May 31, 2016



We leave for the Phoenix Comic-con tomorrow, but I was able to send Dark Horse the art for UY 157 and the cover for 159. Here is a step by step look at the cover creation.



The story involves Usagi rescuing a girl who holds the secret to a clan's survival. The art is on 11x17 inch 2-ply 500 series cold press Strathmore bristol, with a 10x15.5 inch image area.





Roughs drawn with a 3mm 2H mechanical pencils.



I had the girl carrying Usagi's sword because it seemed more playful and it leaves Usagi a bit more vulnerable to that assassin's sword poking from around the corner.





Pencils finished with a 5mm HB mechanical lead.





Inked with a Koh-i-Noor ArtPen filled with Badger Black Opaque ink (old formula).



Instead of her carrying one of Usagi's swords I have the girl swinging a flower stalk. It's a bit more playful, and also breaks up that big rectangle right above her.





Erased with a Magic Rub eraser, and blacks spotted with a Pentel Brush Pen filled with the Badger ink.





Details added with an older Koh-i-noor pen for the foreground, and a newer, stiffer pen for the background.





The roof eves in the foreground looked too flat, so I added a bit more texture to bring it a bit more forward.



And done.