It's downright freezing out there - colder than the norm for this time of year (in recent years at least). And it's going to stay cold, they tell us.
Eeks!
So, comics artists, how do you DRAW “cold”?
There are a few ways that come to mind:
Mostly, I think in terms of drawing characters who feel cold-
Seeing Breath
For a more realistic style, showing the “steam” coming out of a person's mouth is a great way to go!
Got the Blues
A blue tint to a character's skin is a “cold” color, and can show a cold person! Rosy cheeks and nose can do it, too.
Icicles
This takes us further out of realism - if icicles are forming on a character's face (most often the nose), it's an easy way to show extreme chilliness. This is a very “Looney Toons” thing to do and gets points for being crystal clear. But I think it's my least favorite of the notions on this list.
Chattery teeth
This is a common one. A character with clenched teeth, especially when matched with the right body language, looks “cold”. It can also look “angry”…
Body Language
Aside from the chattery teeth pose, body language like hands in pockets or shoved into armpits come to mind.
Shake Lines
Mixed with body language, chattery teeth, and breath or icicles, you can draw “shake lines” around the character to indicate shivering.
In terms of character-less scenes, a blue-grey palette can work, as well as the aforementioned icicles and maybe a little snow and ice on the ground.
I don't think I've drawn “cold” very often - how about you? How do you capture coldness?
—-
We are closing out this chilly 2017, here - I hope you had a fine one, and that your 2018 treats you well, and that I'll see y'all around the Duck!
It's Cold Outside
Banes at 12:00AM, Dec. 28, 2017
3 likes!
©2011 WOWIO, Inc. All Rights Reserved Mastodon
Ozoneocean at 8:42PM, Dec. 29, 2017
My first and only experience of snow was on Mount Bulla in Victoria as a child. I fell through the ice into a pond. That was awful. I spent a while in the car steipped nude with the heater going after that. XD
usedbooks at 6:12PM, Dec. 28, 2017
Yikes. When we were kids, some friends and I all caught frostnip in the mountains (Spruce Knob, WV). Their dog fell through the ice into a pond, and we rescued him. The cabin we were in had a fireplace but no other means of heating. We had to strip off nearly all our wet clothes to dry by the fire. It was an interesting trip. I have fond (and other memorable) memories of winters in WV.
bravo1102 at 3:10PM, Dec. 28, 2017
I actually had the first symptoms of hypothermia. The uncontrollable shivering and then drowsiness -- like the drowsiness "sleep would be so good right now " and you're out in the cold ad you just want to lie down.
usedbooks at 8:19AM, Dec. 28, 2017
I have a blizzard/hypothermia arc coming up, so I'll take suggestions to heart. In the past, I've had cold weather but it didn't affect the characters much (just warmer dressed, not a big issue for city-dwellers).
Tantz_Aerine at 7:45AM, Dec. 28, 2017
I use lots of blues, and frosted breath, rosy cheeks and noses, that sort of thing.
KimLuster at 6:24AM, Dec. 28, 2017
Ha, I never have...! I've had people in snow before, but they're always warmly wrapped up and comfy and stuff! Hrrrmmm.. now I must!!
bravo1102 at 5:37AM, Dec. 28, 2017
I'm working outside in 10F temperatures. The best is the rosy cheeks and nose, squinting and the condensed clouds of breath.
Ozoneocean at 1:14AM, Dec. 28, 2017
Pinky TA is in the snow and cold right now. I'm mainly showing people rugged up warmly though :D
plymayer at 1:04AM, Dec. 28, 2017
Cold? Darn right it is. Only 62F here going up to 72F today. Had to close the living room windows the other day. All your points are valid. Adding weather (cold or other wise) not only makes for more interesting graphics in a comic but adds some realism too.