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InkthinkerHighway Samurai

Published: 2012-11-18 07:30:41 +0000 UTC; Views: 54635; Favourites: 2297; Downloads: 2922
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Description A little something I put together in the spare bits. I need more technology in my portfolio, I'm perfectly comfortable with cars and guns and such but I really don't do enough of it to show that. You should maybe Download to see this in full-res, there's a lot of fiddly detail.

The composition of this piece got very messy at some point, probably because I'm easily persuaded to put in "one more cool thing" at the expense of clarity. I like most of the bits I ended up with, but the fact that I didn't plan it all out in advance really shows in the uneven layout. Still, I like the general designs, and I had fun with stuff like the dichotomy of the dragons, or the mousiness of the civilian car.

7 logos to find, but one of them is quite badly done... let's say 6 logos and a bonus crap one for the truly dedicated.

Cintiq 21UX, Manga Studio EX v3, ask me any questions you like. No refs were used for anything but the Space Needle, the rest of it is 110% freehanded make-em-up. If something is mechanically questionable, I take the blame.

-EDIT-

Daily Dev, no kiddin'!? Thank you!

For all the color requests, check out the Download option and you'll see that it's now at 3600x2400. Have fun with it, let me know what you come up with!

-DOUBLE EDIT-

Hey look, now it's a print! That's new. I've never sold a print before, but I'm thinking why not already?
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Comments: 267

Emerald-Wolf13 [2017-01-31 11:53:32 +0000 UTC]

Wow, looks like it should be an illustration from a new edition of the Street Samurai Catalog (Shadowrun RPG).

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Bruzefh [2017-01-30 10:51:51 +0000 UTC]

Great artwork and inking job.

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mangamecha [2016-06-10 19:12:59 +0000 UTC]

Hi Highway Samurai!

I'm new here and looking for an artist for a new company based out in Canada.

Let's chat!

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MatthewSmith [2015-04-16 14:08:07 +0000 UTC]

Zounds, the detail! This is extraordinarily impressive; just about anywhere your eye might happen to fall, there's something super-groovy to look at. Also, that's one seriously splendid dragon back there.

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Inkthinker In reply to MatthewSmith [2015-04-25 20:11:16 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Leaving fun things to find all over the place is one of my favorite things to do when drawing, I tend to get lost in the details.

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wolfblue13 [2014-09-23 06:24:37 +0000 UTC]

so badass

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JesseThomas7800 [2014-08-27 19:48:46 +0000 UTC]

That is insanely good!!!

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Kurri-Rooster [2014-07-17 22:59:06 +0000 UTC]

very nice indeed.

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SpectorKnight [2014-04-09 02:22:29 +0000 UTC]

I love every part of this.

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wheatman3 [2014-01-08 02:05:39 +0000 UTC]

kinda reminds me of the double dragons cartoon.

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Dionizije [2013-10-06 19:56:10 +0000 UTC]

Very Nathan Never-ish! Wonderful!

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GarethWong [2013-09-22 03:45:11 +0000 UTC]

"HOLY SHIT!!"

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zoomzoom [2013-08-22 22:11:27 +0000 UTC]

Reminds me of LOBO... 

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huzzain [2013-07-08 11:17:45 +0000 UTC]

wow

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tasui [2013-06-30 09:14:09 +0000 UTC]

oh god this is pure awesomeness. I'm even imagining it with background music!

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StGeorge67 [2013-05-26 14:54:31 +0000 UTC]

I love the way the trucker is expressing "HOLY SHIT". The dynamics, great! And all the small details you added... I'm lovin' it (or am I not allowed to say this because McDonald's owned this phrase ????)

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Inkthinker In reply to StGeorge67 [2013-05-30 05:21:50 +0000 UTC]

In the future, all restaurants are Taco Bell. So I wouldn't worry about it.

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stonedInc [2013-05-06 06:08:45 +0000 UTC]

I keep coming back here.

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kane809 [2013-04-25 12:09:36 +0000 UTC]

super awesome

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tiragon [2013-04-19 22:13:46 +0000 UTC]

Freakin' AWESOME! I am so going to try and colour this!

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Brony4 [2013-03-26 13:15:54 +0000 UTC]

Too..much...awesome...for...words!

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NikitaTarsov [2013-03-20 23:49:35 +0000 UTC]

Impressiv

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seangordonmurphy [2013-03-17 14:02:18 +0000 UTC]

THIS IS AMAZING! And all the ellipses are correct.

