Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Stan Sakai wrote: July 1, 2016

Here is a step-by-step of the cover for the Usagi Yojimbo Sketchbook #13. Watercolor on 10x12 inch 4-ply Strathmore bristol with a 6.5x10 inch image area.


Strathmore used to make a great 500 series 5-ply bristol that took liquid media well and was almost indestructible, but they discontinued it. Their 4-ply is an acceptable alternative, but there is some warping on larger pieces. They also made a good illustration board, but I don't like the thickness.



Pencil drawing with 3mm HB mechanical pencil lead. The idea is to place the logo on the top portion, partly behind Usagi's ears.



The image and border were masked and background was watercolored.



The mask over the image was removed.



Starting to work on Usagi. Since it is a water scene, I figured on using predominantly cooler colors--blues, violets and greens.



Gotta love tentacles.



More tentacle work.



Adding shading and textures, and working the entire image now.



Details such as eyes are added.



The border mask is removed, and it's finished.

Stan Sakai ‏@usagiguy wrote:

Working on the watercolor drawing for the Usagi Yojimbo Sketchbook 13 back cover

Stan Sakai wrote:We are planning for Sketchbook 13 to have an 8-page color insert printing Julie and my watercolor collaborations as well as color covers front/back/inside front/inside back with my art.

Hopefully, we will have it in time for San Diego.