I was shooting a little reference for my next Supergirl cover when I noticed these old process pics from 41 still on the camera. For whatever reason, I never got around to posting them, so here they are now.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPOOtB0ZCRVvwhF77f6f2QDfeeooJA-94VT6RU9JzWI8kl6P_oRhEz96Y0cT0HXOr51VpsOENGB_f-dvCW4995pcNnCz5RlWL_iLcUAmtOT_7Sf3h_0bHXb4LTAe6tNFScO8K/s400/SG41_PROCESS_1.jpg)
As you can see, I drew this cover in blue pencil, a Prismacolor Col-Erase 20044 Blue to be exact. I don't always draw in blue nowadays- it depends on the piece and how I am feeling at the time. In this case, I knew that I would be drawing the final in ink, so I decided to go with the blue and then straight to pen, skipping the graphite pencil altogether.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqgAhINYVMskk0EBsCMmZ3mAGcoljjKvbKCq6a0XmlRrnifYGTUgqXNJA5MTfTAFrgFfNBe7oIZFKbROg5_U7GUM_wLSG6r2uWugnay4P58fG9TZmG7LubaN7_SDsDSW7T5Jn/s400/SG41_PROCESS_2.jpg)
In the second image the blue pencil drawing is nearly done, save for Supergirl's skirt, which can be difficult to draw, although I generally enjoy drawing drapery. Maybe it is because her skirt is too short to allow for many folds, or because I often have to bend the rules of physics to protect Supergirl's modesty, but for whatever reason, the skirt is often drawn last. As you can see, I drew her entire body even though the skirt will cover her pelvis- it is very important to always "draw through" your images. You can see that Supergirl's leg is drawn through Superwoman's body as well.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJT0YGZ_6qtruXzzHdOFahEuoLEkwTZQimLRY8rpQ1jRSiHoXg-BddnGcqmL5amVpZLMTFDpzfMtQ0xaVhmmzCRLjXIRBvqe4LaVuCydPszLCQ1hncKmVLdwccGt4S4DlctQV/s400/SG41_PROCESS_3.jpg)
Here I am inking the blue pencils, though I don't mean "inking" in the traditional comic book sense, in that I am not going in with lineweights and spotting blacks. I was after a simple line drawing so that I could have plenty of room for color later, so I just drew the image in ink in much the same way as I would if I were using a graphite pencil. There are occasions where I will ink with lineweights and spot heavier blacks, but then I would probably use a brush. When I choose not to ink at all and draw the final in graphite, it is usually because I want to maintain a little more delicacy to the drawing while working on it. After scanning and adjusting, it doesn't really matter what I used to draw the image as long as the line quality is good.
The pen is a regular disposable technical pen, of which there are several good brands. Most popular is probably the Pigma Micron series, which I like, but sometimes hurt my index finger due to the way I grip the pen (my finger falls right on the seam where the pen tapers for the cap to fit). Staedtler and Copic also make good pens. I think I am using a Copic Multiliner here. As is always the case, the best tools are what works for you.
I hope these pictures are of some interest. If nothing else, they help give a sense of scale to the art. As always, thanks for stopping by.
Joshua