this is my very FIRST witchblade cover for the regular series i've done in my 9yr career there.

when asked to do a few covers for the book, i was excited, i love drawing the witchblade....but when i sat down at my desk and was staring at the blank pg... was torn. where do i start? i have free reign, as i dont have to follow any script. i can draw what ever i want....for my first cover, do i draw sexy? do i draw her in action?? so, knowing how important this stage in drawing is, i knew this cover was not going to materialize anytime soon. so in the mean time, i busted out my sketchbook, and on the right side margin (im left handed) i do my usual thumbnails to see what direction i wanted to take our heroin in. i think i jotted down maybe 7 thumbs....and they dont come easily when u want to do a good job. often time i close my eyes and sit back in my chair (high back leather with head rest..comfty) and visualize all the characteristic and emotions and weapons i could possibly use. shes a cop, wears a jacket most of the time, these days. and can form just about anything with the witchblade. i came up with one of her flying with wings (which i did the layout for and looks awesome, cant wait to draw it)

i finally decided to go against my strenth and NOT do sexy. i didnt want my first cover to make readers go, typical eric, drawing her sexy and half naked. and i think it was a good desition. plus, its more in keeping with her character as a badass cop.

instead of her usual jaket, i gave her a trench coat to have a more dark, cape crusader look. things flapping in the wind all in black always has a striking effect. plus, i had the witchbade popping out of her shoulder, long and sharp to help create a dangerous sinister look. i beleive clenched fist always give a more powerful feel, and the stance is important as well. not sure i pulled it off here. i kept setting down the paper and standing back to see what the hell was bugging me about her stance...i even shrunk it down in a photo copy, but i could not see it. oh well., im sure some of u opinionated ppl will be sure and point it out.

i also gave her left (our right) arm, a rim light and drew no detail, and left it all white to let the colorer know to put some moon rim light, to help give a moody feel. i normally dont draw so much black on a female figure, doesnt normally come out good. and if u dont know what ur doing, u might royally screw it up. so if u attempt to do it, be sure to use reference or open a can of kickass. but in this case i thought it appropriate. i tried to put rim light in her hair, and the bottom of her hair thats flowing has a lot of blk. especially near her ear and neck. not easily done.

one of the more succesful faces ive drawn for this specific look, as i dont have much experience drawing them. i do the pouty, sexy lips thing all the time and can do it in my sleep.

didnt have much reference for the brigde, so i winged most of it. i always believed that backgrounds always enhance an image, so try and bite the bullet all u aspiring artist, and do an awesome background

hope u like