Super humbling to be able to work for one of my childhood heroes, Hulk Hogan. They hired me to create a series of tribute illustrations to the late Andre the Giant commemorating their famous face-off. A very easy guy to work with, and tons of fun, BROTHER!

Tutorials, Reviews, and Artwork by Freelance Illustrator Brian Allen of FlyLandDesigns.com

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

To check out more of my work, or to hire me: http://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.f…

On Instagram: http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_b…

Necronomicon illustration for the Evil dead 2 line.

I am excited to share a speed inking and coloring of the Necronomicon I illustrated for an officially licensed Evil Dead 2 line of apparel. I am very happy how it turned out!

If you are interested in a print you can get one here: https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

To check out more of my work, or to hire me: http://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.f…

On Instagram: http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_b…

Snippet of the finished artwork in the creating gritty video

I was fortunate enough to be interviewed on my favorite Art and Design show, Adventures in Design with Mark Brickey!

This is a speed drawing of an art print I made of Gritty, the new Philadelphia Flyers mascot. You can hear snippets of the interview.

In the full interview, we talk about:

• How I got the job

• The process behind designing a mascot

• Dealing with going viral

• Dealing with the negative reaction

• Dealing with the positive reaction!

• How to price a project of this size

• and more!

Visit AIDPODCAST.com to hear the FULL INTERVIEW! Or on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2RpAqng

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

To check out more of my work, or to hire me: http://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.f…

On Instagram: http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_b…

Snippet of the Jack Herer Cup Poster.

So thrilled to have been asked to design the poster for this year’s Jack Herer Cup, an event celebrating the life of the “Emperor of Hemp.” Tommy Chong will be at the event (hope I get to meet him!), so we decided to draw him and Jack driving the van from Up in Smoke through the Vegas strip. Had a lot of fun with this!

Tutorials, Reviews, and Artwork by Freelance Illustrator Brian Allen of FlyLandDesigns.com

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

To check out more of my work, or to hire me: http://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.f…

On Instagram: http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_b…

Head of a zombie soldier.

Speed coloring of a zombie soldier in Clip Studio Paint

Ink illustration of a mutated Bowser.

Speed inking in Clip Studio Paint of a scary mutant Bowser

Ink illustration of Attack From Mars artwork.

Speed Inking of the Alternative Translite artwork of the classic Attack From Mars art redrawn in my own style. Officially licensed from Williams! I added a ton of details and easter eggs into the design. It’s packed full of nods to some of my favorite alien franchises.

• 26.5″X18.375″ Tall. Measures to fit in an Attack From Mars machine, or a lightbox (90’s WMS/Bally sizing). Looks beautiful when backlit!

• Signed by the artist, Brian Allen

• We used double-layered ink, and double-layered white backing to make the colors really pop.

• High quality flexible translite material. Printed with same materials as mainstream pinball machines.

• Designed to work great with the existing LED light scheme

Link to my store where you can get the backglass.

https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

Tutorials, Reviews, and Artwork by Freelance Illustrator Brian Allen of FlyLandDesigns.com

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

To check out more of my work, or to hire me: http://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.f…

On Instagram: http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_b…

Snippet from the redrawn Attack From Mars art.

Speed Coloring of the Alternative Translite artwork of the classic Attack From Mars art redrawn in my own style. Drawn and colored in Clip Studio Paint. Officially licensed from Williams!

I added a ton of details and easter eggs into the design. It’s packed full of nods to some of my favorite alien franchises.

Link to my store where you can get the backglass.

https://www.flylanddesigns.com/produc…

Tutorials, Reviews, and Artwork by Freelance Illustrator Brian Allen of FlyLandDesigns.com

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

To check out more of my work, or to hire me: http://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.f…

On Instagram: http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_b…

Inked Wizard form the Speed inking of the Medieval Madness Backglass.

The speed inking video of the Officially Licensed Williams Medieval alternative pinball backglass.

All the inking for this pinball backglass was done in CLIP STUDIO PAINT.

Tutorials, Reviews, and Artwork by Freelance Illustrator Brian Allen of FlyLandDesigns.com

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

To check out more of my work, or to hire me: http://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.f…

On Instagram: http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_b…

Snippet of the illustration for Umphrey's McGee band poster.

The fantastic jam-band Umphrey’s McGee commissioned me to create this super fun silk-screened gig poster for their Oakland, LA, and Terrapin concerts in early 2020, however these shows were canceled. I’m so glad the band has decided to release the posters to the world, regardless. I can’t wait to work with them again!

This design sprung from the idea of someone walking a freakish mutant pet – an amalgam of different animals and insects. The Art Director thought it would be fun to make the character walking the dog a homage to Gritty (the Mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers that I was commissioned to design).

Printed on Rainbow Metallic Foil

Artist Proof Limited Editon of 20

18″X24″

Signed and Numbered by Artist Brian Allen

Silk-Screened on high-quality paper

Tutorials, Reviews, and Artwork by Freelance Illustrator Brian Allen of FlyLandDesigns.com

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

To check out more of my work, or to hire me: http://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.f…

On Instagram: http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_b…

Ink drawing of Dig Dug for a speed drawing video

Speed-drawing video of my new Dig Dug arcade tribute illustration. I often draw the different characters in different colors to help me keep track of the madness.

Buy my custom Clip Studio Paint brushes at http://clipstudiopaintbrushes.com

Here is the full Clip Studio Paint/Wacom webinar I did last week. We had connectivity issues, so the entire video has been re-edited so it is jitter free with a silk-smooth finish.
Thanks to CLIP STUDIO PAINT for inviting me to do this – and thanks to all who asked questions.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I’d be happy to answer them here since the Q&A was a little short due to my rambling.

