Child-like joy of pen to paper!

My favorite form of drawing, what comes most natural and is the most pleasurable for me...has always been the looseness of drawing off the cuff. Laying down NO pencil sketches, no tracing over preexisting lines....just going right at the paper with pen in hand and working through the improv of what goes from my hand through the marker to paper!
Many artists/cartoonists will tell you their pencil sketches are the favorite part of their work because the inked over lines never retain the loose, action-filled expressive line that comes from throwing down those first unhibit lines of a rough sketch. I can tell you that my own illustrations that are finalized by going back and inking over my pencil sketch aren't near as loose, fun or spontaneous, in my opinion, as my off the cuff work. __So, when I have the chance to sit down and just let pen go straight to paper, I'm as tickled as anyone to see what turns out from the spontaneous flow.
The illustration below is an example of pen (marker) directly to paper. I created this, this afternoon when I got home from my part-time gig and just needed some creative time to unwind. It started with no particular idea in mind, I just drew the nose (which turned into the bear) and improvised from there. The illustration created itself pretty quickly, and that's the magic of drawing that I enjoyed as a child. Pretty cool to still be able to experience that child-like joy...at my age :-)

Excited to see Santa Claus!

I like the idea of Santa being greeted by all of his elves upon his return. What a celebration that must be! Anyhow, with that in mind, yesterday, I created the b/w image in my sketchbook, just for the fun of it. But last night those little guys were just begging for me to toss some color onto them...so I did! Santa is real! Just ask the elves, they'll tell ya! :-) Happy Holidays!!!

Making WINE at the North Pole!

This was originally a sketch for a wine label, that ultimately didn't get picked, but it was too fun not to do something with it! So tossed some color on the rough sketch and, TA-DA! A fun, loose illustration of our friends up north making some delicious Holiday wine :-)

Personalized Artwork Gift Idea for the Holidays!

This drastic cold snap that has befallen us over the last 24 hours has been an instant reminder that the Holiday Season is upon us and gift ideas are being seeked out by many. It's my pleasure to remind folks of the one-of-a-kind pet lover illustrations I take great joy in creating! Orders are coming in and I welcome more! Feel free to contact me for information! Happy Early Holidays and brrrrrrrrrr!!!

Black and White vs. Full Color Illustration

I'm a HUGE fan of black and white illustration! But having said that, I cannot deny that, sometimes, taking that black and white illustration and converting it to a full color illustration can have a real dramatic impact on that same illustration and really make it pop! __The b/w 'Little Dog' image that I created last  Friday night...got the full color treatment this Friday night! Personally, I like both approaches, but it's fun to compare and contrast both options! Hope you like'em, too :-)

Artwork created while my wife sleeps!

I've mentioned in the past how, on certain evenings after my wife has fallen asleep, I will slip over to a drafting table we have in our bedroom, sit down and create for the pure joy of it. Well, I also look at it as practicing what I do, but the goal is just to unwind, relax and see where the pen takes my hand. This particular night, the pen had 'small dog attitude' on it's mind. __You just never know what the end result of these 'night time-wife sleeping' creations will be. But, they're always enjoyable :-)

Cartoons from 1993 bring modern day joy to this father.

Recently I was cleaning the bedroom my son grew up in (He's now 24 and lives 1,000 miles away). As you might guess, there's a mix of emotions when a parent goes through the things of their child's childhood. Imagine my surprise when I came across these three illustrations I did for him back in 1993, when he was 4 years old. __To me, they, the cartoons, were as powerful as finding an old love letter. There were no written words of love but rather, when I look at the cartoons I can see and remember the love that went into them. I see me trying to create images that he, my son, my little boy, would enjoy, make him smile and ultimately laugh or giggle. 

I wasn't paid a cent for these illustrations, but the hugs I got from my, then, 4 year old son when he received them, were worth more than anything in the world.__Now that's a good memory :-)

Illustration for the Children's Market

I have spent the majority of this summer creating illustrations pertaining to the children's market, mostly in the educational realm. I truly love working in this area for it allows a great level of creativity and imagination! Working with Art Directors and Editors who support that approach and celebrate the joy that is a child's imagination is such a treat!

Friday night and relaxing with pen and paper!

Friday night sometimes find me trying to unwind from the week by drawing for nobody but me. This typically means that after my wife has drifted off to sleep, I'll get up, grab some pens and paper, sit at the drawing table in our bedroom and just start inking with no real thought, or direction, in mind...other than to create, have fun and relax. __Such is the resulting image you see below. I call it, THE PARASITE!..but only because that's what the little guy who's attached himself to the big guy reminds me of. The end result of these drawings never have to have any profound meaning to me. I simply enjoy creating and seeing what ends up on the paper. ___So there you have it...my wild and exciting Friday night (sigh).... :-)

Beware...Fall political campaigning is coming!

