uphillbrian
Apr 30 2011, 12:48 AM
Being a Long-time Lurker, I have chosen to be a first-time poster. Though updates may be infrequent, they will exist. Thanks for looking. If you see problems with the art, please help me out by mentioning it! I wanna get as good as my pencils will allow. All art done by me, unless otherwise noted.
This is piece inspired by a novel called "Mr. Clarinet" by Nick Stone. a crime/noir thriller that's off the CHAINS!! I loved it! so everyone go buy 3 copies tomorrow! anyway... here she is.
Click to view attachmentInked with brush, Quill, and a cheap calligraphy pen. about 8.5 x 11" on crappy sketchbook paper.
p.s. that lame little stick figure dude is important in the book. It looks like I phoned-in a chance to draw a sleepy terminator, but, he's supposed to look like that.
Lisa Moore
Apr 30 2011, 02:34 AM
Wow, very nice! I'm digging all the textures you have going on in this piece.
Bill Nichols
Apr 30 2011, 05:50 AM
Brian,
Bob (Hickey) has been posted with the Darkness Chronicles pieces you've been doing. I'm glad you've stopped lurking! Post away!
Ron Fortier
Apr 30 2011, 08:02 AM
Welcome Brian, what a wonderful piece. The anatomy is perfect, the composition excellent and as Lisa already noted, you've gotten the max out just sketchbook paper, I too am amazed. Honestly, if this were the cover of the book, I'd have to pick it up!!!
Great job. Please, keep it up.
Gonzogoose
May 1 2011, 02:43 PM
Very nice! And welcome, Brian, glad to have you posting. Like Ron said, I see nothing wrong with the art here. Anatomically, compositionally and artistically it seems right on to me. I too love the textures and the muted color choices here. Extremely nice piece, and like Ron said, were this a cover, I'd definitely pick it up to flip through it. And on sketchbook paper? Wow.
uphillbrian
May 2 2011, 12:29 AM
Thank you, EVERYONE for the kind words. It's been a huge treat to check these forums out for so long. only recently did i get the balls to post. You guys all rule! Anyway, Robocop is my favorite movie ever. soooo....
ROBOCOP SKETCH!!! like 3.5-4.5 hours. Lengthy sketch, i know. Lost track of time cause I didn't pay too much attention. Tossed in a quick background texture to contrast the helmet. Experimented with some holds in the face and lips. I LOVE getting really liney at times, but then i think it can get confusing with color, so, i tried the hold technique. Let me know it worked/didn't work/couldn't tell/didn't care/etc if you wouldn't mind
7"x7"ish. inked with w&n cotman 0 brush, calligraphy pen, and a hunt's 104 quill on bristol. fought the paper the whole time. i used vellum because i didn't plan on inking. oh well...

BTW, for got to mention, all color is photoshop unless noted. sorry if my first piece was misleading
cougar18
May 2 2011, 11:22 AM
QUOTE (uphillbrian @ May 1 2011, 11:29 PM)

Thank you, EVERYONE for the kind words. It's been a huge treat to check these forums out for so long. only recently did i get the balls to post. You guys all rule! Anyway, Robocop is my favorite movie ever. soooo....
ROBOCOP SKETCH!!! like 3.5-4.5 hours. Lengthy sketch, i know. Lost track of time cause I didn't pay too much attention. Tossed in a quick background texture to contrast the helmet. Experimented with some holds in the face and lips. I LOVE getting really liney at times, but then i think it can get confusing with color, so, i tried the hold technique. Let me know it worked/didn't work/couldn't tell/didn't care/etc if you wouldn't mind
7"x7"ish. inked with w&n cotman 0 brush, calligraphy pen, and a hunt's 104 quill on bristol. fought the paper the whole time. i used vellum because i didn't plan on inking. oh well...
Click to view attachmentBTW, for got to mention, all color is photoshop unless noted. sorry if my first piece was misleading
Really great stuff here. I have to ask, are the hold techniques you are referring to the way you are holding the pencils or holding the brush/ ink pen?
uphillbrian
May 2 2011, 11:38 PM
Cougar18, I should have been more clear. I meant, "color holds" on the lines. I hope my definition is right, but, I always understood "holds" as taking the blacks provided from pencil/inks and coloring them. Like when characters are in a car and the camera is outside, so the colorist takes all the outlines of the characters and makes them a medium blue to give the impression that they are behind the glass. I guess I could have googled the actual definition, but, I thought of doing that after I typed everything.

