The Wolverine Sketch

The Wolverine Sketch Process Banner

Photo Credit: Dm3DRev Studeos

I took time out to draw this sketch of Wolverine using a Wacom Ituos Pen and Touch (small) in Photoshop CS5. I watched Patrick Brown’s Scar-face tutorial by Mad Artist Publishing to achieve this hope to get better with practice and video tutorials online. Here is a breakdown of the processes in pictures below:

Rough Pencil sketch done using the Pencil Tool in Photoshop CS5

Photo Credit: Dm3DRev Studeos

Ink Art done using the Brush Tool in Photoshop CS5

Photo Credit: Dm3DRev Studeos

The Comic Republic Releases "ERU" Issue III

Promo Flyer for the Release

Photo Credit: Comic Republic’s Official Facebook Like Page

“Eru” which literally means fear in the Yoruba language of the populous South-Western people of Nigeria is a dark twisted fantasy comic about an antihero who is really a hero by his deeds ridding the world of evil and its minions. In this third issue, we now get to see Eru's human form,have a better understanding of the hero’s background and what makes him who he is. It is has been likened to a Nigerian spin-off of Spawn with a uniquely African flavour. Loved it and I personally recommend you read it also.

Eru Issue III : Cover Art

Photo Credit: Comic Republic’s Official Facebook Like Page

According to the comic’s creator, Tobe Ezeogu he had this to say about the next installment of the comic below paraphrasing:

The Vortex Releases StrikeGuard Comic with Their Ultramodern Website

The Vortex Logo

Photo Credit: The Vortex Official Facebook Like Page

“The Vortex” also Vortex Comics is a Media, News and Publishing company situated in the ever evolving creative hub of Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa whose mission is to revamp and publish comics of purely African origin to a wider audience on a global scale. Reviving comic titles by procuring the publishing rights as June XII and Dark Edge created by Ibrahim Ganiyu who we fondly call “Sai Gai”; Mumu Juju created by Etubi Onucheyo such among others.

StrikeGuard’s Fury (Art by Sunkanmi Akinboye)

Photo Credit: The Vortex Official Facebook Like Page

 

Summary

Comic created by Lagos ComicCon Co-founder Ayodele Elegba, Strike Guard (Abolaji Coker) is about a Political Science undergraduate from the University of Lagos. After being murdered by a cult group (gang) and dumped in a grave which belonged to a Yoruba deity he is given a second chance to live. However, this did not come without a price. The spirit of the deity, Ajagbeja, in return uses his body as a host. Abolaji agrees vowing to use his powers against the cult group that murdered him. However his battle reaches out to helpless citizens of Lagos faced by a new wave of spirit entities.

Triggerfish Studios SA Announces Expanded Story Lab Shortlist

 

Triggerfish Story Lab Logo

Photo Credit: Triggerfish

Congratulations to Animation SAmembers who made the cut and also to Nigeria's Shina Ajulo (CEO of Sporedust Studios) who is also a member of Animation West Africa

Shina Ajulo of Sporedust-Chicken Core Content Creator

Photo Credit: Shina Ajulo’s Official Facebook Profile

Triggerfish Animation Studios has shortlisted 23 features and 12 TV series for the inaugural Triggerfish Story Lab, out of a whopping 1 378 entries from 30 countries across Africa.

Triggerfish had planned to announce a shortlist of 10 features and 10 TV series, but increased this after being pleasantly surprised by both the quantity and quality of the entrants.

Alongside a wealth of emerging talent, the shortlist includes top African creatives like Nnedi Okorafor, a World Fantasy Award winning novelist; Charlie Human, whose debut novel Apocalypse Now Now is currently being adapted by District 9’s Terri Tanchel; award-winning picture book author Alex Latimer; and multi-award-winning directors Donovan Marsh, Hanneke Schutte, Jenna Bass and Wanuri Kahui.

 “These are stories that have a distinct voice and capture the humour, heart and global appeal that we are looking for,” says Anthony Silverston, head of development at Triggerfish.

E.X.O #InkTober Competition

E.X.O Comic Characters, E.X.O, Fury and Oniku

Photo Credit: YouNeek Studios Facebook Like Page

#InkTober promises to be more interesting with this new development. Get your pencils and gel ink pens for this competition from YouNeek Studios. This month of October has been dedicated to sketches in black or white, gray scale and colours a times to celebrate the beauty of line art and rapid character/concept design development so join in. 

#E.X.O Fan Art Competition Poster

Photo Credit: YouNeek Studios Facebook Like Page

So it's OFFICIAL!!! In honour of ‪#‎InkTober there will be an E.X.O. fan art competition! The winner goes away with a $100 CASH PRIZE! (Submissions will close October 31st).
The rules are simple:
1. You must pick any of the main characters from the E.X.O. graphic novel (EXO, Fury, Oniku, Twoshots, DREDs). Check out the gallery below for references.
2. Draw them in whatever pose, style (Inks, colour, paint etc.) location, background you see fit (draw multiple characters in one piece if you like).
3. IMPORTANT*** you MUST upload your submission to your page with the hashtag ‪#‎TLoWW and tag us @YouNeekStudios.
4. All submitted art MUST be age appropriate for kids (no profanity).
5. *Submissions END OCTOBER 31st, after that my team will pick the best 3 for final voting. The one (out of the final 3) with the most votes wins, simple!
6. SHARE, TAG and COMMENT to inform any artist that doesn't mind winning a cool $100.