I am excited to share a speed inking and coloring Video of the Necronomicon I illustrated for an officially licensed Evil Dead 2 line of apparel. I am very happy with how it turned out!
If you are interested in a print you can get one here:

Silk-screen t-shirt illustration I created in tribute to the legendary Cheech and Chong from Up In Smoke with the characters as weed-eating, brain-smoking zombies.
I drew this artwork in Clip Studio Paint (Manga Studio 5) with a Wacom Cintiq. This is inspired by an illustration I created years ago – I wanted to test out my new skills, and design something that was more fitting for a t-shirt and filled out the front more (the previous design was too square). I also wasn’t happy with the likeness of the characters in the first design, so I drew everything from the ground up, and added a lot of elements from the films and really tried to do my best to capture the spirit of these marijuana legends.

Silk-screen t-shirt illustration I created in tribute to the legendary Cheech and Chong from Up In Smoke with the characters as weed-eating, brain-smoking zombies.
I drew this artwork in Clip Studio Paint (Manga Studio 5) with a Wacom Cintiq. This is inspired by an illustration I created years ago – I wanted to test out my new skills, and design something that was more fitting for a t-shirt and filled out the front more (the previous design was too square). I also wasn’t happy with the likeness of the characters in the first design, so I drew everything from the ground up, and added a lot of elements from the films and really tried to do my best to capture the spirit of these marijuana legends.

Just got these vinyl zombie toys I designed!
A series of character concept turn-arounds I illustrated for a series of vinyl zombie figurines that will be manufactured and sold in a catalog.  This isn’t the first time I’ve created turn-arounds for figurines, but it’s the first zombie series.  I can’t wait to see how the final molded and painted models turn out.  To make this as efficient as possible, I first sent sketches to the client for just the front view.  Once approved, I used a 3D model in Manga Studio, positioned it close to the position of the front view, and then turned it to the side and back.  I then drew the other angles using that model as a reference.  Pretty effective little trick!

cartoon sasquatch playing the gu

How I inked a gig poster in Clip Studio Paint of BigFoot shredding on his guitar for Squatchfest in Kane Pennsylvania

Speed painting in Manga Studio 5 and Adobe Photoshop.

Official Alien illustration I created for the backglass of the new Limited Edition Pinball Machine licensed from 20th Century Fox and built by Heighway Pinball.

Here is the Inking of my Nightmare on Chicago Street 2017 gig poster. It was fun to go to this outdoor concert, The streets were turned into something that you would see on the Walking Dead.

Here is the coloring of my Nightmare on Chicago Street 2017 gig poster. It was fun to go to this outdoor concert, The streets were turned into something that you would see on the Walking Dead.

Hey guys, a few months ago I got the iPad Pro 10.5 and tried it out. But it wasn’t for me, so I returned it. I thought it would be cool to make a review of it and let you all know why it didn’t work for me.

via IFTTT Multistreaming with https://restream.io/ https://youtu.be/XZvzZX8H0AU

This is a video of my inking process I do when inking by hand. T-Shirt illustration I created of a mutated Chem Dawg with three heads for a marijuana-themed apparel line.

How I set up my brush settings and document size and settings in Manga Studio 5 (Clip Studio Paint).

Over 110 new Volume 2 Custom bru

 


TUTORIAL 3 0f 3 – COLORING

VIDEO 3:  https://youtu.be/10FCEL_Nv90

    1. Flats

      1. “Flatting” a piece consists of coloring the basic shapes of the illustration in random, unique colors to differentiate the different elements from each other in order to make quick selections when coloring.
      2. Once finished, you set this Flats layer as a Reference layer in Clip Studio Paint.
        1. Using reference layers makes coloring much faster, because you can use the magic wand tool to select quick masks of certain areas, without having to switch the layer you are working on.
    2. Create a Color Comp

      1. I always experiment with color BEFORE I begin working on the final piece.
      2. Duplicate your document and reduce to 72 dpi.
      3. Gather reference of great color schemes and environments for inspiration.
      4. On a layer set to overlay above all other artwork, experiment with different color schemes.
      5. Quickly (for just about 15 minutes) use a large soft airbrush to block in colors.
        1. Don’t worry about staying in the lines or coloring small portions of the illustration.  Just focus on making color choices for the most important parts of the illustration.
      6. Because the image is small, and because you are being very loose and rough, this encourages you to take risks and experiment with color schemes you may not have considered.
      7. Once you’re happy with a color scheme, save the document as a flat jpg.
      8. Load the color scheme into Clip Studio Paint’s SubView pallette.
        1. This will now be a handy pallette you can use when coloring the real thing.
    3. Colors

 

  • SETUP

 

        1. Open up your original document.
        2. Resize your main illustraiton to 300 dpi (previously set at 600 dpi for inking).
        3. Duplicate your Flats Layer and name it Colors (this is the layer you actually paint on), and keep it below your Line Art layer.
          1. Make sure Lock Transparency is turned on to prevent you from painting outside of the layer area and onto the background.
        4. Fill the Colors layer with one solid color
          1. Usually I like to use a desaturated blue with a neutral value.
          2. You don’t want the random colors you used for Flatting to distract you.
        5. Color in background with a solid color behind all other layers.

