![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg772q5l3JcGDbNotPt1kry4wJwobuR2mHiDlK1JuPFI5i7MbBE5IJf5RzsFS3-ukokLEnpH2BjGixvsfBHbLyIJzsSwLucwAGc36AaUkZC5O2oEoWeMijZTHetwx9RXU5wVv1dGzPwEZ/s320/2000AD_Prog1665.jpg)
It was great fun working on this one as it's a step away from the explosions and gritted teeth that usually appear in my work. Also, I love the way there are no header/ footer bars on this, the image just bleeds off the page - luvverly bit of design, Tharg!
As always it starts with a sketch:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1TN5GSmszLyY8GarLtQYqYX3xIYYzkKhFsyrbuKO50BUE4K6inShv9es3TZgjPqSKHy0i3JdDgqE42RCjehJ7GnBLxLuT1YfX0m2K_VZIcvMAdQgLd1SZA4jTNO4aW1LfRV9Yz8pTZVM/s320/SIN_DEX_cover_thumbs.jpg)
Then my wife took a few reference photos with me 'in costume' holding various plastic toy gun props - hey, no sniggering at the back!:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzkqlQJwfGszqmf3O0rVWdZE-izX4j-jklh-3hZaH1f-VVNLxMa0fZANiUzX2Qb3mi1Yx1qXErZcI9tth3_djVACrmdu7ILe3_1o-6MFStnE0jcywAFSXLQ4FpsivQdDmpI3zETLMo9oI/s320/SIN_DEX_cover_ref.jpg)
Then I painted up the final version, paying close attention to their expressions, I wanted them to look like they'd just stepped out of a futuristic/ cop/ buddy/ hitmen film ( a sort of Beverly Hills Cop meets Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer):
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZen349daSyBLYGvDDAySm9wdePYkSvgKSn8KC3TTzAAD6GzUAS4dDnBrspbpR_h5iEQCLyFsNYhi1PlKVmzlUxFdf93cMNYWH0lii2xQqeUdetBj-HkwDYZvDghIpu4T_Xv0O4uAnhIvf/s320/Sin_Dex_FINAL.jpg)
Here's a little fact, fact fans... Dan Abnett, the writer of Sinister Dexter, is also one of the fantastic writers for the Horus Heresy series, of which I do the covers - Oh, and did I mention that Dan is an AWESOME chap!
The great thing about 2000AD covers is the quick turnaround - you do the illustration, next few weeks it's in the shops - sorted!
6 comments:
Hey Neil, you want to get yourself a copy of this months Megazine as well. You'll be glad if you do!
Cheers, Dave - so I hear!! Maybe another blogpost is on it's way soon...
Great stuff Neil, Dans stuff is probably my favourites from the horus series as well :D
Nice work once again ... I've given Damon a couple of copies of 2000ad to bring with him tomorrow ... hoping you'll scrawl you name on the me... I will then of course sell them ...
Not really ... I will of course treasure them, show them to my grand kids ... one day.
i can't keep up - good work!
This looks great Neil!
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