"'Overlays' or 'color holds' (where there is no black outline or the
outline is in a specific color) are done on a separate sheet of acetate
or vellum overlaying the original art. This is usually done by the
penciler or inker as a special effect -- simulating invisibility or
colors in a fire or explosion. 'Red-lining', or putting one color next
to another with no black lines between, is usually indicated by the
penciler or inker but may be done in the coloring stages as well. Red
lining has many of the same uses as color hold.'"
--Rob Davis Article on google...
cougar18
May 3 2011, 04:12 AM
QUOTE (uphillbrian @ May 2 2011, 09:38 PM)

Cougar18, I should have been more clear. I meant, "color holds" on the lines. I hope my definition is right, but, I always understood "holds" as taking the blacks provided from pencil/inks and coloring them. Like when characters are in a car and the camera is outside, so the colorist takes all the outlines of the characters and makes them a medium blue to give the impression that they are behind the glass. I guess I could have googled the actual definition, but, I thought of doing that after I typed everything.

"'Overlays' or 'color holds' (where there is no black outline or the
outline is in a specific color) are done on a separate sheet of acetate
or vellum overlaying the original art. This is usually done by the
penciler or inker as a special effect -- simulating invisibility or
colors in a fire or explosion. 'Red-lining', or putting one color next
to another with no black lines between, is usually indicated by the
penciler or inker but may be done in the coloring stages as well. Red
lining has many of the same uses as color hold.'"
--Rob Davis Article on google...
Ah sweet. I'm still new to alot of the technical mumbo jumbo used in the industry. Thanks for the information.
Bill Nichols
May 4 2011, 12:55 PM
That
Darkness Chronicles piece was awesome, Brian. You'll be cool on that project. And if you're looking for more to do, lmk, I can find you something to occupy you.
uphillbrian
May 5 2011, 12:48 PM
No problem cougar18! Thanks a lot Bill, I busted my hump on that piece!! haha.
(Spoiler and crappy illustration alert!!!)
Been busy doing some character face sketches for my next project entitled "UBERBLUD: The Ballad of Wendell Rhoades" Written by my steadfast hetero-life-mate UphillBrad. We've had the project in the backs of our heads for quite some time. The past few months we've been tightening everything down and I've been learning how to draw. Hopefully by the time the scripts come in I'll feel okay about putting pencil to paper. Warming up to the property with character development and sketches. The cast (which i believe is VERY cool!) consists of a lot of weird people. Here be 3. 2 villians and one hero. This project has me very thrilled to be a part of!
Bad guy: Kraus

Bad guy: Ginger

Good Guy: Josey

I will post more of the cast when I have them sketched. Thanks for looking.
BTW, BILL, am I allowed to post that Darkness Chronicles stuff?
Ron Fortier
May 5 2011, 01:12 PM
Great facial expressions on these heads. Thumbs up on maintaining the likenesses for each character.
Bill Nichols
May 5 2011, 01:18 PM
QUOTE (uphillbrian @ May 5 2011, 02:48 PM)

BTW, BILL, am I allowed to post that Darkness Chronicles stuff?
You might want to ask Bob. I don't know if he wants to hold it for the SkyStorm bible
uphillbrian
May 12 2011, 11:03 PM
some more head sketches for our book. trying to get the actors consistent AND actually ACTING! If only I were Kevin Maguire

Good Guy: Josey (again) added a couple of small faces to try them out.

