Sustained Investigation #3

The Long Walk, for me, was a departure from pieces I have been doing recently, as this was a comic that used ink wash along with something I am comfortable with: technical pens. While this process was frustrating, as I couldn't spend as much time as I would have liked on it due to a rapidly approaching deadline. As a result, I tried to focus on feeling and mood rather than technical skill, trying to use the monochromatic color scheme (with the exception of red) to show the loneliness and monotony of the long walk that the character is taking, which I think turned out very well.

As mentioned previously, I used non-waterproof ink and technical pens to create this piece, along with red and green watercolor markers to add a little bit of interest, and to make the eye attracted to the character and the title box. I also used a graphite pencil to sketch out the lettering of the title as well as the piece itself.

I first began by sketching out the thumbnail in my sketchbook, deciding what angles I wanted the shots and in what sequence to best show the loneliness of the character as he travels across the desert. Next, I used my technical ink pens to darken the lines up, and with their waterproof ink I knew that they would stay put. Next I mixed ink with water to create varying shades of gray, and used them to finish the piece. Overall I quite pleased with the way the ink creates this dark and gloomy mood, which contrasts nicely with the way that deserts are supposed to be bright and sunny. If I had more time I believe this piece would have benefited.