Super Skoda - Sketchbook

[NickyBeats]

you ROCK good sir!!! keep them updates rolling in!

[Kielbasa]

Love the inks, so fluid and confident! I got a question though, when you mix ink and watercolor, do you do the watercolor first, then ink? I've tried watercolor on top of ink and it wets the ink and smears it around. Just wondering if you somehow work your watercolor on top of your ink. I guess inking on top of a watercolor painting gives you better judgment of where to make your strokes though?

[super skoda]

NickyBeats: Thanks man! I'm trying. I got a week or two to post as much as I can before I got to get back to working like crazy.
Kielbasa: Most of the time I ink first and then watercolor on top. I usually ink with Speedball Super Black India Ink. Its waterproof once it's dry so it doesn't bleed. The only problem that ever gives me is that sometimes if the watercolor is applied thick it lightens up the ink lines. Inking on top of watercolor is hard for me because it kind of paints me into a corner (AWESOME PUN INTENDED) and limits the decisions I can make with the line.

Here's a thing I did tonight that I think turned out OK. Acrylic with a little bit of ink on top.
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[super skoda]

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[MonkeYoakum]

Mr.Skoda, Can you give a color recipe / process for mixing a sunny day sky? The middle tone is one I am having a really hard time mixing / washing. Its either too green or too blue. Any advice? Thanks

[super skoda]

MonkeYoakum: I don't really have a formula for the way that I mix colors. If a color looks too green then I make a color mix with less green. Usually when I'm doing sky colors I don't even try to match the blue of the sky I just try to make it a color that feels right or at least looks interesting. The problem with the sky is that it's actually emitting light and your paper is probably not going to emit light (just reflect it) so it's impossible to truly match the color. You kind of have to come up with something that just expresses the idea of "skyness".

I hope that helps. I wish I had some more specif tips you.

[MonkeYoakum]

Honestly, I think that is the best advice you could give. It's a crutch to think that there is a right way to render the sky, or an orange or a table and in the end the painting is left with no mood. So I went outside, I looked at the sky and tried to get it right. Basically it wasn't "green" enough. But yeah, you have been and continue to be a huge inspiration. Thanks for all the advice you've handed out, its given me a much greater appreciation and drive to succeed in using, the craft. The craft being water color. yah. Thanks

[thedestroyer]

Very very inspirational !!!

[hücumkedi]

i'm fall in love with this one http://attachments.conceptart.org/fo...6&d=1292741152

[Velocity Kendall]

this fucking rocks

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/att...1&d=1238524148

[super skoda]

thedestroyer: Thanks!
hücumkedi: Thanks! I've gotten a lot of people tell me they like that one and I can't figure out why.
Velocity Kendall: Iggy did all the hard work on that one.

This weekend they announced my new job! I'm going to be the main artist on B.P.R.D. For those who aren't in the know, BPRD is the organization that Hellboy used to work for. And now I'm drawing it! Go me!

Here's some art that I did for the announcement. It was colored by the AMAZING Dave Stewart.

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[super skoda]

Here's my Pencils and inks just for fun!
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[Kielbasa]

OOooo Congratulations! You and BPRD? I'll have to get this one, it's looking great already.

[JakehC]

i really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really like your sketchbook

[bhanu]

FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BPRD??????????/
DAmn, I heard Guy Davis was gonna get off BPRD and I was just wondering the next guy would be good, damn the next guy is awesome!!!!
COngrats man. I hope to see some behind the scene action on BPRD, like the ones you posted...
Man I am going away so happy

[NickyBeats]

HELL YEA DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

congrats man!! thats great news man! and i cant wait to grab my first copy! always loved BPRD, and i got my little 7 yr old brother obsessed with it too ha, i just showed him this cover page, and he flipped! he loves abe sapien. (the cooler comic book version, that actually kicks some ass)

[Jeremy Swan]

sweet, man you must be psyched what an awesome opportunity. Friken love Hellboy and the BPRD.

[Bill]

Tyler, Congrats on B.P.R.D. That's Awesome.

[super skoda]

Kielbasa: Thanks!
Aryeh: Holy Moly! Thanks a lot lot lot lot!
bhanu: Thanks! I'm hoping I can show a bunch of behind the scenes stuff too. We'll have to see what my editor thinks.
NickyBeats: Awesome! My first issue comes out in July! EEEEEEEEE! I can't wait.
Jeremy Swan: Thanks! I really lucked out on this one.
Bill: Thanks!

Here is some recent figure drawing:

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And here's a tortoise:
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[Bill]

Naked ladies and a tortoise... for the win!

[super skoda]

Tree...
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[super skoda]

So I've been insanely busy with my new gig drawing BPRD for Dark Horse Comics. I haven't had time to post much online but I'm trying to turn that around. In that spirit here is some process stuff From BPRD Hell On earth Russia #1. First stage here is pencils then inks then color and lettering. This stuff was colored by the amazing Dave Stewart, and lettered by the equally amazing Clem Robins.

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[Jeremy Swan]

sounds like your living the dream sir! keep making art/comic history!

[p sage]

Excellent watercolors, and the new comic page WIP looks like a helluva lot of fun. Thank you for sharing your great work with some humble slob like me

[ismo]

Love that tree, man. You've got a great eye for composition, just as comic artists often have. Rest of the stuff is looking mighty fine too. Keep it coming.

[Oc2phoh9Nai8]

HA i love it! so colorful! reminds me a little of Nic Kleins sketchbook stuff

I have a moleskine too, but my markers seem to go straight through 2-3 pages, bummer

[erinel]

that acrylic figure a few posts up is beautiful!
also - I was trying to find your sketchbook because I remembered that yours was what inspired me to use watercolors in the first place, and now they're all I use! just wanted to thank you for being supportive of my 16 year old self way back then

[super skoda]

Sorry there hasn't been a lot action here lately. I have been super busy - mostly making comics. It doesn't look like I'll be getting back to this sketchbook anytime soon, so I'm going call it dead.

I will be updating my blog if if you are interested in seeing more of my stuff: http://www.mrcrook.com/

Thanks for all the encouragement and critique! you guys rock!