Monday, December 31, 2012

Three Point Perspective


Three Point Perspective


No surface or dimension is parallel to the picture plane.
The object recedes towards 3 vanishing points.
Two vanishing points are on the horizon line.  The third point is above of below the horizon line.


to be continued…

read next - The Hangover Perspective
previous - Two Point Perspective


Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Two Point Perspective


Two Point Perspective


No surface is parallel to the picture plane. Only one dimension is parallel. That can be the height or the width.
The object recedes to two vanishing points.

to be continued…

read next - Three Point Perspective
previous - One Point Perspective

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

One point perspective


One Point Perspective


One surface is always parallel the picture plane. This surface is the true undistorted height and width of an object.
There is only one vanishing point.


to be continued…

read next - Two Point Perspective
previous - It's all about perspective.


Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

It's all about perspective.

Let's Discuss Perspective


Woopsies! I forgot I was on the topic of composition and jumped ahead to perspective. So I'll do perspective for the next few days and get back to composition. Sorry about that.

You need to know perspective to create a sense of depth. A simple way to understand it is that objects appear smaller when they are farther away from you. You can observe this with your eyes and draw comics that have a sense of depth.

There are two types of perspective: atmospheric (also called aerial) and linear ((also called parallel).

Atmospheric Perspective: A technique for drawing objects lighter the farther away they are from the reader. This is accomplished by drawing lines that decrease in size  the greater the distance from the reader. Also drawing distant objects with less detail. Tone is used with color. Contrast is used too. A dark object will appear closer than a light object.


Linear Perspective: A system for creating the illusion of depth and distance using intersecting lines that converge at one, two or more points on a horizon line (also called eye level).

So let's discuss linear perspective a little more in-depth. This will serve as a basic introduction to the concepts.

Two things to remember.
First thing to keep in mind is that all parallel lines seem to converge as they go away from the reader.

Next to keep in mind is that the horizon is the edge of the earth. The horizon line is always at the eye level of the Omnipotent Observer.

You have three decisions to make:
  1. The station point of the Omnipotent Observer.
  2. The eye level of the Omnipotent Observer.
  3. The vanishing point.


Remember these 2 things and the three decisions you must make and you'll have a good handle on perspective.

Now if something isn't clear here, then now is the time to write your questions in the comment box below, because I'm going to leave you hanging for now.

to be continued…

read next - One point perspective
previous - Crush the Composition in Comic Books and Graphic Novels

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Movie Poster for a Short Film

Here's some recent design and Photoshop work I did for a short film.



Keep reading and  +1 me. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Illustrations for The Heritage of Yawnogard

The Heritage of Yawnogard



I'm doing illustrations for a book titled  The Heritage of Yawnogard by John H. Long. It has dragons in it. I've been waiting to draw dragons. 

Here are some illustrations in progress.

You can read the first half of the book on AMAZON.

Transporting wizard and dragon

Dragon Rescue

Garloids assemble

Keep reading and  +1 me. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.



Monday, December 17, 2012

Crush the Composition in Comic Books and Graphic Novels


Composition is ultimately putting together lines, masses and colors to create harmony.

These are the methods of creating harmony and all are dependent on the principles of proportion and good spacing.

1. Opposition. Two lines meet to form a simple and extreme harmony.

2. Transition. Only a third line needs to be added to two lines which softens the opposition and an effect of unity is created. Radiating lines produce transition also.

3. Subordination. A complete grouping is formed with secondary objects attached to or related to a single dominating object.

Principal and subordinate are made in three ways:

a. Group around an axis, e.g. as leaf relates to stem or branches to tree trunk.

b. Radiating as in flowers and vault ribs.

c. By size, as in a group of mountain peaks ands tree clusters.

4. Repetition. Create objects again and again in a rhythmic order. with equal or unequal intervals.

5. Symmetry. Place two equal lines or objects in exact balance.



Once again there is much more to be studied on this subject and this is only an introduction.

Next… more on Composition.

to be continued…

read next - It's all about perspective.
previous - Are Afraid of The Dark?

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I'm doing live cartoon portraits at Westfield Century City Mall

Get Yourself Drawn as a Cartoon




Listen up! Hmm.. maybe that should be 'Read up.' No, 'Read across' How about  'Scan this' it's so Babylon 5; futuristic but retro at the same time. I've got it let's start again!

Peep this people! I will be at the SONY store drawing portraits. Yeah, that's what I said, 'SONY has a store?' Oh… you said "He can draw live?" Yes I can and you can stop by and get yourself drawn free! Here's an idea for a holiday gift. Bring a photo of your friend and I'll draw them and you can give that as a gift to your friend! I promise I'll be gentle.

I'll be at Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067

on these dates

Thurs  Dec. 13 from 5 to 9 pm
Sat  Dec. 15 from 1 to 5 pm

Please stop by and get yourself drawn as a cartoon character.

