Form Before Detail

Form Before Detail.

Form Before Detail.

Form Before Detail!

These are the 3 most important words in basic drawing. Paint it in big letters on the wall of your studio right above your drawing table so you don't forget. 

 Everything has form... buildings, doorways, figures, trees, the leaves on the trees, the forms the leaves on the trees make when all bunched together, each section of the human finger, a piece of paper, the computer screen your reading this on... everything has form and getting the forms right on a drawing in the first place is the key to making your art so much better and much more interesting to look at.

 It's simple, lightly layout all your basic forms first. It's easier to see your basic layout and easier to erase and redraw simple light shapes plus you don't tear up / damage your drawing surface as much. It helps take away the confusion in getting the human figure into correct perspective and easier to see what looks wrong. Forced perspective becomes less of an issue. Get the forms right first, then you can spend the rest of your day adding details. 

 Here's an example, a very kind artist let me use for this, that shows  some of what I'm talking about. We have a pretty good Colossus card with laser blasts and actual backgrounds you can see and understand. There's an action pose and it's colored pretty well. But, with better form work before hand, this would have been an even better card. More and more practice on the human figure will obviously make you better at drawing it, but learning the basic forms, how they interact with each other, and putting them in perspective will get you there quicker. 

(I've used red pencil on the forms to make it so the forms and the perspective that they're in stand out more) Other than tweaking the first drawing to get the anatomy closer (especially that arm coming at the carmera), I've suggested an alternative pose that would add more movement to the piece and up the action. Another suggestion is to get that tenticle more involved in the picture. Get the forms in more dramatic forced perspective and have it popping out of the card and wrapping around and interacting with Colossus instead of being just a flat object in the background. 

Take the time, learn the art of drawing basic forms for everything and you will see a vast improvement in your art. 

Later

WM

You Can't Scream!

 "You Can't Scream!" is the title of the next comic that I'm working on for Mansion Comics. I've really dived head first into the sketch cards business lately with the new job and all so it's been a nice change of pace to return to drawing comic pages.

  You Can't Scream! is a horror based script written by Keith Champagne and I'm working on the pencils and inks. I can't say much about it yet but it's a one-shot issue with a 24 page story that involves Demons, 9mm's, fangs, zombies, leather, and a little bit of cleavage. It's been a blast to draw and I'm really happy with the way it's coming out so far. It's tentatively scheduled for an October (Halloween?) release as possibly part of an anthology but that may change. 

  I've added some character sheets below of some of the players. If I get word at any point to start showing some artwork, I'll make sure to post it up here.

 

Later

WM

____________________________________________________

Warren Martineck

New Job? You bet.

 There have been many changes around here recently, a lot of cool new stuff happening I can't wait to talk about, and plenty of things to keep me extra busy and (semi-) out of trouble.  Of all the things going on, the one I'm most excited to announce is the new position I've accepted at Rittenhouse Archives. Rittenhouse is one of the top Entertainment Trading Card companies in the world and I'm honored to be joining their team.

  Among various job requirements, I'll be in charge of finding new talent, bringing in new artists and working with the artists we already have helping them to evolve their work and expand their contribution to future sets. Also, you will probably be seeing me at more conventions, which is a good thing… I really need to get out of the studio more. And don't worry, I'll still be drawing my share of Sketch Cards. There are so many ideas and techniques I can't wait to dive into on upcoming sets to keep both the fans and myself entertained.

  I'm looking forward to getting settled in over the next few weeks and to get some balls rolling.

Cheers

Warren Martineck

_________________________

Director Of Special Projects

Marvel Greatest Heroes Scans

As promised, I've begun posting the scans of all my  Marvel Greatest Hero cards. Not being in the mood to blow my wad all in one shot, I've decided to release 2 -3 pages a day until the official release next week.

I now have all 17 pages in my Marvel Greatest Heroes Sketch Card Gallery posted.  

Update: 3/8 - Pages 4, 5, & 6 posted

Update: 3/9 - Pages 7 & 8 posted

Update: 3/10 - Pages 9 & 10 posted

Update: 3/12 - Pages 11, 12 & 13 posted

Update: 3/13 - Pages 14 & 15 posted (Note: It took a little longer to post this as I had to rework some of the pages yet to be posted as I just found out one of my 2002 cards was rejected. "Too much blood" or something to that fact. Oh well. 

Update: 3/14 - Pages 16 & 17 posted 

It's now out today, so enjoy all the wrapper rippin!

Later

WM

________________________________________________

Warren Martineck

Ralph McQuarrie R.I.P.

The Art of The Empire Strikes back was one of the first books I got when I was a kid that really changed my life, all due in part to Ralph McQuarrie's paintings and design work. His art was absolutely stunning and, all pun intended, out of this world. I was able to see first hand the power of truly fantastic art that can move you and suck you in and at the same time showing that being an artist could actually be a viable career choice. 

It's sad to hear of his passing and although I'd never met him, I can only say thanks to Ralph for inadvertently picking my path I will walk for the rest of my life. I wouldn't be who I am without him.

Enjoy the rest of your journey.

WM

 

__________________________________________

Warren Martineck