Wacky Reference Wednesdays, No. 137

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Four Fantastic Villains. 2010. Acrylic, gouache,
and watercolor on bristol board, 11 x 17".

Here's the rest of the reference from this group of misunderstood misanthropes. Our pepper grinder made for a decent approximation of Doom's armor, while my trophy gave me ideas for specific reflections. Posing for the Mole Man was by far my favorite, as is probably evident. I also spritzed myself to see what kind of reflections I could get for Namor, but in the end, I just went with a more stylized reflection: single-stroke, well-defined highlights.






These pics were taken at various stages during the painting process. I usually begin with burnt umber watercolor or gouache that is fairly watered-down and thinly applied. This provides the basic structure upon which I can add bolder color, the final strokes being the most opaque. In this case, the background was simple and graphic, so a large quantity was pre-mixed in order that the entire expanse could be painted at once with some left over in case revisions were necessary.


Color Study over Digital Print, 8.5 x 11"
Pencil Layout, 4 x 6"
Digital Color Study

5 comments :

  1. I’m a big fan of this painting. I’m glad there’s no Paolo-Fullbody-Spritzed shot. That would be… haunting.

    It wasn’t me down in San Diego. I still haven’t been to Comic-Con. As often as people think they see me there I’m convinced I’m cursed with “generic nerd face.”

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  2. I think this is one of my favorite WRWs for the spontaneous use of the pepper grinder and the hanger pole.

    Plus, another shot of your underpaintings, under a great painting!

    Paolo, what are your feelings on Johnny's fate?

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  3. Thanks, Andrew. And you're welcome (for the lack of full-body spritzing). I only caught a lost profile of the guy... and I figured it wouldn't be that crazy if you were there. Turns out it would be.

    Narco, that pepper grinder has served me well for many a cosmic figure. As for Johnny, I haven't read the story, so I can't really comment. You could say I'm curious, though.

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  4. Oh please lord, let their be a Wacky Reference Wednesday pertaining to the reference images for Namor, please please.

    ;)

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