My workflow (a.k.a. let's save some face)

So, I was working on a little Buffy The Vampire Slayer comic (love that show!). But it's taking longer than I expected... pro-tip: never, never, NEVER do anything stupid on your file without saving first! Otherwise you'll regret it! Sigh...

Ahem! So I pictured that this could be a good moment to show you guys my workflow. A little behind-the-scenes kind of thing.

Here's a screenshot.

The secret is revealed! I use a computer that draws for me!

Note: Pretentious hipster art terminology ahead! Read at your own risk!

Anyway, I work on Manga Studio. It's a software created with comic book artists in mind. It allows you to use a whole lot of tools and exports the finished drawing in bitmap format (b&w only), creating smaller file sizes and better reproduction when you print.
It also has a lot of cool features like virtual rulers and perspective tools. Those are really useful, but a little more difficult to explain... the rulers can be of any shape, and will make curves and the like very easy to draw.

When I'm drawing I like to use references. In this case, as you can see, I added some pictures of the real actors in their own layers, so I can draw the cartoon characters more accurately (still have a lot of work to do with Will and Buffy!). That's a great advantage in digital media, if I was doing this traditionally I would need to look at pictures and at the paper once and again, over and over, disrupting my workflow.

After the sketch is done (like you see up there), I start inking on a different layer. I usually lower the opacity of the sketch layer to 30% or so, and start going over the image. Sometimes I draw things that weren't there in the original sketch! It all depends on how adventurous I feel.

Whew! So there's that! If you have any questions, go ahead and ask! I use a Wacom Bamboo Pen Tablet to draw in the computer. And remember that no amount of software or hardware is going to make you better at art--you just have to practice daily!

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The contest is STILL on! Come on, comment and tell me what you'll like to see me draw!

Good old Kratos

Who doesn't love Kratos?

Now, I guess this is a bit hypocrital, as I don't really love Kratos. I haven't played any of the games, so there!
This entry was suggested by Crisalys. Be sure to check her blog, she's a fellow starving chilean artist who's just getting started!

So many suggestions last time! I'm honored! Keep them coming, but I already have one I would like to do on the next post ;)

Chile's national team kit evolution

No one asked me for a specific drawing last entry, so I'll post whatever I want, haha.

Did you know that my national team is over a hundred years old, and that we've never won an important international championship? That's true! We have reached finals in Copa América, and a lot of third places in other tournaments, but no actual victories (except in 2009's Toulon U-20 competition). Argentinians seem happy to remind us about this a lot, showoffs.

The thing is, we've always had a few good players, but in this current generation of footballers we actually have enough of those to make a good, balanced team. Let's hope for the best, Brazil 2014 is around the corner!

My favourite kit is the classic one from 1962... I would love to get a modern spin on that, sort of like France's current jersey. But our current kit is pretty cool as well.

Special thanks to Juan Pablo Villablanca and his blog Chilekits for the excellent reference material! Check him out!

Suggest me something to draw next time! I'll link to your blog as well!

A Bear and a Girl

Huh. I don't really feel satisfied with this... my coloring was way off today. I was not inspired.

BUT!

That's precisely why I started this art blog. That's why I'm taking suggestions on future drawings.

Because I want to improve. To meet deadlines. To get faster. And it's working! Hopefully I can keep it that way... and thanks for the nice comments yesterday! 

Anyway, winning entry by Maddie, a polish fellow artist-slash-blogger. Check her blog, the work she does is breath-taking!

Draw...

Maybe a Sweet little girl? 

Let she poke a big bear;).

Ang the bear must read a newspaper with a mario in frontpage! 

Can't say we don't listen to our customers here!