This illustration was done for the R3 Jam on TRDL’s R3 Forum. Artists can participate in any open jams by heading here. This time, it was the Outsiders, from DC..

I’m not going to lie: the original Outsiders gave me hives. But I’m a Marvel guy. I just could never get my head around Batman, even the goofy yellow and powder blue and pale grey high-eared Batman of the day, would leave the Justice League and mentor a bunch of punks. That said, there was more than enough ridiculous crap that like going on at Marvel (I mean, Defenders? WHAT?) but anyway, just wasn’t my thing. BUT I do remember this: I was all wound up about a new character I had created called Katana: she was this Japanese bad ass martial artist hottie with, you got it, a katana (actually two) and man she was ra—- and boom, my friend pointed out the Outsiders and there we were. So, I always sort of resented that character. "Huph! DC named that stereotyped Asian character after her own weapon! MEH!’ Even though I had done the same, in all my 5th grade brilliance. Anyway, of course I had to return to Katana for this jam. The DC version, mind you. I chose a more recent iteration of her look. I was really delighted by how incongruous her dark gray gloves are in that costume, so i think that’s what drew me in. Sometimes it’s the most random thing, I guess.

There’s a film nod in this one, too…

Please enjoy.

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You can find a larger version here.

You can see this illustration herein the TRDL Tribute Gallery.

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Process Notes:

Here’s the version of Katana that inspired me:

Onto my progress pics…

I started with two versions of the right foot. No sword. Rag to the side.

I was still unsure about that foot, but I was leaning against the cocked-in one. It’s a very Japanese pose but not very pin-up classic. The alternate straight foot needed redrawing, so was digitally redone anyway.

Very little skin showing on this iteration of Katana. I was kind of impressed.

I really responded to the colors on this one.

Here’s her wipe-down rag, off to the side. This would be digitally inserted after the sword was drawn.

Ready for ad comp. I noted in the model sheet that she’s not actually holding a katana. Kind of funny. Anyway, the digital sword and working in the rag, then showing the blood, the clean portion of the blade, and the stained rag, that was all a lot of fun to throw together. I also threw in a film nod. Come ON you know it!

Follow this topic in the R3 Forum here!

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