BONUS CONTENT: Art Process Display Banner, Pt 10 (FX) & 11 (Final)
So here are the last two steps of the art process in creating my new display banner. In the left image, I added all the final touches to the art, which consist of various special effects: haze around the planet, glowing engines and lights on both the Khoruysa Brimia and the Mosquito, and a few metallic gleams on the ships and weapons.
I also made the final decision to nix the different colored horizontal bars, which were looking a bit hokey. Plus, with everything else going on in the image, the last thing I needed was three bars of different colors as any kind of distraction. I replaced them with a single blue background color for all three bars, but that looked too flat and boring, so I added the white vertical gradient down the middle. That ended up working perfectly since it broke up the flatness of the solid color while also drawing your eye towards Sky in the center of the image.
On the right side, you have the final image, with the text laid back on top of all the artwork. Huzzah!!
Overall, I’m really happy with the final piece, and if you come and see me at your next comic convention, maybe you’ll get to see it in person in all its glory. Assuming the airline doesn’t lose it in transit….
Ever plan to attend a comic convention in the Netherlands?
I would really like to see this one up close.
Feroz, recommend any particular comic shows? Sean and I aren’t familiar with shows in Europe, but always looking for an excuse to go!
Starting with the Netherlands:
Haarlem: http://www.stripdagenhaarlem.nl/2010/ (my favorite as the event is every other year and outdoors)
Breda: http://www.stripbeursbreda.nl/nieuws_2010.html
Houten: http://www.stripschap.nl/pages/de-stripdagen/het-laatste-nieuws.php
Sorry for the lack of English text on the Dutch websites, but I’ll be happy to help you with translations and providing more information.
Tomorrow I’m actually going to visit my first comic convention outside of the Netherlands, which is said to be huge and in Belgium: http://www.facts.be/fa_index.html
where IS you next convention appearance Sean?
Probably Boston Comic Con. No wait! I’m putting on a show for regional artists in the area, so I think that will be the first. Not sure if his 2nd graphic novel will be out by then… We haven’t had much time to think about 2011 shows.
Ooh, the Netherlands. I would love to do a show there. I can’t say I’ve ever looked into it though. I haven’t done any shows in Europe yet, although Angoulemme has been on my radar, especially since the first graphic novel, RUNNERS: “Bad Goods,”
has been available in French through Kymera for a few years now: http://www.kymeracomics.com
As for my next con appearance, David, I’m not quite sure. I think I’m all done for this year. Next year, I plan to have the “Snow Job” graphic novel done up, so I’ll try to hit the con circuit a bit more. Right now, I’m considering Boston Comic Con, Anime Boston, Connecticon, Baltimore, NYCC, and San Diego. Not sure I’ll even be able to get an Artist Alley table in those last two shows though. Competition’s tough!
I’ve never done Heroes Con or Dragon Con, so those are also on the table. Star Wars Celebration would probably be a good fit. I tried getting a table this year, but never got any responses to my queries about table prices, so I didn’t bother. If anyone has suggestions on shows, feel free to let me know!
I notice you are looking at a lot of big mainstream superhero-centered cons. Have you considered the indie/alt/small press ones? One that has really grown into a great show lately is the MoCCA Art Fest in New York (http://www.moccany.org/content/mocca-festival). It gets a lot of fans, and is all devoted to comics (no wrestlers, movie stars, etc.).
Also, while it’s small, ConBust at Smith College is a local Sci-Fi/Anime con with a strong webcomic presence. It’s worth checking out: http://sophia.smith.edu/conbust (not a lot of info yet, but you can see what went on at last year’s show here: http://sophia.smith.edu/conbust/2010/)