Hey, gang- I was able to finish up another sketchcover this week. This one is a Universal Monsters “Frankenstein” sketchcover blank from Image Comics.
If you’re not familiar with what a sketchcover is, they are a regular comic with a “blank” cardstock cover attached to draw on.
Usually they only have a masthead logo on the front cover at the top, and maybe a bar code at the bottom of the front or back cover.
I started off with pencil. My favorite go to is just a yellow #2 pencil.
I’ve been drawing Frankenstein’s Monster since I was a kid.
On this one I wanted to keep the art grey, so I used some warm, cool, and neutral grey markers. I started off with cool and neutral, but there wasn’t a lot of contrast, so I added some warm grey shades to the monster’s flesh. I was happy with the “dead” look to his skin tones, and the contrast from the background.
For the background effect I used some torn tissue and Copic refills. I just added a bit of the ink to the paper and dabbed it around the cover in a few different shades and at different angles. I saw Jim Lee use this technique on a Joker sketch and have been trying to master it ever since. It’s a bit trickier than it looked, and can be a bit messy if you’re not careful.
I used a black Pigma Micron pen for the line work, and a white Gelly Roll pen and Signo uni-ball gel pen for the white highlights.
The Gelly Roll pen was a bit finer than the Signo, but both work great on sketchcovers and sketchcards.
I also used a white Prismacolor pencil for some of the highlights and to blend the shading.
I went back with my #2 pencil and a few grey markers to blend the shadows more and add a bit more details. I then signed it and called this sketchcover done!
Once the art was done I then sprayed the covers with some Krylon Workable Fixative. A few light coats in a well ventilated area (or outside) are all that’s needed to protect it. Well, a comic bag and board always helps, too!
You can also see how I drew a Dracula sketchcover HERE. I’ve got a few other blank horror covers I’ll be working on.
If you’d like to draw your own sketchcover be sure to check out the blanks at 901 Comics East out on Macon Road in Cordova. Lots of various titles to choose from, and at great prices.
If you have any questions about drawing on one feel free to ask me any questions, and/or slide by the next MSCA Sat-Art-Day at 901 Comics East in January.
I’ll have more hand-drawn sketchcovers and sketchcards at upcoming events like the Rogue’s Gallery at Centerpoint Toys & Games on Saturday, December 21st. “Stay tooned” for more info on it and where I’ll be in 2025.
If you’d like to watch a quick video review of my “Scared Silly” zine click HERE.
And for more Frank art you can see pics from my “Frankie Goes To Hollywood” art show at Theatre Memphis by clicking HERE.
Lin