 

  • COLORING

 

        1. Rough in background colors
          1. It’s important to block them in, because it sets the tone and contrast for the figure.
          2. I used my custom textured watercolor brushes to fill in the background quickly.
        2. Block in colors on character
          1. Attack the Local Colors first.  Objects with a Local Colors are things such as an apple, which is generally accepted to be red when shown in white light.  Local Colors will still be influenced by the color of the lighting, but identifying them early can help calibrate the color balance of your piece.
        3. Put in large gradient color fades to areas that fade from one color to another.
          1. Use a large soft brush or the gradient tool to put in large color transitions in the piece.
          2. I like to use a soft brush with a little texture in it, so that the color transition blends look more natural.
        4. Add hard edged cast shadows
          1. Set new layer above Colors layer, and set to Multiply
          2. Paint with a very desaturated, light value purple/blue color to paint the hard shadows.
          3. Follow the lineart, and add volume to the forms by hugging the edges with your brush.
          4. Don’t introduce a lot of rendering information at this point.  Just paint in some of the midtones – let the line-art do the work for you and just compliment it.
          5. Use hard-edged brushes when cast shadows are more intense.
        5. Add Highlights
          1. The illustration at this point should look rendered, but a little dull and desaturated and a bit flat.
          2. The highlights and rim lights will do the final rendering, and help tell the viewer what to look at.
          3. Zoom in a bit closer now
          4. Merge the Multiply Shadows layer down with the color layer
            1. We will be painting over top of the shadows.
          5. Always be mindful of the direction and color of the lighting.

        6. Use the “Lasso Cut and Gradient” method to color sharp, high-contrast areas.
          1. Make a selection with the lasso tool, and use a soft brush to paint inside that area.  
          2. The brush should be touching one edge of the marquee, but the fade should not touch the opposite end.
        7. Add Rim Light around the edges of the figure.
          1. Create new layer above color and line-art
          2. The rim light will be a slightly darker, desaturated shade of the color of the lighting itself
          3. Start with a soft brush around the edges of the form, and then use a harder edged brush with a brighter highlight along the edge.
        8. Finish background
          1. Keep it blurry and less sharp than the foreground figure.
        9. Create glow effects
          1. Add separate layer on top of all artwork and set layer to Screen Blending Mode.
          2. Punch up selected areas of the piece that need to be brighter and in focus.
          3. Use a darker, desaturated color when doing this, and press very softly so you don’t blow out the area and make it too bright.

 

  • Lineart Knockouts

 

          1. “Knockouts” are when you color parts or all of the lineart so it isn’t just black.
          2. This is a really effective way to make areas appear brighter and to make the piece as a whole appear less flat.
          3. Set your line art layer to Lock Transparency to prevent you from painting outside of the lineart.
          4. Find the areas closer to the lightsource, and color the line art with a darker version of that color.
          5. Especially effective on background elements that you want to appear some distance away.

 

  • Add Texture

 

        1. To add character to the piece, use grungy brushes and textures on a layer set to screen, multiply, or overlay (depending on the piece) and lightly paint textures in some areas.
      1. Adjust colors
        1. Take a step back and make final tweaks to the color scheme if needed
        2. Make slections with your Flats layer, and use Edit>Tonal Correction> Hue/Saturation to adjust colors.
      2. Add Atmospheric Effects
        1. Create a new “Effects” layer above all others.
        2. To add even more depth to your piece, find areas of your figure that would be farther back, and lightly paint over them with the color of the background.
        3. This creates the illusion that more atmosphere is between you and the object, and pushes it into the background, similar to the way mountain ranges appear to have less and less contrast as they go back farther into the distance.

And we’re done!

Thank you so much for following my tutorial.  If you have any questions, please feel free to comment on my YouTube videos.

Brushes used:

If you would like to purchase any of the brushes I used in this tutorial, they are available at http://ClipStudioPaintBrushes.com

Follow Brian and check out more of his work:

https://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

On Instagram:

http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_brian_allen

On YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/flylanddesigns

Over 110 new Volume 2 Custom bru

TUTORIAL 2 0f 3 – INKING


VIDEO 2:  https://youtu.be/r6kHk6nG2Io

    1. Inking

      1. Setup
        1. Lower opacity on blue line pencils layer so you can just barely see it.

 

  • Change resolution of document to 600 dpi

 

          1. Makes linework sharper and more expressive
        1. Change shortcuts so you can quickly access your inking tools
          1. I have a shortcut on my mouse reel to quickly change between my two favorite inking brushes – one for outlines, and one for details.
      1. Warm up
        1. Create a new practice layer
        2. Begin by setting aside 15 minutes or so where you just start inking different parts of the illustration and experiementing with different brushes and strokes.
        3. This layer will be deleted when it’s time to begin.  Having a practice layer can take a lot of pressure of you in the beginning, and really helps you loosen up before diving in.
      2. Start with outlines and keylines
        1. Avoid focusing on rendering or detail in the beginning
        2. Just outline the outside of all the basic shapes and forms.
      3. Fill in large areas of black first
        1. Saves time by filling the piece quickly and preventing you from mistakintly rendering things that are in deep shadow.
        2. Helps build forms quickly
        3. Helps you keep your piece balanced and with an appealing contrast from the foundation
      4. Using the curve tool, elliptical rulers, and perspective rulers when neccessary.
        1. Use this in situations  when you would traditionally use a ruler, french curve, or other stencil tool when drawing traditionally on paper.
        2. Don’t try to force it freehand!  What are you trying to prove!?
      5. Avoid Zooming in too close
        1. I generally try not to zoom in more than 50% of the illustration, or put another way, 1.5 to 2X the actual size of the printed illustration.
        2. You’re going to waste time and you might be in danger of muddying up the illustration with details that are too closely packed together.
      6. Ink with the coloring method in mind
        1. High Rendering with Color:  Use fewer, thinner lines if you plan on doing a lot of rendering and shading in the coloring stage.
          1. Allow space for them to be seen.
          2. Better for cartoonish work
          3. Let the lines suggest and outline the form only.
        2. High Rendering with Ink:  Use more, thicker, and more detailed lines if you plan on letting the inks do the work of rendering.
          1. Great for t-shirt and comic book artwork.
          2. Saves a lot of time in the coloring stage.
      7. Create quick strokes to give them life and avoid a shaky hand.
      8. Move your arm at the elbow like a seismograph drawing lines on paper.
      9. Push and pull the lines in the direction that hugs the form.
        1. Like an object in a wind tunnel, imagine the ink lines flowing around the form.
      10. Use stippling and/or textured brushes sparingly to add life and variation to the artwork

 

  • When you are about 75% done, Turn off pencil layer once key lines are drawn.

