The process.. Featuring the Justice Leauge

Usually, for a single character sketch, I do a thumbnail drawing, then when I like the layout, I scan the thumbnail and blow it up to the right size (usually 9/12). Then I start fleshing out the sketch and adding detail. in this case I did each character separately then added them together in Photoshop. I spent a little more time on some of the characters while some (like the Flash and Green Lantern) were just rough outlines.

The next step is the outline the characters in pencil. With the character I had done detail layouts for, it's simply and outline but the other were a little looser sketch. Just two different ways of penciling the page.




For the next step, I add some gray tone wash effects. Adding shadows and high lights. In some areas, like around Martian Manhunter's eyes or Batman's cape and cowl, I can be a little loose since I know the areas will be filled in with black.




The next step is to add the blacks. I have a tendency to "out-line" all the characters to make them stand out and clean up any "mistakes" made along the way. At this stage, I pretty happy with the way this one is coming out.




I wanted to "fill" the background to make the characters POP but did not want to use all black. So, I outlines the characters and then used the gray tone wash to fill most of the areas. I think it came out pretty cool and look forward to the next challenge.

This one is for Bob, the Great.