Cover Story, Derek Brennan's Cover Painting Process
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| Author | Derek Brennan |
|---|---|
| Genre | About the cover, How-to, Process |
| Published | EF Issue 2019.3 |
Publication date | Summer 2019 |
| Media type | Digital |
| Pages | 15-17 |
| Website | caricature |
A behind the scenes look at what went into creating this issue’s cover. Derek Brennan's Stranger Things cover appeared on Exaggerated Features issue 2019.3, and this story appeared on pages 15-17.
Contents
Article Transcript
Part One
Before even thinking about the composition of a piece I need to sketch and gather as much reference as I can, so I started by looking on IMDb for screen captures of Stranger Things and taking photos while watching the show. I felt having the show on while I was working helped me identify the mood of the composition, capture the likeness of the characters, and find unique shots of characters that might not be available on the internet.
With a ton of source material, I then started sketching on my iPad Pro with the Procreate app and my Apple Pencil. Typically in the initial sketches, I try to figure out the faces and come up with poses that would create a dynamic final piece. While sketching I tend to bounce around to different photos and work on quick gesture drawings to see if something clicks.
Part Two
Figure A
Figure B
Figure A
So once I sketched quite a few of the characters I thought about what I wanted the composition to look like. There are so many integral characters in this show so I wanted to fit as many in as I could with Eleven being in the center, because she’s the most important character, and the monster wrapping up a few of the characters to help emphasize the danger in the season.
Figure B
As I developed the drawing, I first worked in black and white sketches with values on individual layers which made it easier to move things around and play with the composition, especially with this many characters. This allowed me to experiment with different references and just concentrate on values and not have to deal with color just yet. Typically in this stage I’m also still trying to figure out light sources.
Part Three
Figure C
Figure D
Figure E
Figure C
Once I nailed down the composition, I began to add color. I wanted to represent the cool and monochromatic appearance of the “upsidedown” realm featured in the show, so I set the layer mode to color and filled it with a slightly desaturated blue.
Figues D & E
On a new layer I started to add more natural skin tones to the characters using the color layer mode and the darken layer mode.
Part four
Figure F
Figure G
Figure F
What I had going on at this point was kind of dark so I felt the need to add some of that Stranger Things 80’s red. By adding this red glow to Eleven, I was able have some more fun with lighting reflecting onto the other characters while also drawing some more focus onto Eleven.
Figure G
Now having my light sources stationary, I added some props and finished rendering. As far as brushes go for this painting, I used the Marker staining wedge brush, Old brush and the Medium soft airbrush.
Part 5: Finished
Figure H
Figure H
Lastly, I overlaid a speckled film filter to replicate the foggy atmospheric feel of the “upside-down” and also added some noise to give it some age.
YouTube Video
See Also
External Links
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