 

      1. This allows you to see the piece anew, without the pencil layer.
      2. You will discover mistakes at this point, and discover areas that need more rendering.
      3. If you wait until the end to turn this layer off, it may interfere with your overall contrast of the piece.


Go To Part 2 of 3 - Inking

Next I’ll show you how I ink artwork in Manga Studio 5 (Clip Studio Paint)


Brushes used:

If you would like to purchase any of the brushes I used in this tutorial, they are available at http://ClipStudioPaintBrushes.com

Follow Brian and check out more of his work:

https://www.flylanddesigns.com

Follow me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

On Instagram:

http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_brian_allen

On YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/flylanddesigns

Over 110 new Volume 2 Custom bru

The Artwork:

For this tutorial, I decided to create a tribute illustration to one of my favorite animated movies, Wizards by Ralph Bakshi.  I chose to illustrate the iconic poster from the movie, featuring the character Peace.  I thought a rendering my own stylistic approach to an existing piece of artwork would be a great vehicle for a tutorial, because the foundation has already been set, and we can focus instead on the technique.

Ralph Baksi’s original classic poster art. Tribute illustration we will be creating in this tutorial.

TUTORIAL 1 0f 3 – PENCILING

    1. Document Setup

      1. I set up most documents at 300 dpi 20×20.  
        1. It’s very important that anything you are hoping to print be set up at 300 dpi.  72 dpi will print out pixelated, and will get too distorted if you ever need to increase the size.
      2. Create a New Window and shrink it to about 25% the size of your main window.
        1. This is a smaller live preview of your image that will help you keep an eye on your composition as a whole.  
      3. VIEW>ROTATE/INVERT>Flip horizontal window.
        1. This will help you spot errors by having a view of your illustration mirrored.
        2. Better than photoshop because you’re not actually flipping the artwork, just the view of it, without m
      4. Set up separate layer groups for the sketch, pencils, inks (with pre-made action)
        1. Encourages me to take the time to rough and plan the piece first
        2. The Layer Color effect of each group is set to magenta, non-photo blue, and black respectively, so everything I draw in those layers will appear as that color.

 

  • TOOLS
  • Full list of tools https://www.flylanddesigns.com/faq-for-artists/
  • Wacom Cintiq 24HD
  • iMac 5K 27”
  • Nostromo Razer Gamepad

 

          1. For keyboard shortcuts
    1. Gather Reference

      1. Do plenty of research before you start drawing
        1. Especially technical items that you may not have drawn before
        2. Getting them right adds a lot to your piece
        3. Do research on settings, environments, and lighting
      2. Gather inspiration for color schemes and styles
        1. You often won’t take essential risks unless you see that it’s been successful in another piece
        2. Encourages you to try things you wouldn’t have otherwise
      3. Reference is a tool
        1. Don’t become overly dependant on it, but don’t go without it either.
        2. Do not copy – use only for inspiration

 

  • Drawing the Thumbnail sketch

 

      1. Stay way zoomed out
        1. This will help you focus on just the overall shape of the design and avoid getting sucked into detail work
      2. Focus on skeletal structure and main shapes
      3. Make sure that your figure has a strong sillhouette
        1. This means, if your character was filled entirely with black, you should still be able to differentiate it’s parts, and it should look interesteding.  If it looks like a big blob, you may need to make adjustments.
    1. Pencils

      1. Turn your thumbnail opacity down
      2. Begin drawing in the Pencils Layer group
      3. Flesh out the details and shapes, making sure to use a lot of circles and curved strokes.
      4. This drawing can still be really rough – main details will be accomplished in the inking stage.
      5. Don’t focus on the style of the lines yet, or line weights – just focus on the outlines of the different shapes.
      6. Once you have cleaned up your pencil drawing and constucted the main shapes, go in with hard pencil and clean up details
        1. You do not need to trace over everything – just the focus points that need work.
      7. This drawing is only a guid to help you in the inking stage.  So you can skip over parts that you think you can handle confidently in the ink stage.

 

  • Shading layer

 

Quickly rough in the mid tones with a broad shading brush on a layer above set to Multiply.

Go To Part 2 of 3 - Inking

Next I’ll show you how I ink artwork in Manga Studio 5 (Clip Studio Paint)

This New YouTube video shows how I traditionally ink by hand with a Pentel brush pen for t-shirt design.

This is a T-Shirt illustration of a hip-hop singer gripping a mic spewing bad breath fumes I created for a hip-hop apparel brand called Unik Sovaj.

T-Shirt illustration I created of Godzilla using buildings of a destroyed city to stay in shape – how else do you think he stays so fit?  The design was set up for silk-screening in limited color, and is also available for purchase at Shirt Woot.  

Purchase the shirt here:

http://shirt.woot.com/catalog?q=godz+gym

How to draw Lochness Monster for rock poster and t-shirt using Pentel Brush pen on paper.

Silk-screen poster illustration of a happy Loch Ness Monster I created for the band Lochness Monster.  I had a blast working on this.  The band gave me a ton of freedom on this design, and I came up with the idea of having the Loch Ness Monster looking friendly, with a severed arm dangling from its mouth, and the collected trophy/cameras of tourists hung around his neck.  He’s an elusive fella!  The design was set up for silk-screening using around 5 colors, created primarily for promotional posters and apparel for the band.

 

Custom Manga Studio (Clip Studio Paint) Brushes –
Splatter Brushes

100+ Brushes Available for $2.99 here:
https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

There are over 20 texture brushes here that I created from found and scanned textures. All can be used with any color, and have fine-tuned settings to help you beat up your illustrations in Manga Studio 5.

