comic – Gemma's Art

I really liked one of the sketches I’d created during the illustration workshop with Louise. I uploaded the sketch onto Clip Studio Paint and lined it digitally.

I then went online and did a little snoop around some colour palettes. I found one I liked that was quite muted and cool; this attracted me because I sit quite comfortably in warm colour palettes for illustration. I copied it in and used the five colours (and slight shades) to colour the illustration.

Other minor changes I made after that was to place a texture over the colour layers, change it to an orange and set the layer effect to multiply, then reduce the opacity a lot. I like a little bit of texture over my art.

I also took the whole (merged) colour layer and moved it very slightly to the left, then corrected any shaky lines. The slight skew appeals to me. I think this is a little inspired by Quentin Blake, who colours messily to a successful end.

I then experimented with layer effects to create some other versions of the illustration. This step is always fun for me!

This is with a Difference layer effect over the whole illustration. I can’t remember what colour I used to get this warmer palette, but I admit this version is my favourite. The other illustration just feels a little lifeless. Ines said she thinks this one feels like an early morning!

This is with the Exclusion layer effect. This one is great, because it makes me feel like it’s actually night time. I like that dark patches appear light and vice versa.

Overall, I’m happy with the illustration. The final one I would personally present is the orange one; the definition is clear and it gives off some cool vibes.

I’ve been having a think about what could push my style. I think I need more background work, or a larger basis of reference for backgrounds. I practice drawing backgrounds when I can in my sketchbook. I also need more practice drawing different body types. Some bodies, no matter how well drawn, are less aesthetically pleasing than others in terms of curves and how dynamic I can make them. I’m working to rectify that.

For a long time, I’ve been inspired by Sarah Graley, who is an illustrator and comic artist.

Her art is sweet and heavily stylised. She uses round shapes and exaggerated expressions to draw about her life and partner, as well as having multiple side comics. Below is an example of her work, taken from instagram:

I copied the lineart of a couple of her cats because I was taken by them.

These are pretty much direct copies of cats Sarah has drawn.

I then used the proportions and shapes from Graley’s art to make some of my own art. My cat is called Mittens and she always looks like she’s cross, even though she’s really very sweet.

An image before I added any lines or colour.

The completed page, with me creating 6 iterations of Mittens.

Each iteration experimented with placement of facial features, colour and her proportions or gestures.

Graley focuses more on the feeling and message of the comics than making them perfect.

What am I going to take away from this? I like Graley’s expressions a lot. The shape of the eyes might find it’s way into my own work. The relaxed anatomy appeals to me, e.g. lack of real wrist or arm anatomy in some cases even though the joints are clearly suggested. I continually seesaw back and forth between pedantism and relaxation in terms of how realistic my proportions are, but I know that’s just a case of finding a style.

There’s also less literal advice I could take from her. As an illustrator, her online presence is consistent and so is her style and content (Our Super Adventure, her main comic, has been continuing for years). She regularly attends cons (I met her other half Stef at ComicCon this may!) and tables there selling prints and comics. Her side projects will also bring her exposure and widen her portfolio.

Finally, I feel obliged to attach a picture of Mittens for you all to enjoy. I know the perfect one.

Gemma's Art

I talk about what I do and make, why I do and make it and how I could have done it better.

Tag: comic

Illustration Extension: Order and Chaos

Wider Research: Sarah Graley