This next drawing from my Sketchbook is from the cover of "Episodes From The Zero Hour" Volume 1 from Blinding Force Productions featuring Tommy "Knuckles" McNichols. This piece (and specifically the finished painting) is a very important project to me: one, because I'm mighty happy with the way all the noir, pulp and private eye influences all fit together for me, two: because the project moved along nicely with the writer, art director and designer and, three: because it forged a great professional and personal friendship with the designer Anthony Schiavino. Aside from Anthony having an impeccable eye for good design, he's a great writer / creator himself with some really fine ideas. Anthony and I talk a lot via email all week long, talking about everything important: comics, films, art, work and family (not in that order). We've become great friends this year and it all began with a Tough Guy, named "Knuckles" created by his cohort Jay Butkowski. It's a great pulp story (available at: www.lulu.com/zerohour) so give it a try.
When Anthony first inquired about my schedule and interest in the project, he had the cover designed with color palette options and a rough sketch. The original layout had "Knuckles" sitting behind the desk with his feet up, but after discussing the character with Jay and Anthony I came up with a rough thumbnail that had more body gesture and attitude of a tough guy for hire. More of a "Bobby the Mitch" swag to his personality. I also put more emphasis of noir by adding the blinds and played with light and shadows. Adding the framed boxing photograph behind him in the shadows introduced a bit more of the characters past.
Have a great 2009! Thanks for visiting the blog over the year. It's been quite a busy year for me, which explains the lack of posts but I'll get to them and I will try and update with new posts on a more regular basis in the coming year. I still have some exciting things to showcase as they take shape as well as continuing with the Sketchbook entries. See you next year.
7 comments:
Happy New Year, Doug.
Bobby
You give me way too much credit Doug. Without your art gracing the cover there's no way it could have been what it was. I absolutely love the work you did on it and I'm grateful for your friendship as well.
And to think...one day I found this guy on MySpace and his name was Doug Klauba. I told Jay. Jay loved the work so we said well let's get in touch with him. The rest is history.
Happy New Year, Bobby!
Thanks!
Thanks, Anthony- I'm honored to be part of the team!
It's great to see that sketch, Doug...the piece has such a feeling of "place" that I can imagine that I can smell the old whiskey, stale cigarette smoke, and dusty wood. Quite a feat to accomplish!
I'm grateful for Anthony as well...he's the "linchpin" in some great relationships!
Cheers to you both!
-Dave
Right you are Dave, Anthony IS the linchpin now that I think of it. I can also Thank him for introducing me to Bobby (Thanks Bobby), Ron, Rob, Van and you...
I see a conspiracy happening somewhere.
Solid piece.
Nice work all around on the blog.
Solid piece.
Nice work all around on the blog.
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