Broken Pieces #3 Cover colors...LIVE! Step 14

Step 13: Big Robot!

- Base lighting
- Tighter highlights.
- Dodging and levels adjust because the lighting contrast wasn't strong enough.
- Missiles!

Broken Pieces #3 Cover colors...LIVE! Step 13

Step 13: Soldiers

- Base lighting
- Then brighter defining highlights to call attention to brighter or more important areas.
- Secondary high-contrast back-lighting to separate the fore figure from the background.

Broken Pieces #3 Cover colors...LIVE! Step 12

Step 12: skin and hair/secondary light
In an effort to condense things, I'll lump the screen shots into steps. I'll render the skin in several stages.

- Base lighting
- Then brighter defining highlights to call attention to brighter or more important areas.
- Secondary high-contrast back-lighting to separate the fore figure from the background.
- Colorize the line art in the necessary areas.
- Carry the back lighting through into the other items of clothing and do the smaller elements.

Next... background troopers!

Broken Pieces #3 Cover colors...LIVE! Step 7-11

Step 7

Step8

Step 9

Step10

Step11

Step 7-11: primary figures
Moving away from the background for now,  Beginning the rendering on the primary figure(s) to give myself a better idea of where I'm going on the piece as a whole.

Broken Pieces #3 Cover colors...LIVE! Step 6

Step 6: Background
Trying to create a general sense of movement with the background.

Broken Pieces #3 Cover colors...LIVE! Step 5

Base colors

Step 5: Base colors
Flat colors are adjusted to reflect the darker tones of what I plan the final render to be. The background is roughed in.

Broken Pieces #3 Cover colors...LIVE! Step 4

Flat colors

Step 4: Flat colors
Colors are added to assist the colorist in separating the major elements of the artwork.

Broken Pieces #3 Cover from pencils to colors to finished...LIVE!

Step 1: Thumbnail options!
(Layout B was picked with elements of cover A to be combined into the final.)

Step 2: Layout!
(Corrections incorporated, Cory moved onto the final!)

Broken Pieces #3 Cover A Pencils by Cory Smith

Step 3: Finished Pencils!
(Line art cleaned up and darkened by multi-talented series creator and writer Mark Roslan.)

Now, follow along as Peter Steigerwald colors the Broken Pieces A cover. (New updates every 20 minutes or so.)

C U At C2E2!

C2E2 is next weekend! We will have 3 brand new prints available, including this beautiful CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO TOUR PRINT!

Zooniverse A Sneak Peek: part 2

Check out Worlds of Aspen 2012 (Available on Free Comic Book Day) for the fist exclusive view of Zooniverse by Peter Steigerwald!

Peter Steigerwald is with…

aspencomics's photo http://instagr.am/p/IdhU1UKtcx/

Zooniverse A Sneak Peek

Peter Steigerwald's all new book coming soon, here's a first look at a section of the very first promo!

Zooniverse!

COMIC BASTARDS: Advanced Review: Broken Pieces #2

COMIC BASTARDS: Advanced Review: Broken Pieces #2:
Usually when a story relies on three different time lines it shows a major weakness in what is the “present” timeline of the story.
The pr...

Aspen Action 2/17/12

Help choose our IDOLIZED contest winner and vote for your favorite:
http://www.facebook.com/IdolizedComic

Soulfire #7 Preview from Broken Frontier:
http://www.brokenfrontier.com/headlines/p/detail/preview-soulfire-v3-7

Broken Pieces #2 Preview from Comic Book Therapy:
http://www.comicbooktherapy.com/sneak-peek-broken-pieces-issue-2-by-aspen-books/

May Solicitations from Comic Bastards:
http://www.comicbastards.com/2012/02/new-releases-aspen-comics-may-2012.html

Broken Pieces Trailer from a Comic Book Blog:
http://acomicbookblog.com/2012/02/broken-pieces-trailer-extended-preview/

Everyday should be like Valentine's Day!

I'm going to suck your face-off...like Nicholas Cage

Let's keep the love going this week with Aspen and Chance's first kiss! Hopefully you got some good liquor cherry candy...like we are currently enjoying in the office.