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Inkthinker In reply to seangordonmurphy [2013-03-18 07:05:40 +0000 UTC]

HA! Thanks!!

Ellipses are WAY easier in digital land. >_<

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ogrebear [2013-03-16 07:52:54 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic piece of Shadowrun art!

Action! Drama! Dragon! and an Ork on a Bike- it's got EVERYTHING!

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The-Psychonaut [2013-02-07 04:50:19 +0000 UTC]

On a scale of one to ten, ten being 'last airbender' and one being...I don't know, what are the chances of Hollywood getting 'Akira' right?

I'm not particularly optimistic about the cinematic undertaking....due to the fact it's being helmed by suicidal retards who are casting exactly the worse people possible to play 'Kaneda' and 'Tetsuo', those being (to name a few) Zack Effron, that sparkly kid from Twilight, and Justin Timberlake.

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Inkthinker In reply to The-Psychonaut [2013-02-08 01:27:57 +0000 UTC]

I'm happiest if that project never gets made, at least the way they were discussing it. They probably wouldn't have even gotten the bike right. It sounded like it was shaping up to be another whitewashed "Last Airbender" disaster.

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The-Psychonaut In reply to Inkthinker [2013-02-08 03:11:49 +0000 UTC]

People have told me that the location of the story and the race of the players are irrelevant. A part of me wanted to ask them a simple question: really, so if there was an all asian 'Bladerunner' sequel you'd be okay with that? Or how 'bout an all armenian cast for 'Gattaca'? Or how about a remake of 'Brazil' done by Bollywood?


The only way this movie could even begin to retain accuracy to the original is by being at least r-rated,shot with an almost all asian cast, and be directed by one of the following: david fincher, zack snyder, joss whedon, Terry Gilliam, Ridely Scott or Frank Darabont. Honestly out of those masterful cinematic ass kickers I really think only joss or zack can articulate the tone and harboild exuberance of 'Akira'.

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Michael29Norwood [2013-02-05 16:04:13 +0000 UTC]

Really good inks and love the details.

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Tony-Toy [2013-01-16 11:01:04 +0000 UTC]

Awesome. It make me think of Akira !

And the pyramid in the background, is it reference to Enki Bilal ?

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Inkthinker In reply to Tony-Toy [2013-01-20 21:17:57 +0000 UTC]

More a reference to the use of pyramids as arcologies in general, and in Blade Runner specifically. Though that structure probably isn't big enough to be a proper arcology, I don't know.

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manuarts3000 [2013-01-07 04:07:52 +0000 UTC]

exelente

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antimator15q [2012-12-29 18:32:03 +0000 UTC]

lol literally heard the akira music when i saw this

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ozzyopolis [2012-12-25 01:09:26 +0000 UTC]

Ga'damn!

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Jegudiel2013 [2012-12-15 08:10:09 +0000 UTC]

Reminds me of AKIRA.
; )

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LC85 [2012-12-13 01:22:42 +0000 UTC]

HOLY CRAP THIS IS INSANE!!! Granted that's what the truck driver's saying, but IT IS!!! My God, this is BEAUTIFUL. I love detailed stuff like this and there's so much action going on my eyes are jumping all over the place and enjoying the ride too

I MUST ask this: I want to get a Cintiq21UX SOO bad, but I'd like to a user's opinion on it. From your POV, what's the best/worst thing about it (besides it costing $2000+) ? Manga Studio too, did that make the crazy inking on here much easier? And one last one:

Where you watching "Akira" at any time while drawing this?! Once I got past the artwork itself and took in the scene, that's the FIRST thing that came to mind.

Superb work, man! Keep on keepin' on!

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Inkthinker In reply to LC85 [2012-12-13 09:34:02 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, I'm glad you dig it! I've watched Akira more times than I care to count... I remember when it came out in '88-89, I've bought it at least twice (VHS and DVD) and I have the complete 6-volume set of the manga. I didn't directly refer to either while I was working on this, but it was an influence just the same.

As for the Cintiq, it's a serious investment, and I don't recommend it for just anyone. If you're already using a lap-tablet and getting paid to work with it, then the Cintiq will pay for itself in a handful of jobs and you can write the expense off on your taxes (though you'll probably have to depreciate it over several years). If you're a hobbyist or a student, then it's a hell of a price tag.

