Illustration Friday: Disguise

It has been a while since I participated in Illustration Friday, but this week's topic fit perfectly with something I had just started working on. I hope you enjoy it!
Also check out my groups blog OnceUponASketch.

IF:Beginner

Beginner's Guide to Middle School. At least that what you think of with the book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". I watched the movie and it got me thinking about characters.

The sketches above are some of the characters I drew to depict a variety of personalities and ethnicities in Middle School.

Life has been hectic, so I hope to get it in color sometime before the summer. In the mean time, your comments and suggestions are welcome!

I'll be making an exciting announcement in the next coming weeks, so stay tuned!

From the Sketchbook

One of my 2011 goals is to draw more often. To draw anything, just for fun and without purpose. it could be a small doodle or a character, or whatever. Ideally, I would like to sketch once a day. I haven't quite been able to draw every day, but pretty close. Here's some of the sketches from last week...

Illustration Friday: Dusty

Nothing like a bad fall to end up all dusty!

Something I'm working on...

IF: ARTIFICIAL

Pure, Raw, Honey! Nothing artificial there!

This was done in 1 hour. I wish I had time to work out some of the details and clean it up... but I'm happy I was able to draw!

IF: Trail

It’s been almost 3 months since my last IF post. A year ago, I couldn’t imagine not posting weekly but so things change and we have to adapt.

2010 It’s been an interesting year. Old doors have opened up. I once thought that my career as a designer/web designer was a thing of the past, simply because I could not balance deadlines and a family. I guess it is all about timing… my kids are a bit older and I have more time to dedicate to projects and clients, which works out quite well.

I still dream with illustrating a children’s book someday, but at the moment I’m listening to the universe and what it wants me to do…. And it is to design … design … design! And I love it!

I do miss my daily drawings and drawing with a kid’s perspective. So I am going back to the beginning and why I started this blog 2 years ago and it is just to draw for fun, just not posting as often perhaps…

This week’s post for IF was inspired by my son. Lately, when he gets upset he says he wants to run away, of course we talk it out and he realizes that home is where he wants to be. Anyway, I thought of this little bunny packing his most precious items and some bread in his pocket (like Hansel and Gretel)… and wondering down a trail.

I hope you enjoy the post and thanks for stopping by!

Fallen Angel

This is the sketch of what will be an oil paint. This is not the final version since I'm still trying to workout some layout and composition issues. Once I have that figured out, I'll work on a color version digitally, and then I'll work on a life size canvas. (yikes! - that's going to take a while!).

I'm wondering about making it a series, and perhaps making this a recurring character ... or a series of angels, not sure yet.

IF: Craving

Little Tim Tin was surprised by a bunch of slimy little aliens when he went to the fridge to satisfy a midnight craving.

This week I'm only posting a sketch. I liked how it came out and I'd like to add color to it if I ever get the chance. I've been thinking a lot about my portfolio and realize that I don't have a lot of different subjects. Lots of children, but not a lot of other stuff. I'm not sure if this is portfolio worthy, but I think in terms of subject I'm definitely moving in the right direction.

I'm trying to wrap up the dummy book while the family has been fighting a virus. Hopefully, I'll have it all done by next week. Yay! I may post the cover separately, just to get feedback.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for all your comments...

If: THEATER

This is an old sketch I thought would work for this week's prompt.

I don't know what is happening in my cosmic field lately, but I just can't seem to

get enough time to make enough progress on anything! Things keep popping up that need my attention and take me off track. 

Here's a color version of one of the sketches from the Billy Goat Gruff.

Digital experiment

REVISED POST: 

Well, I found myself on the computer last night looking for texture brushes for Photoshop and ended up downloading some brushes from mccannas.com to explore more textures. I think I need to find a different set of brushes. Although I did not mind the 'pastel' feeling of these. I used to do a lot of pastels when I was in college and these brushes definitely reminded me of that (minus the mess!). I would like to try more of a painterly style brush, or ones that don't have a square shape. If any one knows of a better resource, please comment. 

Here's the newer revised version. After following some suggestions, I added some more shadows and highlights. If I were to do it over I would add a night stand with some medicine on it. I think it would add to the story.

One of my goals this year is to experiment with more mediums. My first IF post was a digital piece I did in illustrator. All my other pieces have been done in acrylic. I do use the computer to refine sketches and make color studies, but I've always found that trying to draw with my drawing tablet is like drawing with a left hand (and I'm right handed).

This was not entirely digital. I worked from a sketch which I then colored in Photoshop. I spent about 4 hours total. I'm sure it could be better, so if you have suggestions please feel free to comment. However, I thought it was a good start.

IF : VOICES

This is another quick post and probably the last one until the New Year. There's just too much going on right now.  I am having a great time though, enjoying my kids, my family and my friends. This is most definitely my favorite time of year. I wish you all Happy Holidays!

I only wish I had more time to visit all my favorite blogs. I am way behind!

I did get a chance to rework the composition of my last IF entry, since I wasn't to thrilled with it. I changed the big bird on the foreground to the dancing girl, and I think she is much more interesting to look at than the bird. I also moved and flipped the pets (thanks to Photoshop) to make the negative space more dynamic, and added some props to the kids. Oh, and the Dad magically aged a few years. He looks more like grandpa, which is fine. I can see grandparents in this type of predicament as well. Oh, and I figured with all the commotion, one could almost hear the voices of the children! There! That's how I link it to this week's IF. I do plan on painting this one, but after the New Year!

Sketch :: Kids Running

This is a work in progress. I am not sure yet if I will paint it or not.  As I look at my portfolio I see that I may need more 'action' pieces, and this may be one that I include. I also need some adults. I'm realizing that most of my work is children... I guess I just love children!

I have one character study, but that may be the next thing I tackle ... a character study of an animal...maybe...

I've had a ton of ideas and not enough time! I've been writing my ideas down, not even having the time to sketch them. I guess it's better to have ideas, than to be wondering what to do next, right?

SPRING IN COLOR

I finally had some time to go back and start the color version of seasons sketches. I also made a sketch for winter. I am pleased with the outcome. I am getting more comfortable with the illustration board, and the time I spent was reasonable, about 4 hours.

SPRING

Acrylics and illustration board

WINTER

Illustration Friday : Worry

This is my first post for illustration friday and the theme is ‘worry’. I am a little late on posting it, because I just joined the group today. Since I am trying to enter the realm of children’s books and I need to get proficient at drawing children in a stylized manner, I sketched this little guy. His biggest worry in life at the moment is his broken toy. (Boy, if life was that simple, right?) I’m not sure if his expression is more sad than worried. I was having a hard time with that…anyone has any suggestions?
I may try to do this one in gouache since I haven’t used gouache in years.
I really welcome your feedback and comments.