Note: Cash prize will be delivered via VISA gift card, PayPal or Western Union depending on the location of the winner.

Article Credits/References: YouNeek Studios (Facebook Like Page/Website) and Google

Digital Training Workshop

Promo Flyer for the Event

Photo Credit: Comic Panel

For starters, I would like to apologize for not blogging about this awesome event earlier when I attended months ago hey just found time in my busy schedule after so much procrastination*laughing out loud*winks*but it would be a greater disservice to the local industry not to talk about it at all. Early this year in the month of March enjoying some downtime at a previous creative firm I had worked for to surf the net and peruse the creative groups I belong to on Facebook. (Yeah don’t give me that look, am a creative techgeek that is what really keeps me online there*sorry*ladies, it is not about you all the time*winks with a grin*)

Now as I was saying I happened to be on the Association of Comic Makers of Nigeria (ACMON)and the NigerianComic Artists Group (NCAG) being a #comichead who still loves comics and an avid reader of both indigenous and international content/media. I then saw an interesting post by Ayodele “Dreammaker” Elegba (Head Honcho at (Mustard Seed Communications/ComicPanel) for a forth coming Digital Painting Workshop - A  One Day Intensive Workshop in Digital Painting .

The creative event was organised by Comic Panel, organisers of the popular Lagos ComicCon Event now in its 4^th edition as of when this article was written since 2012 and sponsored by WhiteTechnology/Wacom Nigeria, resellers of Wacom and Ugee digital tabs with their accessories. The venue was Wacom Nigeria’s office at Plot 71, Isheri/Ogunnusi Road, Akiode Bus-Stop, by Omole Phase 1 Estate, Ojodu-Berger, Ikeja, Lagos. It was a sweet opportunity to meet the guest instructor, Godwin Akpan (Digital Artist – Godwin Akpan Studio) who I happen to be a fan of ever since getting to visit his website(warning: you will be blown away with awesomeness). He is known for digital painting for comics/cover art, rapid character concept art for animation, storyboarding for films and matte painting for fantasy environments creating out of these world visuals/backdrops for animation and film use.

Ishakabar the Conqueror (named by me)

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio

Sexy Female Concept Art (named by me)

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio

The event kicked off slightly after the scheduled time of 10am for attendees including me to get settled in. The host for the day was Ayo as he introduced himself and welcomed everyone to the event. The instructor in his usual humorous and laid back manner took us through his experience as a comic artist, storyboard artist and digital painter using Adobe Photoshop CS6 while doing his best not be too technical for those new to the subject.

He also introduced attendees to the works of international digital/matte painting artists for concept art and fantasy environments like Noah Bradley, Dylan Cole (popular for his works on films such as Dare Devil starring Ben Affleck and Avatar by James Cameron to name a few), Patrick Brown and Fengzhu. 

Sango - Concept Art

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio

Lost City Fantasy Environment (named by me)

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio

The tasks for the event were as follows:

Task 1:

Attendees were now taken through the art of creating digital matte backgrounds for films and games by a creating a fantasy environment composition using the National Arts Theatre on a floating island across a lake surrounded by rocky terrain using a Wacom tab in Photoshop CS6.

Task 2:

            The art of colouring comics session had we all colour a comic sketch from Lloyd’s Security: Private Detective (LSPD) and the best attempt would win a brand new Wacom tab from the sponsors. The winner turned out to be a female artist, Cynthia and was presented her prize by Mr Ralph and Mr Olanrewaju Malik of WhiteTechnology/Wacom Nigeria.

Comic Sketch of LSPD Comic

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio/LSPD Comic

All in all, the event was really was worth the hype and added to my basic knowledge about digital art and matte painting. I got the chance to meet for the first time, Eri Umusu aka Erimation (3d Artist/Animator) popularly known for his dystopian fantasy the SIM animation short, Akinwande Ayodeji Akinola (Graphic/Digital Artist at CKDigital), Dominic Oziren Omoarukhe (Digital Artist/Illustrator), Chike Newman Nwankwo (Comic Illustrator/Character Design Artist) and Tunrayo Oloyede amongst other people. A big thumbs up to the organisers for the memorable experience.

            More pictures from the event below and enjoy the visuals:

Venue of the Event

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Myself and the Instructor, Godwin Akpan

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

 Class Session where Instructor shows how Digital Tabs Look Like

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Class Session where Instructor Sets Up the Canvas in Photoshop CS6

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Easy Going and Bubbly 3D Artist/Animator of the SIM known as

Eri Umusu aka Erimation

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Presentation of Wacom Tab to Cynthia by Mr Ralph with Ayo “Dreammaker” Elegba (Comic Panel)

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Presentation of Wacom Tab to Cynthia by Mr Ralph with Ayo “Dreammaker” Elegba (Comic Panel) and Godwin Akpan

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Article Credits/References: Google and CG Blogger’s Archives