Digital Illustration Class-Original 1

The topic of this picture is, "FEARLESS." Every week i will be making my original illustration based on the weekly topic posted on, "Illustration Friday."

Well here it is. The blockprint I always wish I could've done in printmaking. Not only did I not have to worry about cutting myself, but I didn't have to worry about messing up the print part. Not only that, but I got to cheat and see what my print was going to look like before I would have to consider trying...in fact as I was going.

Process:

1. Make a physical sketch...
2. Scan and sketch over it on a new layer.
3. Sketch several more times making corrections and adjustments
4. Do a new layer and make a value study.
5. make a black layer and put a Layer ask on it.
6. Put the final linework and value study at about 35% opacity.
7. Carve away at the black until done.
8. Add color on a new layer underneath the black layer. (multiply is not needed)
9. Add cheap texture. put on mutliply
10. Add noise layer (as instructed by Mr. Babcock.)
11. Take the color layer opacity down to 80%.
12. Add a couple Hue/Saturation adjustment layers to fix the background.
13. Add another layer to put in final adjustments on color.
14. Done.

One of the hardest tricks was letting the black and the simple colors define the characters and set the picture's depth...this was difficult and I struggled with it.

I will upload the actual .PSD on the server tonight, and everyone is welcome to look at it. Regardless please give me comments, critiques...etc.
Thanks