Amazing Spider-Man #615

Thursday, September 10, 2009


Here's the cover to Amazing Spider-Man #615. This one is actually painted in watercolor over inks, so what you're looking at is the original (with some minor Photoshop tweaks).





I scanned the inks just prior to painting, just in case I messed things up.





I penciled the cover on my own paper (as opposed to Marvel board) since I knew I was going to paint over it. I employed the same stock I use for gouache and acrylic, Strathmore 500 Series, 3-ply, vellum surface.





And finally, it all started with a quick digital color study sent to my editor for approval. I did a number of quick comps like this, which I'll eventually share. I did the cover for #616 as well, which I'll post next week.

20 comments :

  1. elegant composition and a beautiful painting, great job

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  2. Awesome! I always enjoy seeing works like this.

    Now, for the stupid question: I know india ink is supposed to be waterproof, but have you ever run into the problem of the water color wetting the ink too much where it might run?

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  3. That is so awesome Paolo. Well done!

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  4. Thanks, guys!

    Drew, the ink bleeding hasn't been a problem for me. I use Pelikan Drawing Ink A which does a great job. The only real problem I encountered is that what looks like solid black on white paper loses some of its punch when viewed in the context of color. Because of that, I had to go back in a re-ink some lines while adjusting others in Photoshop.

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  5. It's interesting how watercolor has made such a resurgence in comics over the last few years. It's always been a good medium for inked line art and with the addition of Photshop tweeking it seems like a great marriage for comic art.

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  6. that's beautiful. I've never seen Sandman look so good. Okay, enough goofing off. Gotta try and look busy at my desk. Happy Friday everyone.

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  7. This is awesome. Great composition, color and drawing. My favorite thing of yours I've seen.

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  8. Drama, colors, a classic. I take my hat off.

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  9. Puuuurdy. So, 'Pelikan Drawing Ink' eh? Good stuff? I've been looking for a better, blacker, non picky-uppy-when you erase-y ink. Recommended?

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  10. Yes, Michael, it just makes sense as a medium for coloring comics. I've been coloring commissions that way for a while, but I had always wanted to paint a cover that way. Still too much work for interior pages, though.

    Joe! Yes, Pelikan Drawing Ink A (not "eh") is the best. It was recommended to me by Cliff Chiang and I've been using it ever since. I've been meaning to do a post on it for a while. If you find a big bottle of it, buy it. They seem to be in the process of trying to keep their product from being used by tatoo artists. Weird.

    Thanks, guys!

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  11. Wow. Just wow.

    The way you use space and movement truly overwhelms Spidey in the composition.

    Love his fist getting swallowed. And, as evidenced in your Punisher as well, you draw a great thug mug.

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  12. Thanks, Michael, and welcome to the blog. I certainly enjoy a good thug mug. Then again, I like the pretty ones too.

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  13. Thanks for the tip on the ink, Paolo. Good to share!

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  14. My pleasure, Christina. I'm working on a longer post on inking, but it may be a long while before it's ready to post.

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  15. In terms of your pretty mugs, I re-endorse the French lady you drew outside of the cafe in the Young Allies special. She set Toro's pants on fire.

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  16. Thanks, Michael. She's one of my favorites. I'm actually getting to draw some lovely ladies right now in Amazing Spider-Man. I'll share as soon as I can (which may be a while).

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  17. i really like step-by-steps so thank u!

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  18. You're quite welcome, Andrea. Thanks for stopping by.

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