Justin Gerard
patreon
Psst... DragonCon Previews! I got DragonCon previews for you!
🕑 Added 2024-08-26 19:06:06 +0000 UTCIt's that time of year again and I've got a couple posts to share some of the goods that I'll be purveying this year!:
First, we've got a ton of prints and originals from our recently-released cards from Magic the Gathering's Bloomburrow series, such as the drawing of "Crumpet" shown above, and "Beastmaster Ascension" shown below.
I'm bringing about 20 original drawings and 12 new prints from the series alone!
And while much of what I am bringing to Dragoncon this year bringing revolves around the art for Bloomburrow, there is also a lot of fun new exploratory work for the next iteration of the Dungeon Master Series. The 2025 Calendar of that series (which just released!) has already been a big enough success to convince me to do a new one in 2026. I need to finish a bit more concept art before I can fully reveal the new direction for the series, but it has a tighter "fantasy-city-underworld" focus to it which fans of Terry Pratchett will no doubt recognize....
"Hey bud, you interested in basilisk teeth?..."
"Dragon Egg... Errrr... What Dragon Egg?"
Close observers will notice a LOT more blue-line (and color pencil in general) in my recent drawings. Oddly enough, this is due to my recent disillusionment with Adobe, and a more general move away from digital painting in the wake of this Generative-Art shift in the tech industry.
I have always loved doing exploratory sketching in non-photo blue before doing a more precise drawing in darker pencil over that. It is faster overall as I can cut out a transfer and work all on one sheet. So this has been a joy for me to get back into. The reason I left it behind so long ago is it has drawbacks when painting over digitally. Since I am primarily working traditionally now (at least until Procreate released a desktop version), I no longer need to worry about how it scans in or blends with the digital paint!
Post #2 and more previews coming soon!
If you happen to be out at Dragoncon this year come see us at Booth B108 in the Artshow!
-jg
Comments
Nicolò Rigobello
Nope, that's one of the few things I do not like about Procreate, the size cap and the number of levels cap.
Justin Gerard
I haven't tried that in a while, so it would probably worth taking a look at that. Last time I tried it I ran into some image size cap that I didn't like. Maybe they've upped it though and it would be better now. I'll have to try it!
Adriano do Couto
Why can't you just scan it in your scanner, and send it to the ipad, though?
Aaron Smith
Love it! We would definitely see you at Gencon!
Justin Gerard
Definitely Illuxcon, but then there is a *slight* possibility of Gencon too. Haven't fully worked out the booth situation yet for it, but I am hoping to start working working that one into the yearly rotation.
Aaron Smith
I'd love the chance at an OG but I know there is always next year too! Will you be at any other cons in the next year?
Damian Ziomek
Thank you very much for explanation :)
Justin Gerard
Thanks Damian! I was self-taught early on, and mostly from finding step-by-step guides about comics and Disney cartoons, both of which (at the time) relied heavily on sketching in non-photo blue pencil before doing a final clean drawing in dark pencil or ink. Adding the other colors was mainly just for fun and as a way to do a bit of color exploration in my sketch. I mainly just like the look of it all, though I do find that it helps me focus a bit better on contour line when I draw.
Damian Ziomek
Hi Justin! Those drawings look gorgeous, like always :D When Bloomburrow was announced, I immediately recognized your style, and I am in love of those designs. I have question. If there is a reason why you are using blue and yellow/orange colors in sketches? It helps you define shadows and lighting, or values maybe? To be honest, I was wondering for few years, since I read your blog "Quick, Hide Here", but I was too shy to ask before :D
Justin Gerard
Because I am elitist desktop scum! Hahaha - But also, I prefer working over a scan of a traditional drawing still, and just haven't found a good workflow for scanning on the iPad. A desktop version is the dream.
Justin Gerard
Thank you! And yes, but not until after Dragoncon! I like having them all together and in person first before they hit the online store.
Nicolò Rigobello
I love those drawings! Can’t wait to see the new illustrations series! Also, why don’t you use Procreate on a new ipad pro? It’s really awesome!
Aaron Smith
Amazing! Will you sell any originals on your online store?