This video quickly walks you through each set of brushes and shows them in use.

Included in the pack are

-14 Inking Brushes
-18 Paint Brushes
-12 Pencil Brushes
-5 Shading Brushes
-16 Splatter Brushes
-20+ Special Pattern Brushes
-22 Texture Brushes

The brushes are useful for all styles of illustration. As a freelance digital illustrator, I use them primarily for Comic Book illustration, t-shirt design, logo design, character and concept illustration, sketching, and painting.

Video 3 of 3
This video shows how to digitally paint a colorful tiki head using my new set of custom Manga Studio brushes available for download for only $2.99.

100+ Brushes Available for $2.99 here:
https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

Per request, I slowed this video down and added commentary to walk you through step-by-step the process I use to color a piece of artwork.

You’ll also hear tips on:

-Using the comic book flats method to color under lineart

-Using the Reference Layer tool in Manga Studio 5

-How to choose a proper color scheme from reference

-Limiting your color palette from the beginning

-What size and resolution you should work at in Manga Studio 5

-Why you should be careful not to zoom in too far into your illustration while working

-Viewing your artwork in a smaller, separate window to get a better composition

-How to color your lineart to add interest to your illustration

-Adding texture to a digital painting

-Adding sharp highlights to your pieces in the last step to increase interest

-Not being afraid to change the colors of your piece if they’re not working

I hope you find it helpful!
Please post your questions in the comments.

Custom Manga Studio (Clip Studio Paint) Brushes –
Special Pattern Brushes

100+ Brushes Available for $2.99 here:
https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

There are over 20 texture brushes here that I created from found and scanned textures. All can be used with any color, and have fine-tuned settings to help you beat up your illustrations in Manga Studio 5.

This video quickly walks you through each set of brushes and shows them in use.

Included in the pack are

-14 Inking Brushes
-18 Paint Brushes
-12 Pencil Brushes
-5 Shading Brushes
-16 Splatter Brushes
-20+ Special Pattern Brushes
-22 Texture Brushes

The brushes are useful for all styles of illustration. As a freelance digital illustrator, I use them primarily for Comic Book illustration, t-shirt design, logo design, character and concept illustration, sketching, and painting.

Video 2 of 3
This video shows how to digitally paint a colorful tiki head using my new set of custom Manga Studio brushes available for download for only $2.99.

100+ Brushes Available for $2.99 here:
https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

Per request, I slowed this video down and added commentary to walk you through step-by-step the process I use to ink a piece of artwork.

You’ll also hear tips on:

-How to ink digitally from a pencil drawing in Manga Studio 5

-Converting pencil drawing to blue line for easier inking

-Always have a second window of your artwork open zoomed out at a small size

-What brush settings and brush presets I use when inking

-Start with the outlines or key lines when inking, and then go back in and add rendering and shading.

-Using the feathering technique to shape unique line work.

-Inking with quick, fluid motions to produce more natural, expressive lines

-Recommendation of the Razer Nostromo gaming pad for digital artists

-How to use the Lasso Fill tool in Manga Studio to create expressive ink shapes

-Being careful not too add too much detail and rendering – remember that you need to leave room for the coloring!

I hope you find it helpful! Please post questions in the comments.

Custom Manga Studio (Clip Studio Paint) Brushes –
Texture Brushes

100+ Brushes Available for $2.99 here:
https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

There are over 20 texture brushes here that I created from found and scanned textures. All can be used with any color, and have fine-tuned settings to help you beat up your illustrations in Manga Studio 5.

This video quickly walks you through each set of brushes and shows them in use.

Included in the pack are

-14 Inking Brushes
-18 Paint Brushes
-12 Pencil Brushes
-5 Shading Brushes
-16 Splatter Brushes
-20+ Special Pattern Brushes
-22 Texture Brushes

The brushes are useful for all styles of illustration. As a freelance digital illustrator, I use them primarily for Comic Book illustration, t-shirt design, logo design, character and concept illustration, sketching, and painting.

Custom Manga Studio (Clip Studio Paint) Brushes –
Texture Brushes

100+ Brushes Available for $2.99 here:
https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

There are over 20 texture brushes here that I created from found and scanned textures. All can be used with any color, and have fine-tuned settings to help you beat up your illustrations in Manga Studio 5.

This video quickly walks you through each set of brushes and shows them in use.

Included in the pack are

-14 Inking Brushes
-18 Paint Brushes
-12 Pencil Brushes
-5 Shading Brushes
-16 Splatter Brushes
-20+ Special Pattern Brushes
-22 Texture Brushes

The brushes are useful for all styles of illustration. As a freelance digital illustrator, I use them primarily for Comic Book illustration, t-shirt design, logo design, character and concept illustration, sketching, and painting.

How to digitally ink and color an album cover design in Manga Studio 5 (Clip Studio Paint) featuring the Grim Reaper.

This design is meant to subtly resemble a yin and yang, as the grim reaper reaches out to a woman emerging from a swirling portal to hell. I had a great time working with the creative people behind the music on this album, and I’m really happy with how this turned out.

–Created with custom Manga Studio brushes available from:

 

Importing multiple brushes into Manga Studio 5 can seem tricky at first, because it appears that you need to do it one at a time, which would be a nightmare if you have many brushes, which most of us do.

Here’s a quick and easy method to drag all of your brushes into Manga Studio 5 (Clip Studio Paint) and import them all at once.

100+ Brushes Available for $2.99 here:
https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/

 

How to digitally ink in Manga Studio 5 – Horror movie monsters and heavy metal character designs.

I illustrated this dark detailed illustration of an epic battle between Freddy, Leatherface, Nosferatu, The Excorsist, Frankenstein, Kirk Hammet, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Corey Taylor, and more for a documentary on the history of Metal and Horror.

