Sketchbook: Entry 4

The Bat-Man.

At the time I was planning this painting and working on sketches I came to the realization that after all the years of working as an illustrator as well as a comic book fan I had never painted any of my favorite heroes. Heroes that had inspired me and made a big impact on my formative years as a young artist. So I drew upon many of my influences at the time, particularly 1930's Art Deco, Sculptors like Paul Manship and golden-age comics. I concentrated on an effective shape of Bat-man's cape, an iconic pose and dramatic lighting on the figure as well as creating a mysterious "atmosphere" in the Gotham City skies.

Sketchbook: Entry 3

CITY by Clifford D. Simak is an all time classic of science fiction writing.

This drawing was presented for the cover of the Centennial Edition published by Old Earth Books and the project moved along very well from start to finish. I started out re-reading CITY and soon realized I hadn't read it since my teens and so, it definitely felt like I was reading it for the first time. I started taking notes, I doodled images as I read and the cover quickly developed in my mind.

The image is inspired by one of my favorite golden age illustrators, Franklin Booth with the large shape of trees and smaller figures as a focal point. I worked with a straightforward design and composition and I feel it is very fitting for the subject matter. Also, I'm sure I was tempted to do the cover in pen and ink! In fact I had two different color palettes in mind; one very cool palette (and very contemporary) and one in a warm palette (and retro). After discussing the options with designer, Robert Garcia we decided the warm palette was suitable for the new edition and that was what I painted. I know I will soon do the pen and ink version and I have a strong feeling I will eventually do the same painting in the cooler color palette. Because I keep working that over and over in my mind and on paper. Just for my enjoyment and the celebration of a great subject.