Rob Gale's Sketchbook

robgale · 1 Nov 2018, 18:11

All the Rest of Inktober. Can't believe I actually made it through them all!

Day 15: Weak

Day 16: Angular

Day 17: Swollen

Day 18: Bottle

Day 19: Scorched

Day 20: Breakable

Day 21: Drain

Day 22: Expensive

Day 23: Muddy

Day 24: Chop

Day 25: Prickly

Day 26: Stretch

Day 27: Thunder

Day 28: Gift

Day 29: Double

Day 30: Jolt

Day 31: Slice

robgale · 2 Nov 2018, 21:40

robgale · 27 Nov 2018, 14:24

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 · 27 Nov 2018, 21:53

@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 · 27 Nov 2018, 22:50

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

robgale · 28 Nov 2018, 02:47

@justin-moss Thank you!

robgale · 28 Nov 2018, 02:49

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

Julia · 28 Nov 2018, 10:27

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

robgale · 28 Nov 2018, 20:57

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

Chip Valecek · 30 Nov 2018, 01:01

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

JacksaurusRex · 1 Dec 2018, 04:16

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 · 1 Dec 2018, 17:07

@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 · 2 Dec 2018, 01:28

@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 · 5 Jan 2019, 17:57

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 · 29 Jan 2019, 16:04

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.