Sketchbook: Cast Portrait (in progress)
Pencil on Bristol board
Finished Castle Whatsitsname strips will employ the Sketch N' Wash pencils I've grown fond of. But before I break out the SNW’s, I do rough pencils like this portrait of the comic's main cast.
I start with several thumbnail sketches to help me position the characters and choose the right angle. Then I pick the best thumbnail and draw with HB, F, and H pencils on Bristol board, keeping the pencils very light. I darkened this one considerably in Photoshop so my readers can see the detail.
And these are all the characters! From left to right: Dzeriel, the half-fallen angel, Alyssa, the token human, Jadinn the Guardian, Ferkus the dingbat, and Narumi, a catgirl. Seated is Cheshire the werewolf and 3 of the Castle's magical rats, and in the background, you can see the actual Castle that gives the strip its name.
Click image for larger view.