Meanwhile, on Facebook.....

[JLM]

*Really* like the watercolour for Saga book 2.

[Mayhem]

Covers for Senso went for excellent prices there, more than I think Stan would have sold them in person. I don't think anyone who bid originally online (for absentee bidding) in the run up to the live auctions won, the prices were all about double the finishing values there.

[Stan Sakai]

Covers for Senso went for excellent prices there, more than I think Stan would have sold them in person. I don't think anyone who bid originally online (for absentee bidding) in the run up to the live auctions won, the prices were all about double the finishing values there.

Actually, they are not that much more than what I would charge for them. The auction house adds a 20% Buyers' Premium to the bidding price. So if you buy an item for $100, you actually pay $120. On top of that, subtract a commission that the house usually deducts and it is actually very close to what I would sell them for. This time, though, they did not deduct a commission.

The only exception in pricing was the copy of Albedo #2. It went for about 5X what I sold a previous copy for, and that one was graded a 9.9.

The big advantage for me is that all the items I put up for auction were bought, whereas I may bring art to a convention but only a few of them would be sold.

[Mayhem]

Oh yeah, I was ignoring the Buyer's Premium and that the actual amount you'd finally receive Stan would be 17% less, as it was demonstrating people were willing to pay that amount period to get their hands on some Sakai goodness

[Maka]

Was the live auction also available to the Internet? While it is less personable than in person, larger fan / investor base makes for better bids. Congratulations! Peace, maka

[Mayhem]

Yes, I believe the pre-auction was for people who weren't able to be online during the real auction. You could bid online during the real live auction if you so wished. Which is probably where all the winners came from.

[jabba359]

Covers for Senso went for excellent prices there, more than I think Stan would have sold them in person. I don't think anyone who bid originally online (for absentee bidding) in the run up to the live auctions won, the prices were all about double the finishing values there.

How much did they end up going for?

[Mayhem]

Prices for the pieces - first the actual price, and then the final price the buyer would have to pay after the auction house premium (19.5%) is added.

Red Scorpion cover - $2,500 ($3,346)
Senso #1 cover - $2,000 ($2,390)
Senso #2 cover - $2,500 ($3,346)
Senso #3 cover - $3,750 ($4,481)

[jabba359]

Prices for the pieces - first the actual price, and then the final price the buyer would have to pay after the auction house premium (19.5%) is added.

Red Scorpion cover - $2,500 ($3,346)
Senso #1 cover - $2,000 ($2,390)
Senso #2 cover - $2,500 ($3,346)
Senso #3 cover - $3,750 ($4,481)

Thanks. I forgot that the bidding was ending, but looking at the prices it appears it didn't matter since they're outside my budget anyway. Glad they managed to snag Stan some decent prices.

[Steve Hubbell]

Been a while since I posted anything here, kind of got the internet service problem fixed. - Steve

December 10, 2014
Yes, I did a cover for the new Marvel Star Wars. It is a variant cover, and even the variant has a black and white variant.

December 14, 2014
Many of you have already seen the Star Wars #1 variant cover I did. Here is the sketch and pencils for it, as well as a look at the finished inks.


I'm not used to submitting cover sketches. I never do with Usagi. This was more an idea sketch, just to show the direction I was going towards. I expected some comments or changes, but this was approved as is. Thank you.
This was drawn on a sheet of 8.5x11 inch typing paper with HB mechanical pencil and a fine point UniBall Vision pen.


I changed the composition a bit, and made the creatures look less sleek and more powerful. I also added to the background.
On 2-ply 500 series cold press Strathmore Bristol paper. Penciled with 2H mechanical pencil for layout, then HB for finishes.


Here is the finished inked cover. 10x15.5 inches, with Badger Black Opaque ink (old formula) and a Koh-i-noor ArtPen.
I used 2-ply 500 series Strathmore Bristol board, cold press.

[Steve Hubbell]

December 20, 2014

Here is a ink and watercolor sketch that I did in my good friend, Faustino Rodríguez Arbesú's sketchbook back in 2007. Sharon and I really loved the comics festival in Gijon, Spain.

[Steve Hubbell]

December 30, 2014

Brendan H. Wright, I'm finished with UY 147. I am working on the cover and I promise you will get these some time next year.
Here is a step-by-step of one of the panels. This is a 1/3 tier panel drawn on 2-ply 500 series cold press Strathmore bristol. The image area for the entire page is 10x15 inches on 11x17 inch board.


Rough drawn with 2H mechanical pencil.


Lettered with Rotring Sketch Pen B (for bold lettering) and the panel border ruled with 3.5 technical pen.


Inked with Koh-i-noor Art Pen and Badger Black Opaque ink (old formula).


Finished panel.

December 30, 2014

The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 2 advances are in. I haven't gotten my copy yet.

In other news, The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 2 advances are in, and the really exciting thing this time around is the inclusion of Green Persimmon, which has never before been reprinted in color. It looks great!

December 30, 2014

And don't forget the hardcover. The HCs for Saga 1 (cover priced at $80) sold out quickly and is starting at $400 on Amazon

[Steve Hubbell]

January 3, 2015

Hey, Brendan H. Wright, I sent off the art for UY 147. Expect it Tuesday. Here is the cover. Tom Luth, that is a bale of ginseng root burning on the boat. Make sure you get the colors exactly right. Buy a bale of ginseng and burn it if you have to. You can charge it to Dark Horse. Make sure you debit it from the Groo expenses.
10x 15.5" on 11x17" 2-ply, 500 series Strathmore bristol, cold press.


Roughs done with 2H mechanical pencil lead.


Finished pencils with HB lead.


Inks done with Koh-i-noor Sketch Pen and Badger Black Opaque ink (old formula).


The finished b&w

[Steve Hubbell]

January 6, 2015

Here is a step-by-step for the 200 Jizo hardcover endpaper, scheduled for June/July 2015.


Rough sketched with 2H mechanical pencil.


Finished pencils, HB mechanical pencil. Usagi's expression looked a bit too maniacal in the rough, so I softened it a bit in the final pencils.


Inks done with Koh-i-nor Sketch Pen and Badger Black Opaque ink (old formula).


Finished endpaper.

[Steve Hubbell]

January 8, 2015

TBT -- I do travel reports of my international trips, mainly so I can keep them straight in my head. Most are prose but some, like this 1999 trip to Norway with Sergio, are illustrated.

* TBT (Throw Back Thursday)