Inktober week 1 - Challenge #9

[mific]

I'm doing a series of Stargate Atlantis characters and their daemons, illustrating Daemonology by trinityofone  (a fusion with The Golden Compass). I'm taking a break today to rest my wrists, so time for a round-up. I liked the idea of this theme as I get to draw and paint a bunch of animals that I'd otherwise never attempt, not to mention trying to do likenesses for a number of Stargate characters I've never tried to draw before. So far I've learned:
- likenesses are generally easier in pencil sketches - ink is less forgiving,
- I need to practice my technique and watch some more 'how to' vids about cross-hatching and other shading, rather than just winging it instinctively - e.g. more incorporation of reflected light,
- I need to be careful with the detailing and shading as I have a tendency to overdo it and not to use negative space enough. 

Anyway, they're all on my AO3 in a single chapterized work, here.

The individual chapters so far are (using the inked works as links here - on AO3 I've posted the initial pencil work as well as the inked version)

John Sheppard and Nioke (an iridescent snake)	Rodney McKay and Tykallita (a gray mouse)	Teyla Emmagan and Keho  (a Pegasus mongoose)
Ronon Dex and Imara (a Pegasus wolf)	Elizabeth Weir and Klovac (a white-necked raven)	Radek Zelenka and Geesa (a hare)
Carson Beckett and Soelle (a golden-eyed toad)

 It's been hard work keeping up, but I'm definitely learning a lot about both drawing and inking. 
 

Comments

[lynndyre]

This is a cool idea! I specially like the hare- and the spotted space mongoose!

[mific]

Thanks - I'm having a lot of fun with the animals. :)

[amberdreams]

I love, love, love this style! They are like 16th century woodcuts and I definitely think the inked finished versions are much more striking than the pencil ones. I love the use of a colour to highlight the daemons.

[mific]

Yeah, I just seem to do the woodcut style without thinking about it. I'm having a lot of fun with them - glad you like them!

[mekare]

16th century woodcuts

Yup, that's what I thought too.

[sexycazzy]

Have kept track of your characters and their spirit animals and just wanted to say that they all are awesome, and I really enjoyed looking at them everyday - keep it up! :-)

[mific]

Thanks! I'm trying but the second half of the month will be a lot harder what with RL work stuff.

[sexycazzy]

Oh good luck, I'm sure you will be fine :)