Prisoners of Xelotlan Page 1

Well, here is the finished product. It took me about 30 hours total, and I had a blast. No references were used at all--this is 100% out of my head.

This is my real entry into the *monstersandmaidens contest for May-June, "Jungle Jeopardy." I actually will have two more to go along with it by Saturday, I think, since I'm starting to get the hang of this digital coloring bit.


Regardless, I've had numerous suggestions and helps from people who know digital art a hell of a lot better than I do. Long, explanatory comments and notes, entire tutorial deviations, and encouragement from lots of places have really given me a boost here--and I needed it. My thanks goes to you all. You're all great.

Still a long way to go before I can feel as comfortable expressing myself in the digital sphere as I do in the traditional sphere. Oil painting, pencil, and ink feel like an extension of my hand--the pictures almost paint themselves while I listen to music or play a DVD in the background and my mind contemplates the strange and bizarre universe I occupy. Not so in digital stuff--my mind has to remain riveted to what I'm doing, or my hand stops and says, "Hey, what gives? You want I should just plow this black shading line through the middle of her nose then?" Like I said, a long way to go.

Textures are on the horizon, along with a simpler, more dramatic approach to color, I think. For now I'll stick with drawing these by hand and then coloring them digitally, rather than going the outline-less digital painting route--it seems like a good way to transition my skills.

Enjoy!