A good Habit

So I was working on some projects this week as normal when I actually got a chance to do some  personal work.  Besides design, illustrating (and painting) is my second favorite aspects of art. So I thought it would be beneficial to mention a tool that I use over ,and over again that helps me with projects.  For those of you who have been drawing alone time you probably know what a turnaround is. However, if you don't, let me show you.

This is a turnaround for a children's illustration I am working on. As you can see it's just a rough drawing of a character concept from all the  view points in which you might see the character. It's really easy to do because once you have the front view- form there  you can imagine what the other angles will look like. Plus if you need a little help  developing the concept you can always draw guide lines highlighting certain parts of the body such as the hip, shoulders, etc... This is good practice because it helps you be more creative with your character concepts and reinforce drawing characters standing which is something the artist uses almost 70% of the time with slight variations (such as arms or head turning).

Here is another turnaround for a more adult project I am working on. Once when you get this down pack, and  have more time, you can remove the line working and develop the values more for a painterly effect! So, as you can see this is a good habit to get into doing before each project and is a must anytime you plan to draw the same character for a story more that once. Try it out!

Illustration of the Day! Zita The Spacegirl

Hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know I enjoyed mine with new year still to come. Well not to keep you in suspense to day illustration of the day comes from Ben Hatke.

                                                               http://zitaspacegirl.com/

Actually this book is about a spunky young girls who by her own blunder ends up in a galaxy far away. Thanks to the mistake she has made she ends up getting her best friend's head on the chopping block literally as aliens want to sacrifice him. This book is adventures and a lot of fun. Also, this book is great for those young ones who like novels.

Piece of the day

For those of you who don't know- today  I am glad to to introduce to you the featured piece of the day . It comes from an artist/designer. Known by many only as Sano.  San is a Japanese American born in Cleveland Ohio who's work has graced us while collaborating with such famous members of Public Enemy and MC Serch. Sano does graphic design work but recently has been becoming more popular for his wall murals (graffiti art), and screen printing screen printing.

www.sanoizm.com/

Merry Christmas

Taking this weekend off because of the Holiday. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Design Throwback

I was out shopping for the holiday season when I came across a movie that was the bomb back in the day. The "Rush Hour movie". Besides that, was the fact that I came across the "Rush Hour" original soundtrack by Def Jam recording. Now, I don't know who did the visual imagery for this cover but I hope that this is something in the future digital artist will recieve credit for ( if you know who please comment in). Anyhow, since this is an oldschool throwback let's talk about some elements of  this design that are a little outdated, and plus talk about why it works. For example, look at how symmetrical this piece is. In most modern design today, images are balanced  but not total all the way around.  Artist will normal play a little more with the positive and negative space. Second there are two focal points in the image (Jackie Chan & Chris tucker).  I know they are both stars of the film but the composition is just way to balanced between the two of them. Now the reason why this design works.  Well, it's simple, the artist understood how to use typography- in fact, that is what saved this piece.  Look at how the bright letters contrast against a darker background.  Also notice how the top half of the image has a little more weight than the bottom- this is because of the placement of the text which is ment to lead you eye to the nect important objects (the characters). Third, creatively look at how the artist used a font style that felt Orient ,since it was an Orient ifluencned movie. The artist was able to make the image work just because he used the text properly and that is why this is All-City's throwback design of the day.

I was out earlier today finishing that last minute Christmas shopping when  I  kept thinking about what will go up on the blog today. A series of question started to go through my mind like... What book would it be?  Would it even be a book today? No, no how about a review or an article on the latest release.  Maybe I would do something totally  different I thought.  Then it hit me I mean literally hit me right in the back my wife smacked me with this book. Yes! Just because  it was found it in a thrift store and yes because it has a cool cover that changes when you move it back and fourth today's book of the day is...

  The Adventures of Captain Underpants 
                                              by Dav Pilkey

This is a book about kids that get into  a lot of trouble at school and to cope with the situation they come up with this hero called captain underpants.  Why, because that's what all the heroes look like they are wearing. This book is great for that non- stop 4 or 5yr old.  Plus this book is pretty funny so an adult could appreciate it as well. You can check out more of Dav's stuff here http://www.davpilkey.com/

Illustration of the Day! Down by the Cool Pool

Down by the Cool Pool is by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees. 
It is a book about the most happening place in town (if you are a farm animal that is) the pool. There's dancing, singing, splishing and splashing, going down by the cool of the pool.  Join frog, Duck, Horse, Pig, and the rest of the gang as they have a watery good time. Perfect for energetic toddlers!