The upcoming Olympians poster is as finished as it's gonna get. I thought you might like to see this step-by-step process of how it was made, from the finish all the way back to the sketch.
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| finished color |
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| finished inks |
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| pencils |
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| sketch |
The official blog of the :01 Graphic Novel series Olympians, by George O'Connor.
Showing posts with label Demeter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Demeter. Show all posts
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Friday, May 20, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #25
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from sometime in latish 2006.
Today's sketch is a near-complete assemblage of the gods. Unfortunately, as you can tell, I drew this across the spread of my sketchbook, so we have a big ol' crease running down the middle. From left to right we have Poseidon, Dionysos, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaistos, Hera, Demeter, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes and Athena. At this point in time I was toying with the idea of Hestia not having a human form at all, but just being personified by a hearth (that's her in the middle). Eventually, I compromised and made her a humanoid figure composed of flame. Conspicuously absent is Big Daddy Zeus himself-- that's because this drawing is done from a Zeus eye view. We're viewing this family get-together from his seat at the table.
Today's sketch is a near-complete assemblage of the gods. Unfortunately, as you can tell, I drew this across the spread of my sketchbook, so we have a big ol' crease running down the middle. From left to right we have Poseidon, Dionysos, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaistos, Hera, Demeter, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes and Athena. At this point in time I was toying with the idea of Hestia not having a human form at all, but just being personified by a hearth (that's her in the middle). Eventually, I compromised and made her a humanoid figure composed of flame. Conspicuously absent is Big Daddy Zeus himself-- that's because this drawing is done from a Zeus eye view. We're viewing this family get-together from his seat at the table.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #12
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, with today's piece coming from a sketchbook from, oh. let's say September of 2006. I honestly don't remember right now.
Today's piece is a kinda groovy group shot of a bunch of the Olympians. It's kinda loose, but I think I can make out, from left to right: Demeter, Poseidon, Hera, Athena, Hephaistos, and I think that's Artemis and Apollo on the end. The figures up front would seem to be maybe the Muses. Kind of a neat little drawing, if I do say so myself, somewhat reminiscent of the illustration in the header of this very blog.
Today's piece is a kinda groovy group shot of a bunch of the Olympians. It's kinda loose, but I think I can make out, from left to right: Demeter, Poseidon, Hera, Athena, Hephaistos, and I think that's Artemis and Apollo on the end. The figures up front would seem to be maybe the Muses. Kind of a neat little drawing, if I do say so myself, somewhat reminiscent of the illustration in the header of this very blog.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A-Sketch-a-Day-Until-Hera #2
Olympians Book 3, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory is finally coming out July 19th. To commemorate this momentous occasion I will be posting a drawing from my enormous cache of sketchbooks each weekday until Hera hits the shelves. I'll be going through them chronologically, and today's piece is from a sketchbook dated August 2006.
Today's drawing is an early sketch of Hera herself, as well as her sister Demeter, goddess of the harvest (one of the stars of Hades: Lord of the Dead, coming in January!). As I've mentioned before, at this stage of the project I still hadn't even decided on the style I would be drawing Olympians in. These two are a bit more elongated and cartoony than the way they would eventually appear in print, but otherwise they're both pretty recognizable. One difference is Hera's peacock themed collar, which would have been rendered in color only, with no black lines. Ultimately, it looked too confusing as to what it was, exactly, so I dropped it. Also, that would have been a nightmare to color throughout a whole book, let alone a series.
Today's drawing is an early sketch of Hera herself, as well as her sister Demeter, goddess of the harvest (one of the stars of Hades: Lord of the Dead, coming in January!). As I've mentioned before, at this stage of the project I still hadn't even decided on the style I would be drawing Olympians in. These two are a bit more elongated and cartoony than the way they would eventually appear in print, but otherwise they're both pretty recognizable. One difference is Hera's peacock themed collar, which would have been rendered in color only, with no black lines. Ultimately, it looked too confusing as to what it was, exactly, so I dropped it. Also, that would have been a nightmare to color throughout a whole book, let alone a series.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Progress Report: another finished colored page from Hades
Olympians Book 4, Hades: The Lord of the Dead is all but in the can as I type this (just going over the last few pages making color tune-ups, and adding lightning. Boy, there's a lot of lightning in this book). I thought I would share another finished color page with all of you, so you can see what's coming up.
This particular page has proven to be a favorite of mine-- there's something about the way Demeter looks in these panels that I really dig. In fact, I've shared this particular page with you all before at the finished black and white stage and the concept sketch stage-- I should really go and add the rough pencils in one of these days.
So what do you think?
This particular page has proven to be a favorite of mine-- there's something about the way Demeter looks in these panels that I really dig. In fact, I've shared this particular page with you all before at the finished black and white stage and the concept sketch stage-- I should really go and add the rough pencils in one of these days.