Supporting Character: Rosa (caught a couple of wonky eyes in there... oh well... they're sketches right? RIGHT???)

Supporting Character: "Sweet Pea" Charlie (was going for a tougher-looking, slightly-slimmer Cee-Lo Green)

Working on coloring a big teaser image for the book. may post just the inks, or full color. not sure yet. if anyone cares to see it either way lemme know.
Thanks for lookin'
uphillbrian
Aug 12 2011, 10:30 PM
So... Long time no post. Finished this hog and i'm happyish (lots of anatomy problems and size issues but whatever. you move on and make it better next time right). I actually finished it in early june but...WIFE'S PREGNANT! baby stuff occupies a lot of time (who wouldve thought?). So since then I've been writing. UBERBLUD is on a slight hiatus. been working on another thing here's the UBERBLUD teaser.

here's a little teaser for the other thing (if it ever comes to fruition). Been working on rearranging my style. less detail more "umph!" thanks for looking
cougar18
Aug 13 2011, 11:49 AM
I see what you mean about the Ooomph.
Congrats on the pregnant wife. I see what you mean about being busy.
Hope everything goes well. I know hospital visits and other baby related costs can be expensive.
Ron Fortier
Aug 13 2011, 05:54 PM
Yeah, and that's only the beginning.

Having raised five kids, most of which went on to college. Your life just got totally turned upside down.
Your artwork is awesome and I can only see success in your future. This is such good work.
Bill Nichols
Aug 13 2011, 08:21 PM
QUOTE (uphillbrian @ Aug 13 2011, 12:30 AM)

So... Long time no post. Finished this hog and i'm happyish (lots of anatomy problems and size issues but whatever. you move on and make it better next time right). I actually finished it in early june but...WIFE'S PREGNANT! baby stuff occupies a lot of time (who wouldve thought?). So since then I've been writing. UBERBLUD is on a slight hiatus. been working on another thing here's the UBERBLUD teaser.

here's a little teaser for the other thing (if it ever comes to fruition). Been working on rearranging my style. less detail more "umph!" thanks for looking

Congratulations, Brian!
And awesome work. Still up for doing
The Darkness Chronicles?
Hmmm, maybe I should bug you to do a sketch for my Ursula Sketchbook in the meantime....just so you don't get rusty...
uphillbrian
Sep 29 2011, 01:24 AM
a DD sketch i did in honor of Daredevil 220. one of my favorite issues ever. HAILZ to the o'neil and mazzucchelli!! RIP H.G.
uphillbrian
Oct 31 2011, 12:28 AM
work in progress just for ron fortier. He has a kick-ass character named "Black Lion" Here's some fan-art I've been working on.
Ron Fortier
Oct 31 2011, 08:43 AM
WAHOOOOOO!!!! Brian, talk about getting this day going on a high note. Ha. Buddy, I don't know what to say. Except a heartfelt thanks. Because of your first pin-up, I've interested a well known comic outfit to agree to publish a BLACK LION graphic novel....IF...I can get it put together. And again, because of that fact, I'm now talking with a foreign comic art studio who seem willing to do that for me.
And now this second piece!!! You so rock, amigo!!!
C. William Russette
Nov 2 2011, 04:28 PM
Really liking what I am seeing here. The head shots are fantastic!
Can we see more?
Thanks for posting!
uphillbrian
Nov 25 2011, 07:40 PM
In honor of BLACK FRIDAY how about the finished inks of a BLACK LION pinup? Looks like Jamal Lyon found the back entrance to Spanish mansion Wal*mart to catch his laptop at a SUH-WEET price! Let's hope no one get's in his way as his shotgun is screaming, "SERIOUS DEALS AWAIT! DEATH TO ALL QUEUES! BLACK LION AND SAVINGS SHOTGUN FOR THE WIN!" Whatever, I'm finished now. Color coming sooner than later. Hope ya dig it Ron

