HIKYM: Behind the Punch

[MSperoni]

As the artist for HIKYM, I have plenty of concept material such as sketches, page variations, and layouts sitting around on my computer. I figured these things might have some interest to fans of the series, and so I will upload images as the comic progresses, perhaps giving some background info about 'em along the way.


http://www.nuklearpower.com/images/behind_the_punch01.jpg


Originally this comic wasn't going to be digitally gray-scaled. I hadn't done anything digitally comic wise in months, and was pretty rusty at the time. However after some deliberation we decided to go for it. It takes me a lot longer to do the pages, but it seems to be worth it.

[Mirai Gen]

Thread title is appropriately hilarious. I sincerely hope this becomes a humorous, not-annoying running gag.

I like the work on the armor, you very clearly did your homework.

[MSperoni]

Because there isn't really a particular point in Chinese history this comic is set in, I was more free in costume designs. Brian doesn't seem to care an awful lot about historical accuracy in this story, so long as it looks generally Chinese.

There will be more to this "Behind the Punch" thread, I figure once every couple of days or so I will add another image or two.

[Mirai Gen]

I can tell it isn't a specific type of Chinese armor, but it looks Chinese and given how interchangeable sometimes the armors of all Eastern regions can be I just appreciate that small (large?) detail.

[MSperoni]

Yeah, there's definitely similarities amongst all types, slight variations but the core is the same (armor wise). Then again I guess that's how it is even with Western armors.

I kept the mercenaries' armor ragtag and simple (but hopefully effective), a gaggle of minor characters would be a real chore to draw if they were all decked out in anything insanely complicated. (http://kongming.net/dw6/i/characters/caoren-800.jpg) :p

[Corel]

Yeah, it'd be pretty cool to see concept sketches and doodles about the series, and how you created the scenes.

Kind of like a Director's commentary!

[Satan's Onion]

Stickyin' this because it's really neat. Carry on, everyone.

[MSperoni]

As you might have noticed, HIKYM has its own little gallery section now. "How I Killed Your Gallery"! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/gallery/)
This gallery will contain various concept sketches of HIKYM, and will expand as time goes by (We can't really show you the concept for page 7 until page 7 is posted, after all!)

This gallery doesn't mean the end of "Behind the Punch". Instead, BtP will just serve as a discussion forum for the art that appears in the gallery.

If there's a pic you wish to talk about, or anything, just post a link here or just ask something like, for example:

"What's the deal with that skimpy dressed girl on the pic of Master Fei's sons?"

and I will say something to the extent of: "That's just some silly girl named Koko from a goofy comic I am working on. I put it in there as a joke."

etc etc :D

[Mac]

I would rather be the force behind the punch and not the force receiving the punch.

Love the sketches.

[MSperoni]

Thanks :)

A number of the sketches, such as the interiors (http://www.nuklearpower.com/wp-content/gallery/hikym/sketches001.jpg) were made before we really got going on the comic..

I used a lot of movies for help, but Jet Li's Fearless seemed to be the most helpful in these initial stages. Especially when it came to designing the "dojo" (I think the Chinese term is "Wu Guan" but I'm not 100% sure on that so I'll just say "dojo")

[MSperoni]

This is the large panel in page five without the logo, and its layout form.

I put in a semi-Chinese'd up Black Mage on this page, and originally Atomic Robo was on the teapot, but I just ended up going with a Chinese warrior looking dude (he sorta has Robo's head I guess).

Sorry for the double post, but I wanted to share this and no one seemed to be adding much of a response to my last message :sweatdrop

[Tev]

I love that teapot. It has fueled the first of many HIKYM crazy theories.

[MSperoni]

No one will suspect an innocuous teapot is behind it all!

[Grognor]

(I think the Chinese term is "Wu Guan" but I'm not 100% sure on that so I'll just say "dojo")

I believe the term is "kwoon," but I am also not sure. I would use "classroom" before "dojo," since "dojo" is quite explicitly Japanese. But oh well I'm not the artist behind the punch.

[MSperoni]

Yeah, I don't like using "dojo" either, normally I say school or temple but it seems like people have been calling it a "dojo" so far so I just kinda went with the flow.

[MSperoni]

I will have more Behind the Punch images on the next HIKYM page. There's not much I have in regards to page 6 aside from the character designs that are already in the gallery.

I guess I can talk about Master Fei (http://www.nuklearpower.com/wp-content/gallery/hikym/feifullsketch.jpg) though.

Master Fei's outfit is a mimic of sorts to more famous uptight martial arts jerks such as Tao Pai Pai from Dragonball, and Lau Chan from Virtua Fighter. I've also seen the outfit on other characters in other Kung Fu comics/games/movies and so I figured it was a good convention to go with, since HIKYM is somewhat of a homage to all these things.

I enjoy drawing Fei because of his facial expressions, so far he's probably my most favorite character to draw next to Kid Wong.

