Editorial Brief

The brief was an impartial illustration of the upcoming Scottish Referendum which could be featured as an accompaniment for a newspaper article.

Sketching Real

I have been urged to sketch things I see as opposed to using photo references or my imagination.  So here are a few sketches from my surroundings.  Mostly things that are really physically close to me e.g my left hand.  Some are better than others.

Candle

Umbrella

Desk & Chair

My hand

Lighter & Finger

Phone

Cactus

Building

Roof & Window

Woman Smoking

Working

Sitting

My left hand

I'm starting to really enjoy observational drawing.  Mostly because it takes away any pressure to get something perfect.  When you draw from a photo reference, you already have a perfect 2D representation of the object, so you constantly compare your drawing to the photo.  With observational drawing, you can have more fun.  It has more spontaneity.  You can look around the object, move the object.  The object (subject) can move, walk away, turn their head.  I like the challenge of it.

Back to basics

My focus has shifted again.  This time away from the digital colouring process.  I get too distracted and carried away with trying to digitally alter my drawings.  I have to focus more on my drawing and painting and improving my skills, before trying to alter it.

Woodland Creatures

I've been experimenting with different methods: both digitally and by hand.  My goal here was to loosen up my drawing.  I also wanted a series of finished illustrations that looked like part of a series.

Badger

Deer

Fox

Colour Trials

So, I've decided to go for bright, garish, pop-art-esque style in colouring the illustrations.  The good thing about colouring digitally is that you can play around with many different colours and textures without committing.  The downside is that you can spend too much time messing around with things and losing sight of the end result.  I think it's all about balance, which I am still trying to find!

Fox Girl

Woods

Owl Boy

Drawing with Purpose

Here are two finished up illustrations I have done recently.  Instead of just drawing randomly, I decided to set myself some constraints.  I had to incorporate a person and an animal, and come up with a composition without reference. 

I am happy with the results and will continue to challenge myself and maybe incorporate some colour at some point soon.

Owl Boy

Fox Girl

Less talk more drawing

I'm keeping the pressure on myself to draw as much as possible.  Soon, the harsh reality of financial insecurity will prod me into getting a 'normal' paying job.  Until then, I draw!

Pen & Pencil 1

Pen & Pencil 2

Pen & Pencil 3