Doctor Strange

[gadgetwk]

Hey guys, been a little while. Been a little busy with music and work so I haven't really drawn much or been on the boards. Figured I'd post something to let you guys know I'm not dead.

This was originally supposed to be for my monthly PUMMEL against Breck but I didnt have it done by the deadline unfortunately. Oh well. Hope you guys enjoy it.

[Bruce Lee]

Gadget,

I really do like the drawing a lot! The pose is good, and I like the composition as a whole. The inking is decent too, but I would have loved to see the Ditko shapes and patterns along the gold trim of Strange's cloak, and the spots on the gloves. To me Strange costume just doesn't work without those Ditko-isms.

There are a few other areas where I think you drawing can be improved. Here's my thoughts on the matter:

-Strange's pupils are a little off. He almost seems to have a lazy-eye look or perhaps an appearance of being slightly cross-eyed. Details like pupils need to be inked as precisely as possible, and care needs to be taken to make sure the pupils are spaced just right and match up well. Things are just a tad off in your drawing, but being off a little with the eyes can really make for some weirdness. Work to be more careful with such details in the future.

-This is a personal preference here, but since crits are entirely opinion-based affairs anyway, I'll throw this out: I don't care much for Strange's handlebar mustache. That might be the in vogue style of Strange's look these days, but the pencil thin mustache that Ditko first gave the character works better for me. The thinner 'stash is more white collar and suave and fits Strange's surgeon character background more. It also gave him a more distinct look, because it's rare to see those thin mustaches today. Strange should always be distinct and distinguished, scholarly presence, and I don't know that the Paul Teutul 'stash conveys that very much. It's more of a badass biker thing to me, I guess. Just my two cents there.

-Strange's left hand could be a lot more interesting, considering that he's weaving a spell. I like the right hand okay, but the left hand seems sort of bland.

-The mystic rings around Doctor Strange's hands are inked a little thick. Thinner lines are best for depicting things like energy, magic auras, smoke, or anything intangible. Thicker lines always convey a more solid state of matter, so you should avoid going to bold with the line work if you can avoid it.

That's all the comments, suggestions and crits I have for you, man. Regardless of my nitpicks, this is one of you better illustrations, and I look forward to seeing you post more artwork. It's always great to see your skills grow with each piece you draw.

Best of luck in the draw-off,

Loston

[gadgetwk]

thanks for the comments loston!

inking and the eyes - im still working on my inking, i havent done much and im trying to get better at it, so its a lot of trial and error for me right now. thanks for the tips though!

the hand - actually i was going to have both hands in the same position as the right hand, but i was thinking about crits youve given me before about how its more interesting when you dont do mirror images, so i was trying to add variation. didnt come out as well as i hoped though, i agree.

mustache - yeah i probably should have went thinner. i just looked up some pics and he does have a handlebar in a lot of them but its a lot thinner.

thanks again though!

[Bruce Lee]

thanks for the comments loston!

inking and the eyes - im still working on my inking, i havent done much and im trying to get better at it, so its a lot of trial and error for me right now. thanks for the tips though!

the hand - actually i was going to have both hands in the same position as the right hand, but i was thinking about crits youve given me before about how its more interesting when you dont do mirror images, so i was trying to add variation. didnt come out as well as i hoped though, i agree.

mustache - yeah i probably should have went thinner. i just looked up some pics and he does have a handlebar in a lot of them but its a lot thinner.

thanks again though!

You're most welcome, man. I'm always impressed by how better you get each time you post something new. Your attitude is also pretty awesome, and I really appreciate that too. You're one of the guys who've kept me sticking around these parts, man. A whole new generation of PJers are hopefully being inspired by your work, your great attitude and your enthusiasm. My hat is off to you, dude!

Don't worry about the inking--that will come along with time and experience. Keep practicing control, and keep studying inking theories. Guys like Wally Wood are great to study because he put inking theories to good use in each and every panel he drew. Can't go wrong studying Alex Toth either. He's another of comic book genius. He new how to do a lot with very little. I learned a great deal from Steve Ditko's inks, which were often raw, but always spontaneous and interesting.

Loston

[Bathill8]

Invaluable info there, Gadget. I just wanted to say I like your Doc Strange piece and I really enjoy how you did his collar...made the head pop off the page rather nicely!

[Toddoss]

Really liking this piece!! great stuff man. You made some great decisions on your inking like how the torso was handled which had to be difficult just figuring out light sources.

Also the trimming in of the black at the bottom really accentuates the foreshortning of the legs and pulls them back in perspective.

I'm loving a lot about this piece but his face, I never thought I would be calling a man a budda-face, but honestly its the weakest part. On the eyes, the bottom of the pupil shouldnt touch the bottom eyelid if you want Doc to be looking at us. Also dont break the line of the nose if you want to hint at the end of the cartilage of the nose just draw another line cause otherwise it will look like Owen Wilson every time...trust me i've learned from experience. Asides from that trim down the ears, hes got old man ears.

I love the hair it shows lots of movement and energy. All in all I really like this piece and as a whole it really works.

[PMerriwether]

Personally I don't like the Kirby dots shortcut for energy, but that's just me. I like your line art but I don't like his left hand, it looks limp.