Universal: Avengers Assemble

Illustrate some of our favorite superheroes? Yes, please! Our lead designer and illustrator, Nathan Owens, was brought on to illustrate various character concepts for product placement throughout Universal Studios theme parks. While he set out to capture each character in his signature metallic linework Trophy Head style, he also got to play around with full body compositions for the first time, creating a collection that spans the extended Marvel Comics Universe.

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THE SCOPE

Illustration

LICENSEE

Entertainment Apparel

The Process Case Study: Doctor Strange

Universal Studios Doctor Strange Inspiration Board

Reference Photos & Selection

When working on illustration for theme parks, there are definite boundaries established. We were sent various reference images to work with. For this set of Marvel heroes, Nathan got to not just work in his signature Trophy Head style, but explore full scenes. For his Doctor Strange piece, he decided to use a meditation piece from the film combined with an enlarged Eye of Agamotto for a surrealistic composition.

The Line Work

The Strange piece is a whole lotta lines, and Nathan began in Illustrator with the dominant lines, using his custom line brush.

This piece was our first time experimenting with secondary lines to create a fabric effect.

Additional experimentation was done on the cloak using a clipping mask to create a lit-from-within effect to symbolize Strange’s power. That- and it just looks pretty cool.

Doctor Strange Art | Universal Studios Illustration Outline View

Color & Gradients

Usually Nathan will use the eyedropper tool to keep the colors and gradients of each character on brand, but he played a bit with his Doctor Strange piece, going for an Astral Plane, acid trip vibe. Color was applied to each line (don’t ask how long it took) and the angles were adjusted to create a tunneling, dimensional effect. Very timey-wimey.

Doctor Strange Art | Universal Studios Illustration Zoom

Avengers Unite: The Collection

Captain America Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Captain America Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Black Panther Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Black Panther Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Iron Man Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Iron Man Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Captain America with Shield Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Captain America w/ Shield Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Iron Man Arc Reactor Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Iron Man Arc Reactor Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Spider-Man Webbing Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Spider-Man Full (w/ Background) Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Deadpool Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Deadpool Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Star-Lord Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Star-Lord Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Spider-Man Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Spider-Man Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Spider-Man Webbing Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Spider-Man (Full) Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Doctor Strange Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Doctor Strange Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Captain America Shield Logo Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Captain America Shield Logo Art | Universal Studios Illustration

Universal Studios Doctor Strange Illustration Wall Art

STILL HOPEFUL

At the end of the day, we don’t know if our designs ever made it into Universal Studios. COVID had other plans for theme parks. But we had a blast reimagining our favorite superheroes and it gives us major bragging rights if we ever make it to ComicCon, and we got a pretty dope art piece for our office.

“I have been in the decorated apparel industry more than 40 years. We are always looking for unique and creative design talent. I came across Nathan’s work and immediately sought him out.

His work was outstanding. I am very pleased with the results and hope to be able to utilize his skills again.”

Barry Zagerman – President – Entertainment Apparel

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Gold Sheep is a creative studio based in Southern California specializing in brand design, digital illustration, and custom letterforms that tell stories, grow fandoms, and celebrate music, mystery, and the magic of pop culture.