Moebius Master Study - Journal Update
Initial impressions and ideas
Following up to last week’s post, here’s an update on my study of Moebius’ Starwatcher.
Made in Clip Studio!
This was drawn digitally, which helped me in two areas:
Speed
I was able to work much faster than if I were using physical media. The Lasso and Scale tools made it easy to quickly adjust proportion errors and the like.
Practice
Previously, I’d avoided inking on a computer, worried it wouldn’t look like my drawings on paper. After getting some solid practice in, I’m not so sure I feel that way anymore.
What do you think?
Newfound appreciation of Moebius’ Craft
While working, I had some new ideas and thoughts that hadn’t come to me before. Let’s look at the original again before diving in:
Realistic Knowledge of Texture and Weight
Quilted clothing with embroidery, ropes, and bulges —for a cartoon, it looks and feels incredibly believable.
The concrete setting really hits home, like you could feel the cool, rough surface with your hands. I’ve never seen Moebius’ practice sketches or studies (has anyone?), but it’s clear he had an intimate knowledge of the objects he drew. Look at those boots and tell me they don’t look like real leather.
Simple Perspective That’s Very Effective
What a great use of one-point perspective! After pouring over Desert B, I knew he loved his horizons—and I can see why. The central figure is obviously the main draw, but the surroundings frame and complete the piece in a way that’s just so satisfying.
Light and Shadow
I’m excited (and a little intimidated) to finish the linework and move on to painting. The lighting adds so much drama, and his use of gradients is masterful. It’s wild how many color variations pop up when you Google Moebius Starwatcher—I’m sticking with the reference image I’ve chosen, but the lighter versions are also really appealing.
Magical Symbolism Found in Objects.
A book, two pens, a canned drink… why do these look like objects on the Magician’s table from the Tarot to me? The pens feel personal to Moebius - and the book leaves me wondering if it’s some sort of magick tome.
And then there’s that box holding what I perceive is a star—easily one of the most mystical parts of the entire piece.
Aside from the subject’s garb, these items really drive home the fantasy element.
From a composition perspective, our brains love simple objects—cubes, cylinders, pyramids—when they’re done well. And here, they’re arranged in such an appealing way. I really admire that.
After Thoughts
There’s still a ton I don’t know about Jean Giraud. A lot of his comics are hard to find, and of course, part of the appeal is that intentional mystery etched into the work.
Dark Horse did put out a wonderfully translated collection of interviews by Numa Sadoul, and this excerpt left me very curious:
I hadn’t heard of Castaneda before, but maybe diving into his stuff isn’t such a bad idea.
Hope you’re having a great week!
—Chromatic Arcana