Star Wars Insider #74 - The Art of General Grievous
In issue #75 of my recurring feature in Star Wars Insider magazine, HoloNet News, I was tasked with the assignment to illustrate the debut of the new Episode III villain -- the cyborg Jedi-killer and Commander of the Separatist armies, General Grievous. His appearance in Star Wars Insider magazine was timed to coincide with his animated debut in the last episode of the brilliant Clone Wars micro-series cartoons from creators Genndy Tartakovsky and Paul Rudish.
The following story notes from HoloNetNews (the ongoing news updates from Star Wars Insider magazine covering the Clone Wars campaign in real time) were passed to me from my collaborator and writer, Pablo Hidalgo:
I picture something that shows off his evilness. Like a vision of Hell itself. Fire, twisted metal, a charred flag, a new flag erected, and an angry yet victorious general in the middle. The HNN story mentions it was glimpsed in a hologram, so that gets us around the need of having to be 100 percent color-accurate. That is, you can put a *slight* holographic sheen to the image (I wouldn't suggest going duotone -- you're gonna want those reds in there).
I've attached my minds-eye-view of what I was picturing when I wrote this, but you don't have to follow this. I'm just trying to picture what would look cool in a two-page spread, larger than usual?
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The following images are a look at my process of creating my General Grievous illustration from rough concept sketch (Pablo's own initial artwork idea to me), thumbnail design, pencil art to inked line art and finally digital, full color final.
Rough Concept Sketch
Thumbnail Designs
Pencil Line Art
Inked Line Art
Digital Color Final
I hope you enjoyed this look at the design process for this illustration and be sure to pick up your copy of Star Wars Insider #75 magazine from my Stuff to Buy section.
Also, this weekend, November 20th and 21st, I'll be appearing at Super Megafest in Boston courtesy of FanForce (The Boston Rebels, Rhode Squadron and The New Jersey Order) along with Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker (C-3PO and R2-D2). Also appearing at the show will be the 501st and Rebel Legion. I'll be selling and signing my Star Wars artwork including copies of Star Wars: Empire #25 (on sale now!) so be sure to stop by my table at the show and say hi if you're in the area.
FanForce will be holding a raffle for two baskets of awesome Star Wars stuff, one each day, for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. If you plan on attending the show be sure to buy a raffle ticket to support this charity and have your chance to win some great Star Wars items.
I hope to see you there and see ya next week for another Comics 101 feature!
-Joe