Robert Atkins's Blog, page 37

IDW Signature Plates Snake Eyes II...

Here is the next Snake Eyes sketch in this series of original art plates that I'm doing for IDW Publishing.  I have to do 6 Snake Eyes character shots total. It's been fun working through the different versions of him. This is his V2 costume based on the second toy that came out of him. Here's where he started wearing the recognizable Snake Eyes visor and took on a more ninja persona and gear.

Snake Eyes -504

With these sketches I'm trying to atleast establish a scene or environment. Too often I just see a quick character sketch floating on a field of nothing. And sure, it's cool to look at, but I'd always so much rather tell a story. Just by adding a bit of background you set the stage for someone to build a story in their mind about this drawing.

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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com

IDW Signature plates Snake Eyes 1...

IDW is doing limited edition books that collect the GI JOE run I was a part of. The books are high dollar collector items and with each book I'm doing an original art sketch plate. 

There are two levels of books. A black label book will have a single character inked sketch. The Blue label books will have two characters with full marker colored sketches. I'm working through the black label sketches first. I have a number of Snake Eyes that I'm required to do (which I'm always happy to draw SE) So that's cool. Here's a classic V1 Commando Snake Eyes. The sketch plate drawing area is only about 6x9.

I'll post these up as I get them done, I have quite a few left to knock out. 
Also, I should mention that I relied on  3d Joes website for details on many of these sketch plates. If you haven't gone to Carson's site, he's created a 3d turnaround of every 80's released GI JOE figure. It's simply amazing. Here's his site. 
www.3dJoes.com

IDW Signature Plate - V2 Snake Eyes - 503





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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com

Archangel sketch...

This was another blank comic cover sketch from the C2E2 show in Chicago. For the same guy who was getting the Blackbolt too.  I think this is the first time I've drawn Archangel, I saw in my head what I wanted to do immediately, and whenever that happens there's no cutting corners. If I don't draw it out completely I always feel like it's half finished since I know in my mind what I originally wanted. Luckily this guy was patient and let me take my time on it.

I really enjoyed the recent Uncanny X-Force run, so this was a blast to draw and see it on the cover of the book.

Archangel - 502



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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com

Blackbolt...

This was a cover sketch of Blackbolt done on an Avengers blank cover at C2E2, the con I was recently at in Chicago. Not sure if it's like this on every new Marvel blank, but this cover REALLY bled with any kind of ink I put on it. That means a piece of paper wont allow the fluid of the ink to sit on the surface of the paper and dry, but instead absorbs it rapidly and the line "bleeds" out.

So I'm happy with the end result as far as the sketch goes, but it was a struggle to keep it looking as crisp as I would have liked. I think I still got the effect, just that it took longer and I had to really focus on every line as I went.

Still a cool character to draw!

Blackbolt - 501






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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com

Frank Castle...in Color...

Here's a recent sketch I did again that Simon came in and did some great colors on. I love how he's able to really push the depth of the piece by blurring out the background, which bring the Punisher into a clearer focus and pushes him forward. Cool stuff.

Also, post #500, It's been a long time running, but I still enjoy keeping up the blog as much as I can. I'm glad a lot of you have kept checking it even when my schedule got crazy and I wasn't able to post as often. I'll have a huge wave of artwork to show as soon as it hits shelves and I can divulge a lot of what I've been working on the last 6 months or so.

The Punisher - 500
Simon's Colors

My original line art


You can check out all the collected trades I've worked on and some of my art/sketch books here at AMAZING discounts!
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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com

Mega Con absence...

Hey all, just  a quick post. I was not able to attend Mega Con this weekend in Orlando as I had hoped. I apologize for all those that have come by my table this weekend. I certainly appreciate your interest, and am sorry I'm not there to sign books or do sketches.

Circumstances here at home kept me from being able to make it and it was a last minute call when I realized I would not be able to come down this year. Again, sorry for the inconvenience, if anyone was expecting to pick up artwork and had been in touch with me before the show, please email me personally and we can work out getting that artwork to you.

Thanks again, and sorry I'm missing out on all the fun.

