In this video, I’ll be coloring a page from a fan short I wrote and colored - drawn by John Grosjean. Check it out!
Great article on coloring in comics
I found a great article on color in comics today. Check it out at the link below!
https://www.comicbookyeti.com/single-post/2018/09/12/COLORISTS-WHAT-WHY
KMR
Update!
Hey, so my shoulder is doing well. I had a labrum repair back in May, and I've been doing physical therapy since June. My range of motion is pretty good, but we're still working on strength and endurance. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes! I'm getting there. :)
I'm currently working on what I believe is the last issue of HACK/SLASH: RESURRECTION ... number twelve. This book has been a blast to color, and I've learned a lot working with the artist Celor on it.
Two issues of INFINITE DARK are in the can, and there are two more to go in this mini-series for Top Cow.
I'm in the early planning phases of my next course, and I'll have more to say about that later! Here's one of my favorite pages from HACK/SLASH: RESURRECTION #10. Thanks for reading!
KMR
I'm on IGTV!
Hey folks!
I recently started a new channel on IGTV. I'll be doing Q&A's, vlogs, updates, etc a few times a week to supplemental the material on the YouTube channel.
Check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/kmichaelrussell/
Thanks for your support! :)
--KMR
New project announcement! Top Cow's INFINITE DARK
Wow, it's been too long since an update. I'll have to do a catch up post later, but today's SYFY announced one of my new projects, INFINITE DARK!
Check out the available details in this article with writer Ryan Cady. This is first creator-owned title! :)
Best,
KMR
I made a list!
Thanks to Feedspot for placing my YouTube channel on their top 30 Digital Art Channels to Follow in 2018! Pretty awesome! :) Click the link or image below to see the full list.
New video up! How NOT to Color - part 8!
Today's video discusses some common issues with "painting by numbers". Check it out here!
Practical Color Theory for Digital Artists
Practical Color Theory for Digital Artists
I've launched another new course called Practical Color Theory for Digital Artists!
Here's my pitch: :)
Are you an artist that’s usually satisfied with your artwork UNTIL it’s time to add color? I remember that feeling!
In this course, I’ll teach you how to practically apply color theory concepts to your digital art, so you can stop being afraid of color and start using it to elevate your art to a whole new level!
Color can be a scary aspect of any visual art, since poor use of color can easily make or break a great drawing, painting, logo, or sketch. Early in my own studies, I was repeatedly disappointed by the color theory tutorials I found online. Sure, I would learn some terminology--warm, cool, primary, secondary, complementary, etc--but this is just terminology! How do I actually use these concepts in my art?!
If you’ve ever found yourself asking that question, this is the course for you!
In addition to the hours of real-time, step-by-step video lessons, you’ll also get:
Line drawings for practice, so you can focus on color.
Layered PSD files used in the lessons.
Examples from my pro work as a digital colorist at Image Comics & Top Cow.
Although Photoshop is used throughout this course, the color theory concepts taught here can be applied with most of your favorite digital art applications such as Photoshop, Clip Studio, Paintstorm, Procreate, Corel Painter, Sketchbook Pro, Krita, ArtRage, etc.
So if you're ready to learn how to make color work FOR you, instead of against you, I'll see you inside. :)
The Beginner's Guide to Digital Art with Procreate
I've announced everywhere else, but somehow forgot to post here!
I recently launched my first non-coloring-only course! :) It's called The Beginner's Guide to Digital Art with Procreate! I've had a ton of requests for more Procreate content, so this will be the start of that. You can read all about it at the link.
It's designed for anyone new to digital art or new to Procreate, so check it out if that's you!
I'm also currently working on a color theory course as well - also for general digital art, and not just limited to comic book art. This is something that concept artists, digital painters, cartoonists, and anyone that colors that work will benefit from. It's a few months away at best, but I'll keep you posted. Be sure to follow me on whatever social media you want on the right. :)
By the numbers...
I've never actually ran these numbers, but for anyone interested...
Content I've created per year -
2011: 36 pages
2012: 42 pages
2013: 50 pages, 13 YouTube videos (The first year I was actually paid for something) :)
2014: 216 pages, 39 YouTube videos
2015: 178 pages, 39 YouTube videos + one 10 hr course
2016: 340 pages, 40 YouTube videos
2017: 435 pages, 50 YouTube videos + another 10 hr course
It's interesting how consistent the videos have been per year, because I'm terrible at keeping a schedule for them!
Catch-up
It's been too long since I posted here! Here's a quick list of all the recent videos on YouTube.
Thanks to everyone for their support in 2017... let's do some big things in 2018! :)
Color sketches over Chris Samnee's #BATOBER
I'm a huge Chris Samnee fan, and when I saw he was doing #Batober for #Inktober, I thought it would be a fun experiment to do a quick color sketch over each piece.
These are very rough - only 2-4 minutes each on average. I limited myself to one brush and tried not to click "undo".
Some aren't great (not Chris' work - my coloring!), but I'm happy with most of them. :)
ANNOUNCEMENT: New course launch!
I'm happy to announce the launch of a new coloring course at http://www.coloringcomics.com which now includes TWO courses - 100+ tutorials & 20 hours of total content! The new course's perks include a live monthly class & a private Facebook group.