Happy Valentine's Day!

SNEAK PEEK: Soulfire V3 #7

"I burn ALL the things!!!!"

Soulfire Volume 3 #7 will be out in stores this Wednesday the 15th, we wanted to give you a little taste of what Malikai will be dealing with! Jason Fabok did an amazing job on pencils, JT Krul wrote and Jason Starr colored. Be sure to pick up your copy!

Aspen Action 2/10/12

Enter the Idolized contest, last day to enter is Monday the 13th:
http://www.facebook.com/IdolizedComic

Enter the "I Love Aspen" sweepstakes, last day to enter is also Monday the 13th:
http://www.mycomicnetwork.com/v2/i-love-aspen-valentine-sweepstakes/

Preview Soulfire Volume 3 #7 from Major Spoilers:
http://www.majorspoilers.com/sneak-peek-soulfire-7

Interview with Vince Hernandez about Fathom: Kiani from Previews World:
http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/977?articleID=117822

Aspen is on the Nook! Read about it on CBR:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36870

An extended preview of Broken Pieces #2 on Comic Vine:
http://www.comicvine.com/news/exclusive-broken-pieces-2-extended-preview/144241/

Lady Mechanika is going to be reprinted, read about it at Bad Haven:
http://www.badhaven.com/comics/comic-news/lady-mechanika-set-to-return-to-print-on-sold-out-issues-easy-to-see-why-its-awesome/

Idolized interview with David Schwartz and Micah Gunnell from ComicBloc:
http://www.comicbloc.com/read/2012/02/comics-get-idolized/

AXE Anarachy

Axe teamed up with Aspen Comics to create an interactive graphic novel and they are already on Chapter 3!!! How time flies! Be sure to get in on the action here:
http://www.axeanarchy.axe.us/novel
And also check out the behind the scenes videos to check out interviews at our studio!

Grandma's Fear Factor

Yum!

The rules were simple: consume 6 cups of Rice Krispies, 1 bag of large marshmallows, and 3 pats of butter the fastest. You could use any other product from the kitchen to aid your speediness.
The contestants were Mark Roslan (5 time previous loser), Erick Raymundo (non enthusiastic participant), and intern Alex (reluctant but willing body).

Snap, Crackle, and Pop!

Mark stuffing his face early...Erick is scared

Chubby Bunny

Each contestant with a different method, including Mark's "I'm a horse"

Erick helps Mark with the funnel method...it didn't help.

Alex decide to put Tang in his concoction to make it better...it was a bad choice.

Alex making it fancy with his goblet o' water.

Towards the end Mark gets desperate and microwaves everything together.

All Mark needs to do is chug this warm...mess.

The final two...Erick wussed out and these two are hurting.

Mark...the 6th time LOSER!!! Congrats Intern Alex!!!!!

 After the contest Alex went to the restroom to throw up, but he WON!!!  So until the next challenge when Mark can lose again and make it 0-7!

We took some video also.
PART ONE:

PART TWO:

PART THREE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h68Ig8WPTpc

Aspen Action 2/3/12

Enter the Idolized contest:
http://www.facebook.com/IDOLIZEDComic

Vince Hernandez talks Kiani for Broken Frontier:
http://www.brokenfrontier.com/lowdown/p/detail/kiani-returns-from-watery-death-in-new-fathom-spinoff

Enter the "I Love Aspen" Sweepstakes:
http://www.mycomicnetwork.com/v2/i-love-aspen-valentine-sweepstakes/

Haunted City Trailer from MTV Geek:
http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/731197/haunted-city-trailer.jhtml


Haunted City #2 Review from Team Hellions:
http://teamhellions.com/2012/01/23/haunted-city-2-advanced-review-from-aspen-comics/


Fathom V4 #4 Review from Omnicomic:
http://www.omnicomic.com/2012/01/review-fathom-vol-4-4.html

Frodo celebrates CJ's Birthday!

I had a gift...but I'm not ready to part with it..it's MINE!

