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Wednesday 18 February 2009

War backgrounds


I'm fiddling with colour palettes at the moment. I'm very disappointed with my current colours and I'm searching for one that will be really distinctive and get across the feelings I want for my war comic. Alas, this one is too dark for print. The question is: How to get across a dark, muddy and filthy environment without ending up with dark, muddy and filthy artwork? One painting with a muddy, desaturated palette would be easy, but in every panel of a comic and you'd just be put off.
Any suggestions or examples I should look at would be much appreciated, as I've been battling with this problem for some time.
~John~

8 comments:

Paul Duffield said...

I find that going with a hue for shadows so that the picture has a predominantly green or blue or purple (or whatever) feel allows you to create a relatively muddy pallete while keeping a fresh look in the artwork :)

Unknown said...

I think if you use some texture along with using light and shadow would stop it looking flat and muddy. :D

aqws said...

Cheers guys! Paul: yeah, I've been looking into using some colder shadow colours, but i'm just not getting the effect i'm after.It's becoming quite tempting just to nick yours from freakangels. I have to keep reminding myself that If I want something really distinctive I've got to think outside the box a little! :p

nana said...

I can't give any good solution, my own artwork tends to the desaturated end of the scale. Perhaps using some contrasting colours, red on green, yellow on purple might pick things up a bit?

aqws said...

well, the comic will have various spots of red- since it's all set with the red army, but it's more just a general colour palette i'm after. I just need a way to lighten and brighten everything without losing the drama. Perhaps more black ink, I dunno..

Anna Fitzpatrick said...

absolutel beautiful. I'm in love with your work man.

aqws said...

Thaks anna! I've had an eye on your work too. ;) I love the way you paint slightly reddened noses!

Sarah said...

Do it all in pink.