Self-portraits are weird.

For my first real digital painting in Tradigital, we had to do a self portrait that reflected an aspect of us (public or private). As a fan of parody and genre-based work, mine is about Star Trek cosplay and digital work spaces (I wish I had a cintiq).

TIME Magazine cover

For Tradigital , we were given a mock TIME cover job that had to cover the SOPA/PIPA controversy and legislation.

I wanted to explore a deeper symbolism in this piece using ancient mythology, but don't know if this reads as well as it could have (Cerberus's 3 heads have tags labeled the RIAA, MPAA, and GOV*). On the technical side, doing more inking and then applying digital color is a relatively new process for me, but I like the effects of it, and would probably make more edits to this with applied textures.

*alright, the "GOV" one seems too generic, but I'm considering other options.

Letterpress! :D

I'm super excited to say that I've been working in letterpress and I really like the look of linocuts- something to consider in future projects and designs.

My first broadside was based on the theme of space, and I chose to focus on the personal space of relationships. The linocut image is a true love knot, which is acts in the same way as a chinese fingertrap, composed of 2 overhand knots that tighten when pulled in opposite directions, inseparable yet flexible.

The 2nd project was for "impossible" ephemera, so I created posters for a "Pirate Craft Fair" event (not that I discriminate against pirates who are into crafts and knitting, but it is highly unlikely to happen). The knit bootie shape was made with xerox transfers.

Spot Illustration from my book

I'm currently working on a semester long book, and it's been a long process figuring out how to do pages in it...

here's a teaser spread from my book about relationships:

Looking at it, I think I'll go back and make some edits again.

doodling

I'm a little behind on updating this blog, but here's recent ink doodle for fun, based on some photos from this book I got on Florence and Tuscany.

NYCC part 1

So this is one of three posts related to my experience at NYCC back in October. I just haven't really been able to update my blog about anything since I got back to school....

First off, I did some artist doodles (apparently nobody does doodles of the artists as they doodle... I was so META):

It was a great chance to practice getting a quick likeness down (these were roughly 5-10 mins each). Also sorry about writing "bearsex" next to Craig's face... I had to take some important notes for future illustrations.

Let's get down to the cool stuff... SWAG:

I bought a copy of Robbi's webcomic, Frankie Get Your Gun while I was smoozing in artist alley. :] Check out his work on his deviantart and the blog on his webcomic.

Had to get an issue of American Vampire signed by SGM himself. The guy is too cool and you can check out his deviantart. If I had the money, I'd buy an original spread from Joe the Barbarian or Hellblazer.

Awwwww I got to meet Yuko and Ananth of Johnny Wander! :3 Webcomics are amazing.

Did I mention I got this sweet Wolverine sketch from Guillermo Ortega? SO WORTH $30.

And much more stuff will be covered in the next NYCC-related post. I have to write a review for this graphic novel and etc.

motion graphics are hard

After Effectssssss whattttt.

so I had a 10-15 min overview of AfterEffects when I started this little motion graphic comic thing for my Fashion & Lifestyle Illustration class. It's not the best since I need to take a class to really know how to do this stuff, but I'm interested in taking an elective if I can.

Here is some process work, and I'll post the video later this weekend. :D

Sketches to loosen up

Thumbnails (I somehow lost some more that lead to the final one)

Final lineart


Light studies

Color studies

Screenshot

Basically I learned that I should draw the lineart in separate sections to animate... but this was a 2 part assignment in which I had already made the lineart all on one spread. With time constraints, I had to just work around it. Lessons learned indeed.

It was a 10 sec loop, but after my experience, I really appreciate people who work in this medium.