So for the last week or so I've been studying anatomy. Muscular and skeletal, and this was my first attempt at utilizing my studies. The only reference used to create this was a picture for the pose. Structure, muscles, and shading were all me. Like my last post, this is the first stage. Black and white ink drawing. Started off in loose pencil sketch, I refined it to a more detailed drawing, then traced it with black pen and sharpie. Scanned in, set to black and white at 300 dpi, I pulled it up in Photoshop, erased all the extra spots and pencil marks I missed.

Then I lay in my flat colors and gradient background.

Then I add highlights and shadows, use a picture of clouds under my gradient background, and and a blur effect to the cape and hair to give it the sense of movement. Then, using the lasso tool I enclose superman, and his eyes to add an outer and inner glow effect.

So I would like to start this blog off with my most recent Photoshop work. I'll post it in stages, first, the scanned black and white inked drawing, then the drawing with flat colors applied, then the shading, then the highlights and glow effects.



This is the first stage. Black and white ink drawing. Started off in loose pencil sketch, I refined it to a more detailed drawing, then traced it with black pen and sharpie. Scanned in, set to black and white at 300 dpi, I pulled it up in Photoshop, erased all the extra spots and pencil marks I missed.

Then, I lay in the flats using the brush tool, at 100% opacity and flow set to multiply. Each color has its own layer, so Yellows, Blues, Reds, background, etc, all have their own, all separated into folders.

Then I add textures under certain layers, the galaxy behind the gradiant background, stone texture under the stones, etc. I shade and highlight each color individually, and each color has a separate layer for both highlights and shadows. 

Then, I use the lasso tool to surround the character. Once enclosed I used an outside and inner glow effect to give it the look of have an aura radiate off of him. I then do the same to the energy coming out of his hand, and likewise to the eyes, resulting in this finished product. 

If you are interested in seeing more of my art, you can follow me on instagram. http://instagram.com/gorehammergraphics

Also, I have a couple pages on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gorehammergraphics is my page for art that I've done for bands. Fliers, album covers, t shirt designs, etc.. And my other page. https://www.facebook.com/ArtByJamesCallahan for my more family friendly, less gory stuff. Check em out, give em a like, its always appreciated.