Sketchbook!

Just a few things culled from the last several months of my electronical sketchbook.

 

 

Why I love computers...

I wasn't quite happy with yesterday's version of the Vampire Cat, and after asking the advice of both girlfriend and colleagues, I made some changes. I'm much happier now. More contrast, brighter colors, and a much more finished look. Ta da!

Mew...er...boo!

Evolution of i-Prep

This is artwork for a poster depicting the different stages of i-Prep, a computer based sales tool.

Summer's Last Sketchy

I just got back from Dr. Sketchy and wanted to see what my sketches looked like in the light - it's sometimes hard to tell what the colors are since the lighting at the Belmont can be a bit hard to see by. Anyway, here are my sketches of our model Hayley Jane Nickerson!

Stretch and Squash

Here are several recent sketches of Ellie from my sketchbook. She's evolved quite a bit from this post.

Let's go bowling, Dude.

This is my entry illustration for an art show called Oakwood Arts for the Spirit coming up later this year. It's being jointly put on by Oakwood Hospital and our good friends at Green Brain Comics in Dearborn. I didn't know what to do for it so on Suzanne Baumann's suggestion I just took something from my sketchbook and colored it up. I meant to add the holes to the bowling ball but totally forgot.

Crap.

Not The Last State Fair?

The Michigan State Fair is in dire straits, its future uncertain. Sometimes it seems like everything in Metro Detroit is falling apart or going away. There's hope though. Azucena and I drove down to 8 mile and Woodward over Labor Day weekend for what we thought was the last time we might get to go draw some livestock there. We were pleasantly surprised to hear that the fair would be back next year! I don't know if this is true as I couldn't find anything saying so online, but who knows? There were also petitions to sign to save the fair. Hopefully something good will happen. I need somewhere to go for that bottomless glass of chocolate milk (which, by the way, they ran out of before I got any this year).

A l'il more Ellie

More "tests" as we like to call them.

A L'il Sketchy

Here are a few sketches from a little Dr. Sketchy that was held last Sunday at the People's Art Fair at the Russel Industrial Complex:

Ellie again

Just some little Ellie tests. Not sayin' it's a preview or anything, but..., well..., just sayin'.

Sketchy at the Scarab!

Three Years! That's how long Sean Bieri has been running our Detroit Dr. Sketchy sessions. He hooked us up last Thursday at the Scarab Club, an historic artist hangout here in the Motor City. For over one hundred years artists such as Diego Rivera and Norman Rockwell have been coming here where they scrawl their names on the rafters of the second floor lounge.

It was a beautiful evening as we started out drawing in the courtyard with model Demonique Damzelle in her Egyptian garb. The Scarab's bartender even got in on the act by presenting us with the official Dr. Sketchy cocktail - absinthe, tequila, grenadine. Raffle prizes were handed out including some of the t-shirts I did. After the sun set we moved indoors where Lily La Rue gave us all a half-time burlesque performance before settling in with Demonique for a number of poses. We had a great turnout and I hope it continues that way!

Here are a few pics of our models, Sean handing out prizes, Agnes Domanska snapping a few pics, and someone's sketchbook. Following that, my sketchbook, including a quick drawing of a young girl in her cool hat and bright yellow skirt (I heard later she was a ballerina).

You can find more pics and drawings at the Detroit Dr. Sketchy blog.

The World. Delivered.

As a graphic designer I am both a fan and a student of commercial art from the past. I find vintage travel poster design especially appealing, as many people do. I think it has something to do with the romance that travel in bygone days has for us. Luxury liners took days to make their Atlantic crossings, and dirigibles filled the skies. Everyone dressed smartly and kept their clothes in big steamer trunks. At least in our fantasies.
I recently designed several posters for an AT&T company function in the style of those old posters. Though they aren't based on any particular posters, much of the inspiration comes from the book The Art Of The Airways, though the Eiffel Tower was inspired by the cover of Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline book. It was also a lot of fun making them look all old and grungy.

Baby did a bad, bad thing.

A quick sketch of Chris Isaak, though I don't think the likeness is that good. I had fun doing his jacket though. I need one like that.

And here's a drawing of Ellie from my sketchbook just 'cause I liked it.