For my Alphabeasts entry this week, being still in an “experimental” mood after that last painting (here), I went with a different effect than I normally have.

Usually, I have quite a lot of crosshatch marks on my inks. I decided this time to try something with far less lines, but with just as much planning and reliance on the contrast in the image. It wasn’t easy, but I think it worked out fine.

One of my favorite films is the sci fi adventure Forbidden Planet. Especially the scene(s) with an invisible monster known as the “id”. Yes, that is a big spoiler, but come on, the movie is from the 50’s, so I think I’m safe.

The monster is only seen visually once it runs into the electromagnetic protection fences that surround the spaceship, and I’ve always thought those scenes were pretty cool. Now, getting an electrical effect in ink isn’t the easiest thing to do, but I thought it would be a fun challenge.

As part of the experiment, I brought the finished ink into Photoshop, and gave it a few quick “glowing” effects. Whether the art works or not is up to you, fine viewer, but it was a good experiment to try.

Here’s the digital version:

 

Here’s the ink only version, with color ink wash:


Russell Dickerson

Russell Dickerson has been a lot of things over many years. Author, artist, designer, winner of awards and recognition, pursuer of the truth, leader of the earth after armageddon.