Jack Frost illustration

We have had such a good winter so far. Until today (boo). Mr Jack Frost decided to pay a visit. It was so so cold. 

This illustration was a quick digital doodle (say that fast a few times). I tried some different photoshop brushes. They are more traditional and the overall feel is a lot looser.

Over the next few months I am hoping to try my hand at some differing styles to my more crisp outline style. 

We'll, better head to bed (warm thoughts, warm thoughts) as Mr Frost is coming again tonight.

Take care everyone

Thanks for visiting

Tools used:

• Wacom Intuos 5
• Photoshop CS3
• woolen beanie for my head

Jurassic Kid illustration

 

Just had to do an illustration with the up and coming new Jurassic World movie. I initially wanted to go with a fan art image but I was thinking, nah. Let's go to a more emotional place. Like how I felt when I saw the very first movie. Now I definitely was not that young (above image), but watching the first movie made me feel that way. As did the remaining movies.

The fourth movie doesn't quite have the magic of the first but it still has plenty of action and enough dinosaur carnage to keep anyone well entertained. 

As always take care, thanks for visiting.

Tools used:

• Illustrator CS3 for the crispy clean lines
• Photoshop CS3 for the rendering

What if your pet had super powers?

My third entry into #creativeprompt challenge from Henrike Dijkstra.

Today’s challenge was to come up with an idea regarding what if your pet or someone you knew had gained a super power?

Thought of the ongoing power struggle between pets, specifically dog vs cat. Hey, I am a dog lover myself so went with dog having a super power and using it to get one over the cat. Seen way to many Youtube videos of cat's been so nasty. So here's to all you dog lovers out there.

Tools used:

• Adobe ideas
• Procreate
• Photoshop CS3 for quick tidy up

Funny Wolverine illustration

Still can't get Wolverine out of my head. It's those killer curls, awesome. For this illustration I wanted to keep the image fairly clean and also wanted to try out the A-tone (mechanical tint) in photoshop. Credit here to Hi-Fi comics for the A-tone range.

Tried a new font called 'DK Lemon Yellow Sun' which my lovely wife suggested I use. Check it out online. Used here in the speech bubble. It has a lovely hand drawn quality about it.

A big highlight this week is finally joining up with Chris Oatley's Oatley Academy Live.  Lots to learn and lots and lots of people to meet. Very excited. 

So recommend that you go check him out. Find him here.

So long, take care.

Tools used:

• Adobe ideas on ipad for the inking
• Adobe illustrator for the type
• Photoshop CS3 for A-tone (mechanical tint)

Wolverine illustration

Fun concept of Wolverine.

I have a tonne of pencilled drawings, this been one of them. I said to myself, c'mon this needs to be finished. So I took a photo on my iPhone and then inked it using Adobe ideas. From there it was into Procreate to colour it up. Still can't believe just how great these two apps are. Couldn't recommend them more highly.

One of the main reasons for using the iPhone is the immediacy from using it. With a full time job and only so much energy to expend within a day this is a welcomed trade off. I can have the image inked and coloured whilst on the go. Just brilliant. T-I-M-E investment – yes!!!!

Here are the links for those great apps.

Procreate

Adobe ideas (Adobe ideas is now incorporate in an updated completely new App from Adobe called ‘Adobe Illustrator Draw’.

As always thanks for popping on in. Take care!!!

Tools used:

• Procreate
• Adobe Ideas
• Photoshop CS3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza toppings

TMNT fan art!!!!

What can I say. I love these guys. They are super fun to draw and as a character design they are awesome.

And they love pizza, c'mon. What's not to like.

I initially started with Raphael (Big dude). Then threw together some random face sketches and drew them on the ipad through procreate (another great drawing app). 

As I didn't have a strong idea how these were all going to fit together I did what I normally do...leave it for a few hours, come back and see what ideas were culminating in my brain. Still nothing, so wrestled with it throughout the week until I stumbled across the idea of a pizza menu. Then everything feel into place.

As always, thanks for swinging on by. 

