How to Draw Comics | Alex Ross talks through his process from thumbnail to sketch

[@forbiddencolor]

It's nice to see an Alex Ross video that is over 3 minutes long for once. I could listen to him talk all day.

[@comicmonsterstudios711]

Bro me too I wish he was my uncle or something I'd be going over to his house every day lol

[@matthewhood7844]

Most artists I've seen that do a more photo realistic style tend to have more static looking art. I like that Ross' art is still comic-booky and dynamic while looking realistic

[@trahapace150]

Alex please put out a book on drawing and painting, I actually asked him this years ago and he laughed and said he didn't think he could teach anyone much

[@WalnutDave]

I would pay 80€ if it was step by step. A3 and had good prints of his work.

[@TCMECH79]

Most of us would pay top dollar for lessons from Alex Ross

[@futurestoryteller]

@@TCMECH79 Well plenty of us wouldn't be able to afford that, but it would likely be deserved either way

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Start with John Buscema and Stan

[@Walter-Anderson]

I seem to recall some old issues of Wizard where he goes through his process. Maybe there was even a special issue that focused on Ross. You might try looking for one of those until he does a book

[@patatitopo7631]

I know Drew Suzan made a dvd of him painting a full poster with a detail process and I would really love to see Alex do the same, maybe not with a dvd but maybe a paying video or something. Thank you for this video

[@WidebodyLotty]

I purchased that DVD you speak of. It helped my art immensely.

[@TiltChamberlain513]

what is the dvd called or do you have a link to it

[@patatitopo7631]

@@TiltChamberlain513 "Drew Struzan's Illustration Art Lesson Conceiving and Creating the Hellboy Movie Poster Art Instructional DVD by Jim Sanders", pretty hard to find and pretty expensive too

[@gusparkwood4890]

I love how Alex Ross is incredibly modest and humble and yet we all know how great an artist he actually is. Legend.

[@christclinger6540]

This man transcends comic art. His art is not only good for being comic book art. It’s good for being realism art in general.

[@mostafafarweez3161]

His artwork in paintings are Unrivaled and his pencil Drawings are really Amazing as well :)

[@futurestoryteller]

Wish this dude was as generous as Jim Lee with his process, then again it's his prerogative. Makes me feel better about the idea of blowing up thumbnail sketches, instead of redrawing.

[@mathilda6763]

I always thought Alex Ross was using himself as a reference, because the face shape nose and mouth of many male characters looked similar to his features. It's interesting to know that he also uses other people as models.

[@bonethugsfiend]

That's what I immediately thought when I saw this video. I hadn't seen him before this, but once I saw him I thought he looks alot like the people he draws in his comics.

[@dpelpal]

Probably because he is using a mirror to get expressions correct, etc.

[@Boogsboogie]

Just read an article about how iconic movies could be randomly changed with another characters perspective. And one of’em was any superhero movie from a random citizen’s perpective.... first thing that came to my mind... Marvels!

[@hbcreates8355]

Seeing an MCU version of marvels would be so interesting to see. But I don’t think they would ever do it

[@DrFranklynAnderson]

HappyBrick I had the idea years ago that for their tenth anniversary, the MCU should have had a Marvels-style one-shot showing the birth of Iron Man, creation of the Avengers, Civil War, etc., from an Everyman POV, with Stan Lee playing the Phil Sheldon role. Sadly, we now know that wouldn’t have been possible given his declining health.

[@opinologoinnecesario3058]

The Master Alex Ross

[@benjaminreynolds3659]

Pfft! Have you ever heard the legendary Rob Liefeld?

[@opinologoinnecesario3058]

@@benjaminreynolds3659 I saw the sarcasm lmao

[@michaelwilson2497]

I use a light box for a finished line work. My sketch to line art paper is brutal. With carpal tunnel, sometimes it's hard to "feel" how hard you are pressing. I've used it for landscaping sometimes. At first it felt like a cheat. But if you are tracing your own work, maybe no. Who knows?

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Dear Alex thanks for your hard work. I have much of your work. But sadly you will not influence current marvel DC artists...with their current management. They are hiring people that can not Write or Draw. I even see frames in the Russo Brothers mcu films with clear homages to your sense of lighting. It brings joy to my heart to see such things.

[@cameronhill9267]

My God this man stay drawing with a pencil nub!😅

[@Nikke283]

I know a bunch of comicartist who actually do...whats wrong with a numb anyway?

[@cameronhill9267]

@@Nikke283 calm down... just can't help but noticed.I would think it would hurt your hand after awhile.I can care less though.Thats how he works...good for him.

[@56postoffice]

He reminds me of John Buscema. Great vid.

[@josepinheiro292]

This guy is a monster. Amazing!

[@LowellLucasJr.]

My mentor Thomas Blackshear also does a similar process like yourself! It's great to see these Modern Masters think alike!