I was hired by Producer Mike Schiff of M.A.S. Productions to create an illustration of some of the most iconic figures in horror and heavy metal engaging in an epic battle. The image was used to promote a documentary they produced which explores the history of heavy metal music, horror films, and how the two genres have merged together over time.

The documentary features interviews with Alice Cooper, Kirk Hammett, Corey Taylor, plus a ton of other heavy metal stars, along with huge names in the horror industry. It was so great getting the chance to illustrate these iconic figures, including Freddy, Leatherface, Nosferatu, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Kirk Hammet, and more. Pieces of the illustration were also used for an animation promoting the documentary.

Client Testimonial:
Incredible job on this. I knew you’d create something amazing , and holy crap is this good.
-Mike Schiff
Mas Productions

See clips from the documentary here:
http://www.metalhorror.com/

Support their Indiegogo campaign:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-history-of-metal-and-horror#/story

—————————

This video uses a custom set of 100 Manga Studio 5 brushes available for purchase here for $2.99:

—————————

MUSIC BY:
Roadside Funeral
Special thanks to the talented Jeremy Bratton for allowing me to use the tunes from his band’s new self-titled album. If you dig the tunes, please purchase here: https://roadsidefuneral.bandcamp.com/releases

—————————
To check out more of my work, or to hire me:

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

FULL COMMENTARY WALK-THROUGH on how to color under line-art in Manga Studio 5

I illustrated this dark detailed illustration of an epic battle between Freddy, Leatherface, Nosferatu, The Excorsist, Frankenstein, Kirk Hammet, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Corey Taylor, and more for a documentary on the history of Metal and Horror.

I was hired by Producer Mike Schiff of M.A.S. Productions to create an illustration of some of the most iconic figures in horror and heavy metal engaging in an epic battle. The image was used to promote a documentary they produced which explores the history of heavy metal music, horror films, and how the two genres have merged together over time.

The documentary features interviews with Alice Cooper, Kirk Hammett, Corey Taylor, plus a ton of other heavy metal stars, along with huge names in the horror industry. It was so great getting the chance to illustrate these iconic figures, including Freddy, Leatherface, Nosferatu, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Kirk Hammet, and more. Pieces of the illustration were also used for an animation promoting the documentary.

Client Testimonial:
Incredible job on this. I knew you’d create something amazing , and holy crap is this good.
-Mike Schiff
Mas Productions

See clips from the documentary here:
http://www.metalhorror.com/

Support their Indiegogo campaign:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-history-of-metal-and-horror#/story

—————————

This video uses a custom set of 100 Manga Studio 5 brushes available for purchase here for $2.99:

—————————

MUSIC BY:
Roadside Funeral
Special thanks to the talented Jeremy Bratton for allowing me to use the tunes from his band’s new self-titled album. If you dig the tunes, please purchase here: https://roadsidefuneral.bandcamp.com/releases

—————————
To check out more of my work, or to hire me:

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

Here’s an easy way to use the Adobe Photoshop Extract Assets feature to create multiple drafts for a clients review from one file.


To check out more of my work, or to hire me:

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

On Instagram:
http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_brian_allen

On YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/flylanddesigns

On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/flylanddesigns

On Behance:
https://www.behance.net/flylanddesigns

 

This video is about Importing Manga Studio Brushes from Manga Studio 4 into Manga Studio 5.

For a full review on Manga Studio 5, check it out at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2YLNa22gEo
Thanks for watching, please post any questions in the comments.

To check out more of my work, or to hire me:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

–What software do you use?
Manga Studio 5 EX and Adobe Photoshop CC

–What tablet do you use? Wacom Cintiq 24HD, and sometimes a Wacom Companion 1

–What computer do you use?
iMac

–What brushes do you use?
I use variants I created from the stock brushes in Manga Studio 5, as well as brushes I purchased from Ray Frenden.

–How much time does an illustration take?
Projects vary greatly, but I would say a good average would be 8 hours.

–People actually pay you to do this all day?
I know, right?

—————————

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

On Instagram:
http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_brian_allen

On YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/flylanddesigns

On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/flylanddesigns

On Behance:
https://www.behance.net/flylanddesigns

This is a video tutorial with commentary on how to create a complex illustrated pattern in Adobe Photoshop CC for an all-over print T-shirt.
The design features a zombie Captain Crunch, and zombie crunch berries created for a direct-to-garment all-over print T-shirt I designed for rageon.com of a zombie Captain Crunch.

I take you step by step in the process using Smart Objects and Smart Filters to form a repeatable pattern from a complicated illustration.

To purchase this shirt follow the link below:
http://www.rageon.com/products/capn-dead-t-shirt

Thanks for watching, please post any questions in the comments.

To check out more of my work, or to hire me:

—————————

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

On Instagram:
http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_brian_allen

On YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/flylanddesigns

On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/flylanddesigns

On Behance:
https://www.behance.net/flylanddesigns

Cap'n Dead T-shirt Design

 

 

Here’s a inking tutorial for a hot-rod t-shirt for Commando Racing. Check out the shirt at (http://commandoracing.com/t/shirts)

I created this fun t-shirt design for Commando Racing Gear – a hardcore skeleton! We went through a couple different [and equally exciting] designs but eventually settled on this one. I had a lot of fun with this!

Thanks for watching, please post any questions in the comments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

–What software do you use?
Manga Studio 5 EX and Adobe Photoshop CC

–What tablet do you use? Wacom Cintiq 24HD, and sometimes a Wacom Companion 1

–What computer do you use?
iMac

–What brushes do you use?
I use variants I created from the stock brushes in Manga Studio 5, as well as brushes I purchased from Ray Frenden.

–How much time does an illustration take?
Projects vary greatly, but I would say a good average would be 8 hours.