So what do you think?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
New Hades Page: The Wrath of Demeter
Way back in June, I shared some doodles from my sketchbook of an enraged Demeter and now I thought I'd show you the finished page they ended up inspiring. This is the final black and white, though I have not yet added panel borders or such. Enjoy!
My favorite bit is the last panel, where the assembled Olympians react in surprise to Demeter's attack on Zeus. Specifically, Hera's expression, as another one of Zeus's machinations has turned on him. Her dialogue in that bubble is a simple resigned "Oh, Zeus..."
My favorite bit is the last panel, where the assembled Olympians react in surprise to Demeter's attack on Zeus. Specifically, Hera's expression, as another one of Zeus's machinations has turned on him. Her dialogue in that bubble is a simple resigned "Oh, Zeus..."
Thursday, September 23, 2010
New Hades Page: Meanwhile, Back on Earth...
New page from Olympians Book 4, Hades: The Wealthy One. Demeter's daughter has been abducted, and now Demeter's sad. Bad news for everything that grows.
A lot of time I show off a high drama or action page on this blog, but I really liked the atmosphere of this page. Hope you do too.
A lot of time I show off a high drama or action page on this blog, but I really liked the atmosphere of this page. Hope you do too.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Guest Artist Gallery: Kat Roberts
It's that time again, for another installment of the Guest Artist Gallery of the Gods. Up to bat this week: Kat Roberts, and her wonderfully whimsical (yet seriously kick-butt)depiction of the Goddess of the Harvest, Demeter!
Here's what the talented Ms. Roberts has to say about her choice:
"I think this is the second or third time I've drawn Demeter in the past few years, and each time it comes out like some kind of nutritional propaganda. Weirdly, there always seem to be doughnuts involved. Probably because of their deliciousness." And look! She even gave Demeter her golden blade! Awesome.
The divine Kat Roberts divides her time between working in the fashion industry and creating comix. She teaches accessories courses at FIT and 3rd Ward, and has recently launched her own accessories company, Whitehaus. Her partially autobiographic, partially whoa-that-crazy comic "Fever Dream" can be seen at Act-I-Vate.com and her upcoming contribution for "Twisted Savage Dragon Funnies" will be out in December.
In addition to her fashion and comics work, Kat runs the blog "I See Heads People", capturing the hidden faces that surround us in everyday life. Here's a favorite of mine:
Ms. Roberts has seen "Purple Rain" more times than any other two people combined on the whole planet, with the possible exception of her daughter. Kat is also without a doubt the most stylish member of Studio XOXO/ Hypothetical Island, which is faint praise to say the least. Zing!
Can you draw, paint, operate a camera, sculpt, etc.? Have a desire to capture the essence of your favorite figure from Greek myth and see it pictured here on this site? Send me a scan of your work, a few words about yourself and the piece, and I'll put it up!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sketchbook Sneak Peek: It's Hot as Hades Today!
In honor of the old saying and the fact that the temperature has been in triple digits here in NYC, I thought I'd share this double page spread from my sketchbook, with doodles of an armored Hades, a thoughtful Demeter, and a drawing from behind of a certain demigod who may have been surprised to find himself in the Underworld.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Sketchbook Sneak Peek: Demeter, in Hades: The Wealthy One
Book 4 of Olympians, Hades: The Wealthy One is a bit more like Zeus in its structure, in that it principally tells one big story (in this case, the abduction of Persephone) rather than a tapestry of interconnected tales, as in Athena.
It may be Hades who gets the title nod, but he really shares the starring role with both Persephone and her mother, Demeter. Of all three main characters, until this point in the series Demeter has gotten the most panel time, as it were, but only as a supporting or background character. As a result, I've spent a lot of time sketching the beautiful Goddess of Grain in a wide variety of moods and poses, as she really gets put through the emotional ringer in this book.
The first step when I'm writing a book is to fill up some sketchbooks with "key Scenes" that may or may not make it into the final version. Here are a few sketches of an enraged and distraught Demeter, including an action shot of her in her role as Demeter Khrysaor, or Demeter of the Golden Blade. Looks like she's pretty miffed at Zeus. I wonder why?
It may be Hades who gets the title nod, but he really shares the starring role with both Persephone and her mother, Demeter. Of all three main characters, until this point in the series Demeter has gotten the most panel time, as it were, but only as a supporting or background character. As a result, I've spent a lot of time sketching the beautiful Goddess of Grain in a wide variety of moods and poses, as she really gets put through the emotional ringer in this book.
The first step when I'm writing a book is to fill up some sketchbooks with "key Scenes" that may or may not make it into the final version. Here are a few sketches of an enraged and distraught Demeter, including an action shot of her in her role as Demeter Khrysaor, or Demeter of the Golden Blade. Looks like she's pretty miffed at Zeus. I wonder why?
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