An Idea this Way Comes...

Lately I've been playing around with the idea of getting back into painting murals. I've always wanted to do murals for kids in need. My "dream job" is to paint a mural for a children's hospital or group home. But I've put off persueing it because I just don't have the money to do it on a volunteer basis.
Switch over now, to my current career persuites. I need more experience in graphic design, and I have no portfolio showing I am capable of design. So...

I thought, why not design the collateral for this Non-profit mural painting foudations I want to do some day. I would create a complete identity for this supposed group and it would give me an opportunity to hone my graphic skills.

So, in addition to the short story illustration, going back to school and applying for jobs, I will now be doing brochures, business cards, letter heads and logo designs for a self inspired non-profit that will hopfully exist one day.

:)

Painting #2 :)

The Star King gives his advice to the young warrior. This painting was actually small enough to scan. It may turn into a spot illustration once I start putting the story together in book format. I really enjoyed doing the pattern on this one, but I think the owls are my favorite. They were a last minute addition. I had the thought that the Star King ought to have minions. And since he rules the night sky, an owl seemed like an appropriate choice. Painting number three is on its way!

Final Painting

So the Illustrations for "The Man Who Fell in Love with the Sun" are underway and this one below is the first finished piece. I'm painting them out of order. I dont know hy. I think I pick the most exciting images to start with and work my way from there. I'm reallt pleased with the way this one turned out. Especially the deail. To sum it up, the warrior, in a botched attempt to kidnap thr sky god's children must now battle the sky to steal his voice. Yes, it makes the warrior sound like a terrible person, but trust me, he's actually a pretty nice guy....he's got his heart in the right plae it's the getting to his goals that are the problem. At some point after the writeen part of the story is complete I will post it here for reference.

Cutting Room Floor

Landscapes have never been my strong suit, however, I still get ideas for them.So I just throw my insecurities to the wind and see what happens. On one of my many current projects I'm illustrating a short story. I wanted the opening illustration to be a wide shot of the environment and for a while it was coming through smashingly. However, after stepping back to look at it I don't really like it that much. The contrast is off in a lot of places and some line weights just arn't working next t one another. But I'll keep trying in the future to improve my grasp of the elusive lanscape. I'll just be using this one as a guide for the future so I don't keep making the same mistakes.

(sorry for the blurry photo. Not the best lighting conditions in my bedroom and it's raining like the end of the world outside.)

More Project Concepts...and other delights :)

Just wanted to post some more of my finished sketches for consideration. This first one is just like the title says, "Grendal's Last Day". I went nutso on the scale pattern because it was theraputic and it looks cool too. :)

As for the next two, I've recently fallen in love with the Norwegian Folk Tale, "East of the Sun, West of the Moon", about a prince transformed into a polar bear. It's a beautiful story if you ever get the chance to read it.