–People actually pay you to do this all day?
I know, right?

—————————

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

On Instagram:
http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_brian_allen

On YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/flylanddesigns

On Twitter:

On Behance:
https://www.behance.net/flylanddesigns

Here’s a video of how to ink for a laser-cut skateboard.

I was recently hired to conceptualize and illustrate a team of Superhero zombies to be laser-engraved into skateboards by Revenga (www.revengaskateboards.com).

While designing, I also had to structure the design so the layout could be changed to fit a T-Shirt as well. I made sure to keep the characters masked on separate layers, that way moving them around at the end was relatively easy.

We also created a silk-screen color version for boards and shirts, using around 6 colors.

Thanks for watching, please post any questions in the comments.

To check out more of my work, or to hire me:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

–What software do you use?
Manga Studio 5 EX and Adobe Photoshop CC

–What tablet do you use? Wacom Cintiq 24HD, and sometimes a Wacom Companion 1

–What computer do you use?
iMac

–What brushes do you use?
I use variants I created from the stock brushes in Manga Studio 5, as well as brushes I purchased from Ray Frenden.

–How much time does an illustration take?
Projects vary greatly, but I would say a good average would be 8 hours.

–People actually pay you to do this all day?
I know, right?

—————————

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brianallen.flylanddesigns

On Instagram:
http://instagram.com/flylanddesigns_brian_allen

On YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/flylanddesigns

On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/flylanddesigns

On Behance:
https://www.behance.net/flylanddesigns

Check out this video of my process of the coloring for DemonHead’s album cover

Here is a video showing the process I use to color my drawing for DemonHead’s new album cover “Bring On The Doom.”

The idea was to have a troubled kid rolling a 12-sided die that causes catastrophe behind him. I tried to have fun with it and cram in as much chaos as I could.

I used Adobe Photoshop to color this, and a Wacom Cintiq 24HD.

Check out the band, they rule! The music in the video is from their new album “Bring On the Doom” used with permission. https://www.facebook.com/demonheadband

Thanks for watching, I’m happy to answer any questions, just post them in the comments on my YouTube page.

If the video is not playing correctly, you can also view it here: https://youtu.be/Q_yZjCJynDc

Also follow me on YouTube for more tutorials (http://www.youtube.com/flylanddesigns)

Hi everyone!
I was recently hired to illustrated the cover for DemonHead’s newest album.

The idea was to have a troubled kid rolling a 12-sided die that causes catastrophe behind him. I tried to have fun with it and cram in as much chaos as I could.

I used Manga Studio 5 to ink this, and a Wacom Cintiq 24HD.

Check out the band, they rule! The music in the video is from their new album “Bring On the Doom” used with permission. https://www.facebook.com/demonheadband

Thanks for watching, I’m happy to answer any questions, just post them in the comments on my YouTube page.

If the video is not playing correctly, you can also view it here: https://youtu.be/zWd_aIaSjlA

Also follow me on YouTube for more Manga Studio tutorials (http://www.youtube.com/flylanddesigns)

This is the process I used for coloring a direct-to-garment t-shirt illustration in Manga Studio 5, sped up about 8x. Had a lot of fun with this.

I use a Wacom Cintiq 24HD, and a lot of coffee.

The illustration was for a brand new clothing line called Bongjour.

Purchase this 100% Hemp shirt from www.bongjour.com

Thanks for watching, I’m happy to answer any questions, just post them in the comments on my YouTube page.

If the video is not playing correctly, you can also view it here: https://youtu.be/fvRHCw_SaHw

Also follow me on YouTube for more Manga Studio tutorials (http://www.youtube.com/flylanddesigns)

Check out this video of my process of Inking for a mini-poster

I was humbled to be hired to illustrate a limited edition mini-poster for Strange Kids Club Magazine’s upcoming Issue #5, now on Kickstarter.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/228158145/strange-kids-club-magazine-5

Thanks for watching, I’m happy to answer any questions, just post them in the comments on my YouTube page.

If the video is not playing correctly, you can also view it here: https://youtu.be/FdIVvLlPfnA

Also follow me on YouTube for more Manga Studio tutorials (http://www.youtube.com/flylanddesigns)

Check out this video of my process for inking a Tiki t-shirt 

This is the process I used for inking a t-shirt illustration in Manga Studio 5, sped up about 8x. I had a lot of fun with this.

I use a Wacom Cintiq 24HD, and a lot of coffee.

The illustration was for a brand new clothing line called Bongjour.

Purchase this 100% Hemp shirt from www.bongjour.com

Thanks for watching, I’m happy to answer any questions, just post them in the comments on my YouTube page.

If the video is not playing correctly, you can also view it here: https://youtu.be/TrslISXXeBU

Also follow me on YouTube for more Manga Studio tutorials (http://www.youtube.com/flylanddesigns)

Every illustrator/Graphic Designer should listen to this podcast episode.  A friend referred it to me – it explains how to copyright your artwork cheaply.  Human Tree (one of my favorite artists), has mastered this process, and actually makes a significant income from suing those who steal his artwork.

Seriously has changed the way I look at everything involving my rights.  Turns out I’ve been doing it all wrong.  CHECK THIS OUT.
http://www.aidpodcast.com/copyfight/

 

Here’s another great video on copyrights for artists by the talented Will Terry:

Favicon for Freelance Illustrator Brian Allen of Flyland Designs

Great anatomy book I just picked up from mastersofanatomy.com. The book takes up over 100 different gorgeous and have them drop the same person in multiple views. It’s really cool to see all the different styles applied to the same picture. Highly recommended.

Freelancing solo can be a pretty lonely gig. I try to keep in touch with other artists I’ve met to exchange tips and guidance (and also a lot of complaining and whining) – but everyone has a pretty busy schedule, and it can be hard to make time.

