I'm from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I currently work as the character design supervisor on Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. I recently finished work at Nickelodeon as a designer and board artist on Danny Phantom. I own the copyrights on this stuff, (unless otherwise noted), so don't steal or copy it. Word-up.
fat nat: I drew this on my Cintiq using Sketchbook Pro. I pretty much just drew a big shape and started adding details using the pencil tool.
Wynne Chen: No I didn't intend for him to be from India, but he certainly can be if you want! I really didn't put much thought into planning him. It started as a doodle just for fun and turned into something much more time consuming and detailed.
Hey Ben! Your work is great! It makes me want to draw every time I look at your blog.
I'm wondering... you mentioned that you use the Cintiq for quite a few of your drawings. Did you find it was hard to transition into drawing directly onto a screen from drawing on paper? I mean, did it take you long at all to get used to it to the point where your drawings would look the same whether you used pencil and paper or the Cintiq?
allyson: I've had my Cintiq for about a year and a half and I'm still not 100% used to it. It works magically for certain things like color and big graphic shapes, but I still sometimes need to switch back to drawing with a pencil and paper. On "Foster's" I turn in about 50% of my designs digitally and the other half I use pencil and paper. It definately takes time to get all the adjustments the way you like them on a Cintiq. I like drawing in Sketchbook Pro. I hate drawing in Photoshop, (although I'm coloring my comic in it.) and I thought Art Rage was Horrible.
Wow really cool dragon concept. I love the textures your getting for the skin and the love the way you handled the horns and nails. The jewelry is an added touch and of course the colors are amazing! really cool
That is flippin' incredibly awesome. The jewelry on his tail is great!
ReplyDeleteAwesome stuff!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is one amazing gnarly dragon! It hasalot of volume and weight to it, and the coloring is fantastic, as is the design overall!
ReplyDeleteMe likey!
wow.. really nice work ben, super inspiring. Love the nice warm colors and super amount of detailing!
ReplyDeleteGreat work. I love the nails and the line quality rocks man!
ReplyDeleteI love your work. It has really inspired me. I was wondering what your process was for cleaning up and colouring this peice.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, nice Smog! That's awesome!
ReplyDeletereaaallyyy niicee!
ReplyDeleteespecially it's hair!!!
really inspiring!
speechless
ReplyDeleteNice dragon!! Like the color and the details.Is the dragon from India?
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much!
ReplyDeletefat nat: I drew this on my Cintiq using Sketchbook Pro. I pretty much just drew a big shape and started adding details using the pencil tool.
Wynne Chen: No I didn't intend for him to be from India, but he certainly can be if you want! I really didn't put much thought into planning him. It started as a doodle just for fun and turned into something much more time consuming and detailed.
Once again, thanks everyone!
Wow! Beautiful stuff. How long does this type of thing take you?
ReplyDeletespike: I'm not really sure how long it took. Roughly about 5 or 6 hours.
ReplyDeleteDude I love this!! It has a throwback feel to it. Feels very finished and polished which is nice. Is it for anything??
ReplyDeleteHA, great new take. Just as newly interesting as it is beautifuly created. You got the goods Mr. Balistreri. When's the graphic novel comin out???
ReplyDeleteMAC
carlos: Nope not for anything. Just for fun.
ReplyDeleteMark: Thanks! I'm just finishing the final touches and should be sending the files to the printer soon. I'll post more info about it soon.
Beautiful work!Really amazing dragon.
ReplyDeleteAwesome dude!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful drawing as usual Ben! Love it!!
ReplyDeletetotally awesome. great details ben.
ReplyDeleteHey Ben! Your work is great! It makes me want to draw every time I look at your blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering... you mentioned that you use the Cintiq for quite a few of your drawings. Did you find it was hard to transition into drawing directly onto a screen from drawing on paper? I mean, did it take you long at all to get used to it to the point where your drawings would look the same whether you used pencil and paper or the Cintiq?
OH, neat dragon! Those toe nails are crazy!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! You knocked me out with this one. Beautiful work , Ben!
ReplyDeleteallyson: I've had my Cintiq for about a year and a half and I'm still not 100% used to it. It works magically for certain things like color and big graphic shapes, but I still sometimes need to switch back to drawing with a pencil and paper. On "Foster's" I turn in about 50% of my designs digitally and the other half I use pencil and paper. It definately takes time to get all the adjustments the way you like them on a Cintiq. I like drawing in Sketchbook Pro. I hate drawing in Photoshop, (although I'm coloring my comic in it.) and I thought Art Rage was Horrible.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. I've never used sketchbook pro.
ReplyDeleteDo you ever use illustrator? I'm curious as to how well drawing vector-based images works with the Cintiq.
Wow really cool dragon concept. I love the textures your getting for the skin and the love the way you handled the horns and nails. The jewelry is an added touch and of course the colors are amazing! really cool
ReplyDelete-Biv
BB!
ReplyDeleteamazing man. i can always count on being pleasently surprised when i come here.
>oVi
Why is he so grumpy? Oh, I see, because of the ring through his nose...
ReplyDeleteLove the translucent layer on the wing. Where you at these days?
-BKruse
WOW!!
ReplyDeleteGreat beast. j'aime.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the exotic feel of this piece. Wonderful skin texture.
ReplyDelete