Current Economic Realities of Comic Books and Graphic Novels


State of the Comic Book Industry


Jim Zub (writer/creator Skullkickers) has taken the time to write about the financial realities of income derived from creator owned printed comics. The article on his blog discusses mainstream comic distribution through comic shops with low print run books. 


print industry pie chart

Here's a link to his article on digital publishing. One thing to keep in mind about digital distributors  is that they do not give you a digital file to keep. You’re paying for rental of the comic.

For instance, Graphicly stopped distributing comics and instead focused on digital publishing tools for comics. I don't have my Graphicly comics anymore. Thankfully I had just started getting comics from them before the change, so I wasn't in too deep. 



What's happening with the Big Two? (DC Comics and Marvel for those not in the know.) The upper limit on sales of a superhero comic book these days is about 230,000; just two to five series routinely break into six digits. Issues of Spider-Man and X-Men sold millions years ago.

Marvel and DC raid alternative comics and web comics to find new talent. The talent may go because they can get paid. Do they create anything new? Maybe. Younger generations have learned the lessons of Siegel, Shuster, Kirby, Alan Moore and so many others. They usually decline to invent anything new for the majors and prefer to control their own creations.

Those talents eventually leave. They self-publish (in print and on the web) and reap whatever financial benefits come their way.


Keep reading and  +1 me. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.









Monday, December 10, 2012

Are Afraid of The Dark?


Light and Shadow in your art


Light and shade go hand in hand and can never be separated.

Light creates shadows which clearly define shapes and allow us to see the forms of objects and their boudnaries.

An artist must observe the amount of light and a shade found in an object and translate that into graphic black and white art or as tones of gray or color.

It is good to start off thinking of five main tones:
  1. White
  2. Light
  3. Middle
  4. Dark
  5. Black

Obviously the eye can see millions of tones and you can create them as well, however can you really wrap your mind around drawing millions of tones? Easier to start with five simple categories.

The best practice is to start drawing an egg. It has no color and forces you to see white, gray or black and more importantly to start thinking in terms of tones and values. Create different lighting conditions for your still life drawings.

You will notice that the surface getting the brightest light will be the lightest. The surface that doesn't face the light source will be the darkest.

With the egg and any curving surface there is a gradation of tone. Irregular shapes on objects will have have clearly defined edges between the different planes.

Now let's talk about light source. Normally the main light is coming form the top and it will be either the sun or a ceiling light. With that as a standard let's start thinking of light direction in 5 categories:
  1. Top
  2. Side
  3. Diagonal
  4. Front - even light
  5. Back - Directly behind object creating a silhouette.









You replace bottom with top light as needed when it's the main source.

Always have one light source in your panel.  in order to avoid inconsistent light sources draw a  little sun in pencil with an arrow to remind yourself of the light source.


Another way to keep it consistent is to remember as one of my mentors (Bob Layton) says "The nose knows." When you place the shadow on the nose to the right then all the shadows in the panel will fall to the right.

Continue your own studies on this subject.

Next... Composition

to be continued…

BONUS LINKS! More detailed information about Light and shadow

Designing With Light and Shadow: 10 Highly Effective Tips You Should Try [With Case Studies]

Improve Your Artwork by Learning to See Light and Shadow

How to shade a drawing (Light & Shadow : Part 2)

Drawing Lesson – A Theory of Light and Shade

How to Draw Light and Shade

Perception of Light & Shadow – The Five Basic Skills of Drawing – Part 4

DRAWING LIGHTS AND SHADOWS WITH TONES AND VALUES

Discover the Secret to Light and Shadows

read next - Crush the Composition in Comic Books and Graphic Novels
previous - How to do Wonders with Your Shape

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Get Manga Studio 5 for $79

Get Manga Studio 5 for $79






Many of the features that were previously only available in the EX version are now available in Manga Studio 5.  A very good tool for drawing comics. Odd though that they don't use the tool to do the illustration for the product packaging. 

You can get it here.

Friday, November 30, 2012

How to do Wonders with Your Shape


Line and form walk hand in hand to create substance.


We start with the cube and sphere. From these primary shapes more complex shapes are given birth: the cylinder, cone, pyramid and hexagon (or more correctly a hexagonal prism). Well really it should be called a polyhedron to account for any number of flat surfaces and straight edges. However it seems mathematicians can't agree on a definition for polyhedra, so you see it gets complicated.


We reduce the problem of drawing by by seeing everything as based on these forms and their relationships to each other.

There are two methods to build form using ovals and rectangles. Of course some mavericks like to combine both. Hmm… are they mavericks or undisciplined? I'm not sure.


Each series of ovals and rectangles help to build masses in proper proportion and relation  to each other. This helps to build a figure or object and give it structure and weight. Then we use line to define the contour and create it as we draw with confidence and s sense of finality.

There are 3 expressions of form: contour only, contrast and using light and shadow.

I'll end this here even though there is so much more to say on this and you should make the study and observation of form a part of your daily routine.

