_________Kev Ferrara___________

[kev ferrara]

Some test environments for the last book of The Deadlander from Dark Horse.

I was trying to visualize the final scene in the graveyard, so I made these sketches with an eye towards using them as backgrounds in some of the panels...

The first is all ballpoint. The second is pen, ink and brush.

Love to hear your comments! (By the way, I now have a thread in the sketchbook section of CA too!)

kev

[Eric Gerhard]

Kev,

Your words at Critique Center have moved me to another stage. I'd like to thank for you gentle and interested aid.
Another thing: I never heard about Harvey Dunn, but I found his work very interesting and I'd like to buy a book about his techniques. You told me I should read them.

BTW, your work is very good and it's always a great honor to be criticized by someone like you.

Peace,

Eric Gerhard

[Layil]

your ink drawings are awesome, and i like the variety of mediums in your thread.

[harachte]

Fantastic work there... truly stunning. I just love the way your comic stuff looks like some classics (Buscema sr., to say one), great stuff

[kev ferrara]

Here's a pencilled panel from The Deadlander. I think this one's ready to ink, although I always clear up and darken a few things before touching a fully pencilled panel with the black stuff. Ink is so striking that sometimes the first three brush strokes can make the rest of the pencils practically invisible. Sometimes I will make a high contrast copy of the pencils that are as dark as the black ink, so during the process I still have a reference I can read as to what is actually under the ink.

On the narrative front, It's always a challenge to draw a "talking scene" interestingly. Although whether the moment is highly charged or a subtle contemplative stasis, my method is identical. To me it's all about conveying emotions with gestural form, the control of tensions, and getting the drama between characters to read graphically.

Here, The Deadlander is on "death watch" for his friend the Shaman, as the Shaman tries to recover from a gunshot wound. They talk and for the first time the usually laconic Deadlander begins opening up about how he had come to be in this wretched undead state. I was trying to capture in his attitude, both the Deadlander's reluctance to talk, but also his resignation.

UPDATE: Okay, I've got an inking on this one. Since this panel will be printed at about 2" x 2", the inking if fine. The values I insert when I color it will have to pick up the slack.

In comparison, I am very sad I made the decision during the inking to simplify the Deadlander's vest. Glad I scanned it in. Wish I had scanned it at high rez.

Well at least there's a recording of a nice bit of drawing that once was.

kev

[kev ferrara]

A little fun... Some more caricatures...

[Cobster]

It's been a pleasure looking through this thread, Kev. I always enjoy your insightful crits on other threads too. I've downloaded the Harvey Dunn notes, I'm off to devour them now.

[Robert.B]

wow your work is astounding the line quality and design design schems remind of some of thr classic comics from tales form the crypt i used to read!

[SMILEFACE]

really cool pics yall can tell this is where yall belong lookn forward to more

[Pence]

Kev seeing your works makes me determined to become more disciplined and increase my level of skill. Also, each time I read one of your critiques of another persons work, I see that you are someone who speaks wise words. I'm going to study Bridgman and commit his books to memory as you said you have done. Keep up the good work, man.

[kev ferrara]

Title page Deadlander #1 from Dark Horse. Plus detail. Now changed to The Deadlander with some additional digital painting...

Traditional and digital...

[Arne S.]

this looks damn cool! i can´t say more...

[kev ferrara]

Grail Soldier...

[Eric Gerhard]

Kev,

I found the Dunn's notes you told me... Thanks a lot.... they're quite useful and easy to understand.... you only have to practice hard, very hard... but that's part of the artists life!

Cheers!

[kev ferrara]

Alternate cover to Deadlander 4.

Unfinished, abandoned... May become an interior panel.

[_andreas_]

this thread is awesome but could also be in the SB section.
also:
thx for posting so much stuff and the writing that goes with it

[codenothing]

Incredible stuff!

[timpaatkins]

Jesus, man wow, I never buy comics, but this will be the first thing i purchase in ages. You have inspired me to no end.
I love your loose style, and the story has really got my blood pumping to find out more.

YOur oils are also beautiful. I was wondering how the hell you get everything doen in a day?
is there any chance you give us a rundown or a typical day for you? (if you ever have a typical day i mean.)
I think me and alot of other people would like to hear about your approach to oilpainting.

Cheers Tim

[tarc]

Great Work!

I love how you handle black and white, thanks for sharing all of this.

Franklin Booth is unsurpassed in my humble opinion...

Gustave Doré and Daniel Vierge also have very interesting line expression and strong composition.

Regards,

Tarc

[kev ferrara]

Another pencil only panel from the Deadlander... Plus close up.

[timpaatkins]

Thansk for the runddown mate!

Maybe you wana add to that list? A dane called P. S Kroyer, a part of the group known as the skagen painters, they did some cool stuff, basically the wequv of the impress. but here in scandinavia instead.

http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/databa...id=2194&page=1

[kev ferrara]

Here's a better before and after result...

A panel from the Deadlander, pencil start and inking.

[jedininjaman]

wow great work, you posted in my sketch book and I was like oh I guess I will check his out, and man alive this is some great stuff!
Very cool and thanks for posting in my book
-jedininja

[Bhrazz]

Yea is very good, The 1st pieces are INSANE!!!

[AmontilladoAg]

*picks up eyeballs, inserts in sockets*

Whoa. Outstanding work, Kev.. I noticed one or two of your pics had a perspective flaw or two (for instance, the pencil pic of the guy bending down w/his hat on the ground -- Cobra? The angle of his face seemed a little wonky), but that's just nit-pickin'. Top-notch drawz.

And I thought I spied with my little eye some Mucha influence in there Even if you hadn't 'fessed up, the hair on that leaping barbarian in your second post -- if that ain't Mucha hair, I don't know what is!

Keep up the stellar work Can't wait to see the next installment of teh hottness

[krytical_error]

this thread is becoming epic. thank you for growing it constantly!!!

[Ganbold]

Very wonderful... I saw your thread before it's very impress me.

[AztcFireFlower]

Awesome work you have here.

These are just awesome and inspiring artworks. Great control and life in your pen and inks. I enjoy studying your panels and the dynamic comps. Frazetta was a master of form and drama; Something you've mastered as well. Really like the sillhouettes of your panels and absolutely love the drama of the crisp lighting.

Great character portraits.

Thanks for posting those notes from Dunn. A treasure.
Keep throwing out those gathered bits of wisdom. "Cause I am soaking it up.

Another fan.

[Kan Muftić]

Hey there,

Boy, I'm sweating all over. This is so hot!
I'm such a fan of adult western themes, I even made a thread of my own here, and it's all about postapocalyptic cowboys.
Love it, love it, love it.
Big respect,

[egerie]

Your work reminds me a lot of the type of illustration I saw when I was a kid, especially these inks. It strikes an emotional chord and am delighted to have you posting (so much art ) on the forum.