Terrain of Shade

Sneak peek of upcoming Nightmare Illustrated drawings for Jordan Elizabeth Mierek's "Terrain of Shade"

For more about Nightmare Illustrated, visit their blog: http://nightmareillustrated.blogspot.com

Practice Wednesday

Working on some value sketches and face practice

Nelson Mandela Commission

I was recently commissioned on Dreamup to create an illustration of Nelson Mandela's inspiring quote, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." I enjoyed the process for this challenging and broad concept quite a bit.

I began with some crude thumbnails where I explored ideas :

--I thought of an archer shooting an arrow of education at the Earth, and educational items sprouting up. This didn't seem to fit, and raised the question of gender, and god figures.

-The idea of a weapon of education cutting into the earth, and again something positive coming out, but this had the connotation of division.

-An hourglass with the Earth in the center, and educational things pouring on, and negative things pouring out. The biggest problem here was that the hourglass would run out.

The best idea involved hands surrounding the Earth, and participating in educational activities to better and enrich it. There could be one hand stopping another holding a knife, while yet another offers a book as an alternative to violence. Still another hand would be planting a sprouting seed of knowledge or education. The hands could be different colors to emphasize multicultural backgrounds.

 I began to play around with where I might fit the typography:

Basic linework

The typography was getting a bit lost so to increase emphasis on the quote, I worked it out some more

Once the linework was refined using pens, sharpies, and some digital touch ups, and approved by the client, I moved on to coloring digitally and adding in textures. A decision was made from a selection of schemes.

 

The last step was final touch ups, tightening linework, and places where colors got a bit sloppy for a final refined look.

 

Under the Sea

Observational clothed figure drawing class: We were encouraged to create a unique setting and situation. The model was seated on a high box on top of a platform, by a window, leaning on a stick. I got an under-sea-king vibe from it somehow. I had so much fun, there's a chance I might want to turn it into something finished.

The model posed on a bike last week.

Feet and Folds

Some recent sketchbook work from observation and reference. I'm experimenting with ballpoint pen and focusing on feet, clothing folds, and in general clothed people. It's been challenging for me to sketch loosely and not be too married to one single picture at a time from start to finish these past few years, but I'm working to overcome the block and free myself a bit more.

Update

Another creepy drawing for Nightmare Illustrated, and some observational practice.


                                                       

Something on the scary side for a story about eyes...

Owch on those hands, shouldn't have waited to do them last.

Hands practice