Satch

Joe Satriani is my next subject for my guitarist series. Here's a couple of studies:







I didn't have time to do the final illustration today, but I am hoping to complete it tomorrow during the Super Bowl (not a big football fan, but the commercials can be entertaining. I'll draw during the game).

Guitarist/Musician Series

This illustration is of Steve Vai, presently one of my favorite guitarists/musicians. Not only does he have incredible skill on his ax, he is extraordinarily talented as a composer (we're talking musical notation, not your typical rock musician) and just outright creative. He has a knack of reinventing himself over and over again as an artist.

Anyway, enough about Vai. Since I appreciate good music, especially guitar playing (I play the instrument myself), I plan on creating a series of illustrations of famous (and maybe not so famous) guitar players. So this is my first of the series.

In this series I will attempt to not simply achieve a physical likeness of the artist, but more importantly capture the essence. They will all be in pen and ink because I want them to have a spontaneous quality.

Moving on to the Next Level

I've been a bit frustrated with my artwork lately. For a lack of better terms I've been searching for my "style" (or my artistic "voice"). There are many aspects of my artwork with which I am pleased. However, there doesn't seem to be much about it that wows me.

I have been looking at the works of illustrators that I really appreciate, such as Jack Unruh, Alan E. Cober, Sterling Hundly, Marshal Arisman, and Gary Kelly, trying to assimilate their creativity and apply it to my own work (without copying). This is no easy task.

I think I am coming to the conclusion that, even though it is good to be inspired by great artists, it is up to me to pave my own way, taking a more critical look at my art, and seeing what works and what needs to be done differently. Again, no easy task.

At this point of the year, I was planning on sending out a self promotional to potential illustration clients. But I am thinking about holding off for a couple more months so I can work out the rough spots of my work so it has a more professional appearance. It is times like this that I sometimes wish I had gone to art school.

IF: "Pale"

Here is my take on this week's Illustration Friday "Pale". It is a self portrait of my most recent migraine. I felt so ill and could hardly do anything. My wife remarked on how pale I looked and said my skin appeared green.

Done with pen, brush & ink with watercolor.

Illustration Friday: "Contained"

I missed the deadline for Illustration Friday, but here it is anyway.

Here in Stockton, California we are experiencing Spring-like weather, unlike many parts of the country at this time. For some, this gives them license to show off their barely "contained" assets.

Am I the only male prude that thinks some things are better left unseen?

Illustration Friday: "Clandestine"

The sketch is a final few studies to get the concept clearer in my mind before I started the illustration. Though my first application of watercolor was a bit heavy, I think the end result came out pretty well. This illustration was done with watercolor and pen/ink.