For the actual color work on this cover I did things a little differently. Each piece, each project, each series I work just a little differently. I'm constantly refining my method and tinkering with the process.
Things were especially different in that I was under a time crunch to get this and
Archaia's Free Comic Book Day Labyrinth story done at the same time. Also I was obliged to be out of my studio and work on the road. I ended up getting a MacBook Pro to work on the go (and it's turned out to be one of the best things I have ever gotten.) Yes, things were done a little differently this time around.
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Finished drawing. |
Some of the difference shows up in the coloring progress and textures. I tried a few different methods of flatting and blocking in shapes.
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Flatted color. |
This lead to some interesting (and strange) textures when a few of the other layers were turned off.
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Textures! |
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One thing that you are especially not supposed to overlook in Tolkien are the details. The books are all details so you have no excuse to not know how a particular character is dressed, what they just ate, what phase the moon is in ... the list goes on. All that to say, when dressing Bilbo I forgot his vest! Vest missing the little brass buttons. I drew it seperately and photoshopped it into the drawing before I began the final cover.
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Hobbit week.