Here's the full curriculum:
Course 1 - Core Concepts
(The original course)
Getting Started
Introduction
Course outline
Tools of the Trade
What is a colorist?
Installing Photoshop presets
Manual tool settings
Downloadable resources
Photoshop add-ons
Line Art Preparation
Sample pages
How to set up line art
Cleaning up line art
Set up your layers
Photoshop tools
Introduction to tools
Keyboard shortcuts
My custom shortcuts
Using the Lasso Tool
Using the Bucket Tool
Using the Magic Wand
Using the Brush & Pencil
Using the Gradient Tool
Color Theory
Introduction to color theory
Hue, saturation, & value
Warm & cool colors
Using complementary schemes
Analogous & monochromatic schemes
When red is not red!
Avoiding muddy colors
Flatting
How to flat properly
Storytelling
Introduction
Storytelling examples
Working with planes
Using separations and panel layers
Checking your values
Level of detail
Rendering styles
The “Layer via copy” trick
Lighting angles
Cut & grad
Cel-shaded
Painterly
Flat
Coloring walkthrough
Coloring techniques
How to change the color of the line art
Using brush modes
Creating special effects
How surfaces impact lighting
Multiple light sources
Shifting scene colors
Using layer masks
Using adjustment layers
Using textures
Final prep
Preparing pages for print (CMYK conversion)
Batch processing
Preparing pages for use online
Project organization tips
The business of coloring
Building your portfolio
Finding work
Tips of collaboration
How I “broke in”
Exit survey
Bonus tutorials
Real-time walkthrough
Gradient maps
Real-time walkthrough
Course 2 - Masterclass
Getting started
What you need to know before starting
About the instructor
Course tour
Resources (useful links, PS presets, pre-flatted pages)
Manual tool presets
Photoshop extensions & brushes
Double-check your settings
Monthly Q&A / Facebook group info
Layering & rendering methods
Subtractive/negative rendering
Rendering techniques
How to think in 3D
The trick to rendering hair
How to make sense of faces, part 1
How to make sense of faces, part 2
How to make skin look alive!
How to think about anatomy & study references
How to create clouds (and when not to!)
How to create great glass
Forging metals
Conjuring lightning & energy bolts
Creating glinting reflections & glares
Color concepts
Choosing the correct light and shadow colors
Methods of color blending
How to create minimal palettes that work
Why red is weird!
Color psychology
Storytelling
Using value & contrast as a weapon
When realism is bad!
What color should this background be?
Using multiply mode
Using overlay mode
How to match coloring styles to line art
Leveling up with adjustment layers
Using solid color layers
Cleaning up lineart (new & improved technique!)
When you should use vibrance instead of saturation
Technique demo
A powerful new rendering method
Final color correction
Coloring in RGB vs CMYK
Hardware & software
Which tablet is best?
Photoshop & alternatives
The nerdy hardware part
Industry FAQ
Bonus full-issue walkthroughs
GLITTERBOMB #1
HACK/SLASH: RESURRECTION #1
HACK/SLASH: SON OF SAMHAIN #1
Bonus coloring demos
GLITTERBOMB #3, page 12
POSTAL #25 cover
Check it all out at the link above or click on any of the images. :)
How an iPad Pro replaced my Wacom MobileStudio Pro
This video took off! :)
Working on the iPad Pro 12.9" (2017)
I had mentioned on my Patreon page a few weeks ago that I've started using an iPad Pro at times for coloring.
Someone asked me if I thought the screen was too small. I've got a video coming this Tuesday (October 10, 2017) with my full run down & sort of a review on the iPad Pro (2017) and why it replaced my Wacom MobileStudio Pro when I'm working away from my main desktop. This image is part of the video, but I thought I'd share it here.
The iPad Pro is light enough to used in portrait or landscape mode, and when you turn it vertically, the comic page on the screen is actually about a third larger than the 16" MBP in landscape. Now you CAN turn the Wacom vertically, but I don't believe it's really designed to work that way, plus trying to hold a nearly five pound (2.25kg roughly) device vertically just isn't comfortable. Hopefully this explains why it isn't too small. :)
New video up! What Makes A Page Hard to Read?
In this week's video, I discuss page clarity and readability - based on this Instagram post from Marvel colorist Marte Gracia.
Couple a fun pieces - Iron Fist & Catwoman by Juan Gideon
Line art by Juan Gideon. Colors by K. Michael Russell.
Coloring Joe Mulvey's Spidey/Black Cat!
Joe posted this on Twitter, and I asked if I could color it. I thought it was awesome! :)
You can download the layered PSD file on my Patreon along with a video explanation of all the layers exclusively for Patrons.
You can watch the coloring happen in real-time. Going public on Thursday, August 3. Get it early at this link.
You can watch the coloring happen in ten minutes to relaxing music. Coming Thursday, August 3.
WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME?! :)
Awesome color design
POSTAL #24 time-lapse coloring!
I'll have the PSD available on Patreon on July 1.
Lines by Isaac Goodhart. Colors by K. Michael Russell.