Assassination of Deputy Escalante

For the cover for the LAWeekly, about a young police officer gunned down for retribution by the Mexican mafia. Art director was Darrick Rainey. Got to do some research on Mexican gang tattoos, which was interesting.

The roughs.


Some color studies. I decided the black mass of thugs help the deputy remain the main focal point.

Here's the cover (thanks Jeff), I thought Darrick did a great job on the typography.
I did all line work on this because Darrick requested it, instead of my embossing textures because of printing concerns, which was fine. I actually love just line work, it's relaxing.