Chromejock
Posca on Canvas
“Chromejock” grew out of my long‑running fascination with Cyberpunk art and storytelling. I’ve always loved the neon grit and attitude of the genre, and this painting was one of those pieces where the process felt genuinely fun from start to finish. Using Posca paint pens on black canvas let me lean into the bold, high‑contrast Cyberpunk look I’ve admired for years.
I’m really happy with how this one turned out, and sharing it feels like letting people peek into the part of my brain that lights up whenever I think about Cyberpunk worlds.
* Please note, some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support and it helps me create more great content for you to enjoy!
🤖 Falling in Love With Cyberpunk
My love for Cyberpunk really began with William Gibson’s Neuromancer series. Those books opened a door to a world that felt chaotic, stylish, and strangely believable. That sense of “high‑tech, low‑life” energy has stuck with me ever since.
While painting “Chromejock,” I kept thinking about the atmosphere Gibson created, the neon haze, the augmented characters, the feeling that technology and humanity are constantly colliding.
If you haven’t read Neuromancer, it’s genuinely worth picking up, not just for inspiration, but because it helps you understand the emotional core of Cyberpunk. Art books focused on Cyberpunk design can also be incredibly motivating when you’re shaping characters or environments.
The future is already here — it’s just not evenly distributed. ~ William Gibson
🖼️ Starting With a Black Canvas and a Cyberpunk Mood
Working on a black canvas immediately set the tone. It created a natural backdrop for the bright, synthetic colours that define so much of Cyberpunk art. Every stroke of the Posca pens felt like it was carving light out of darkness.
The combination of Posca paint pens and a dark surface helped the character’s attitude come through more clearly than I expected; sharp lines, bold shapes, and that slightly dangerous edge that Cyberpunk characters often carry.
I personally love using black canvas for Cyberpunk pieces because it removes the need to fight for contrast; the darkness is already there, waiting for colour. Posca pens also behave beautifully on it, staying opaque and vibrant even after multiple layers.
🎨 Colour, Contrast, and the Cyberpunk Palette
Cyberpunk visuals rely heavily on contrast, and I tried to embrace that fully. Layering Posca colours over Winsor & Newton paint gave me a mix of smooth gradients and punchy highlights that felt right for the genre.
I found myself experimenting with neon tones, trying to balance them with deeper shadows so the character would feel both vibrant and grounded, which is something I’ve always admired in Cyberpunk artwork.
If you’re exploring Cyberpunk palettes yourself, I really recommend Winsor & Newton acrylics as an underlayer. They dry quickly, stay matte, and give Posca pens a surface that grips just enough without dragging. A good colour theory book can also spark ideas when you’re stuck between neon and shadow.
🖌️ Finishing Touches: Varnish, Texture, and Cyberpunk Shine
A final coat of varnish spray helped bring everything together. It added a subtle sheen that reminded me of chrome surfaces and neon reflections; small details that really help a Cyberpunk piece feel complete.
It also protects the Posca layers, which is always reassuring when you’ve put so much time and care into a painting.
I’ve found that a good gloss varnish spray makes Posca colours look almost electric under the right lighting. If you display your work, a simple LED spotlight can make the neon tones feel even more Cyberpunk.
🎯 Conclusion: A Personal Dive Into Cyberpunk Art
Creating “Chromejock” was a genuinely enjoyable experience, and sharing it feels just as exciting. It’s my own small tribute to the Cyberpunk stories and visuals that have inspired me for years.
If you’re exploring Cyberpunk art yourself (or simply enjoy bold, neon‑driven character work), I hope this piece resonates with you.
“The future influences the present just as much as the past.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
