2 Restored Classics

The Last 2 days or so have consisted of drawing to the point where my knuckles feel like they are going to break. But no pain no gain and all that. My goal for these comics to mostly to continue with using actual backgrounds like a began in "Is it Hostile?" as well as shading and lighting effects. I think it defiantly adds to the image, giving it almost painted look.

Here I have two fine classics from the second RTB, that have been revamped, colored and shaded. These two comics also re-introduce a few classic characters. Kenzie, Brittney and Amy.

Rescuing Damsels

This was a popular back in the day. Regrettably, I cannot remember what the original inspiration was exactly. All I can recall is that there was a short 4 paneller proceeding this one in which I told Trevor we were taking chivalry to the next level. He found the idea to be gay until I told him we were going to rescue damsels in which he responded with "Oh God yes". Although I may remake that brief segment in future I do not think it is necessary to enjoy this strip as is. However if anyone can remember what was going through my mind at the time I made the original of this do not be afraid to speak up.

"You are Riding the Bus!"

I believe this was originally a collaborative written piece between Trevor and I as the Trev dialog in the comic appears to be almost to realist to how he would say something. As I remember this piece was inspired by two things, 1. We wanted to add a diversity of characters (female in particular) so we wanted to make something about Kenzie, and 2. You guessed it! Kenzie got a car! At any rate the humor is classic Nate/Trevor 2nd RTB and it makes me smile to see it presented in this stunning colored form.


Keep your eyes on the blog everyone I intend to keep cranking them out, hand pain or not :)

COMICS! Like You've never seen them before!

Below are two extraordinary new comics. Both featuring my first genuine use of shading and lighting effects. I know its been over a year but I think the wait time was worth it since the saving that enabled the purchase of my wacom tablet has now given me access to creating works such as these. Still have to work to do and finding the optimal size and resolution I want to use, but I should have all that figured out soon.

Shane's Hand.
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Some of you may recognize this one from the golden age of the RTB. I ran across the scanned version of it in my files this afternoon and decided it deserved a revamping. I had some debate with myself whether to create this work or no, seeing as there is a definite possibility that Shane may some day be joining my extended family, and thus I may wish to be nice to him. However, I soon concluded that the addition of one to family requires a increase of harassment from someone who may someday become sort of something removed or perhaps not.

Is it Hostile?

Above is the first installment of an ongoing joke i would like to build of of Kyles failing attempts at sorcery. I suppose if scientists were meant to summon demons they would have been given necronomicons or at least some red candles. I hope people enjoy this one though I figure do its random nature it will most likely be one of the "I make the kinda of comics I want to read" types

So with these i leave you, but keep an eye out for more stuff to come. I am bristling with new ideas and intend to keep making the old stuff for you as well.

-Nate

You're a Heartbreaker!

Above is the newest work of the love between my Wacom Cintque and . I call it "Shot through the Heart". The idea came to me the other day when ibegan thinking about how Cupid is really just a jerk, handing out love at random like it is some sort of pamphlet advertising some charity or something. Also I imagine that being shot in the chest with some broad-head arrow can't be too pleasant even if you are in love when it happens.In short, a day over the tablet listening to Pat Benatar has yielded this. Happy @#$%ing Valentines Day.

OOOOOOOOO What does this Button Do!?

Below are the results of my first attempt at making flash buttons. Feel to hover and click them!
DO IT NOW!

Sprites!

Below are a group of Scarlyn sprites. Kyle and I had discussed the possibility of eventually doing a very simple arcade style fighting game. I decided Scarlyn would make a good character so I began to animate some basic moves for her.

Above are some of the basic still sprites I later used to created the moves
Including slashes, throws, jumps, runs and taunts.



Reflection:
When reflecting on satisfying interactive experiences the first things that immediately come to memory are Soul Calibur, getting the epic raid loot and drinking ice cold, frothing green Mt. Dew.

Many people might be surprised when I describe raiding our Soul Calibur as satisfying, as to many they would merely be deeply frustrating. However after many tries when you finally manage to down that boss and you continue to smack them before looting an epic upgrade, the victory is better then it would have been if you would have succeeded for the get go. It is this element of rising to the challenge and over coming it which is essential in all gaming content.

Also there is always the thrill of sweet green Mt. Dew. The drink that not only heals and strengths the body, but the soul. This experience is impossible to simulate and can only be experienced first hand.

3D Textures

Below I have two versions of the texture frozen throne. The first is one that stumbled into while experimenting with the lighting and decided I liked, however it made it difficult to see the new ice textures I added so I posted the second image to show those.


Below are several images I have chosen to show chase use of texture. The first of these is a shot from the up coming game Diablo 3. This image is an excellent example of how a 3d environment can be enhanced and improved by the use of 2d textures that look 3d such as the floor tiles and the wood and metal on the door.


A sympler use of this same tecnique is seen here in Diablo 3 predecessor Diablo 2. This shot shows how by programing certain boundaries and putting in 2d art that is made to look 3d the game designers can trick the player into thing they are moving in a 3d environment when it is in fact only 2d. Take note of things like the fences and the statue to the left. Although these objects appear to be 3d models they are in fact merely 2d images that created the illusion of a 3d environment.


Finally we willtake a look at this shot from starcraft 2, particularly the ground in which this battle is taking place. Although the units and buildings are all modeled out the ground is not a modeled structure, but merely a mixture of levels and boundaries covered in a metal texture which creates the illusion of a detailed modeled platform.

Dingbat Collages

Incorporating pictures of wizards into some larger composed imaged initially turned out to me more difficult then I thought. The first image I created was hat I called "Wizard Army" and it was a group on clone like wizard marching off under the command of the there crippled but tyrannical leader. However, although mildly amusing I didn't think it to be very creativly stimulating.

Moving on a began to explore the just toss stuff out on the screen, rotating it and adjusting the size to just see what would happen. The first of these images was fairly simple while the second was a bit more intricate. For the second of these which I called the "Swirling Vortex" I really tried to make use of the endless supply of images I could duplicate by layering them onto each other and vortex formation. I think Had the imagery of a galaxy somewhere in my mind. However the main issue I faced was the inconsistency of having both colored and non color objects.

For my final two images I decided to tackle the color issue head on by using only black and white while still pushing my ability to use massive waves of the objects. The first of these images was mostly an experiment where I was trying to recreate some of the feel of ink line drawing by only the repeated line images. Although this image was nothing amazing it did inspire me to work on my final collage, in which I actually attempted to create an picture of a castle using only the line images to create value.