Project Ben 10...Diamondhead Final...

Not gonna lie, this one took me a really long time. Then I got bored and stopped working on it for a long time. Picked it back up and finished over the last couple days.
Painting in Illustrator is so time consuming. I think when I started this project a billion years ago I thought it was going to be fun, and while it is rewarding to see the results these characters take a long time and I get bored and want to do other pieces. We'll see if I ever complete the remaining 7 aliens from the original Ben 10. Seems kind of pointless since there is a new series and like a trillion new monsters. Still, I like the original aliens and I may get to them eventually. If I do, next up will probably be Four Arms.

Project: Ben 10...Diamondhead Sketch

So I thought I would pontificate a bit. This is a difficult project I've given myself. Doing my drawing in the computer with the pen tool is really challenging. So I thought I would show a little example of my mistakes and explain my challenges.

So here is my first pass at Diamondhead. What I've found is it's really challenging to get into the flow of action when sketching in the computer. My first image here doesn't look bad but the body language and flow of action are boring.


Take a look here where I've traced the flow. The drawing's flow is merely letting the eye slide from top to bottom. "Boring and tired" says this drawing.


So here I pushed the flow of the sketch to create a more dynamic path for the eye to follow. There's a real nice contrasting arc between the left arm and the center of the chest. Plus I've pushed the head and left foot a little more forward creating better tension in the pose.


Here's the flow outlined. Notice how the arc on the left arm, if continued would almost create a full circle with the feet. This helps the eye to continue to travel up to the shoulders, then down to the feet and back up again.


I guess that's the end of my lesson for today. Now on to the final.

Project: Ben 10...Wildmutt final

K...here's the final Wildmutt. I worked a little more detail into this one. I didn't quite feel I put enough into Heatblast. Next up is Diamondhead.


"Nice dog...cute little pooch...maybe I got a milkbone or somethin'..."

Project: Ben10...Wildmutt sketch

One thing I forgot to mention is that I am also not allowed to use outlines. Once again...drawing with the pen tool...not fun. Why do I do this to myself?!

Project: Ben 10...Heatblast Final

Allright, one down. Heatblast is done. Next up is Wildmutt.

Project: Ben 10...Heatblast Sketch

So throw that whole "taking one hour" concept out the door!! I should have known better than that. Also, sketching in Illustrator with the pen tool is awful!! I miss paper...:(

Anyway, first up is Heatblast. Check out my sketch below...