Jennifer Rodgers ([info]jenniferrodgers) wrote,
@ 2008-02-01 14:27:00
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Dresden Files: Flaming Red Court
Fred Hicks let the cat out of the bag! And it's on fire!

Well...some vampires are on fire. Here's an illustration I did for The Dresden Files RPG. Those of you familiar with the books may recognize this scene from "Grave Peril."



_____________________

And because I'm feeling particularly awesome, here's a peek at the artwork's process from start to finish...

1. Here's the sketch that Fred approved:

This is a pencil drawing with a good amount of digital revision and tone on top. I have a pretty hard time just handing over a scan of a drawing without seeing what I could improve first. JENN PHOTOSHOP JUNKIE. JENN MAKE PUNY SKETCH BETTER!

2. And here's the color study:

Just figuring out main color themes here. Nothing's pinned down yet.

3. The final drawing:

My pencil art always looks really super detailed and chaotic before I add color.

4. The flats:

I've got most of the flat color layed in now in Photoshop. It's not exactly how the colors turned out later...I was mostly using the color study as a guide...but it's a good starting point.

5. In progress:

At this point, the piece is going really well. Lighting and shadows are in there and it's starting to come together...but something's just not right. The colors are beautiful, but the fire's not terribly fiery, now is it? I got stuck here for a while and had to go to some artist friends for advice.

6. Finished:

Got some advice, soldiered on through, and I think it came together really nicely in the end. Harry is standing out as a middle-ground element really well now and the fire really looks hot. Success!
_____________________

Thanks for looking! And I hope you enjoyed the look at my process!

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[info]indie_insurgent
2008-02-01 08:02 pm UTC (link)
There's something very psychedelic about this. As usual it's got the Jenn Rogers ridiculous level of detail thing that I do so love. I can spend quite a long time with your work picking out everything, and then come back to it later and notice things I hadn't seen before.

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-01 08:34 pm UTC (link)
Thanks! That makes me happy. It's viewers like you that make being insane worth it.

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[info]drivingblind
2008-02-01 08:10 pm UTC (link)
HOT

As in OW MY MELTING FACE

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-01 08:32 pm UTC (link)
FYAH FYAH FYAH FYAH!!!! ON FYYYAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! (Ghostrider by Henry Rollins. I will always love this song with all my heart.)

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[info]drivingblind
2008-02-01 08:47 pm UTC (link)
DON'T FORGET TO BURN
DON'T FORGET TO BURN
BURN

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-01 08:49 pm UTC (link)
RIDING AROUND IN A BLUE JUMPSUIT...YEAH....hee hee hee!

hmmm...ok..working! working!

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[info]majcher
2008-02-01 11:20 pm UTC (link)
Hot, indeed.

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[info]darkshiver
2008-02-01 08:13 pm UTC (link)
Awesome! You should talk to Matt about guest blogging for a post on Flames Rising as our artiste extraordinare. *wink*

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-01 08:30 pm UTC (link)
Thanks! You're right! I should! I'm sorry I'm so slow to get to everything! So much to do!

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[info]gillan
2008-02-01 08:26 pm UTC (link)
Dresden Files?

NEVER HEARD OF IT

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-01 08:29 pm UTC (link)
You are just askin' for a wrasslin.

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[info]indie_insurgent
2008-02-01 09:00 pm UTC (link)
Don't throw me in the briar patch.

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[info]vajrabot
2008-02-01 08:37 pm UTC (link)
Nice!

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:31 pm UTC (link)
Thank you!

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[info]arkhamrefugee
2008-02-01 08:40 pm UTC (link)
That's incredible! Wow and other such adjectives really don't cover it.

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:32 pm UTC (link)
Hey, thanks!

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[info]midnightstation
2008-02-01 08:44 pm UTC (link)
Really fantastic. Thanks for sharing the steps along the way. ^_^

-S

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:34 pm UTC (link)
Hey! Thank you, sir! I'm glad you like it!

I like you guys. I hope we can get together again sometime!

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[info]brown_ant
2008-02-01 09:30 pm UTC (link)
WOW! Just wow! You have just gained one more fan. This is great work. Now I must hunt down other RPGs with you art work.

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[info]drivingblind
2008-02-01 10:44 pm UTC (link)
Mortal Coil:

http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16340&cat=0&page=1

Passages:

http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16207&cat=0&page=1

Dictionary of Mu:

http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16196&cat=0&bestseller

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:36 pm UTC (link)
Thanks very much! I'm very happy to see so many new faces around here. Glad you like my stuff! :)

Fred, the marketing MACHINE, has beat me to the punch there with the links. If you get a chance to browse, those are some of the games I've worked on.

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[info]gainsclockwork
2008-02-01 09:41 pm UTC (link)
I never realized how iconic Harry's right hand is in a sort of eastern religious way.

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:39 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, that was somewhat intentional. I'm so glad that you noticed!

Ah! Don't you just love our modern way of living? I'm responding to your LJ comment while you sit right next to me on the couch. We are the future and the future is silly.

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[info]jonlaw
2008-02-01 09:50 pm UTC (link)
Said it over on Fred's blog and will say it here, the illustration is amazing. In and of itself, it is well executed (and getting to see the creative progression is a real treat), but the way it captures the scene from the book shows a real understanding of, dare I say it, Jim Butcher's vision as he put it on the page (at least as I read it). So, what you were not able to show in your process is the synergy between reading the prose and your clearly considerable artistic skill in producing this wonderful illustration.

Thanks for sharing.

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:43 pm UTC (link)
Hey there. Your comment, in particular, means a lot to me! Thank you for the kind words.