So I started listening to art and design podcasts, which are packed with useful direction and inspiration. I’ve learned more from listening to these shows about contracts, agents, clients, technique, pricing, copyrights, and more than I probably had ever known.  You can listen to these in iTunes, or straight from their websites.

Here are my top three favorites:
adventures

1. Adventures in Design

http://www.aidpodcast.com/

Easily my favorite podcast in general, not just about design.  I have learned so much from these guys.  They are also incredibly funny, so it really makes the time fly while working listening to their commentary.  Their focus goes far beyond just gig posters (which both artists got their start in), and branches into illustration, graphic design, and most of all, the business of freelancing.  They are also brutally honest and candid.  They often interview very talented artists on the show as well, which brings in a lot of different perspectives.

And finally, you get the feeling that these guys are leaders in fighting for freelance artist’s rights –  defending against the horrors of design contests, spec work, low-pay, and other naughty things.
I highly recommend this – I recently discovered it, so I’m still catching up (I’m on episode 25).  The show is still ongoing.

tumblr_static_bipt_blog_banner

2. Big Illustration Party Time

http://illustrationparty.tumblr.com/

The format of this show is actually similar to Adventures in Design:  two talented artists with different but complimentary personalities talking shop about freelance illustration and design.  Unfortunately, the show is no longer ongoing, but there are 54 episodes which cover everything from artist agents, pricing, contracts, and other important things.  I find it so helpful because these are things that as freelancers we all need to know – yet they are difficult things to discuss with your peers because we are all at the same time colleagues and competitors.  What I take away the most after listening to this show is that no matter what level you are at currently, all freelance artists are fighting the same battles.

header_1000

3. Art & Story

This podcast is also no longer on-going, but there are almost 200 episodes in the archives.  This podcast explores freelance illustration from the comic book market perspective.  I don’t work much in that market, however, I still found their interviews and tips very helpful.

What are your favorites?

Please let me know in the comments – I’m sure I’m missing some good ones.

Check out this parody T-Shirt for Marijuana Zombie, featuring Cheech and Chong from Up In Smoke as zombies.  Even after death these guys know how to party.  Produced in two different color schemes, for a dark and light shirt.  Set up for silk-screening, four colors.

T-Shirt illustration of Cheech and Chong as zombies in Up In Smoke

T-Shirt illustration of Cheech and Chong as zombies in Up In Smoke

T-Shirt illustration of Cheech and Chong as zombies in Up In Smoke

T-Shirt illustration of Cheech and Chong as zombies in Up In Smoke

The shirt is available for purchase at www.marijuanazombie.com.

Behind the Scenes:

Here’s some sneak peaks at how the shirt was created, from the artwork to the actual screen printing process.

Check out this video of my process drawing the shirt:

If the video is not playing correctly, you can also view it here:  http://youtu.be/f1yAxi60E2M

Closeup shots of the shirt just after being silk-screened:

The shirts were silk-screened by the awesome  Traxler Custom T-Shirts.

They did an amazing job with the artwork.  Here are some pics showing their work in progress on the shirt:

Cheech and Chong Zombies Cheech and Chong Zombies

Link:

Purchase the shirt here.

Testimonial:

Brian is amazing! I consider myself very fortunate to have had the pleasure of doing business with him and look forward to continuing in the future. To say that I have been satisfied with his work is an understatement. I am extremely pleased with the outcome of his work.

Click here to see more of my Dark Illustrations

About Flyland Designs:

Flyland Designs is a freelance illustration studio founded in 2006 by illustrator and graphic designer, Brian Allen. With over 10 years of industry experience, Allen has designed mascots, apparel, retail packaging and book and album covers for clients including Hard Rock Café, Jostens, Hasbro, American Greetings and Half Time. Allen’s creative aesthetic attracts children and adults alike. For more information, visit www.flylanddesigns.com.

Here is a short video tutorial I created showing how to create custom brushes in Manga Studio 5.  One major problem I kept running into was that every time I created a new brush, it would only paint in black.  I finally figured out the simple trick on how to make a custom brush in Manga Studio paint in color.  Shame on Smith Micro for not making this clearer!  But I can’t stay mad you Manga Studio…

I discovered Manga Studio about a year and a half ago, and I believe it’s helped bring my artwork to a new level – and made the act of drawing so much more enjoyable and intuitive.

But there are a couple of things about Manga Studio that aren’t as intuitive as Adobe Photoshop.  The brush engine is far more complex (which can be a good thing), which makes for some frustrating hair-pulling at first glance.

Here is a direct link to the video if it’s not loading correctly:  http://youtu.be/vZI5Kem8dTQ

And follow me on Youtube for more Manga Studio tutorials (http://www.youtube.com/flylanddesigns)

 

 

I just finished Issue #2 of a promotional comic series for Consol Alliance, a shipping company in Australia. Here’s a step-by-step look into the complicated process of how I create comic book art.

Read more

Flyland Designs, The Art of Brian Allen logo

Here are 3 extremely useful pieces of software I use every day.

1.  GoodSync

This is without a doubt the best software for syncing two hard drives. I use it to sync my portable hard drive with my computer. You can set it to sync as soon as you open the program. It’s so fast: it can sink gigs of data in just a couple of minutes – way faster than dragging all the files over. It will even tell you if there are conflicts, and lets you choose which direction to sync the files. I’ve used for over a year, daily, and it’s never caused any issues.

2. Invoice Bubble

I spent a lot of time looking for the perfect invoicing program. Never found it! So I settled for the free one! This was the only free one I found that also allows you to send estimates. Very easy to use, and it’s fully integrated with PayPal, so when your client pays you with PayPal, it automatically maks the invoice as paid.

3. Toggl.com

This is a great free online time-tracking tool. It’s simple, and easy to use. It even has a desktop app.