Photoshop - Reimagining A Comic Hero

David Nakayama explains his process of redesigning and drawing a modern and culturally relevant new version of Zorro

- David Nakayama

Artist PROFILE

David Nakayama

LOCATION: US

David is a Honolulu-based freelance illustrator, concept artist and art director. He’s best known for his Marvel Comics cover art of Spider-Man, X-Men and Deadpool, and Hasbro packaging art. artstation.com/dna

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RESOURCES

PHOTOSHOP

CUSTOM BRUSHES: TEXTURE BLOCK BRUSH

Great for blocking and for finer details. The texture adds interest to the mark-making.

SOFT ROUND BRUSH

This tool pairs well with the Block Brush by creating the subtle blends it can’t.

NOISE BRUSH

Used to add some textual noise. It’s helpful to add some contrasting pattern into the mark-making.

Created in 1919, Zorro (Spanish for ‘fox’) is a classic pulp character who’s appeared in books, comics, TV and films over the decades. His story includes a secret identity, a hidden base of operations, and many other tropes that would go on to inspire modern superhero characters such as Batman. However, in recent years, the popularity of Zorro has been less present in popular culture, so perhaps it’s time to reinvigorate the character with a reinvention.