Rob Gale's Sketchbook

[robgale]

I've been been working just in black and white more recently to just try to focus on values and composition. Heavily inspired these days by the sketches of Ian McQue, though I'm nowhere near what he's able to do, I've learned a lot by having his work as reference as I do these quick sketches throughout the day.

[lady chamomile]

I love your graphic style! I want to practice more in that style too. This is really nice, I especially like the texture in the foreground.

I wish there was a way to make the character "pop" more against background, so I would probably play with the values a bit. Maybe there could be more atmospheric mood too? Like stormy clouds, or strong winds, something along those lines?

Either way, great job!

[robgale]

@lady-chamomile Thanks for the feedback! I totally see what you mean about the character not popping... he kind of fades in to the background. It's so easy to get caught up on the details and lose sight of these kinds of things! I really like your comment as well about adding more atmospheric effects like strong winds or stormy clouds. It would tell more of a story, I find that I often tend to veer toward the static and can definitely push the drama more.

Thanks again!

[robgale]

Here's another sketch of an invented landscape using simple shapes, trying to capture a sense of light and composition with clean, straight edges a little texture, and decisive choices.

[robgale]

Continuing to play with black and white compositions of environments and characters. Trying to keep it simple without being simplistic or plain using textures and distinct value shapes.

[chrisaakins]

@robgale I love this. I like how the shape of the trees is mirrored in her/his pack. Was that intentional? If not you have good instincts.

[robgale]

@chrisaakins The mirroring wasn't specifically intentional / conscious thought, but I do try and keep a sense of gesture and elements flowing together. Thanks for pointing that out!

[TessaW]

You make me want to paint rocks now! Loving the work in your sketch book. Thanks for sharing.

[robgale]

@tessaw Thanks! I'm starting to get obsessed with rocks, sometimes I am amazed at how much art can lead you to fall in love with such seemingly banal things.

[robgale]

Playing around with textured brushes and creepy dude faces.

[robgale]

The Journey North

[Eli]

@robgale This is cool. Love the brush strokes!

[robgale]

@eli Thanks!

[robgale]

Mountains and Rivers

[aska]

@robgale This is creepy and very interesting.

[robgale]

@aska Thanks! I get that alot, "creepy"... I'm learning to embrace it

[demotlj]

I think your landscapes are fascinating. What is your process? Do you do a line drawing first — do you have an idea of the scene you are trying to create — and then fill it in with planes and shapes or are you building with shapes first to see what landscape emerges from those shapes which you then define? (I hope that question is clear.)

[aska]

@robgale you said that you were going for creepy so i just confirmed it was i like that portrait a lot

[KathrynAdebayo]

I'm really learning from your landscapes - the value of values! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[robgale]

Diner Scene. This one started as a sketch of the old guy in front and I expanded out from there. I wasn't so much thinking about lighting so it's a bit more "flat", but I was happy with the shape of the guys.