Fred is a great guy to work with and he actually had Amazon send me all the books. (I'd never read them before.) So, I've been working through them as fast as I can. Trying to really get a feel for the Dresden world. I've been going through them, marking pages, underlining descriptions...checking, double-checking facts. It's madness.

But the madness is 100% worth it when a Dresden Files reader feels I got it right. Thanks again for commenting. I appreciate it.

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[info]jonlaw
2008-02-02 05:30 pm UTC (link)
One can call it madness, I would see it as dedication. Focused obsession is how the hard work gets done, at least in my experience. Thanks for giving a bit more of the creative process in your reply. I never knew about the books until stumbling onto the reference of the coming RPG, but once I started the first one, I knew I had to read every book. I wonder if looking at them as a source of artistic inspiration that directly relates to your professional work enhances or detracts from enjoying them as entertainment? I hope to see more from you as time goes by, and I am glad that serendipitous circumstances have led me from the RPG to the books to your art. By gum, this interconnected web of global information thing might just be a good thing after all.

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[info]glamour_junkie
2008-02-02 01:27 am UTC (link)
Kickass.

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:44 pm UTC (link)
Thanks! I love that icon!

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[info]priscellie
2008-02-02 03:10 am UTC (link)
Fabulous! I love seeing your illustration process. Very powerful image that wonderfully encapsulates the scene.

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:46 pm UTC (link)
Thank you very much! It makes me happy that people like to see the sketches and various stages of my work. I'm definitely going to continue sharing the process as often as I can. :)

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[info]jaborwhalky
2008-02-02 04:36 am UTC (link)
That is HOT

BTW I know now why you did not get your thing in the mail..as the roomate did not drop it off at the post office as they said they would.I found it by the door..so its been mailed and you should get it by monday,Tuesday,...I am sorry but its fixed and will be at your house soon

Are you going to be at the DoV festival this up coming weekend?
If not in the art show to vend your cards and such?


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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:50 pm UTC (link)
Thanks, love!

Hey, I'm not worried about late packages. I still have some things sitting around from the Holidays that need mailing myself. ::is ashamed:: Thank you very much for thinking of me!

I e-mailed your friend and got the information. Unfortunately, it had been a rough and busy month, so I didn't do it as soon as I wanted to and the art show is full. Russell and I were considering going as a vendor, but decided we'll sadly have to skip this one. We just did a convention and we're still kind of recovering and there's so much to do. I'm going to do everything in my power, though, to get involved in the next one. Thanks so much for putting the idea in my head and for giving me a contact. You are a super cool lady!

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[info]jaborwhalky
2008-02-06 06:05 am UTC (link)
NP your art is good and your a sweet hart.The more people I can get to see your good art the better.
If I like something I try to make as many people as I can like it too .
If you can come out to one of the nights this weekend.Bring some of your flyers and put them around the night might get you some online sales after the event.
Do post when you get the small thing in the mail so I know you got it..I have had bad experience with the mail losing my packges.
The amount of give aways, prizes and food I am making to feed every one will make the treck from NJ worth it.
I even got over 10 pounds of Godiva chocolates to have out for people to eat.

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[info]hollow_01
2008-02-02 02:40 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for the breakdown, Jenn. It's always helpful (and inspirational) to see how other people tackle large illustrations.

*hugs*

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:53 pm UTC (link)
::Cyber-hugs!:: Hey, you. You've been kind of off my radar for a bit. We should hang out again sometime soon.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you liked seeing the process.

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[info]hollow_01
2008-02-02 05:44 pm UTC (link)
I'm in town, so just let me know when you're available for company.

Since I'm chained to my desk Monday - Friday, the best way to reach me is via email.

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[info]touchofwinter
2008-02-02 04:02 pm UTC (link)
Glad to see that it turned out to your satisfaction. It's really a kickass illustration piece. Your client will love it.


...or else.

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-02 04:55 pm UTC (link)
Thanks, man!

Ha ha! From what I can tell, the Evil Hat guys seem pretty damn pleased, so no worries there!

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[info]justinjacobson
2008-02-03 02:40 am UTC (link)
Great piece, of course, Jenn.

Curious, I thought you always did a reference photo. Usually you include that in your process arrays. Did you not do one this time, or did you just not show it to us?

On an unrelated note, ahem, if I'm not be rude, ahem, back to work on that piece for me, if you please. You know the one I'm talking about.... ;-)

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-04 10:00 pm UTC (link)
Thank you, Justin! And thanks for looking!

Curious, I thought you always did a reference photo. Usually you include that in your process arrays. Did you not do one this time, or did you just not show it to us?
Actually, yeah, I did do a couple ref photos for this, but didn't post them. I wanted to post the thumbnail sketch for the piece, but couldn't find it...and didn't want to post the pics without that initial step included. If there's interest, though, I may post them anyway. As always, they are silly.

On an unrelated note, ahem, if I'm not be rude, ahem, back to work on that piece for me, if you please. You know the one I'm talking about.... ;-)
I do know the one you're talking about! It's on the drawing table, sir, and you can expect an update from me by morning. Sorry for being such a mess for a while. I'll be in touch.

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[info]drivingblind
2008-02-05 12:08 am UTC (link)
Reference photos are fun.

Can't wait until you do the Little Chicago one and get to post the ones of me staggering around with my eyes rolled up in my head in my living room.

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[info]honn3
2008-02-04 04:20 am UTC (link)
you are so talented. :D
if only you had been a she-ra animator back in the day!

p.s. there's work to do!

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[info]jenniferrodgers
2008-02-04 10:05 pm UTC (link)
Aw, thanks, baby!

Oh god. That movie scared me.

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