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Work in Progress: The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Here's some in-process work. Turns out my process for illustration is not methodical. It varies depending upon the project. I knew what I wanted for the Catcher in the Rye, so I just knocked it out. For the Witch of Blackbird Pond, I'll admit, I'm a little lost. 

 POINTS OF CONSIDERATION:  I think that one of the most important elements to the story is water and it has to be one of the main features in the scene. All of my ideas involved the title on the bottom of the cover since water is involved, that will allow for space in the bottom portion. The other issue to address was how to portray Kit. Most of the previous covers involved portraits which I blasted and I figured I could forgo the portrait route and instead make the witches house on Blackbird Pond but, I just didn't find that challenging for me or the viewer.

 CONCEPT #1:  I thought it would be awesome to have the water as these strands of hair like waves, unraveling into a hand drawn typography title. However, I really effed it up on the technique. The problem is there is no technique here. Plus the waves turned out looking like yarn. As for Kit...she's a little dead. That's a problem- should she be sad? Swimming or floating? Feeling like she's drowning? Overwhelmed by the situation of moving to a new place, or is the water renewing? Is the situation challenging but optimistic? This isn't the worst image I have made, but I can do better.

 CONCEPT #2:  I stuck with my original idea of a portrait, using my watercolor/tea technique. Feels a lot more alive than the last cover. I was planning on having the hair unwind again into a hand drawn type title but after butchering that last image I let go of that element. Honestly, I just try to sneak in hand drawn type wherever I can. It's my weakness. I wanted to see what I could make without using reference and when that happens, people usually turn out stylized. It's sort of an anime spin to it, mixed with art nouveau. That wasn't part of the plan, just how it happened. I liked that she was coming out of the water without it being too M.Night Shyamalan, except I'm worried she might be too young. I wanted her to have a bit of a smirk rather than straight up possessed look because there's a childlike mischievousness but innocence to Kit. She likes to do what she wants, and doesn't understand why the Puritans don't. What is very adult of Kit though is she tries to understand why that is.

I'm not thrilled with the composition, it's all a little boring. However, I know where I'm headed now. 

La Cirque du Famille du Freaks en Paris

I just got back from Paris. I was intending to use this sketchbook to record the trip through drawings but considering there were 11 of us total, the freaks ran rampant among the city and the only thing I could do was accept it and leave my sketchbook in my hotel room.

I can't draw all the time, vacations included. I'm no machine, just a side show freak.

I did however soak up the city and collect tons of graphic design and typographic treats to tantalize your tiny eyes. 

So come one, come all to La Cirque du Graphisme et Photographe!

the catcher in the rye

I have been slowly inching and working my way on a children's/young adult book promotional of which I thought "I like making book covers, I should add some in the promo." So, I am.

  

The reason: I never understood the original cover design of The Catcher in the Rye. A bull? Really? Like most 20-something girls, I have been pining to re-design and re-draw it since forever. Here was my chance. Plus, we all have a little bit of Holden Caufield in us, don't we?

The intention: For my version of the Catcher, I tried to make 16 year old Holden Caufield as having just enough prep with just enough edge*. I see Holden as being pissed, realizing the idiocy of society and human behavior. People are fake and he can't take it anymore. He wants to save us from this game, he wants to be the catcher in the rye, but he's too confused to save us, or himself. The only one who can is his little sister; a return to simplicity, the innocence and fun of childhood.

The process: Eek! This came out exactly the opposite of what I envisioned. There's no hand drawn typography! I thought that would look super bad like a hand written note, but executed it looked lame. Sometimes you just need to use a real font. I also tend to forget that just because I give a character a peacoat does not mean they look modern and edgy. The pencil and tea stains really aged the whole piece. It looked like it belonged in the history section of the book store. I had to fix that issue with design and strategic color placement. I'm really comfortable with this illustration style right now, so I need to work on how to freshen it up for the kids.

*I was going to attempt a witty joke in which I compared Holden to perpetual rebel prep extraordinaire Scott Disick, but that would be like spitting in Salinger's face. So I didn't. I really should stop watching reality TV.

weekly Tao #10

The problem is that I will not sleep, I will skip meals, and sometimes I refuse to go to the bathroom all for the love of art. I think some people call it passion but I know it is definitely unhealthy. I've hit my tipping point.

Zen Habits recently had a really great article on killing to-do lists and Michael Nobbs has been writing some awesome articles for Underground Art School which got me inspired. They were about measurable goals and creative routines. 

Recently, I have started working on my own routines. 

A few of my important ones are to be in bed by 11, the first Thursday of every month are when I set up blog posts for Underground Art School + Pikaland, and soon I'm going to implement Internet Sabbaticals; pre-planned Internet vacations because man, social networking art sites are suffocating my work. Now I'm working toward daily routines in regard to art + work.

How do you set limits on a limitless activity?

One of the selling points of freelance was I didn't have to work a 9-5 and I could wear hats all the time and now I'm discovering that routines fuel accomplishment of goals, ideas, productivity, and a balanced life. The silver lining is I still can do all of that while wearing hats.

Things I've Designed Recently

Underground Art School Magazine 04 and Context PDF 'zine. It's all about the simplicity baby!

From my introduction: "Simplicity is Happiness. Simplicity is not a boundary. It can feel like a boundary because it sometimes requires the act of editing, modesty, and reservation. Simplicity however, is not asking us to limit but rather, asking us to be aware of what we are doing. Why did you sketch that line there? How can you clearly communicate your idea? What project is a priority right now? The negative space created by simplicity opens us up to expansion and new ways of seeing."

My littlest sister left this message for my Dad on a sticky note on his iPhone. The background is a drawing she made [and I appropriated]. I realized that I am part of a Creative Commons family. I am thankful that they don't expect All Rights Reserved. I hope you are enjoying your holidays + family + friends.

Ego Bruise, a 'Zine

Ego Bruise is a little 'zine by University of Florida design student Melanie Richards. I think it's adorable. My basic need is my family, a pen, and paper. Emotionally, I really have no need for anything else. Melanie will be in the new issue of Underground Art School...as soon as I finish designing it, that of which will be very very very very very very soon. With hope.

Food and shelter aside, what sre your basic needs?

elements of design

I don't know why I really care too much about stuff such as this but doea a yellow box acting as a marker highlight fulfill the task of an emotional connection to the reader of the magazine?  This little element is everywhere in design, most notably in magazines (I just saw it in GQ of all places).  I think it's implemented because we as humans demand a personal connection these days (and we probably really need it too).   It's not really that personal however when it's uber generic and used by all.

I'm realizing I'm more of a graphic designer than I ever imagined I'd be when the placement of yellow boxes in a magazine spread is what keeps me awake at night and compels me to blog, 

This entry is not important at all, I just have a huge pet peeve when context, in any situation, and of the smallest detail, is not considered.

For the Love of Letters

For the Love of Letters Book, originally uploaded by Abstract Octopus Attack.

Super cool Stefanie from Abstract Octopus made this super fantastic book for an art school assignment. I did the interview with her a few months ago. I forgot what I had said, and, it was nice to see it now. All of it is still true! A note on typos...love them. I made a whole bunch in the lasr issue of the magazine.  They show our vulnerability, that we are of coarse, only one person, and only human.

I give Stef credit as an art student for having the ballz to get so much talent on board AND for putting it together with nice design. Anyway, get yo'self a copy!

::EDIT | wow, typo on 'last' completely unintended::