Phillustration! 2011

From left to right: Dave Palumbo, Christina Hess, Eric Braddock

Phillustration was a great time this year and it was a pleasure to talk to some fantastic illustrators! It was a mixture of seasoned professionals to fresh graduates entering the field and I had the great opportunity to speak with a lot of folks. If you haven't gotten a chance to walk this gallery make sure to stop by before July 17. You can see originals by Charles Santore, Joe Devito, Julie Bell, Boris Vallejo, Matt Stewart, Dominick Saponaro, Dave Palumbo who was this year's juror and so many more.

In addition to the fun, my Cat Queen was awarded first place in the self promo category!

Phillustration is located in center city Philadelphia at the Sketch Club on Camac Street between Locust and Spruce. Thanks to Rich Harrington for making it all happen.

Teaser - Details

Serval Detail

Swan Staff Detail

Orchid Detail

These are some details of a painting I am working on. It's almost complete. After it is sent off to the client I'll post the full image for your review. I'll talk a bit about my process as well.

King of Diamonds

Graphite

I working on several deadlines right now but wanted to take a few hours to hash out something that has been in my mind. I wanted to create a spin off of my previous cat piece. I used Jennifer Oliver's Maine Coon cat, Oberon, for the subject. There is a lot that has to be worked out but it's a beginning. I'll revisit it again when I have more time. Until then I have some serious painting to do!

Phillustration-Call for Entries!

Every year the Philadelphia Sketch Club hosts a competition of illustration. This is the fourth year running. This is also the first year that their registration is online. Those who do not live in the Philly area need not worry....you can participate as well! Just check the prospectus out at phillustration2011.blogspot.com/for details.

This year's juror is Dave Palumbo. Deadline for registration is June 12 midnight. 1,2 or 3 pieces for the flat fee of $35.00.

Good and Evil - Weekly Theme No. 6

I always wanted to paint a really cool jacket similar to Jamie Wyeth's "Lighthouse". I could get all crazy ornamental on it. I feel this crop and comp has been done a thousand times by everyone but I still want to do it.

Drawn Today Blog

Steve Anderson - Entry on Drawn Today

Drawn Today is a blog that was started by IMC alumni. I am fortunate enough to be part of this community. The group offers critiques, weekly sketch themes, networking as well as podcasts about the industry. Recently I took part in my first podcast with a Mark Harchar, Marc Scheff and special guest Cynthia Sheppard. For a listen go to the blog and subscribe to the show.

In addition, Drawn Today just put up a page on facebook letting the world know when new podcasts come out. Also, you can vote on what you might want to hear more of. So stop on by our page. You can like us by visiting the blog and clicking on the right hand like button.

Fold Study - John William Godward

John William Godward is a source of great inspiration for me. This is an unfinished study I did in about 45 minutes to understand the way he painted folds. I am currently working on a commission that has similar folds and color scheme and I found it extremely helpful to practice from a master before tackling it myself. This was done in Corel Painter with a Wacom Intuos 4.

Sphinx Character Design

Meet Zaphe. She's a sphinx I created for Blue Moon Aurora. I really enjoyed this project. It was fun working with the wings. I also enjoyed the black and gold requested palette.

Rock and a Hard Place

Small little drawing I did for Drawn Today's Weekly Theme. It measures a super tiny 3.5" x 4".

Dinosaur

This was a weekly sketch done for Drawn Today. I had a whole lot of fun with this guy. In the future I may try to explore drawing dinosaurs.

Lightbulb Plant

This is a lightbulb plant.

Commission WIP

This is for a private commission. I'm still working some things out. Long story short. Strong, independent woman. One with the wild cats. Savior of stranded young cats. Swan is her totem animal.

Character Design

This is a character design I created for Blue Moon Aurora, LLC. This was a fun project to work on and a pretty cool gaming company. I enjoyed working in the gold and red color palette along with the spin of natural elements. And of course...sparkly glowey things.

Greenhouse Effect

I am a member of Drawn Today and we decided to institute an optional weekly sketch theme. I volunteered to organize it with Mark Harchar. Every Monday I'll pick a submitted topic from a jar. This is the first drawing I created for the first theme which was "The Greenhouse Effect".

If you visit Drawn Today you'll see some great interpretations of the theme!

The members podcast as well which I highly recommend checking out!

Serval Study

This is a study of a serval which is an African wild cat. I am working on a private commission that deals with several wild cats and a beautiful lady. I have just started the sketching process and will be creating many studies of the cats as well as some other elements including a staff with a totem twist.

This is a really great project and I have been anxious to start it! I'll be posting the bits and pieces of process as I go. The deadline is in early/mid summer.