Guh...

[secondlina]

I haven't been drawing a lot of jokes lately (despite the fact that my notebook is overflowing with ideas). I'll tell you guys why...

I'm recently trying to develop an inking and coloring style that will looking good as a final comic. Mostly, it's the coloring that gives me a problem.

Right now, I need to finish this 25-page comic called Jabberwocky. Those of you might know, it's the story of a girl who has an imaginary friend. The imaginary friend grows up with her until she decides to get rid of it. Said imaginary friend then goes on rampage.

So far I tried coloring three pages. Here is one of them.



It's not great. I showed it to my editor anyways. He rejected it pretty promptly. I can't blame him.

I think the problem with this page is the lack of background. See the difference just with a line background added?



The coloring needs work. I was hoping to inspire myself from various artist who have a painterly style on deviant art. A good friend of mine on deviant art, avatarmirai, even agreed to make me a tutorial to show her style (Mirai, I love you!!!!!!). Basically the style I want it's kinda this here.

In any case, this whole "trying to find ways that I don't suck" put everything a bit on hold (social outings, commissions and namesakes). I'm fiercely DETERMINED to find a style I like that I can use for commissions and comics by the end of the week. And then work on it for the next months to make it better. I might be setting myself some pretty odd goals, but I really want to do this.

What do you guys think? I would appreciate input! If you see specific things I should work on, please let me know.

I'm in a serious development phase right now. I feel like my art is being squashed in a mold and re-shaped. Once in while, you have to go thru periods like that for your art or writing. It's odd, kinda frustrating, but in the end, good.

To be honest I kinda want to RE-DRAW ALL OF JABBERWOCKY. I am not satisfied with these drawings. Maybe I should?

** Also, people who have commissioned me : I'm sorry for the delay. My aim is still to have your stuff ready by next week. But since it's computer coloring, I kinda want to get the stylizing down first... So what you get doesn't suck.

- Isa

Comments

[chrismata1976.livejournal.com]

Wow it looks really great, i dont understand why it was rejected!

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

It's basically not as strong as my stuff usually is. I agree with my editor. I'm just a little confused on how to fix it.

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

In terms of background, the first is somewhat more haunting, because it suggests openess that can be seen as frightening, like an emptiness now that the imaginary friend is enraged.

The second part looks like she is enclosed by her imaginary friend, imprisoned by the rage without any chance of escaping.

Both have evocative imagery, but it all depends on which one YOU like best.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I think I like the imprisoned emotion better. Thanks!

[putri-nih.livejournal.com]

HOLY. Whoa.... Your stuff always such emotions with it.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Hahahah. Thanks. I really work hard on emotions and expressions.

[putri-nih.livejournal.com]

um can i buy this anywhere?

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

That book isn't finished yet, so no. Not for now *laughs*

I do have my first book, Rose, around in Gatineau in a few places, but i'm not even sure they still have copies :(

I still have copies of Rose, so if you would like one, I could sell you one of my own. Here is a preview of the pages : http://secondlina.livejournal.com/92856.html

The books are sold 20$ :D

[tenshiyaki.livejournal.com]

I think what might help would be a different approach to the coloring. Right now, it looks like you chose the colors in the picture because that's what color they are. What you might consider is utilizing color in a way to really convey the mood and message of the artwork. For example, adding in some blue in the shadow of the shirt or red in the hair. I'm not sure about the painterly style that you were aiming for because the lines seem too important to give way to the strokes of a painterly style.

I was initially going to suggest more shadow but considering the line quality of your work, more subtle coloring works but the shades you choose must have a lot of thought behind them. Play around with the colors more and see what you come up with.

I think it's a good start though, and you have good composition. :)

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Okay. Awesome. This really good advice. Don't just color. Set a mood.

I always wanted to keep the coloring simple because my inking and lines are so important. But, if the coloring inside was more painterly while still keep the lines intact, it could be an interesting effect. Hummm. I've been often told to tone down shadows (I used to put too much) and such to respect the intergrity of the line.

I think the problem is that the ink is really gritty but the colors are super clean.

Definitely aim for a mood.

[ickaimp.livejournal.com]

Um... take this with a grain of salt please, because I haven't had a chance to do colours in AGES.

But after staring at the pictures for a while, and the art that you want to emulate, the main conclusion I've come to is that it's not the line art, it's the colour. There's not enough colour. Right now, the colour is too flat.

Add more. Add LOTS of colour.

Look at the skin tone of the nudes. It's not just 'dark tan skin', it's dark, highlights, mid-tones, blues and greens. They accentuate, add detail, texture.

Your girl's hair isn't just gold.
It's gold and copper and brass and orange and red and I dunno, blue.

The hair's not straight.
It's wavy, tangled, wild and twisted in on itself. If she hadn't just had her heart ripped out, she'd need to spend some time with a hair brush.

Even without adding the extra odd colours like the blue and green on the nudes, you need more shadows and highlights to give the characters more depth. Add light and gravity to the image. Make it pop.

... Does that make sense?

*scurries back into lurkerdom*

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

It makes plenty of sense! Thank you!

[earthstar-moon.livejournal.com]

I think ickaimp and tenshiyaki hit the nail on the head. It's really the colouring you need to adjust and you need to add more to it. Example, the blue hair. You can add different shades of blue and add some highlights to give it more life. Also, you need to think of the mood you're trying to convey like tints of red if you're trying to convey and angry mood or tints of blue if you want something cold and icy. Hope this helps.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Basically, add levels to the coloring I guess.

