Rob Gale's Sketchbook

[robgale]

[robgale]

The above studies are small, quick thumbnail sketches based on images from films or from digital paintings found online. I tried to use one, hard, flat brush for most of the time on each one, using a base of four values (2 darks and 2 lights). My goal is to rely on shape making rather than rendering to create a believable sense of light and composition.

Only at the very end do I add a few gradients and blends, and I try to keep them to a bare minimum, looking for where I can get the most out of the fewest moves.

As someone who has a tendency to noodle endlessly and get lost in rendering, this exercise is helping me with brush discipline and keeping my shapes distinct and clear.

[Justin Moss]

@robgale you've got a very interesting style. Really unique stuff.

I'm particularly drawn to this piece. It has a very "woodcut" feel to it. It's messy and contains a lot of energy, but you are still directing the eye. Plus, it is a great use of negative space!

Keep up the good work!

[burvantill]

@robgale Wow, that is such a good idea. I’m glad I follow you.

[robgale]

@justin-moss Thank you!

[robgale]

@burvantill Right on! I'm learning a lot of good stuff from doing this exercise, and honestly it doesn't take that long.

[Julia]

@robgale wow! this is good stuff! congrats for the Inktober series, it really looks very nice!

[robgale]

@julia Thank you so much! It was such a great thing to do. I've really slacked off in November!

[Chip Valecek]

Your inktober pieces are amazing! Really great collection of work there.

[JacksaurusRex]

Im going to use your flat brush... leave gradients for last technique. Seems like a great way to get the most out of your brushstrokes. Really like your inkworks.

[Sophie Lawson]

@robgale that 2nd one reminds me of a videogame character … no... it's not a videogame character, it's the bloke from that Anime Paranoia Agent!

Yes! Just googled him, Little Slugger is his name Your sketch has that vibe about it.

[robgale]

@Chip-Valecek Thanks for the kind words!
@JacksaurusRex I'm still experimenting with my process, but yes! I feel like the discipline is helping me keep things nice and clean. Let me know how it goes for you.
@Sophie-Lawson Oh cool! I'm not so up to speed on my Anime, so I haven't heard of it, but I'll have to check this out, it looks really interesting!

[robgale]

Tis 2019 and inspired by last year's inktober, I thought I would try a drawing a day challenge for myself in 2019, so here's the first week (well, partial week since Jan 1 was on a Tuesday)

[robgale]

365 Challenge Week 2

Doing these daily sketches is really helping me figure out a process and be more clear in my approach. Here's a batch from the first full week in 2019.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

Great studies!

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

Your potrait 002 reminds of Oscar Wilde

[robgale]

@nyrrylcadiz Thanks! That one does have a 19th century Dandy sort of feel

[robgale]

365 Challenge Week 3

[Erin.Cortese]

@robgale The colours are incredible in these illustrations! What is your process for choosing colours?

[robgale]

@inkandspatter Thanks! My process is very hands on. I structure my photoshop files so that I can tweak colors continuously throughout. For these I haven't really been doing my proper due diligence of thumbnails and color studies and all of that since I'm trying to pump one out every day, so I created a process where I could keep tweaking things like colors all the way up to the end. This also has the benefit of being more fun because I'm always surprised by what comes out.

Basically I separate layers into "Light" Layers... each one representing a different light source (shadows I also consider light sources), and Local Color layers. So a shirt has one layer, the skin tone is on another layer etc. Each layer is just one solid color layer, I use Fill layers in photoshop because I can easily double click to bring up the color and change it. Then I draw and paint using masks on each layer, so basically I'm painting either the silhouette of the shape, or the shape of the light, but it's all kept separate. Then at the very end I'll add things like smaller areas of color or details or texture however makes the most sense.

It took some getting used to and lots of getting frustrated, but I find that using this process seems to be helping me think more clearly about what I'm painting, instead of just jumping in and mushing things about, which is my natural tendency.

I hope that makes some kind of sense!