Finally, I'm getting around to some personal pieces. This first one is based on the new Predators movie, directed by Nimród Antal and produced by Robert Rodriguez. The original Predator from 1987 is one of my favorite action movies of all time and was subsequently ruined by the awful sequel and the ridiculous AVP films. So this new film felt like a return to form. (Watch the trailer)
With this piece, I wanted to focus on the two main characters hunted by the predators, played by Adrien Brody and Alice Braga, because we all know the formula in these films: whole bunch of characters get picked off one by one until the big showdown. With these two characters being military-based, I wanted to take the opportunity to draw the heavy duty guns they carry.
Since the illustration is based on a film, I decided to take a cinematic approach to the lighting and color. I recently read Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's Catwoman: When In Rome and was amazed by how cinematic every frame was. Tim Sale's work has always emulated a film noir feel, especially when paired with Loeb's gangster-themed stories for Batman. Taking a cue from Sale, I threw a super-strong key light on the left side of the frame, blowing out the linework along Brody's face. To counter this, I made the glow from the predator's targeting lasers create a red glow on the characters.
Here is just the colors. I'm tremendously happy with the red reflected in the scope of the sniper rifle. It has a nice pop among all the washed greens and browns surrounding it.
I'm very satisfied with the way this turned out. This piece felt very experimental with some new techniques in the lighting and washes in the background. I also had a blast figuring out the pixelated-style camouflage the army uses now for the monstrous gun in the foreground.
There will be more pieces on here as well as my site in the coming weeks.Also, go see Predators for some good ol' bloody violent fun.
--CKL--