Robert


I do want to post some kind of artwork, so I'll share some concepts on a current project I'm doing with Ted Jacobson. I'll post more as I can, but for those of you that can see the signs you can gather what this might be related to.

Cool stuff!


Jet Concepts - 480 initial concept options



Final design




For Comments and Questions email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com
If you've tried emailing me at that address recently, I've had issues with the email. I'm working that out soon, thanks for your patience!

I will be set up at the upcoming GI JOE Con in Indianapolis, IN April 4th-7thI will be doing sketches and commissions at the show and have prints and artbooks available. I also just got this large 17x33 inch print back from the printer. If you're interested, email me and we can work out the transaction and details. *the large print is seamless between the separate covers this is just a quick combined scan
The IDW JOE-Verse by Robert Atkins17x33$40Shipping Domestically $7, Internationally $15




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Nightwing colored...

Here was another sketch I did and had Simon Gough color up for me. I've got this guy on a regular rotation at this point. I've talked about it before on the blog, but Nightwing is my favorite DC hero character. It's a tight race with a few other characters, but I've always liked that street level character. Dick Grayson's attitude and crime fighting ability, along with being able to watch him grow up from a young boy in comics is just too cool.

Nightwing colors - 499
Original Blue Design...kind of
New 52 Red design
My line art sketch


You can check out all the collected trades I've worked on and some of my art/sketch books here at AMAZING discounts!
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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com

GI Joe: Flint....

This was a recent commission I did at C2E2 up in Chicago. It was a great show, especially because I was able to have so much family up there visiting with me. My brother, Brian Atkins, a comic artist as well just starting out his career, set up with me at the table. I have another brother that lives in the Chicago area with his family. Then on Fri. my wife, two kids and my parents drove up to stay and come to the show.

The whole experience was quite a bit different than a typical show as a result. I spent much more time walking around the show floor, shopping and showing things to my parents and kids. Generally I'm stuck at the table drawing away or selling prints or books to cover my costs and hopefully make a bit of money for the weekend.

Also, my typical convention is a marathon of drawing without much sleep for 3 days. While I still did quite a bit of drawing each night, I would spend the first few hours playing action figures or watching cartoons with my kids then trying to get them to sleep.

Also, on the trip my friend and collaborator, Quinn Johnson, had stayed with my family the week leading up to the show. We are putting together the series Elders of the RuneStone, that I've talked about on my blog before. With the project successfully funded through Kickstarter, we're currently in production of the first 4 issues. One goal of the convention was to find a possible publisher for the series. We've had a few offers, but wanted to compare deals and hopefully nail down a plan. Luckily we were able to talk with a great company and everything looks like we'll be able to announce our publishing schedule soon!!!

I was able to complete quite a few commissions at the show and I'll be posting those here in the next few days. Starting off with one of my favorite Joe characters...

GI JOE: Flint - 498

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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com

Field on the Edge of the Woods...

I wanted to share a new comic that's being produced that's worth checking out. I met the writer, Frick Weber, at a convention a couple years ago. He was doing a video documentary series on the comics industry. I had also worked on a commission piece for him for one of the characters in the book. I grizzled, retired Roman soldier.


Here was my original post on it:
http://robertatkinsart.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-edge.html
Frick is doing more to promote he series, and used my art for some banners, which I think is fantastic:



And finally, I wanted to share this AMAZING preview video that he put together for it!
Small disclaimer because I keep a family friendly blog here, There is some action violence portrayed in the video. This is more of a PG-13 feel. 


Thanks, I hope you take the time to check it out, it's really intriguing! 




You can check out all the collected trades I've worked on and some of my art/sketch books here at AMAZING discounts!
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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com

Zatanna Colors - Justice League Month sketch...

This was a sketch I did of Zatanna from DC Comic's Justice League. One of my kid's all time favorite characters. And again, Colors by Simon Gough!

Zatanna Colors - 497
Simon's Deviant art gallery
Original inked sketch 9x12



You can check out all the collected trades I've worked on and some of my art/sketch books here at AMAZING discounts!
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For Comments and Questions you can email me atRobert@RobertAtkinsArt.com