Variables

"Variables"
(Ultimate Armor X and Black Zero from Mega Man X4)

As stated previously, I love Mega Man X, and while I played each game as they came out, the first I ever beat was Mega Man X4 for the PS1. The rich graphics, immersive soundtrack, and nice anime cutscenes greatly enhanced what it was like to play a video game. The other aspect I loved were the hidden armors for X and Zero that could only be obtained by a code. And while Zero's was nothing more than an aesthetically pleasing palette swap, X's Ultimate Armor was like switching the game to ultra easy mode, but still made it fun to play!

Aside from keeping both characters poses relatively unaltered, the biggest challenge on this picture was replicating the clear effect on X's armor. Digital manipulation would normally be the workaround for something like this, but with my markers, I don't have that liberty. And while I think I could have done better in some spots, I am still quite pleased with this one's turnout.
 
April 14, 2015
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and gel pens,
on 8.5x11" cardstock.

Maverick Hunters

"Maverick Hunters"
(X and Zero from Mega Man X)

I've always loved the X series Mega Man titles. Because of their more hardcore setting and fun, interesting gameplay, it feels like a true sequel to the Mega Man franchise rather than just another chapter of the same story. I also love the approach of the rivals-in-arms friendship of X and Zero. This illustration was a bit of a gush for me, pouring out my love for MMX onto paper is something I've not really done since I was young. Even less, it be an original piece.

In a rarity, this one actually turned out better than I anticipated, with no issues on marker-bleed or misplaced colors to note. I do wish I could highlight Zero's Z-Sabre better, but I'm afraid of overdoing it's effect, so it is what it is.
 
April 13, 2015
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and gel pens,
on 8.5x11" cardstock.

Id...

"Id..."
(Id from Xenogears)

Not completely original, but rather a clean-up redraw of a sketch by Kunihiko Tanaka and then colored. Id is probably one of the more interesting "villains" from a video game, and the almost-bizarre choice of superhero-like spandex overlaid with armor seems to actually work so well (Not to mention his kickass Gear). A lot of guesswork went into the cleanup and coloring, but between the very few references out there, I'm confident that I got close to the intended design of his outfit down.
 
September 14, 2014
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and gel pens,
on 8.5x11" cardstock.

Message from Another Time

"Message From Another Time"
(from DAICON III & IV Opening Animations)

An homage to the first animation made by studio GAINAX (At the time, called DAICON FILM), the DAICON opening films are two of the most impressive pieces of handmade animation I've stil seen to this day, and the song used (unlawfully, sadly) on the DAICON IV video makes the visuals even more impactful paired with the amazing work of just 12 people.

As for the picture itself, I had a slew of personal experiments, using both markers AND colored pencils as main mediums, baffling angles, and several color-traced objects (The ship, The glass of water and the burst effect). I tried my best to update the characters from their old '80's appearance while remaining faithful to the source. In the end, some of my own personal stylings come through, but I like to think it aids the picture more than hurts it. ^_^;;

July 13, 2014
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, gel pens, and chalk pastels
on 8.5x11" cardstock.

Year of the Comet

"Year of the Comet"
(MS-06S Char's Zaku II / Commission)

Another commission by Tom Winnicki for his and Ashley Moore's 3rd year anniversary. The theme was, obviously, Char Aznable's infamous "3x faster" trope, so I seated the couple in the captain's Zaku cockpit. A few interesting challenges from this included keeping the attire in the realm of U.C.0079, doing the decals and graffitti on the Zaku itself, and lastly, doing a sky with hazy colony interior visible. Despite my best efforts, this one ended up being a bit late due to unforeseen health and work issues, but still managed to tough through it and get it done for him.

Jun 11, 2014
Ink pens, Micron pens, Prismacolor markers, colored pencil, chalk pastels, and gel pens
on 11x17" cardstock

PKMN Trainer Jean

"PKMN Trainer Jean"
(Cubone from Pokémon and Jean (Original))

The first *serious* coloring for some linearts I had done a few years back for my friends as Pokémon trainers. I finished this as a birthday present fro my friend Kelli, who plays under the name "Jean" (at least, in Pokémon X), and her favorite Pokémonis Cubone. Doing the newer Sugimori style with traditional mediums was interesting, but I think it was a pretty good success! Which is good, since I have many more I plan to do in the future...

February 6, 2014
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and gel pens
on 8.5x11" cardstock.

P̨̀KM̢̀͟Ǹ̴͟ ̨͡T̶͞ŗ̀͡a̴̛i͢͟n̡è͜͞r̢̕ ̢͘L̷ ̶W̸̢a̸̵͡n̸͘t̷̛͘s ̷̛t̡̨͜o͝ ̀F̢͞i̛g̶h́t͝

"P̨̀KM̢̀͟Ǹ̴͟ ̨͡T̶͞ŗ̀͡a̴̛i͢͟n̡è͜͞r̢̕ ̢͘L̷ ̶W̸̢a̸̵͡n̸͘t̷̛͘s ̷̛t̡̨͜o͝ ̀F̢͞i̛g̶h́t͝"
(Missingno. from Pokémon and L (Original))

The first coloring to my previous Pokémon Trainer line arts that I never colored, which were based on friends of mine with their Pokémon. This one was kind of a joke one, though, and thus took a far different approach from how the rest will be. I did a bunch of glitch shapes on a separate piece of cardstock and cut them out and pasted them at random places to make the character appear to be "glitching" himself. And, of course, the bugged Master Ball, which is likely in the sixth slot in his bag... XD

January 23, 2014
Micron pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, gel pens, knife and Mod Podge
on 8.5x11" cardstock.