The onslaught of political ads has already begun...and it's already getting nasty. This does not make me look forward to things kicking into high gear this fall when both sides come out in full force. Like the attached cartoon, they can dress it up all they want but their true colors, red & blue, always show through. __Could make for a spooky Halloween.

Using ILLUSTRATION for that special occasion!

Consider using illustration to celebrate and promote your special event! Case in point, here's an illustration I did some years ago to celebrate my high school class reunion. The cartoon mimics the traditional setting for our Senior class photo, taken every year outside in front of the entrance to our high school. I simply went back and changed the number on the banner to match this year's 35th reunion date...which we'll be celebrating tomorrow!

 

Illustration is sometimes about a play off of words.

When illustrating about a particular subject matter, I look for keywords or phrases in the copy that I can play off of when trying to create a fun illustration that ties into the article. Such is the case when creating a simple, fun piece of artwork about a child's 'loooooong day of reading.' Giraffe = Long...taadaa!

Illustration brings attention to your project!

I love what I do, and if I could sit around and create for the pure joy of it, I would! BUT...a guy has to make a living, and that means promoting one's self. Reminding existing and potential clients that I'm out here and I'm eager to work for them and create with them! __Wish me luck :-) Thanks!!!!

Have fun with illustration!

When illustrating about 'fast animals on the safari'...I wanted to take a different approach, away from the obvious. Something unexpected, something fun! __I know from working around, and drawing for, preschoolers that one of their favorite animals is the cheetah, and while they like it when I doodle out a cheetah stretched out and running...they always giggle when I doodle that same 'fast cheetah' running upright, like humans! __Being a Track & Field fan, I envisioned the cheetah running hurdles, but since there are no hurdles in the safari...why not have the cheetah hurdling over the tall grasses as he is in pursuit of a swift gazelle? Better yet, have him, the cheetah, wearing a true track uniform and spikes! I played the gazelle more straight forward with slight exaggeration and expression, thus keeping the main focus on the cheetah. ___The key here is....HAVE FUN WITH IT!

Illustration that's open to interpretation.

Many of the illustrations I create are done to accompany a written article or story. When this is the case the content (text) of the article makes the exlanation, or meaning,  of the illustration pretty self-explanatory. But when that same illustration is left to stand alone on its own, without any copy or explanation, I am often fascinated by the wide variety of interpretations the same illustration can ellicit. From good to bad, hilarious to hellfire, sigh to deeply intellectual, etc.
The illustration below is a good example of this. __ Trust me, it was created in the spirit of fun..but, without saying more, I'll leave it up to your imagination to decide the meaning, if any, behind this lovely image.  I'll never tell :-)

 

Creating Kid Friendly Characters

The manic, overly exaggerated characters I've been creating of late do not always work or transfer over to the children's market. so when creating a caterpillar character for a children's piece, I back off and soften the character. Still trying to maintain an inviting, non-threatening, friendly character with personality...and pants :-)

Steps for coloring the MANIC OLD DOG illustration!

I recently created an editorial illustration about older dogs and their, sometimes, manic excitement when it comes to dinnertime. We all have to have something to look forward to. Apparently, old dogs look forward to dinnertime...as do I :-) __Anyhow, I wanted to share a few of the different stages of creating the illustration, once the pencil sketch had been chosen. 1) The base b/w lineart. 2) The addition of flat colors. 3)  Laying in some shading 4) Changing the b/w lineart to color and adding a soft background.
The process takes a bit of time but I enjoy the feel of the final illustration...as did the client :-)

Humorous Editorial Illustration lightens heavy subject matter.

Getting to create a humorous editorial illustration is great fun, when given the opportunity to take on a heavy subject matter, such as, 'PARENTING- ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE RING WITH YOUR INFANT?' __More clients should consider this clever approach when dealing with serious subject matter. It's an awesome way to bring attention to an article and draw in your readers.__But, hey, I'm just a Humorous Illustrator :-)

Can you tell what sports team your neighbor likes?

When your neighbor sits outside on their patio, watching sports programs on their TV,...it doesn't take a lot to figure out who they're cheering for...or against :-)

Promoting Thyself!

Sharing a little e-promo piece I'm sending out today. Help a brotha' out and hire your local friendly neighborhood freelancer :-)