Wacky Reference Wednesdays, No. 354

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER #4 (variant cover). 2017.
Gouache & Photoshop on bristol board, 11 × 17″.

The time has finally come: Shirtless Bear-Fighter #4 is out in the wild. Below you'll find all the reference and research that went into the painting — except, of course, the photos of my lovely wife, who refuses to acknowledge her crucial role in this debauchery.


Sorry, guys — wife said I couldn't post her pic.

I ran out of time on this painting and had to finish the rest digitally (in one flapjack-fueled all-nighter). Below is the unfinished painting. The trade dress and faux wear & tear were already prepped in Photoshop, so all I had left to do was render the details. I used Kyle T. Webster's brushes, mostly his gouache set, including my own modifications.


final image, no trade dress

unfinished original painting

digital drawing/color study

I contracted Manny Mederos to do the logo for me, sending him some of my favorite Men's Magazines covers for inspiration. He gave me back several to choose from and I couldn't have been happier with the result. Perhaps we should do another?


digital layout (with logos by Manny Mederos)


additional reference found online


detail of raw scan

detail of final digital rendering


gouache painting process

13 comments :

  1. I would like a copy of this for my wall please lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Prints are available in my store :)

      Delete
    2. Link me please... I'm being computer illiterate right now lol

      Delete
    3. BAM! http://paolorivera.bigcartel.com/product/shirtless-bear-fighter

      Delete
  2. Any advice on painting skin tones? This looks great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For best results, paint from life :) First of all, get your values locked down. Once that's done, it almost doesn't matter what colros you use. Skin tones are subtle, so it's all about carefully modulating hue, saturation, and value.

      Delete
    2. Thanks your work is so inspiring!

      Delete
  3. This is my all-time favourite comic illustration, and I've been collecting since the 80s. Absolute genius!

    ReplyDelete
  4. How'd you get the pencil lines not to show through? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I painted over a print of my digital sketch. It's pretty light, so it's easily covered. Also, the gouache is fairly opaque in some spots.

      Also, I'm guessing this isn't really, JR, Jr. is it?

      Delete
  5. He's also one of my favourites his storytelling is magical!

    ReplyDelete

Copyright © The Self-Absorbing Man
Design out of the FlyBird's Box.