If you want to help CJ celebrate her birthday go here: http://aspenmltinc.blogspot.com/2012/01/stopping-sopapipa-day.html
No one has drawn her any sparkly ponies yet and that's sad :(

MONDAY! MONDAY! MONDAY!

Get ready for the epic battle of wits and stomachs between Mark Roslan, Erick Raymundo, and intern Alex in: 

MAKIN' RICE KRISPIE TREATS IN MY TUMMY FIGHT!

To take place Monday the 6th each contestant will need to consume 6 cups of Rice Krispies:

and an ENTIRE bag of large marshmallows:

Milk, Bud Light, or water will be provided to help it all go down. The person who finishes the fastest wins! And what do they win you ask? Well moderator Peter Steigerwald says they win bragging rights which is to say they win suck all. Other people, in this same office, feel that this contest is entirely too easy and should at least include the 1/4 stick of butter...AT LEAST.  However, since none of these people are involved in consuming of said food, we have no say. 

Pictures and the winner announced Monday!

SNEAK PEEK: Fathom V4 #4

Child please!!!

Fathom V4 #4 is in stores tomorrow and it kicks ass!  Here is a little taste of Alex Konat's awesome pencils.  Scott Lobdell writes and Beth Sotelo did the colors.  Make sure to grab your copy tomorrow!

SNEAK PEEK: Haunted City #2

I like dirty subways

Haunted City #2 comes out this Wednesday the 1st and we are really excited for the fans to read it!  Chap Taylor and Peter Johnson were responsible for the story, Michael Ryan did the pencils and Kelsey Shannon colored the book.  Make sure to get your copy!

ASPEN ACTION 1/27/12

IDOLIZED article and interview with David Schwartz from Comic Buzz:
http://comicbuzz.com/david-schwartz-talks-idolized

Fathom Blue Descent #4 Review from Pop Culture Network: 
http://popculturenetwork.com/article.php?story=20120124075839354 

Axe Anarchy article from Ad Sector:
http://adsector.net/2012/01/25/axe-anarchy-the-graphic-novel/ 

Fathom V4 #4 Preview from Team Hellions:
http://teamhellions.com/2012/01/26/fathom-4-preview-coming-february-1st-from-aspen-comics/

Haunted City #2 Preview from Comicosity:
http://www.comicosity.com/preview-haunted-city-2/

Fathom V4 #4 Review from Omnicomic:
http://www.omnicomic.com/2012/01/review-fathom-vol-4-4.html 

SNEAK PEEK: Fathom: Blue Descent #4

look into my eyes..

 

 

 Fathom: Blue Descent #4 is in stores tomorrow!  Here's a sneak peek of the final chapter of Aspen's origin!  Written by David Schwartz, pencils by Alex Sanchez and colored by Peter Steigerwald.

New IDOLIZED Contest!!

This is your chance to be drawn into a comic book!!  Learn all about it and read an interview with David Schwartz here: Comic Bastards
Read the official rules here: Rules!
And then head on over to Facebook to enter!! Facebook/Idolized

Good luck!  We can't wait to see what you come up with!!

ASPEN ACTION

Welcome to the NEW Aspen Action!!  Every Friday I'll post some links that will get you caught up on the media for the week!  Hope you enjoy it!


Charismagic #4 Review from Comic Bastards:
http://comicbastards.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-charismagic-4.html

April Solicitations from Major Spoilers:
http://www.majorspoilers.com/solicitations-aspen-comics-for-april-2012

Dead Man's Run #1 Top Pick from MTV Geek:
http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/01/17/dead-mans-run-steed-and-mrs-peel-and-memorial-new-comics-for-11812/

Dead Man's Run #1 Review from CBR:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4363

Haunted City #2 Preview from Comicosity:
http://www.comicosity.com/preview-haunted-city-2/

AXE Anarchy blog from Randy Matheson:
http://randymatheson.com/axe-promotes-new-fragrance-with-fan-influenced-graphic-novel/

MORE CJ... the Day of CJ is not done!

Introducing lol-bastian

Vince was on a long phone call so CJ came to visit myself and Mark

Actually she came to scare Mark!

What's under the jacket? Superpowers!