[@trahapace150]

I have actually met them both at the american academy of art in chicago, thomas was the distinguished alumni during graduation and I worked as a student worker so I met him there and, and he came to the school the next day and ate lunch with some of the students he is a really great guy we were all terrified cause he was so poised and seems intensely deep in thought but he was great

[@pullthereins]

Amazing artwork!!! I love the old Marvel style. Especially the pencil work,

[@anenglishmaninsandiego]

Fantastic to watch your process, sir - I'd love to get you to talk on my livestream about your time in the industry and your relationship with fans, if possible...

[@Walter1948]

Wow

[@stevesloan5935]

I'd like to see longer videos!

[@ramonvader9543]

Wonderful ... 😱😱😱😱

[@peterhz6]

Does he apply acrilics on top of the pencil sketch?

[@cumberbatchpepperpot]

I was very disappointed to see your political image of George Bush sucking the blood out of the Statue of Liberty. I was a fan and was looking to buy one of your excellent original paintings from your website, but this soured me on your work.

[@futurestoryteller]

Should have known: that's what artists do, empathize with others, and remain true to themselves. It's about creativity. Conservatism - by definition - is all but incompatible with that.

[@mr.nobody9697]

My favorite comic artist ever.

[@mesolithicman164]

Admire his professionalism, but he's no Kirby, Buscema, Kubert, Toth or Adams. For me, the literalness of his work takes away from the fantasy.

[@PettyPrinzeJr]

Doesnt have a perfect reference of Captain America so he just sculpts one like its no big deal lmao

[@ClodiAlmeida]

Alex, you are fantastica. I love traditional art. Congratulations

[@brucewayne2184]

Doesn't anyone work from their imagination anymore? 😕

[@jayowens1072]

If you read this and you are not saved,I care about you enough to tell you that you have sinned against a Holy God and because of that you are under condemnation because you can’t keep His perfect law or be righteous on your own and because of you can’t keep His law or be righteous on your own you are stuck in your sin, and you will endure God’s wrath for your crimes against Him only if you do not come to know and believe in His son Jesus Christ who died on the cross so the door to have your sins forgiven could be opened and you receive salvation as a free gift, if you reject Him you will suffer for all eternity, turn from your sinful ways and live a life that is appealing to the Lord and brings Him Glory you don’t have all the time in the world,tomorrow is not guaranteed,sin doesn’t fill the void in your heart or give you the satisfaction you want, it only digs your hole deeper,and increases the things your trying to escape

[@HyperspaceCafe]

It's actually comforting to know the professionals do the same tricks that I thought were something an amateur does. Helps me see that I am progressing.

[@JhoanArt]

Nice I love it :D

[@HSRMF]

for people who don't know.. this man is legend ..

[@kevinngomez2461]

Is that chip kidd in the background lol

[@josevinicius6908]

Amazing as always 👍🇧🇷

[@arnoldronning5471]

Hi, Alex, I am fortunate to have been collecting when you came onto the scene. It is no exaggeration to say that your work has revolutionized “comic books” and how the world sees superheroes. Have you considered illustrating the life of Jesus? Please have a look at what director Dallas Jenkins is doing with his visionary streaming series The Chosen.

[@williampyle1005]

The Secret Superhero:)

[@PrototypeOnDemand]

Niice!!

[@Tehillim29]

0:55 that is an amazing picture, what comic is that from? awesome video. Read a story recently you did in Marvels, damn it was good.

[@LSOK38]

Alex Ross ,you are such an great artist. Imagine, you create comics in which each and every panel is literally an amazing "oil painting" . Jack Kirby would be so jealous !

[@loringbush3319]

His artwork is amazing and his paintings are spectacular! He is the Mikealango of comics.

[@skisimon7834]

Man Alex just amazing be on amazing :)have lost good of ur work

[@weichiang89]

You have some artists that show you their process. Then you have Alex Ross. Just on a whole other level.

[@greedmarks7478]

Alex Ross ... !! Hell yeah baby :D !

[@trueblueedits4673]

The ability to merge a realistic art style and the dynamic poses of comics? GOAT

[@petermot645]

Thank you Mr Ross, it’s always a pleasure.

[@yoservs]

breathtakingly beautiful, from rough to final

[@boejiden4190]

Oh jesus! My king! I bow down to you my lord!!!!

[@marcocolecchia4147]

Such a pity I cannot find it in Italian

[@angelomelville9084]

Part 2 in coming???

[@TheArtKemist]

Alex great work as always

[@90s-Trance_86]

He is Badaz!

[@MyFunDrawing]

wooow legend

[@DevonFleck93]

The 🐐

[@Robot_ninja_pirate]

who is the character at 1:07?

[@tomhoskisson9741]

black bolt

[@a-animations8163]

Black guy

[@maxg6613]

First

[@thomasgray4115]

Lightbox and tracing paper with photography?..Sargent would not approve.yikes!that is a beginner tactic.

[@jimneysweep9810]

Look up camera obscure. All the greats did it one way or another .

[@marblesthecat3861]

He didn't trace it. He made an original drawing then he enlarged it on a photocopy. That's what he lightboxed, not the photo itself.

[@futurestoryteller]

Yeah, the photograph is reference, I doubt Sargent could object to reference, considering the guy was a portrait artist.