PEACE!
uphillbrian
Nov 26 2011, 01:22 AM
Wife went to bed early with the baby sooooo LAUNDRY AND ART NIGHT! here's the color for the Black Lion image. hope y'all dig it.
Ron Fortier
Nov 26 2011, 08:51 AM
OH MY GOD!!! Brian this is just outstanding. What a fantastic piece. Dude, you so rock. Heartfelt thanks.
uphillbrian
Jan 3 2012, 12:48 AM
another captain jain piece! she's had a good week!
Ron Fortier
Jan 3 2012, 09:48 AM
OH MY GOD!!! Brian, not going to delve into particulars, but I've some medical stuff that needs doing today and was a wee bit depressed. Then I logged on just now and found this. WOW!!! You have no clue just how much you've just lifted my spirits when I needed it so badly.
God bless you. I have to show this to Jim Bott...hell, the whole world.
You rock!!!
Ron Fortier
Jan 3 2012, 06:33 PM
Still can't believe this piece. Showed it to Jimmy and it blew him away.
uphillbrian
Jan 23 2012, 10:57 PM
after this bar troll story, hopefully this will be up next.
uphillbrian
Apr 15 2012, 12:51 AM
Did a couple of sketches tonight. Imperfect but fun
Lobster Johnson

Vol De Galle

Thanks for looking !
uphillbrian
Sep 5 2012, 08:28 PM
free image hostingpencils inks and colors by me
Hope this link works...
pinup for TIGER LAWYER! A book by Ryan Ferrier. Look for it in Issue 3.
tigerlawyer tigerlawyer tigerlawyer
Ron Fortier
Sep 6 2012, 07:48 AM
Hot damn!!!! Brian these are FANTASTIC!!!! And truly nice coloring job here.
Greg G.
Sep 8 2012, 12:56 AM
QUOTE (uphillbrian @ Apr 15 2012, 02:51 AM)

Vol De Galle

Thanks for looking !
How in the Hell did I miss this?
Fantastic!
I love The Marquis. Can't wait for Guy Davis to finish the next story arc.
uphillbrian
Sep 10 2012, 02:23 AM
Thanks guys! you are all so damned encouraging and awesome! Sorry It's been so long posting. I've finished the first ish of a miniseries, did some inking for Valiant, worked on going back to basics on anatomy, did some pinups... whew. Oh, Finished the inks for the first ish of Electric Man, most likely working on a gig at something at 215ink, and got rejected by Shadowline all while working my full time job.! Busy busy times!
Ron, you're the best

Greg, thanks for noticing. The Marquis is the jam! I can't wait for the new one either.
here's another sketch pinup from Kurtis Wiebe and Riley Rossmo's DEBRIS. not as clean as TIGER LAWYER considering I hauled ass through this. Oh well. Thanks for caring.
Enter, MAYA! enjoy!
Ron Fortier
Sep 10 2012, 07:25 PM
Damn it Brian, Captain Jain is crying for another outing.

That picture above is OUTSTANDING.
blaqtkat
Sep 13 2012, 08:38 AM
Brian -- you are really top notch -- keep on going, uphill or not!
uphillbrian
Dec 10 2012, 02:57 AM
Hey Y'all. I love you, I miss you.
Ron you are the best. I miss Jain too. Unfortunately I'm a little too booked right this minute. But I do miss her

Blaqtkat. Thanks so much. I appreciate the kind words. your art is freaking awesome. seriously rad.
Heres a quick sketch of the Commander KRAKE! COBRA FOREVER!!!
Ron Fortier
Dec 10 2012, 11:11 AM
You nailed it again, as you always do, pal. Thumbs up.
uphillbrian
Dec 17 2012, 03:07 AM
THANKS RON!
Power Girl and Frankenstein Commissions


Kind of a crummy Baroness Sketch, but whatcha gonna do?
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