Star Wars 21 Cover Step by Step Part 2 Color

Part 2 of how I made the Star Wars #21 Mile High Comics Tie Fighter Pilot Variant...

Get it here from MILE HIGH COMICS

Ok, here we go...

FLATS

The first stage of color is called flats - flatting allows me to choose an area to color at any point throughout the coloring process.

Generally, I hire someone to do this for me - a "flatter".

At this stage I go and adjust the colors to their medium value or imprimatura - I use this as the starting point for the piece. - the first part of coloring. 

I had to work quick on this one so jumped right in...

Detail

INITIAL COLORS

I colored this on my Cintiq 22 HD using Photoshop CS3 after I scanned the original line art.

Used a big Pencil to rough in at 100% of color then used lower % to work to add lighter and darker values. AND the Gradient tool to break up the flat background.

Detail

Notice the red lasers? My editor, Heather, did :-)

Work in Progress Screen Shot

REFINING COLORS

Using both the Pencil tool at various %'s and some Gradients to smooth out.

Detail

Mostly just big shapes with the Pencil though

COLORING LINEART

Converting Lineart to Color.

FINAL COLORS

Adding Reflective color - either using my Pencil or Lassoing and Gradient.

General cleanup and smoothing using % low of Pencil and Gradient...

And done...

See Part 1 

LINEART

TD