The somewhat chubby fellow standing behind Fei in this page is his servant Po. He will have more screen-time later on. He isn't a martial artist of any sort (that I know of).

[Kurosen]

Ha, I was a Lau Chan man m'self back in the day too.

[MSperoni]

Here is Page 7 from "start to finish" The layout isn't really that big in proportion to the page, I just blew it up for compositional purposes.

It's a pretty big image, so I'll put the link to it rather than including it here with the post:

http://www.nuklearpower.com/images/hikym_007_process.jpg

The stage where I do the digital effects usually takes as long as the pencilling it and inking it combined.

[Shadow Bunny]

The stage where I do the digital effects usually takes as long as the pencilling it and inking it combined.

Which is how long, on average?

[MSperoni]

Usually it seems to take me between 6-8 hours to draw/ink a page and 8-10 to digital it.

However, this is just with HIKYM. Other comics (like the other comic I'm working on at the moment) takes much less time to draw and ink because I'm drawing things I'm more familiar with/better at drawing.

[Krylo]

Here is Page 7 from "start to finish" The layout isn't really that big in proportion to the page, I just blew it up for compositional purposes.

It's a pretty big image, so I'll put the link to it rather than including it here with the post:

http://www.nuklearpower.com/images/hikym_007_process.jpg

The stage where I do the digital effects usually takes as long as the pencilling it and inking it combined.

I enjoy the original sketching process.

Everyone looks so cartoony and hilarious.

[MSperoni]

The extra cartooniness in the layouts is mainly to help me make the characters extra-expressive so it will (hopefully) carry over to the final versions.

[Krylo]

The extra cartooniness in the layouts is mainly to help me make the characters extra-expressive so it will (hopefully) carry over to the final versions.

Man, whatever, I just love the attached part.

It is the best cartoony angry face ever.

Seriously, tell me that isn't fantastic.

Edit: I demand an actual page to be drawn like that.

[MSperoni]

Drawing them like that would sure free up a lot of my time!

[MSperoni]

I'm working on a digitally colored picture of Master Fei. I'm not sure when I'll get it done because I'm working on it slowly and juggling it between other projects (Koko Noneko and the HIKYM comic -- I still don't have any commissions :( ). Here is the initial sketchy colored picture. I figured I would post this just to give people an very general idea what Fei would look like if this comic were in color. (it won't appear so dark once I'm through with it).


Digital Sketch of Master Fei in rough colors (http://twitpic.com/glxmw)

[MSperoni]

Hey, it's the Part 2 (http://twitpic.com/h48da) of the colored Master Fei pic! Check it out. Spent a few hours on him today, will work more later. Hope to get him done by Friday's HIKYM update.

[Michael Morris]

I'm working on a digitally colored picture of Master Fei. I'm not sure when I'll get it done because I'm working on it slowly and juggling it between other projects (Koko Noneko and the HIKYM comic -- I still don't have any commissions :( )

I hope to be in a position to remedy that eventually, but at the moment I cannot. Still, you are very talented. Chin up - things will work out.

[MSperoni]

I managed to actually maybe get a commission now :D

but I could still use more! :)

[MSperoni]

Sorry for lack of HIKYM: Behind the Punch updates.. I really don't have any behind the scenes stuff to share image wise.

If someone wants to open up a discussion about anything feel free.

[Daiton]

Fei's expression's are so comical!

[MSperoni]

Page 18 was different in the sense that I colored the whole thing with my wacom, rather than using a mouse + wacom or just a mouse. I think it looks better in spots, and it was also sort of easier to control in places, but overall I think it took longer to do and I'm not sure if people mind one way or the other (so long as it looks spiffy and consistent). I suppose time will tell, if comments come in saying "oh the new way looks better" then I might consider doing it this way from now on. However if no one seems to notice then I'm going with the faster way.

One thing I have considered over the years is that no one really judges a piece based on the amount of labor that goes into creating it, but only the end result. So putting a ton of effort into something only for the sake of doing so is a waste of time. In other words, if people enjoy something that takes less work as much as something that takes more work, the former is better than the latter. So in this case, I'm thinking the old way is best.

Then again I'm not sure people care too much about the technical aspects of a piece either. That's not to say folks don't appreciate effort, but it's just that I've seen a lot of stuff that's technically "inferior" than other things get more attention/praise (not necessarily with drawing, but writing and stuff like that too). Then again I guess you have to define what is "superior" and what is "inferior".. That's an artistic discussion I'm not in the mood for at the time :p

However, I think maybe when/if I start a comic of my own I might just drop the effort and just draw, baby :D . So long as people are entertained and enjoy it, that's fine w/ me ^_^ That's my main goal anyway.


Anyway, that was a digression, this Behind the Punch thing isn't a blog afterall!

But..uhhhh page 18 was done in a different style, etc.. After it I decided to go to a combination of wacom + mouse. Before 18 most pages were done 100% with a mouse, only a few used the wacom. The nature setting panels on 10, 11, and 14 for instance. They were drawn normally but "colored" with a wacom.

