A new 95-minute DVD video shows exactly how he creates his classic poster images. Using the Hellboy poster as a case study, he demonstrates each of the steps.
The footage includes plenty of close-ups, lively editing, and Struzan’s voice-over explaining his thinking with every step:1. Black and white presentation comps to show the client.
2. Projecting the photo reference onto the illustration board.
3. Refining the graphite drawing on a light gray-toned gessoed board.
4. Painting in the black shapes with acrylic.
5. Cutting a quick frisket from tracing paper.
5. Splattering textures with acrylic using a typewriter-cleaning brush.
6. Airbrushing transparent color over all the areas.
7. Modeling and defining the light areas of the forms in Prismacolors.
It ends with a one-minute time lapse montage of stills showing all the steps, as Struzan says: “Two days to draw, one day to paint, and two days to render it out.”
Along the way, he also shares valuable insights into his aesthetics: reserving values to save the ultimate light and dark punch, how to make men and women even more attractive, a tasteful approach to edges, and cultivating a professional attitude.
Here's a trailer.
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For more information, visit Reel Ideas.
Film by Kris and Jim Sanders.
Hellboy I is ©Columbia TriStar 2004.
Drew Struzan's website.