This will be the inaugural post in what I would like to call the technique or “technology” section of the blog, although some people might prefer the word process. Every hump day-god willing, I’ll try to highlight some portion of my routine as far as it relates to the creation of this miracle we call artwork. Today I’ll be starting off with a couple of pages from my just released (as of May) manga Heavenshield. Fresh enough for you? Let’s go.

I typically begin all of my roughs on regular letter size ink jet paper with a Bic pen or similar ballpoint. I like the freedom to just bang em out in ink while I’m storyboarding because my strokes are looser, and also because it’s more fun ya heard? This is the flashback sequence where General Oz reminisces on how Sepulveda got the drop on him. I am working from a script here but some of the dialogue is ad-libbed straight onto the page. Hence, the ubiquitous potty mouth on Oz. (He’s the bad guy, I think.)

Bam! The finished version live and in greyscale! I’d love to be able to show you the intermediate tight pencils for these, but since I ink directly over them they no longer exist, if that makes any sense. No, we’re just going to jump from concept to realization in a flash because THAT is how we do things here in the Post Media Age! *ahem* Anyway, this is the final version for better or worse. I like it. Since I’m basically an obsessive nut case I spent a lot of time trying to get the shading on the mechs just right to get that real bastardized photoshop look circa Image Comics 1993. It probably helps that I used photoshop too since I don’t know how the fuck Manga Studio works.

Another rough sketch with General Oz (don’t you just love this guy?). This time he’s having a little fun at the expense of a prison guard. I probably crumble up at least two versions of these roughs before I settle on one that I feel is just right. For some reason I always feel like I can make better camera angles and truthfully I might complicate things for myself just a bit. I should probably stop that.

And finally, the finished version of our second piece. I used a few different pattern presets to achieve the various backgrounds in each panel. Coupla fills here and there, and a liberal usage of the pen tool, and the whole wildstyle gothica effect is completed! Hope you enjoyed it.