There's some outdoors coming up here soon that was done 100% with the wacom, but you'll have to wait till page 20 to see it ^_^

[MSperoni]

Here are the concept sketches of our unloveable assassin duo, Zi Jiao and Zi Bao (their names are written in reverse on the pics).

I'm not sure if they're relatives or if they just have the same Family Name "Zi".

I tried to make Jiao look somewhat like a snake, and then Bao look kind of like a turtle. Bao was also somewhat inspired by Daisuke Kato's (http://img.listal.com/image/365703/180full-daisuke-kato.jpg) character "Inokichi" (http://www.acepilots.com/discussions/daisuke-kato-yojimbo.jpg) from the movie "Yojimbo", although Inokichi resembled more of a pig than a turtle.

http://www.nuklearpower.com/images/zi_bao.jpg

The pattern on Bao's outfit (the circles) was dropped. It had something to do with Wu Xing but I felt that somehow gave Bao "rank" over Jiao. They don't really have a hierarchy, though I suppose Bao is the more clear-headed of the two. He may look like an oafish turtle, but he's not. Jiao is more of a sadistic type, somewhat more of a wild-card I would say.

http://www.nuklearpower.com/images/zi_jiao.jpg

We had to come up with a reason for Jiao to be walking alone when Wong approached, so Bao was made hideous to "explain" that. I doubt a little kid would approach someone like Bao, so Jiao had him hide. Jiao, when he's not in his "evil mode" doesn't really look all that scary. I also gave him the "Po look" to sort of associate him with the only (so far) friendly character Wong has met (aside from his servant waaaaaaay back on pages 6-8).

[Tev]

I do like how opening Jiao's eyes instantly changes him from harmless traveler to a creepy evil assassin. What is it about all these characters and their crazily expressive eyebrows?

[MSperoni]

Been awhile since the last Behind the Punch Update. Seems like every time I have a few images to post, Brian's never around to put them on the site and when he is around I forget to ask him.

There haven't been any new characters in awhile so there have been no new character designs to post. I think when the fight scene is over with I will post a type of layout compilation image of each page in the fight. As well as panels I tossed out.

For now, I suppose I can show previews to a picture I'm working on. This picture is a gift to the site as thanks to the people who donated money in the recent "How I Killed Your Donation Drive".

Here is the link to the initial concept:

Concept (http://exmile.deviantart.com/art/Wong-Old-and-Young-144675074)


Here is the link to the more detailed line work:

Line Work (http://exmile.deviantart.com/art/Wong-Old-and-Young-Part-2-144705771)


And here is a link to an image which I made as a kind of "bonus". An image of the two Wongs put together without the image of Chan and Fei in the background:

Wong Old and Young (http://exmile.deviantart.com/art/Liu-Wong-Old-and-Young-144781706)


The final version of the image is nearly complete, I am considering adding a few more bits to it, but I may not. Either way it will be available by Friday's page update :)

[Tryxx]

Matt,

Not sure if this is the best place for this question, but I feel it needs to be asked: With such a positive reception of your art, even outside of HIKYM, specifically as related to the 8-Bit Theater series - do you and Brian have any plans to utilize your skill for official merchandising? We all know how the shirts thing goes, but specific prints and the like would be neat.

(And this gave me an idea for a commission request. Maybe this comic (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2005/10/01/episode-606-the-ol-switcheroo/) in your actual art style - would be hilarious and awesome beyond words. Assuming that sort of thing is OK with Brian...)

Thanks.

[MSperoni]

hmm.. well prints and posters would be pretty cool but nothing really has been discussed yet. For HIKYM or 8-bit (I assume you meant HIKYM though :) )

I've had someone ask me for an 8-bit comic drawn in my style before, and Brian was okay with it, but the thing is it would be a pretty hefty project doing a comic w/ all those panels (even if I did it abridged) so it might come a tad pricey :p


Email me for more info about commissions, I'll get to it as soon as I can ^_^

[Tryxx]

Email sent!

[MSperoni]

Got it! I'll respond soon (hopefully :p )

[MSperoni]

Hurray another "Behind the Punch" update! This time with actual STUFF to show!

Here are the concepts to our newest character and first girl, Fang Lin. You can probably guess which one I settled on.

Originally she was going to be about Wong's height but I thought it might be cool for her to be taller. In this case, Fang is the power fighter and Wong is the fast one (which I guess reverses the stereotype).

Her body and face are based off two models. Her face is anime'd up slightly to fit w/ the comic's look. Her body I just make her legs and arms a little more powerful looking, but other than that she's pretty natural. I did that in order to keep her from getting too unrealistic (like bust size, hip size, etc). I won't say who I modeled her after though :) (though neither are Chinese)

http://www.nuklearpower.com/images/fanglin_concepts.jpg


I like the last two images of her face, however they seemed to dainty and pretty for the type of character I wanted her to be. Those faces don't have enough fire in their eyes for Fang Lin.