Christmas is Busy

So here's a quick thing.

I drew it, but I dunno, it kinda feels like clip art to me. Does this seem like clip art? That kind of soul-less drawing that people just stick on newsletters and stuff? I mean, it's pretty empty. But it's supposed to be one of those background things that you stick the characters on to.

Have a good Holiday, hopefully not an empty and soul-less one.

If I said "I like dogs"...

...would I be accused of waging a war on dachshunds? I dachshund is a dog, right? It falls under the general heading. If I don't mention that specific breed, are the dachshund owners gonna get worked up? Actually, there are probably a few out there who would, I suppose. They'll think I'm playing favorites with the spaniel people.

The argument seems to start earlier every show season, too.

Very well. To business, such as it is.

Gadzooks, but this digital painting nonsense is as slippery as a ferret riding an eel. Got tired of mucking about, this is what you're getting and no griping, clean your plate there's kids starving in In-jya.

There, no color at all to this. Just lines. Give 'em what they want, leave 'em wanting more, one in the hand, two in the bush, all with one stone.

Chroma Dwarf

It's obvious I haven't done much colour lately. So bucking the trend, here's a dwarf that I've actually taken the time to splash some virtual paint on.

Snazzy. And because I happen to have them kicking around, and because it's important to understand creativity doesn't just pop fully formed out of the void, but mostly because I care, dammit, here's some other pictures that lead up to this one.

I don't know about the rest of you, but most of the things I make start like this: a cruddy little scribble with the germ of an idea I like and I think I might want to pursue further. As a rule not very big or involved so I can do lots and pick something out of the flotsam that may be worth monkeying with a bit.

So then a rough pencil. If this was for an official gig I probably would have noodled it some more, but as it was just for fun it's more or less what I just dropped on the page. The exception, of course, being the shield. Didn't like the first version, so I just drew a new one and scotch taped it on top. At this point, I should probably note that I'm not one to work fancy. Yellow HB pencil on photocopy paper.

Then a very light photocopy and an inked line with a black Bic ballpoint. Did I mention I don't often work fancy?

Photocopied again, did some big black areas with a sharpie. I tend towards heavy inks on my drawings, they're fun and I like how they look.

To Photoshop! Color flats.

Aaaaaand highlights, shadows, gradients, what have you. Colour. Like I said.

So if you like to see some steps, there you go. If you don't like to see the steps, well now you're at the bottom of the post so it's probably too late.