Illustration Friday: Future

My approach to this week's topic was inspired by a couple of classes that I taught that used monotype printmaking techniques. In fact, the image is from one of the classes. Initially, I was going to use the prints as a preliminary for a more finished illustration. However, I liked the prints so much that I changed my mind and used them for the final work. My only addition to the prints is that I compiled all four into one work and then slightly enhanced them in Photo Shop.

Thus, the illustration is a monotype created with tempera, acrylics, and digital. It is an image of the TARDIS from Dr. Who, hence, "future".

Illustration Friday: Wild (late)

Even though I spent most of yesterday working on this illustration I still ended up finishing it after the deadline. I guess I'm still figuring out the digital medium because if I used traditional materials I probably would have finished it in no time. Unlike my other work, this illustration is completely digital. I still have a lot to learn with the medium.

This illustration is based on the idea that Christian music/media, though it has made lots progress in a positive way over the past 20 years or so, still seems to lack its own voice. For example, in Christian music, there are many genres, such as Country, Jazz, Rock, Alternative, etc. However, it's not the other way around. One would never see "Christian" as an optional genre in mainstream secular music. Now I realize that a lot of Christian music is intended to reach out to a secular audience and I think that's great. But I think, in order to have a little more artistic substance and integrity, Christian media needs to find a way tocreate its own identity, its own voice.

Illustration Friday: Egg

This is a pretty straight-forward illustration. I laid out the construction lines while my family and I waited for our lunch at a restaurant, went back to my studio and rendered it, then scanned and colored it while watching TV with my wife.

This piece pays homage to the Alien movies. Yep, I admit it. I love those movies!

Illustration was created with a technical pen and digital media.

 

Illustration Friday: Swim (Late)

Getting back into the groove of things after moving to the new house. Still in the process of organizing the home studio, but thing are in place enough for me do do my artwork around the piles of stuff!

Here's my take on last week's topic - I'm a day late.

Created with watercolor, pen, brush, and ink.

 

Limited To My Sketchbook

With a false start in our quest to find a suitable house for our family (we thought we had one locked in last October, but alas, no), we finally have a house in our sights which should close by the end of this month (or maybe a little before). That means we're packing, cleaning, and getting ready to prepare our new house so we can move into it. Needless to say, I have to shut down the art studio to tend to the preparations. I am hoping to reopen the business on April 1st. However, that doesn't mean I can't draw in my sketchbook when I get a chance. I think the sketchbook is one of the most important aspects of my being an artist. It is invaluable for getting ideas down, working on techniques, and artistic development. So here's a quick little sketch that I did a couple of days ago.

Created with graphite pencil.

Illustration Friday: Storm

Sometimes the only thing to get through the storms of life is a strong relationship.

This illustration was created with pen, ink, and digital.

 

Illustration Friday: Wings

I almost started to do this illustration over again because I was thinking it was a little too much color, but time was running short so I just went for it. No digital work this time around, just plain ol' real materials. I'll do Photo Shop next time.

This poor magician. I kind of think of him as a metaphor for when everything goes wrong. I've been in those shoes!

Illustration created with watercolor, pen, brush and ink.