Jailhouse Rock

So the theme for this week was: Escape.

As usual, I was going to take the high-road and come up with a concept that utilized the word Escape in its most esoteric and high-minded meaning. As you can see that didn't happen. I really wasn't pleased with the way this illustration came out at all, hence all the grunge effect thrown on. I love doing grunge brush stuff. I'm late on the band-wagon so all these effects are pretty new to me so I apologize that the image becomes almost hidden behind all the distressing going on. I'm gonna cut-it out next time around.

As for the illustration, I wasn't happy with the background, especially the jail. Now that I think of it, I should have blurred the background a bit (Yeh, more grunge!). I like the cops but I cheated a bit on the shadowing under them because I couldn't really get it right. The little prisoner is cute. I feel really bad for the guy. Maybe he was just in for a marijuana bust or something.

This drawing actually reminds me of an ad I did to run in Slap, a skateboarding magazine awhile back. They refused it because of its content though which I thought was BS. Bastards. I love that ad. You kind of have to look at it for a few seconds to see all of what's going on. Lemme know if you think its too much.

Jacques Cousteau

The word for this week is: Depth.

I originally intended to do an illustration using the meaning of depth as "deep in thinking." I had this sketch of a guy at a table babbling on like your typical coffee-house philosopher. Of course his companion was bored stiff. I didn't like the way it was shaping up though so I fell back onto the more popular meaning of depth, as in a degree of altitude.

I think the outcome is O.K. I'm doing the lines a bit too thick still. The colors work but the palette isn't very special. Maybe a bit too feminine even. I should have tried more muted blues and greens like you really see in the ocean. Live and learn. The water ripples aren't bad. Just a few brush types with a motion blurred plopped on.



Actually, the funnest part was doing the research on the old diving suits. Some of the very-early prototypes are insane looking.

Ciao!

Star Wars Kid

This week the keyword is: Roots.

Influenced by the I AM 8-BIT gallery show (www.iam8bit.net), I had originally intended to draw a modern computer-gaming character, holding 2 original gaming characters (like a pac-man and a Mario). The only problem was I couldn't think of a universal modern gaming character. I was gonna try the Doom 3 guy, in his Space Marine outfit but its not very recognizable. So I just gave up and decided to go for something a little simpler: my roots. A 70s nerdy kid in all his glory. Note the yellow Star Wars tee. They looked great on white skinned skinny kids. And yes, I did read Electronic Gaming magazine. And the Dungeon (you in-the-know will remember that original AD&D mag).

Boy am I a loser.

Welcome.

Welcome my Weekly Illustrations site. This is in conjunction with Illustration Friday, an artist community website. A new keyword is added every week for the artist to interpret into a drawing. They have some incredible artists on that site. I recommend you give it a look-see (www.illustrationfriday.com).

I got the idea for joining this site after looking at the art of Steve Mack. This guy does incredible drawings in the vain of 1950s and 60s advertising illustrations (think Savignac). The beauty of his work is that while the original artists used to work in paint, he does all his work entirely in Illustrator; from original sketch to finished art. Its a mystery how he manages to get the texture and feel of a real canvas painting in Illustrator and sadly, he's not giving it any secrets. check out his stuff at: http://www.spotillustration.com.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy some of my stuff.