Doctor Strange Commission

DOCTOR STRANGE. 2017.
Gouache & Acryla Gouache on paper, 9 × 12″.

This commission from earlier in the year took 11 hours, prep to scan. I had great reference (thanks to my previous work for the movie) and basically just copied a single photo. If only it were always that easy. Typically, I end up trying to interpolate 2 or more different photos into something new (typically a bad idea).

detail of raw scan

At the bottom, you can see how I try to lock down the drawing in a single wash — Sepia Holbein Gouache, in this case. The face is always toughest, so I saved it for last. I must've done okay, though, since my Photos App now thinks I know Mr. Cumberbatch.

detail of raw scan

work in progress snapshot

Wacky Reference Wednesdays, No. 357

Amazing Spider-Man #638, Pages 11-12. 2010. Ink on Marvel board, 22 × 17.25″.

(This was originally posted as WRW No. 164. I couldn't find any other art with a 357 Magnum)

Sometimes the reference isn't a photo, but a panel or sequence from another story. Such was the case in this spread from One Moment in Time. My task was to recompose a small panel from Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 into a double-page splash (with ample room for title and credits).

Additional reference was needed to "beef up" various architectural details, so Google Sketchup models were incorporated directly into my digital composite, where things like perspective and composition are refined. The generic man flying in the background served as a placeholder—something that could give me a sense of relative scale. As often happens, I followed my gut and just made the high-strung criminal as big as I wanted.

And this is where it all starts, an 8 × 6″ layout that hits all the major notes. You can view the final colored art here. There's even more behind-the-scenes planning that went into the following page, but I'll have to save that for another post.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #638, Pages 11-12. 2010.
Ink with digital color on Marvel board, 21.5 x 17.25"

Planet of the Apes: Ursus #1

PLANET OF THE APES: URSUS #1. 2017.
Ink(ed by Joe Rivera) on bristol board with digital color, 11 × 17″.

In case you missed this on social media, here is the first of 6 covers for PLANET OF THE APES: URSUS. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the landmark film, so don't be shocked if you see more simian work from me (and my Pops).

Press Release:

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (October 11, 2017) – BOOM! Studios and Twentieth Century Consumer Products are excited to announce PLANET OF THE APES: URSUS, a comic book series launching in January 2018 about the classic franchise’s most notorious villain. Written by David F. Walker (Power Man & Iron Fist, War for the Planet of the Apes) and illustrated by Christopher Mooneyham (Five Ghosts)—both longtime fans of the franchise—the series will follow the rise through the ranks of the ape who has hated (and feared) mankind the most, including what first brought him to the Forbidden Zone. This is the first project from BOOM! Studios in 2018 as part of their yearlong celebration of the franchise’s 50th anniversary.

Wacky Reference Wednesdays, No. 356

TINTIN AND SNOWY. 2017.
Gouache & Acryla Gouache on paper, 9 × 12″.

Destination Moooooooon!

detail of raw scan

pencils

Hellboy '55

HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: 1955 #3. 2017.
Ink(ed by Joe Rivera) on bristol board with digital color, 11 × 17″.

Here's the 3rd of 3 covers for Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., full details here. I've still got a couple more in the pipeline as well, plus I'm working on a Hellboy one-shot that should be out around February. In the meantime, I'm trying to get some larger sequential projects planned for next year.

NYCC was an amazing success, so thank you to everyone who stopped by and made my day/week!

NYCC 2017 (Artist Alley N28)

THE SINISTER SIXTEEN. 2017.
Gouache on illustration board, 19 × 25″.

It's almost here! The New York Comic Con begins this Thursday and I will, Odin willing, be there all 4 days. My commission list is beyond full, but I'll be happy to sign your books, prints, shields, and hammers. Autographs are free, but I'll be accepting donations for Hero Initiative.

Big news of the show (at least for me): Grey Matter Art will be debuting my limited edition print of The Sinister Sixteen. Privately commissioned in 2008(?) as a Sinister Six pin-up, I didn't start painting until 2013... and it just kept getting bigger. Now the officially licensed, limited edition print can be yours, just stop by booth 3064. (For those not going to NYCC, I will have artist proofs to sell online, but not for a while.)

Artist Alley N28 (I'll be here most of the time with Splash Page)

Grey Matter Art — Sinister Sixteen Signing
Thursday, 10/5
3:00 p.m.
Booth 3064

Marvel Signing
Friday, 10/6
10:00 a.m. -10:45 a.m.
Booth 1354

Valiant Signing
Booth 1635
Friday, 10/6
2:15-3:00

Grey Matter Art — *might have a second signing, if needed
Sunday 10/8
3:00 p.m.
Booth 3064

THE DEMOGORGON. 2017. Ink & watercolor on paper, 9 × 12″.

Lastly, this Stranger Things piece is my contribution to the St. Jude's Charity Auction. It could be yours (and you'd be helping a great cause). Details below.

Charity Auction
Saturday, 10/7
6:30 p.m.
Room 1A18