Tools used:

• Photoshop CS3
• Illustrator CS3
• Adobe ideas and Procreate on ipad

Character illustration

A rather random idea that started with the man character here on called 'Mr Flick'. Mr Flick started as a pencil sketch that was transported to Adobe ideas.

Can't say this more than enough but Adobe ideas is a wonderful "free", yes you read that right...free program for the ipad. I just love the way it handles even with a cheap stylus. And best of all your lines are 100% vector. Absolutely crisp!!!

I finished off the concept with some help from Sketch-up for the vehicle and trailer. Mr bunny was done in photoshop.

Well, another illustration done. Completed. Finished...in the bag.

As always, thanks for coming on in and having a look.

Question? Have you tried Adobe ideas. And if so, what is one thing that you just love about it. Love to hear your thoughts.

Tools used:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Sketch up
• Adobe ideas on ipad

Zombie illustration

Originally this all started with the character at left. Not content to just leave him as he was I thought, he needs a background. The dog was random initially, as was my first concepts to have the dog on a leash. But it just didn't look right, not dramatic enough.

So I jumped on google and after some looking found these funny images of dogs with their bones. From there all the other elements fell into place as I now had a direction.

Loving sketch up - so great to get quick references for 3d structures...like the dog house, fence and house in background.

Thanks as always for visiting. Keep well.

Tools used:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Sketch up
• Wacom tablet

Croc man illustration

For this illustration I wanted to focus on rendering form in a different way than what I usually do. Specifically the arm closest to your view. 

A big thanks for a tutorial here by Kiwi-RGB 'PS, Gimp shading tutorial. It was really helpful to be able to breakdown the form into different techniques and take away the mystery that is in shading. It was super helpful understanding edge control for the forms. Want to know more definitely check out the link!!! A great tutorial.

Thanks as always for visiting. Have a great rest of the week.

Tools used:

• Adobe ideas for inking
• Photoshop CS3 for colouring
• Adobe illustrator for the brick wall background
• Sketch up for a brick wall model concept (sketch up is super awesome)

Digital face painting

This is my attempt..hehe(however not the first) into digital face painting with an emphasis on a more painterly style.

I looked to Brett Bean for some inspiration in regards to characters. Brett Bean, awesome digital artist.

A big thank you ‘shout out’ to Chris Oatley also. I used exclusively his photoshop brushes (you receive these when you sign up to his newsletter) which is AWESOME. Can’t recommend his site enough – Chris Oatley.

And finally, to Mel Milton - for not only his awesome everyday posting of AMAZING images but taking the time to respond to questions. Very grateful for that.

Tools used:

• Photoshop CS3
• Intuous 5 Wacom tablet
• Watched Chris Oatley Painting videos here (specifically 'My Sister, The Freak' Pin-Up

Batman Caricature

Did a batman caricature for one of my wife's workmates (Paul) for a leaving present. Was such a fun project to do. I have also included a picture of said Paul with said caricature, both looking happy.

Initially I started the caricature in pencil (no.1) with a really big zoomed up image of Paul in photoshop.

An earlier concept was to have Paul surrounded by other characters from the Batman series like Penguin, Joker and Bain (no.2). But it felt too busy so that idea was dropped. 

When the caricature was completed a simple background of green was firstly used. But again the image was lacking context. Thanks to my lovely wife we brainstormed and came up with the idea for the city line backdrop. So much more gotham!!!

As always, thanks for visiting. Any comments always welcome. 

Tools used:

• Soft 2b pencil
• Adobe ideas on ipad for inking
• Adobe illustrator for plinth and cleanup
• Photoshop for colouring

Red head girl illustration

One more week to go and it's Christmas. Oh-just-can't wait. These last few weeks have been busy-busy busy.So really looking forward to some rest and recreation.

This image was created initially from a study I did on a favourite artist of mine, Pernilleoe.

I just love the softness that is in her work.

So I wanted to push myself and try to capture that sensibility to my own work.

Overall I was happy with the outcome.

Tools used for the above image:

• Wacom Intuous 5
• Photoshop CS3

Thanks again for visiting - till next time.