Artist Block

First assignment of the summer and I am already in the working mood to make more art. It was a tough two weeks getting back in the groove of working again. Gotta make it into a habit. Titled, "Artist Block" the illustration is a self portrait. The fish represent all things beautiful as they continuously swim about in such a contained space. My mind is similar, ever inspiring but can't seem to break free of the space.

The Witches: "Voila, Boy Turns Into Mouse!"

Sketch and linework with blue graphite 

 After the Logan's Run dvd assignment, I realized that I had one more painting to do. This assignment was to do a scene from a children's book. I chose to do one from "The Witches" by Roald Dahl. I wanted to keep mine modern and not make the witches look too old but rather youthful looking! Adding bounce to their wigs, and 60's inspired make-up did the job. First I started with a couple of thumbnail sketches, chose an interesting composition and worked on a 9''x12'' final sketch. Originally there were four witches in the final sketch, but given advice--odd numbers are better.
I lined my blue graphite sketch with a brown micron pen, then after that, erased the blue and started painting. The first wash I start out with usually has 3-4 different colors and I do this very lightly. Then I use a layering technique to build up my values until I feel it looks finished. After all the painting is done, I scan my work at 400dpi and add a flat colored background on Photoshop CS5.
I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out in the end.

First wash and adding detail to face

Close to finished product, again adding detail.

Final

Logan's Run: DVD Assignment

Sketch and cleaned up linework.

 So the final assignment for Caitlin Kuhwald's Illustration class was to design a DVD cover for a movie of her choice. I was really happy Logan's Run made it on the list, although Harold and Maude (which was in the previous list of her last semester's class) would've been the one illustrated because I fucking loved that movie. Anyway, I had a hell of a time figuring out how I wanted the two characters Logan 5 and Jessica 6 in the foreground. A running pose was not an easy thing, only because my reference photos look a little forced and super cheesy! Thank you L.J. and Hazel for helping me out though (I ended up using my own reference photo in the end). My process took a while. I had two thumbnails, one color study, sketch, final sketch, cleaned up line work, and the actual final. I'm really happy with the way this piece turned out. Although his likeness is a little off, I'm quite happy with how the characters shown through. Speaking of "shown through", Kuhwald laughed at how Jessica 6's nipples are bright. "I can't stop looking at them. I feel so embarrassed!!" Haha, yes! Success!

Final 

Fanciful feline wearing fox fur feast on fat fish from afar.

Sketch

 So this was a really fun assignment I've done so far in my Illustration 3 class at CCA. Students were to chose a letter from the alphabet, and make a scene that made sense using just that letter! The left image is my final sketch using velum paper and graphite. Then I went into it with watercolors using no white or black paint to keep the luminosity of the pigments. A lot of my classmates liked the final result, however my instructor felt like it needed black or white paint. I guess during the summer I need to start playing with values and actually add black pigment back into my palette. However I refuse to let any white paint touch my paper...so I might have to invest in some masking fluid. Anyway, nothing like painting a bunch of cats and humans catering to their needs! I love cats but I am f*cking allergic to them! 

Final!