ImagineFX_Issue_150_August_2017

Tape Tip

Turn up The heaT

Even though I do use a

sturdy paper, peeling the

masking tape off can lead to

disaster. The solution is a hair

dryer. The heat softens the glue

and enables the tape to come

off without scalping or

otherwise damaging the

paper underneath.

MaterialS

Media

n Ink

n Watercolour

n Coloured pencils

n Airbrush

PaPer

n 300gr all-round

drawing paper,

stretched

Miscellaneous

n Masking tape

n Clear plastic

Warm vs cold

I prefer to use the white of the paper for warmer

colours, but cold ones are best done with

gouache or coloured pencil. The hands

themselves are painted in gouache, while a

touch of airbrush helps them to glow.

Wrapping the light

Masked contours are hard and flat; few

things in nature are. Softening the edges of

the rock and the dragon, and bringing a little

of the background light on to the surface

itself adds depth and believability.

rocks aren’t dull or dusty

Like so much in nature, grass, wood and stone are

kaleidoscopes of complementary and opposing

colours. In a greyish-brown rock, there are

hundreds of tints. It’s best to let all those colours

resolve themselves, rather than choosing one

tame colour and then simply sticking to it.

a ragged silhouette

The sculptor in the novel is a fallen wizard of

sorts, using his skills to carve stone with his bare

hands. The juxtaposition of torn cloak and wild

hair with his magical gift makes him come alive.

Workshops

(^112) August 2017
Points of interest: bring a scene to life