at that time he said nothing of me getting to do all the artwork for it.
Luckily for me he was old and weak and after birthing the script curled up, died and wanted nothing more to do with it. Three books into the five book epic and I'm starting to understand where he's coming from. Though at this stage of the game it's a big hump to get over. I mean I'm right smack in the middle.
How do I keep my energy up?
I guess the way I look at it is, the middle is just that the middle, and it should be easier after that. But I think Book Four will prove to be challenging as it's second to the last...kind of an obstacle to the end. Luckily I reread the script and realize how much of a challenge it's going to be to do.
Book Four is like nothing I've ever read. I hope I can make the visuals equally so.
I think there will be a bit of post-partem depression when all is said and done. I hope there's enough people who by the book to warrant a trade paperback to come out. I'd really like to include an additional set of pages of just development art from our earlier efforts throughout the years. And there's a a bunch of it...embarassingly so.
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Labels: Concepts