Zub’s Atomic Robo Postcard

Atomic Robo is in the midst of an incredible Kickstarter to fund reprinting their comic collections in new spiffy hardcovers. As a huge Robo fan (if you haven’t read the series you really should, especially now that it’s FREE online) I was already on board with supporting Brian and Scott, but after they asked me if I’d like to contribute a piece of postcard art to go with the fundraiser, I was even more ecstatic.

They asked me to do up a piece based on Atomic Robo Vol. 2: The Dogs of War, and here’s the step-by-step process of my illustration. You can click on each one for a larger version:

Step 1: After gathering ref material and noodling around with some sketches I came up with a composition I was excited about showing Robo hiding from a Laufpanzer mech.

Step 2: I tighten up the sketch with proper proportion and perspective.

Step 3: Before I move ahead to final line art I gave the work-up version a quick light and shadow pass to make sure it would work.

Step 4: Once I’m happy with the work-up I carefully digitally ink the final line art.

Step 5: Flat color areas are blocked out.

Step 6: Initial shadows are added.

Step 7: Highlights, lighting effects, and color correction are added and the line art is lightened to give it a sepia tone/1940’s look.

Step 8: The piece is finalized with a postcard-appropriate slogan.