Cartoon Colouring · 2 April 2007
One of the questions I get asked most about my work is “How do you do your colouring?”
Some clients ask this on the basis of whether they’re going to get a hand-painted cartoon coloured with gouache or watercolours – which isn’t necessarily an unreasonable expectation. There are still heaps of cartoonists who still colour their work by hand and produce outstanding results.
The main reason I use digital colour is because, quite simply, I have no reason not to. With the advancements in technology in programs like Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop there has been a parallel reached in producing vivid, lifelike colour results.
The other bonus is that you can make mistakes!
Some would debate that this is a bad thing; in that it lures you into bad habits and you begin to get sloppy with your work because of that safety net. I’d say that’s about 90% true, although it’s just a matter of discipline. If you don’t rely on the undo key too much then you can still walk away from the Wacom Tablet with your drawing skills in tact.
I was going to put together a bit of a time-lapse of my colouring process to post up here on the blog, but fellow cartoonist Tom Richmond has beaten me to the punch (with far more impressive results might I add.)
Tom has been an enormous help in the development of my work. Since meeting him in New York last year I’ve been corresponding with him via email and having him tute me on the development of my caricature skills – both live and studio-based. My work has improved dramatically since he has been teaching me these principles.
His skills, in my opinion, are up there with the best in the world along with Mort Drucker, Jan Op De Beek, Sam Viviano and Joe Bluhm.
With all that said, I’ll pry my lips from his ass and show you the video! So, to all those who have asked; “How do you do your colour?” – this is exactly how.
Enjoy…
