Charlie Harper Illustration

I have a lot more content coming down the pipe, but I thought I would quickly share some art work I did while sitting around at Heroes Con this past weekend. I was inspired by all the incredible comic book art etc. So I decided to join in the celebration of some of our favorite reasons to be at a comic book convention.

This Madelyne Pryor is the first watercolor I have ever done. Now granted, when I was little I probably played with watercolors at some point. But nothing ever to claim other than smiley faces and stick figures farting.

The Joker

This Batman is my first brush inking job. So I have a lot to learn, but I really enjoyed doing it. I had planned to paint this with watercolor as well, but decided to just wash it with the ink I was already using.

I have some exciting things coming up like comic art, a couple online competitions, and building a fantasy art portfolio. This site is currently in the early stages of a complete overhaul as well which I am very excited about.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope to hear from anyone who wants to share their thoughts etc.

I will be doing many illustrations like this on the floor of heroes con. My process is pretty simple and fast.

1. I will have reference photos so I dont have to figure out pose, costume, etc.
2. I do a blue line ruff.
3. I then go over blue line with graphite and tighten it up.
4. I ink over 2 under drawings making final line choices.
5. I used a kneaded eraser to remove two blue and pencil lines to leave only the ink.
6. Let the fun of water colors begin!
7. SOLD! ??? haha

It takes between 1 to 2 hours to crank these out and I am going to be doing Thor, Nightwing, etc.

I think if I had more time I could have noodled at this painting for another week. It isn’t the final result that I saw in my mind, but it is a good step in the right direction for me artistically non the less. Every painting that I do I learn a little bit more about refining my process, using the tools etc.

Beau Gauthreaux wrote a short story called “The Shadowblade Diary” which will be a continued narrative on his website after Heroes Con. He will be giving out his 4×5 booklets of his short story this weekend at Heroes Con with my cover art on the front.

Can’t hold my eyes open any longer. I will have to finish this tomorrow night.

I have my work cut out for me, but here is a progress update on the illustration I shared in my previous post.

A friend of mine, Beau Geauthreaux, wrote a short story called “Shadowblade” and asked me to do a cover illustration for it. He plans on doing a hand made book which will be available at Heroes Con next weekend. Below I have some ruff line work for the picture. I am now making some corrections in Photoshop and adding flat color.

I was not happy with the background in my first version of this. So I went back and reworked it, I am happy with the results. I just have to keep churning these out and the better I will get.

Well I have put a lot of hours into this painting. I could noodle at it forever, but alas I need to move on to other projects. I am happy with it.

I have increased the contrast, lighting etc. I need to finish this tonight so I can move on to other illustrations. So some more textures, cleaning, etc and I will be done.

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” Leonardo da Vinci

First, a “Red Trap” Painting Update

So I think it is getting closer. I still have to address lighting, some texture issues, etc. Feel free to comment on what you think so far.

Slice of Life

Well I guess I zigged when I should have zagged with last week’s Wednesday post. I am now going to a weekly post, as opposed to a set day. This post just so happens to be on a Wednesday too!

Heroes Con is less than a month away so things are getting crazy for me. For those of you that do not know, I will be sharing a small press table with a friend and creative writer, Beau Geauthreaux. I am really excited about going, if I sell some prints of my work while there that will be gravy on top of a already good time biscuit. I am really looking forward to seeing all of my friends from the Sidebar Nation community along with some other great artists like Bryan Fowler and Kim Feigenbaum whom I met in person last year for the first time.

Sketchbook Snapshots

**Click on images to make them larger**

Below are some random sketches from the past couple of weeks I wanted to share.












People’s Web Places

Bill Blankenship a.k.a. 3!LL

I met Bill through the online community formed around the podcast Sidebar that I mentioned above. Bill is one of those guys that you would want to be on your side. The man is a drawing machine. Working 100% digital on most of his projects, 3!LL is fast at what he does while still upholding quality in his work over on the site Bohemian-Zen. He also hosts a Live Draw session on Wednesday nights @ 9 pm EST via Ustream.tv. During these live draw sessions we have had some good deep conversations about artists, tips and tricks, comics etc. It really is a good time. 3!LL is always willing to help anyone who comes along, has strong opinions, and is crazy to boot. I think Bill has some big things ahead of him because he has the passion and the work ethic it takes to reach goals. So check him out at his website below.

website http://www.bohemian-zen.com/

Chuck’s Current Wish List Items

1. Wacom Cintiq 21UX

Listening and Reading

• Music: Green Day - New 21st Century Breakdown Album - This is good like a bacon egg sandwich!
• Podcast: Big Illustration Party Time #19
• Podcast: Art and Story - I am catching up on their past episodes to get current.

*All of these podcasts can be found on iTunes for free.
**I have a Rhapsody To Go account, so I cam constantly dumping albums onto my MP3 player.