I generally recommend that if you're not sure, stick with a lap-tablet for a while longer... I know at least a couple amazing painters that prefer the "invisible hands" advantage, and the sticker price is significantly lower for a device that offers a similar degree of functionality. I worked with a 3x5 Graphire and then a 9x12 Intuos for 3 years before I went for the Cintiq, and even then it had a lot to do with the fact that I'd just wrapped up a job with a significant bonus, and for the first time ever I could afford it. Otherwise, I'd probably still be working with that 9x12 (I still have it as an emergency backup).

I hope that helps some... good luck!

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LC85 In reply to Inkthinker [2012-12-13 13:10:39 +0000 UTC]

First thing's first, thank you for taking the time to respond in detail

That did help me make up my mind pretty quick . Btw, are you a freelance artist? Just wondering when you said "wrapped up a job with a significant bonus", also if you are, what's it like?

Again, thank you

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Inkthinker In reply to LC85 [2012-12-14 08:20:30 +0000 UTC]

I've been an independent contractor for about 12 years now, I think? For most of that time I had a primary client that took up about 90% of my time with subcontract animation and commercial production work (Studio Fates, from 2000-2010). Over the past five years I've slowly diversified the client portfolio more, focusing on illustration in addition to pre-production work in TV and video games (mostly storyboarding). During 2011-2012 I was employed at THQ and scaled down the freelancing to a near-stop, but I powered it back up again in April of this year and haven't stopped since.

It's important to remember that you're not just an artist, you're a small-business owner. Most of what I do on the business end I've modeled after the construction contracting I grew up around, which suffices for most things though it's not a 1:1 analog. You've got to do a lot of negotiating and networking and accounting and amateur engineering and other stuff that's not drawing, which can be scary and frustrating (taxes... eurgh), and if you can't maintain a financial buffer it can be extremely stressful. And always, always, the competition. Especially these days, as more and more young artists learn the craft through powerful digital tools, and continue to raise the bar (and often lower rates) across the industry.

On the up side, you are the boss. You set your own hours, and you decide how to spend them. You can take off any time you like, do the job however you think best, and you are the final arbiter of quality. If you can do the job well and hook the right clients, you'll be encouraged to make creative decisions, which is ultimately rewarding when you see those decisions create a work that's well-received. Eventually you may reach a point where you never have to take a job that doesn't make you smile, and every day you can work on something exciting and fun, and create a personal legacy that lives long beyond your days.

If you're strong enough.

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LC85 In reply to Inkthinker [2012-12-14 16:44:26 +0000 UTC]

Oh man, again THANK YOU for the detailed response. I greatly appreciate it

Yeah, I'd read about the joys and downsides of working for yourself. It DOES scare me a bit, I'm not gonna lie but nothing truly educates you like going out and doing it.

&

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absolute8 [2012-12-05 16:54:38 +0000 UTC]

I think I'll watch Akira today

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Inkthinker In reply to absolute8 [2012-12-06 11:59:13 +0000 UTC]

Rarely go wrong with that.

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AGMorgan [2012-12-04 06:23:41 +0000 UTC]

This is most righteous
A running battle of rides
I mean holy shit

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theCHAMBA [2012-12-03 16:59:01 +0000 UTC]

knocked out of the park!

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Inkthinker In reply to theCHAMBA [2012-12-04 06:19:15 +0000 UTC]

Ooohhh, shit. I hope that didn't hit someone's window. Run!!

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theCHAMBA In reply to Inkthinker [2012-12-04 06:27:46 +0000 UTC]

if you did, well worth it!

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Intellectual-Soldier [2012-12-02 20:19:18 +0000 UTC]

DAMN!! A lot of Sh!t is going down in this sketch. Try and keep it simple, there so much going on that I got a little dizzy scrolling down to see everything, I mean WHAT IS GOING ON!?

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Inkthinker In reply to Intellectual-Soldier [2012-12-04 06:18:03 +0000 UTC]

CRAZYTOWN, I know. It did get a little over-the-top, but I was having a good time.

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Intellectual-Soldier In reply to Inkthinker [2012-12-08 11:02:22 +0000 UTC]

I can see that! You don't hold back do ya!?

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Inkthinker In reply to Intellectual-Soldier [2012-12-08 11:36:15 +0000 UTC]

Only for Lent.

Which is surprising, since I'm not Catholic.

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