Next… Light and Shadow.

to be continued…

read next - Are Afraid of The Dark?
previous - Are You a Passive Line or a Powerful Line?

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Are You a Passive Line or a Powerful Line?


A simple line.


No matter whether you draw or paint it usually starts with a line. There are 3 types of lines; straight, angled and curved.


The straight line may be looked at as dull, passive and plain OR it can be seen as bold, brash and directional. Context changes the meaning. Lines can powerfully or subtly communicate and no line should be drawn carelessly. Each line should have have something to say. 

Lines can be very expressive. As an artist you should not think of a line as just outlining an object. If you do so, then you are a dullard and your line will be dull and lifeless. Yes dullard the truth hurts, but someone has to tell you.

All artists need to think of the line as a contour that creates form. Think of a line as being able to express emotion, texture and structure. Think of a line as being able to to show light and shadow.

Lines can lead the eye and be directional; whether implied or actual. More about that when we talk about composition. I have already touched on it when I discussed tangents. Think about the quality
of your line. Do you want it to be soft, angry, controlled or erratic? Or maybe broken, graceful or suggest movement?

I can only touch on the power of  the line here. This is just meant to be food for thought and motivate you to consider line carefully and embark on a study of it. let me leave you with one thought and one command. Every line should contribute to the storytelling. Practice drawing straight lines without a ruler everyday.

Next I'll discuss FORM.

to be continued…

read next - How to do Wonders with Your Shape
previous - Sound Effects and Display Type Techniques for Comics and Graphic Novels


Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.
Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

ANOMALY AT THE GROVE Nov. 29th

ANOMALY TABLE READ EVENT AT THE BARNES & NOBLE AT THE GROVE: NOV. 29, 7:00pm


I'm sorry I couldn't give you more notice on this. I  just found out myself today. Brian showed me the art on this when I met him a third time for the first time! I finally made an impression on him the third time.

The art on this is amazing!

If you live in the LA area join the creators and cast of ANOMALY at Barnes & Noble at The Grove!

Creators Skip Brittenham and Brian Haberlin will be on hand with a talented cast of actors (below) who lent their voices to the recently released ANOMALY Interactive Graphic Novel, available for iOS and Android (coming soon to Google Play).


Monday, November 26, 2012

Sound Effects and Display Type Techniques for Comics and Graphic Novels


Some Basic Techniques for Sound Effects and Display Type


Rather than use purchased sound effects fonts as your first choice, I encourage you as the artist to do them yourself in pencil and then you or the letterer ink the work. Of course, if it fits then by all means use a font. Sometimes you don't have to reinvent the wheel. 

Here are some techniques to get you started. Don't be limited by them, use these as a jumping off point. 



Don’t compete with the art. Complement the art to enhance and further the storytelling.

You can age, frost, drip and set the type on fire. You are only limited by your imagination. 

And check out these tutorials by Jim Campbell and Todd Klein.

read next - Are You a Passive Line or a Powerful Line?
previous - More About Sound Effects for Comics and Graphic Novels

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products and books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a item by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Fleischer’s Superman Cartoons 1941-1942


Happy Thanksgiving!

Warners Bros. has given us a real treat!


This week Warner Bros. posted most of the Fleischer Superman cartoons to their You Tube channel.


Warner Bros. has restored them for our viewing pleasure. No more bootleg grainy videos. Even after all these years they are still fun to watch again and again.



I really love these and enjoy the imagination, talent, energy and excitement shown and generated in these cartoons.

Superman



Mechanical Monsters



Terror On The Midway


Read about the history and DVD review of the Warner Bros. release



Here's direct links to all of them.

Enjoy!

Keep reading and  +1 me. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

More About Sound Effects for Comics and Graphic Novels

Old School vs New School

The state of comic book sound effects make me yawn. Nowadays they mostly look alike. Yes you can buy fonts created specifically to be sound effects. You've seen them over and over again. I would have thought digital fonts would have opened the door to more creativity. It hasn't.

First, let's look at some more old school lettering and then some creative lettering being done today.

Here's some more old school sound effects that are very individual and complement the art and contribute to the storytelling. Something that is sometimes lacking with computer fonts.












I firmly feel that artist should draw their own sound effects. Make them part of the design of the page and fit the sound. The sound effects can be hand drawn and then rendered digitally by the letterer if you don't want to do it yourself..

Here is a great current example from Cafe Suada by Jade Sarson. We should all aspire to this level of creativity.








to be continued…

read next - Sound Effects and Display Type Techniques for Comics and Graphic Novels
previous -  Sound Effects for Comics and Graphic Novels

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Sound Effects for Comics and Graphic Novels

Comic Book Sound Effects

Now let's take a look at sound effects.

I mean it. Take a look.









Now go back and really see them. Are they part of the art? Do they tell the story?

to be continued...

read next - More About Sound Effects for Comics and Graphic Novels
previous - Types of Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products and books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a item by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.