Gunfighter – Illustration Process & Inspiration
During a recent studio reorganization, I discovered an old gunfighter sketch I'd drawn years ago but never developed further. The piece had untapped potential in its narrative pose and costume details, which brought to mind the atmospheric works of Robert McGinnis—an inspiration I've covered before (see my previous post: Robert McGinnis Art Inspiration Noir Cinema).
Rediscovered original gunfighter pencil sketch from my studio archives.
I envisioned this piece with a limited color palette and textures evocative of pulp magazine covers, aligning with McGinnis's iconic style.
Before developing the final version, I experimented with markers, paint, and colored pencils. As I continue to learn traditional media, these attempts provided valuable insights for my approach.
A collage of early marker and color pencil experiments of variable success.
Ultimately, I transitioned to digital illustration to gain more control over graphic textures, color harmony, and mood. The following images show my process as I refined lines, colors, and added custom digital textures to achieve the right blend of stylized and natural elements.
First digital progress step refining lines and greyscale for the gunfighter artwork.
Further digital development showing limited palette and stylized pulp textures.
The result is an atmospheric gunfighter illustration that blends pulp sensibility with modern digital techniques.
Final gunfighter digital illustration echoing a vintage pulp magazine cover.
To highlight key moments and style evolution, I’ve included a timelapse/process video from my illustration workflow.
Timelapse video of gunfighter artwork from original sketch to final digital illustration by Micah Champion.
Rediscovering old sketches and developing them with new influences is a rewarding part of my process. I hope these behind-the-scenes steps inspire fellow illustrators and fans of visual storytelling.
