Well, it's fall again. In a lot of places the leaves are turning orange, red and yellow and are starting to drop. It's finally cooling off a little here in Arizona too. And, football season is well under way here in North America. So I decided to break out a picture I did a while ago for some friends.
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| Riggo - Pen and Ink with digital color |
I lived in the Washington DC area for about 8 years and created this piece for some friends who are huge Washington Redskins fans. The artwork commemorates the former Redskin great, John Riggins (or Riggo for short). I know not all of you are fans, but Riggo is a revered sports hero in the DC area. He's a big ol farm boy from Nebraska who was a powerful running back in college and in the NFL. He played for many years as a Redskin and on more than one championship winning team in Washington.
The technique I used is one I enjoy quite a bit. I start out with reference material and sketch out my design. On this one I liked the idea of incorporating a scene from one of the Super Bowls he starred in, his number, name and the team mascot in the background.
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| Riggo - Pen and Ink version |
Next I render a nice tight pen and ink drawing. Personally, I really enjoy pen and ink. I used it a lot when I was starting out because we did a lot of one color printing. I use bristol board and Koh-i-noor technical pens. The thing I like about it as well, is that the pen and ink is a stand alone piece of artwork (I like it better than the color piece myself). And after I add the color it can be used as a dual purpose piece.
After completing the inked artwork I scan it in to my Mac. Then I use Photoshop and my Wacom tablet to paint in the color. A couple things I like to do are first; touch up the pen and ink in Photoshop. I want the black image on a layer by itself in Photoshop and I want it to be tight. So, it takes a little touch up work and time. Then, I can paint in the color on a layer beneath. This keeps the black image crisp with the color popping in thru the area that they should. I normally have several layers of color while working on it.
So, here's to all you Redskins fans and DC area residents; enjoy the beautiful Fall weather out there. I know the Skins aren't having their best season, but hang in there. The rest of you - enjoy yourself, wherever you are.
Have a great week all.
Aloha,
Tom