and many other things.
I was originally hoping to have a fully functional website by the end of this month, but realistically, it’s impossible, as I’ve got more important things to create. Instead, I have created a coming soon page.
The real website should arrive sometime between April and June.
I’ve also been making progress learning how to apply colour to pictures using a graphics tablet and manipulate layers in Photoshop. Example below. 2 - 3 hours work in total.
Lately, I’ve hardly had the time, patience or will to draw or blog, but all of that is going to change! I’ve made myself a promise draw and blog more often, and with the festive holidays approaching, I should find myself with more than enough time to pick up a pencil, pen or paint brush.
Anyway, here’s my most recent piece.. A B&W self portrait done in the style of a mugshot (there’s something quite appealing about mugshots!) I’ll probably use Photoshop to add a little bit of colour and do a little bit of tonal tweaking later.
So, here is the second nearly complete accordion book.
I previously posted the design/mini sketches without explaining why I chose this idea or what this book was meant to be about, so here’s a brief explanation…
I believe that everyone should be “obsessed” about what they eat, as this means plays an important part in being healthy/unhealthy. The protagonist of this illustrated tale, whom I shall name X, is not obsessed with healthy eating. Not only does X live a life on a diet of fast foods and beer, but X goes as far as to consume leftovers from weeks past. I want to show what’s happening to X on the inside, but without getting caught into details of what bacteria does, so I decided to liken it with a movie of an alien invasion of Earth that X is watching on TV.
Below is a thumbnail showing the inside content of the book (click on it for a larger version).
The textured, Venom-esque cover was created by smoothly applying silver paint as the under layer, and once dry, splashing black acrylic paint over parts of it. The cover’s intention is to illustrate the spreading of the bacteria.
Quick last minute entry for this weeks Illustration Friday challenge. Not my usual kind of drawing, but hey…
We’ve been asked at university to create three little books on our obsessions, from which, we would then pick one and further develop it and present/hand it in as coursework at the end of this month.
Firstly, I am a little uncomfortable with this task- as it will require me to discuss what could be a very personal subject. I’m sure there are people with certain obsessions that they would rather keep to themselves.
As this is for university, and I must do the coursework (or fail), I decided to pick music. I would say that I am somewhat obsessed with music, as I am always listening to something while on the go or indoors.
My taste in music could be described as eclectic and I would most likely get caught up in the detail of things and spend too much time planning on what and how I want to illustrate this obsession. Because I did not want to do this, I decided to try working in a different manner. No planning. No research.
Instead, I selected my favourite song - Bodysnatchers by the brilliant Radiohead, from the album In Rainbows, set it on repeat, turned up the volume, and just went with the flow.
I personally think this one is not bad for a few hours work.
Check out the thumbnail below, for large unfolded version of the accordion book.
And, of course, check out a YouTube of the song that acted as the source of inspiration.
