It all started with a post on Facebook. On April 8th, 2020, one of my FB Friends, Eric Francisco, posted a message saying he was interested in hiring an artist for concept work. I immediately answered “Me!”. Then Eric and I started talking via Messenger and a few weeks later, I made him look like a hero!
I first met Eric three years ago. My good friend Ramon Gil organizes meet up type gatherings with comic book editors and creators in New York. I believe I was the second ever to participate in such an event. The turnaround was pretty good, about 15 people. For a last minute thing taking place on a Wednesday, it was great.
I had been invited to talk about my career. How I broke into comics, and of course, how I stayed in! Among the audience, there was Eric, who’s also a journalist for various sites, including Inverse. We kept in touch.
So when I officially applied for that concept work, he was happy. Eric just launched his own Twitch Channel (for those who want to check out: http://www.twitch.tv/ericthedragon)
The Brief
Just like in any new job, I listened to Eric’s brief: “a new hero based on me, half Red Power Ranger, half Bruce Lee”. I thought about it for a second and I said: “Kamen Rider style?”. Eric seemed to like that direction. I started sketching…
I’m a huge fan of the Kamen Rider series but even more of the Metal Hero Series, especially Space Sheriff GAVAN.
Initially, I gave the character a slim look and even some kind of shorts, à la Superman. But Eric wanted more of a Power Rangers feel to it. So I went back to the drawing board.
Let’s go digital!
Once the sketch was approved, I moved to Sketchbook Pro and digitally inked and colored the new Eric The Dragon character.
Eric was very happy. And I got to cross one more item on my list of things I wanted to achieve in art. I designed my first character for someone else. 🙂
To be continued!
–Fabrice
Eric The Dragon is © Eric Francisco. All Rights Reserved.
