New Year 2010

Alright, it's finally the new year which means I'm going to stop neglecting this blog...

Some news updates:

I've got my new macbook pro, my wide format printer, and my scanner all set up and ready- but I still have not purchased CS4, which is partially why I haven't been posting regularly. However, early next month I'll be installing the suite, so I'll upload a lot of backed work there.

Inspired by the book, An Illustrated Life, I've started keeping a sketch journal... which I will try to post pages from every now and again.

I've finished instructing Graphic Design at the University. I was given the offer to continue teaching through this semester but declined, as I still work full time as a graphic designer and need to focus my remaining time on freelance projects.

I've recently started working with the non profit organization MagazineLiteracy.org . I am excited about this project and look forward to sharing designs once they've been approved.

And last but certainly not least, I'm starting my MFA program in July. Ahhh! That will surely produce lots of new work!

So, I apologize for the lack of activity with the blog, but I promise to post new work as soon as I get photoshop installed on this computer...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my dogs! Yes, this is what people do to their animals when they don't have kids to dress up.

I've been taking a much needed break, but starting January first I will be posting frequently! So stay tuned, and until then, have a very wonderful holiday!

Childrens Illustrators.com has been hacked

In case you haven't heard- last month Childrens Illustrators.com, a paysite (roughly 200 dollars per year to host your portfolio) was hacked. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but the entire site is down. You can follow some updates via their twitter page here: twitter.com/cillustrators. But they have not updated that page since December 2nd...

I'm a little frustrated that I found out about the hack via another blog- but I suppose if it's as extensive as they have been claiming, they don't even have access to their web accounts. Bummer. I'll be watching closely to see how we'll all be compensated for this mishap... and if the site will ever be up and running.

Where are all the drawings?

I apologize for being MIA these last few weeks, but my home computer pretty much died, so I have not been able to create or post anything. But that will change soon- I just ordered myself a Mac Book Pro! Woo-hoo! This, matched with my new beautiful Moleskine sketchbook should produce some great art soon!

doodely-oodles

I bought a bunch of Bristol Artist Trading Cards.... they are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, come in a 20 pack, and are GREAT for sketching and just playing around. I tend to get bored with a drawing really fast, so these are great for just getting ideas out.

Here are a few from tonight- LOOK! I even used colored pencil!! I have owned a set of colored pencils for about 7 years and this is the 3rd time I've used them.... yeah, I think I need a little more work- but at least now I have the perfectly sized pieces of paper to work on. I spent about 3-5 minutes on each sketch and about 20 trying to color in the water buffalo.

Exciting News!

I have some very exciting news!

I have been accepted into the University of Hartford Limited Residency MFA Illustration Program!!

Being accepted into the program alone is a huge honor- only about 20 students are admitted into each graduating class, and I have to admit, my fellow students are intimidating and AMAZING! So I am going to be drawing CONSTANTLY to sharpen my skills so I'll be as prepared as possible for classes this summer (which should hopefully make this blog a little more interesting and helpful as well!).

Here is the official website: http://www.hartfordillustration.mfa.org/

And a glowing review of the program by Communication Arts can be found HERE

Yippee!!!

Snowman guy

Finished up a nice little Christmas illustration today :)
Started as a little sketch in my sketchbook...

Digital Painting using Layer Locks

This tutorial is for using layer locks in Photoshop for digital painting. There are TONS of ways to digitally paint an image- this way I am just very comfortable with! Never be afraid to try something new!
1) Start with a sketch.
I find that I have an easier time drawing on paper, rather than directly into photoshop. If you scan your image in, make sure that it is set to 300 dpi.



2) Ink your drawing.
Using a small, hard brush (I like to use around size 5), ink over your sketch on a new layer. I find that lowering the opacity of my sketch to around 30, and adding a white background behind both layers, helps me to more clearly see what I am doing.

3) Color your illustration in using layers.
As you can see from the image below, I color in different elements on different layers. It is very important that if you have more than one color laid down per layer, that the colors DO NOT TOUCH. This will make adding light and shadow much easier. In this example, you can see that I have also named my layers.



4) Use layer locks to add shadows and highlights.
To add light and shadow to the pigs skin, I first select the layer that the color is on, and then click on the Transparency Layer Lock. What this essentially does is it locks the pixels into place, so that you can easily draw on top of your existing pixels. This will allow you to color in your illustration without worrying about coloring anything except exactly what you want to manipulate. I can work and rework over a a locked layer, and I will never need to fix any other part of the illustration.
5) Continue to color your illustration.
As a tip, I like to remove the line work every now and again (by clicking the eye on and off) to make sure that my highlights and shadows make sense.

And here's your finished illustration!

Loss of a Great Man.

Yesterday, October 21st, 2009, my mentor, professor, and dear friend M. Wayne Knight passed away from complications of pneumonia and H1N1.

I can not possibly express what an important man he was to me as an individual and an artist. When I was 19, I eagerly went into his office for the first time, and told him, "I want to be an illustrator." He looked at me over his glasses and said something to the effect of, "You're going to need a lot work!". I told him I was up for it, and this was the start of our friendship.

After I exhausted the graphic design courses he taught at the university, he began taking me on as a private student. Then I became his T.A., and the head lab tech for the computer lab. When I graduated from college, he found me my first real design job, working at Tomas Jewelry.

When he fell ill, he requested that I temporarily teach his classes for him at Humboldt State University. And now that he has passed, it looks like I am going to become an appointed lecturer for at least the rest of the semester. I really don't know what I am doing. I am only 24, barely out of college myself, and now I am responsible for the education of 30 young artists. But teaching was his passion, and I will do the job to the best of my ability to honor him.

It is incredibly painful to loose your mentor. I had thought ours was a lifelong relationship. To pass away at only age 60... it is so cruel.

On September 27th, I got my last e-mail from Wayne. I had told him that my life kept throwing me curveballs, and that I was getting depressed. He wrote me back the kindest letter- it's so bizarre, it is almost like he was preparing me for his passing. Here is the letter below:

"Clearly there is not much I can say to soften the twists and turns of your life. Losing loved ones, lovers and friends is as hard as it gets. I will not try to tell you that there are reasons. Nor will I say that you will learn from these events and life will be easier.

I will stick with what I know. My mother died and I did not grieve for 20 years. My father died and I only wished I could have had another chance to tell him that his drinking cost us love and unity in our family. But my son was born and it was and still is a thrill. I have painted some brilliant paintings. The people in my life have created who I am and I am happy and lucky. Change is the constant and I recognize when it is good and it is worth the wait.

Aja, you are talented, beautiful and at the beginning of your life. I cannot say a bus won't hit you in an intersection tomorrow but if it doesn't you will use your skills, determination and luck to make others and yourself happy. It may be for a moment, a month or years.

College was a good idea, two years is nothing and I am a happier person because you were a part of it. So look both ways and cross the street - the other side might be kinder. Remember the first time you drew a happy pig - I bet you smiled."

So here is to a remarkable, beautiful, wonderful man. I'm sitting in your lab right now, that for so many years was home to me. I will always love you, and you will carry on in my heart, always.

Please view his beautiful paintings and illustrations at http://www.mwayneknight.com/

Pictured below- Wayne is the big guy with the blue shirt. This was taken in 08, in front of the home he built himself, right before I graduated from college. Also, I am the one in front wearing red.

Awesome Xacto!

My friend Michael does wood turning- and check out this awesome xacto knife shell he made! A total must-have for all graphic design nerds.