Bill Watterson Inspired Sketch

[Pessi]

I just borrowed a couple of Calvin And Hobbes books from my friend and I wanted to try the same style, cause I really love it. It's really amazing how great an artist Bill Watterson is.

Just thought I'd share the result with ya'll. I think I'll draw some more of these. The style rocks so much.

[danny*]

really great!!!
I didn't know about him at all!!

[Igor]

Gorgeous Pessi! You really got Watterson's stille down!

Danny- you never read any of those beautiful Calvin&Hobbes comics??!! Run to the nearest comic book store and buy it NOW! It's a classic and certainly my favorite comic. I mean, this should be obligatory read in school... Pure genius i tell you.

[danny*]

i will!!!!! :

[plasticman]

i agree with igor, the style is very recognisable ! i like the use of variable thickness for the lines

[loominous]

I like the style, however I dont think of Watterson when I see it. If you intended to copy (not just be inspired) his style here re some things that comes to my mind:

(i) Using a real brush n indian ink does make a hugh difference in my experience. I take it your pic was done using a tablet and perhaps the effect can be simulated with painter but I m not sure.
One thing that is significative for Watterson imo is the seemingly sloppy brushstyle with thick dynamic strokes. The lines in your pic has the varying thickness but they look too stylized n vectorized imo.

(ii) The trees have a cartoony look to them that I dont see in Watterson's work.

(iii) The trees have too small black areas imo. Watterson's trees are usually halfblack and if they re in the background they re usually black silouettes.

(iv) Another significative thing that I miss in the pic is the vegetation at the foot of the trees. Watterson has a special way of doing it that you might wanna have a look at.

(v) The tree outlines are too thin imo. Atleast one side (the shadowy) should be very thick if not both.
The outlines are too even n unorganic as well (~what I ment by vectorized).

That s about it I think. Being a hugh admirerer of Watterson myself I felt the need to comment it since the comments so far has suggested that it looks spot on. So I hope you don t take my criticism the wrong way.

[Pessi]

Thanks a lot for the criticism, guys! Especially, Loominous - fantastic input!!!

I agree with all your points. Actually, right after 'finishing' the image, I noticed it was too empty and clean, so to say. As you pointed out, the lines are too thought-out and not spontaneous as Watterson's.

The other thing that I really want to get right are the values. Watterson gets the values right in unequalled fashion with only black and white. I suppose it's because of the skill of leaving things undrawn. As in, leaving the area white.

Anyway, thanks for the input, I'll try to fix those issues on my next image!

[Neole]

Nice job Pessi, its certainly Calviny!

To actually see how Watterson turned into such a great artist you could follow his Calvin and Hobbes from the 1st strip, and you will see how years of drawing can improve someone!

http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/first_ch.gif

Danny -
http://www.ucomics.com/calvinandhobbes/

[Czar]

damn i'm subscribed to Garfield ( which is with Alf one of my favourite sarcastic-characters.. ).
Anyway, i'll subscribe to garfield somwhere else, and then i'll choose C&H (not that i never heard of them  )
Anyway, i'll just give you feedback and say: Nice one Pessi, really nice style.
yeah, anyway  

[noed]

It's a classic and certainly my favorite comic. I mean, this should be obligatory read in school... Pure genius i tell you.

In a class I took in college we studied Calvin Ball.  My prof. thought it was a perfect example of rules working within a system (like Euclid and his postulates).

::)Sorry you had to read this post...I've been awake for a long time!

[jannar85]

Looking really good, Tero!
Ah, the memories...

[Darth Mandarb]

Variable line thickness rules!  It's one of my favorite styles.

Good job Pessi!

I thought it looked a little empty but, as you were just experimenting, this is a great start!  If this is your first ... it'll only get  better!!

Post some more when/if you can!

dm

[SLaMgRInDeR]

wow! it looks so kool! u forced me to try it!


i love this style, Bill rocks!
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[Ginny]

Great drawing both Pessi and Slamgrinder! I really love this style!

Oh so now I know what Calvinball is :. Anyway I'm gonna read them when I get the chance .

[Ben]

Looks great, Pessi. It does look a bit too cartoony, though. Usually when Watterson uses distorted shapes like that it's on the planet surfaces in those Spaceman Spiff daydreams.. Also, I think your lines are much too clean. Calvin & Hobbes always had a sloppy, sketchy look that I really loved. I remember reading an interview a while ago where Bill Watterson described the technique he used.. Maybe you could check that out, if I can  find it..

Slamgrinder: Um.. How exactly is that Calvin & Hobbes style? It doesn't look remotely like anything Watterson would draw. I'm not trying to discourage you or anything, it's just that.. Maybe you should study the comics a bit more. I'm pretty sure Calvin is not a white rapper

[SLaMgRInDeR]

its not calvin... anyway, its not completeley that style, it's just kinda got bits of the style in.

EDIT: ok i studyed the comica bit more, and found the pic i toulk reference from was an exeption from the C&H style, heres my new character, i call him Johny...

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[Necro]

Ok own up , who let Pessi back in the forums with his superior art work, You KNOW he always puts everyone else to shame!!!

* Necro starts crying

[SLaMgRInDeR]

ok is that an isult to evryone or a compliment to pessi...?  
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[SLaMgRInDeR]

i made a little strip in this style incase anyones interested http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=7604
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[Scummbuddy]

http://www.arkworld.com/ascii/other/calvhob.htm