Not slacking off...

I'm working on the cover for the new FATE System Toolkit from Evil Hat at the minute (SO excited!)
I'll post some more stuff once I get some time.

Stay frosty, people.

Technical stuff

So, today I have been deep in the matrix and fiddling around with file sizes and types.

I've worked out a few things, which are pretty cool.

First up: I can create Vectors from my linework now,meaning they can be resized and manipulated until the cows come home without suffering any degradation or pixelation. Which is pretty awesome.

I use Inkscape for this- it's a free program and I can't recommend it highly enough. Download it now! As well as drawing in vectors and making very tidy layouts, it also has an option to convert to vectors. Import your linework, go to Object and then Trace Bitmap. Have a play with the options to find your own personal sweet spot.

Don't forget to save as a PNG to preserve the transparency.

Here's a preview of the tidyness:

I've also worked out how to remove the white background from a flat jpeg pretty easily.
This one uses Photoshop.

Open your image, then duplicate layer. Delete the original layer as you can't make changes to the background layer as it is permanently locked.
Now either  click on the fx button at the bottom of the layers palette or double click on the preview of the layer in the palette.
On the box which pops up you have a couple of sliders- pull the white tab from the right of the top slider down to the left a bit until all of your white background disappears. be careful as if you take it too far, bits of your image may start disappearing.

The save as a PNG to preserve the transparency.

Hope this helps somebody somewhere!

Hydra Attack!

I coloured-up the hydra scene for the Heroes of Hellas RPG. 

Just used the original pencils without any modifications (despite the temptation to fix MANY things...).

Once again I have fully painted the sky in my ongoing efforts to master painting. No imported textures here.

I added atmospheric effects, blur, etc. All by hand. There is a stone texture used on the rocks, though, which is my one cheat.

Everything done in Sketchbook Mobile, on my phone, with my finger.

Here is a higher-res version of the image. I hope you like...

Singularity 7

Here are a few little pieces I did for End Transmission Games' Singularity Seven RPG.

Quick turnaround on this gig. Fun company to work with.

The game is out now so go check it out!