Amplifier Illustration: R is for Reflection

     I wanted to take a moment to share with you the illustration I did for this month's issue of The Amplifier. As you can see above, this month's letter was "R." We wanted to show that the holidays can be a very hard time for people, specifically for those who are homeless. People can be homeless for a variety of reasons which often include or result in their life being turned upside down and loosing the good times they had. The Christmas is a perfect time to think about the blessing of Christ's arrival, his crucifixion, and the gift of salvation through his resurrection. Its also a great time to consider the other blessings that we have, while trying to support, comfort, and help our neighbors around us that may not have the blessings we do. 

     Conveying large ideas like this in one small image can be challenging. Leslie, from the Amp, suggested showing someones past through their reflection in a shop window. I thought the idea was brilliant! It was the perfect way to depict our concept.

     Here you can see some thumbnail sketches and quick (and sloppy) notes that I sent to Leslie. These can sometimes be very detailed and other times very simple and quick. They allow her to get a better understand of directions we can go with the illustration. They are also great for making sure I understand what she wants the illustration to be like. After communicating these ideas to each other and settling on which specific composition we want to go with, I begin the final illustration.

     

     Here's the first version of the illustration with Leslie's text. As you can see I've taken the image much further into the "finished" stage by adding details, tones, and colors. 

     After a few needed changes with the text and its placement, the illustration was finished! If you want to see it out "in the wild" and support The Amplifier's ministry to the homeless and the community, just pick up a copy of the paper. It's available in the greater Knoxville, TN area. It is just one small way anyone can help make a difference in someones life over the holidays.

     Thanks so much for checking in. I hope you all have an awesome-tastic Christmas and happy holidays! Until next time, God bless!

Sketches and Holiday Specials!

Howdy, gang! I hope you guys and gals are all doing well this week. I was going to upload some more of the gnomes paintings that I did for the exhibit a while back, but I'm having technical difficulties. :/ 

So! Instead, I give to you evening Photoshop sketches above. Haha! Just some doodles, Dr. Zaius, and some Bat-manga. I really liked how the Photoshop brush I was using was coming out very much like a good ink brush. Good times.

By the way, tell your mom! Tell your friends! Tell your enemies!!!

Take advantage of the last Society6 Artist Promotion of the year! Click here to get FREE Shipping* when you order products (men & women's T-shirts, regular art prints, hoodies, & tote bags) from my Society6 Store now thru December 9, 2012 at Midnight Pacific Time. *Offer excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases and Throw Pillows with insert. 

Pretty incredible, huh? Just make sure you click That Link or you won't have FREE Shipping.

Another awesome thing, I'm still offering FREE Shipping for both 5'x7' and 8'x10' commissioned drawings! Just tell me a topic or theme and I'll draw it! The theme for the 5x7 drawing above was "Jimmy Olson." Just check them out over in the PABshop. They make great gifts for the holidays!

Well, enough commercials. haha I'll try to figure things out and post some more paintings and stuff soon. In the mean time, God bless!