Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Stan Sakai (on Facebook) wrote: August 11, 2017

Usagi Yojimbo Book 31: The Hell Screen just came out a few weeks ago, and the cover for 32 is already due. Here is a look at the process.

Ink and watercolor on Strathmore illustration board.

Another Inspector Ishida themed book. I've tentatively titled it "UY: Mysteries". This is the first rough.

The roughs were done in a 5.25x8.25 inch moleskin sketchbook.



I like this rough composition, but thought it was too different that the other covers in the series. I will probably do this as the tip-in art for the hardcover.



This is the one I went with. This is a scene from UY #163: Mouse Trap part 1.



I roughed out the art on illustration board. The first time I used this in a long while. I prefer 5-ply Bristol, but Strathmore discontinued it. After using the illustration board, I still prefer the Bristol.

The size of the board is 11x15 inches. Penciled with a .5 mm H mechanical pencil.



Detailed pencils, using a .5 mm B mechanical pencil. I also determined the vanishing point for perspective.



Inked with a Koh-i-noor Art Pen using Platinum Carbon Ink, the first time I used this ink with watercolors.



Erased with Sumo black eraser.



I masked off the art and laid in the background color. I knew this would take place at night, but had to make the area around Usagi and Nezumi lighter as they both wear dark colors and needed them to stand out. I chose to put a cloud form behind them.



I removed the mask from the roof tops.



Working on the roofs with watercolors.



Removed the masks from the figures.



There are two ways to mask. There is a liquid frisket that you paint on and rub off, and a sheet frisket that you cut with an Xacto knife. I prefer the sheets. In my case, I use tracing paper and rubber cement. I posted a couple of tutorial on this on FB. I'll do it again when I do another cover.


Working on Usagi. I made him lit from the bottom to add drama to the moment



Working on both figures.



Still working on the figures and the roof.



It seemed too cold, so added some warmer colors on the figures.



Almost there.



Stripped off the borders, and done.

Inked with a Koh-i-noor Art Pen using Platinum Carbon Ink, the first time I used this ink with watercolors.