Finally. It is done. This was one of my more involved projects. I know I say that a lot, but… Whew.
Also the first time I think I’ve effectively used halftone shading. I think I’m actually going to make a tutorial on how to do that and put it up here, because you know, whatever, it’s my site.
So this started out as a dumb little doodle. Everyone’s favorite plumber with a killer case of the green ear. Somehow it evolved. I mean seriously evolved. I had no intention of this thing becoming such a behemoth of a project. I am happy it did. This took me right out of my comfort zone.
Here’s how it all went down:
Original sketch>Revised sketch>Scan revised sketch>Ink revised sketch with brush pens and Microns>find out the background doesn’t work>Draw new background>Scan new background>Ink new background>Combine it all in Photoshop>Lay down base colors>Lay down darks ONE PIECE AT A TIME>Copy darks from file into new Greyscale file>convert Greyscale files into bitmaps>convert them back into Greyscale files>Convert Greyscale back into CMYK files>Paste them back into original file>Erase background of layer with Channels>Recolor now halftoned shading>Repeat that process for ALL highlights>Realize the background doesn’t work>Redraw background>Bitmap background>Realize background doesn’t work>Edit background 1 billion+ times>Collapse in fetal position.
This should print like a masterpiece. It BETTER print like a masterpiece with the amount of time I put into it.
Kinda looks like a hybrid of Nigel Thornberry and Mario but whatever.
I originally felt really guilty drawing Toad getting stomped, but you know what…? I don’t now. Why? Because that little turd screwed me over so many times in Mario Party and ESPECIALLY in Mario Kart 64 that I officially loathe every fiber of his digital existence. I remember I was trying to unlock the special “PRESS START” screen in Mario Kart 64 and I was 3 seconds away from doing so when that little jerk Toad sped up behind me all hopped up on Super Stars, blasting me off the map and putting me in 7th place. I lost my mind.
Now I’m rambling because finishing this drawing absolutely drained me. I’m in a state of euphoric exhaustion. Thanks for the support along the way. We’ll get this up on products soon. In the mean time, scope the endless amount of detail shots below.