[rose.livejournal.com]

wood block/flat coloring works very well if you approach it like a designer.

examples:
http://www.google.com/images?q=takato%20yamamoto&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

http://neverfly.deviantart.com/


you can also try applying textures:
http://ya-na.deviantart.com/art/cosmic-sailors-89055407?q=favby%3Arosanella%2F1945661&qo=17

http://einlee.deviantart.com/art/The-Hatter-137409819?q=favby%3ANephyla%2F1448827&qo=41


the key for both is copious amounts of details in the line work and precise palette. coloring that is too bright, too saturated, when paired with really detailed lines, can be very chaotic and take away from the impact. I don't think making yourself get all paintery and complex is going to help things here because your lines are so important, and deserve to be showcased. There's no need for a rainbow here.

As such, I chose Yamamoto as a primary example for you because he is a master of detail and elegant horror that draws the eye in and refuses to allow you to look away, even after you're been properly freaked out.

my reccomendation for you would be to stay away from burn/dodge tool and think very simple when it comes to coloring. if you need to shade, make sure the colors contrast more. right now, it's too subtle on the arms, etc, imo.

the problem with the first picture for me is that the hair, skin, and background are too close in shade/color. the background added helps alot and makes things look soooo much more appealing. it helps focus the eye on the center piece, which is the wound.



hope this helps. :T

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

That artist is a very good example! Thank you! Someone had shown me work by that artist before, but I did not have a name to find more of his work. Now I do!

Textures are definitely an interesting idea. I'll look into that.

[prettio.livejournal.com]

Hum... question: Do you think that colouring method is going to suit your drawing style?

I mean, I think your ink lineart is perfect, that kind of colouring does not need lineart at all. That style It's much more painting than colouring : /

I've done several works for the career with that kind of style, it's much more easy than you could expect, it's basically "add everycolour, yellow to the lights and blue/purple to the shadows."

About the illustration, I think that it needs a background. But not "any" background, I think it needs a dark background to increase the atmosphere and the feelings of the main character. Black and dark red, I think both could look fine : )

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Yeah, now that I think about it, the "painted" style doesn't really fit the inking style. But I still want to learn it to apply to other drawing styles. Have versatility.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[spankingfemme.livejournal.com]

I like the ink and coloring you have here, but my coloring isn't that great LOL! The background does add to the piece, and overall, you captured the emotion beautifully :P

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really like it better with the background. I'm going to be stuck adding lines to everything, aren't I?

[spankingfemme.livejournal.com]

Backgrounds although sometimes tedious usually do add to the piece rather than take away. It's a good habit to get in for story telling to ;)

[engelen.livejournal.com]

good luck finding your style!!

I was lucky enough to find mine early on and love it...

I could make you a tutorial on how I color, but I don't think my style would precisely fit the story right...

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I guess I just have to keep trying! :D

Ce commentaire est relié à mes goûts personnels plus que les goûts généraux et peu être ignor

[(Anonymous)]

Personnellement, je trop que tes couleurs sont trop diluée, trop pâles. On dirait que tu utilises majoritairement du blanc, avec un peu de noir pour faire ressortir. Ça marche très bien pour certains styles, mais là, ce qui est représenté a l'air très dark, mais au contraire, ton image est très claire.
Je trouve qu'ajouter les lignes noirs, ça me fait pensé au manga Spirale... Je suis pas sure que j'aime ça, mais ça pourrait aller très bien avec ce que tu fais.
Personnellement, moi, j'aime les couleurs pures et qui ressortent beaucoup. Là, on dirait que les cheveux de tes personnages sont effacés, et toutes tes couleurs sont dans la même gamme. Ça me fait penser aux bd qui colorient juste une couleur autre que le noir, juste pour dire... Mais ça dépend vraiment de l'effet que tu veux, et je ne suis pas convaincue que des couleurs prononcées marcheraient bien dans ce cas-ci. Faudrait que j'en vois plus (même si je pense que j'en ai déjà vu plus).
Peut-être si tu avais un fond rouge vin..

Mais bon, c'est pas vraiment des conseils ce que je te dis, là, et ça sert pas vraiment :P

Re: Ce commentaire est relié à mes goûts personnels plus que les goûts généraux et peu être i

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Quelques personnes me disent que les couleurs faibles ne marchent pas avec les lignes d'entre sombres et le thème de l'histoire. Il y a comme une dissonance graphique. Je vais essayé de faire un truc plus foncé et texturé.

Tu sais, j'ai jamais lu Spirale. Je me dit que je devrais, si seulement pour étudier le style graphique.

Est-ce que le pique-nique est encore planifié pour la semaine prochaine?

Désolé de pas t'avoir appelée cette semaine. :( Parce que je descend à Ottawa et je pers ma fin de semaine habituellement réservée au dessin, j'ai besoin de dessiner en soirée...

J'espère te voir la semaine prochaine par contre! :D

Niko says

[(Anonymous)]

I don't know what "an inking and coloring style that will LOOKING good as a final comic" means... :P buuuuut, here's my 2 cents: try adding just one strong color in accents, genre enki bilal: http://www.passion-estampes.com/deco/affiches/bilal/bilallechealaveugle.jpg

tadaa??
ton style a presque juste des couleurs neutres avec un peu de couleur semi-forte, une couleur KUNG-POW ferait vraiment beaucoup :D
Niko
P.S. Je lis ton blog très alléatoirement, or, je risque fortement de ne jamais savoir si tu répliques à ce que je viens d'écrire... just saying
P.P.S. Il fait chaud

Re: Niko says

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Okay, le fait que les couleurs sont faibles est un argument qui revient beaucoup... Va falloir que je bosse là-dessus.