The Blog
Ballerina Sketch
The Autumn Ballerina
I never know when inspiration is going to hit, but I’m very happy when it does. The inspiration for this piece came from my friend Katie Rodgers‘ (PaperFashion) Instagram story a few months back. She had hosted a sketching workshop and asked two ballerinas to model for it. The workshop was in New York. Even though I’m way over here in California, the beauty of the internet made it as though I was there. (Not really… well kinda… ha ha) The pictures from the event were too beautiful not to draw, so I picked up my toned sketch pad and some charcoal, and this sketch of ballerina Cate Hurlin was born. I hope you are having a beautiful Monday. I’m currently a little sick, so laying low today trying to shake it.
Sketch
Finding Yuki through Trail And Error
Finding the right balance of styles for “Lost in the Crowd” has been a lot of trial and error. I’ve been trying to find my drawing rhythm. When I say rhythm, I mean my natural flow when I draw. I know for just the first chapter there are over 200 panels. With that much drawing I need find a look that is easy to draw, but also fun to draw, something that will keep me excited each time I draw a scene. This sheet was on my early explorations on Yuki‘s design. None of these made the cut, but I wanted to share the journey with you. The good, the bad, and the dank ;)
Portrait
Insta Coffee Sketch
I know I’ve said it before, but coffee really is my favorite medium to paint with. It has such a soft rich color. This Study Sketch is from a series I started 2 years ago. I call the series “Insta Coffee Sketches”. The series came about when I was deleting pictures off my phone and I realized most of my phone was filled with screen shots of Instagram pictures that I wanted to paint. I printed out all the screen shots, and as my daily warm up, I will sketch or paint with coffee. This portrait is of Mai (im_5868 from instragram). I’m really happy with how this study turned out. I have a lot of trouble with portraits from that angle, but this one came out easily and was a fairly quick study.
For those who have ordered prints, originals, commissions, or Art Supplies over the last few days, thank you so much for your support of my work. Means so much. Thank you. :)
Portrait
Linda Vojtova
Back in 2011, I was asked to be apart of the Linda Vojtova‘s New York Exhibit highlighting her amazing career. This painting was one I did for it, but ended up using a different one. Looking back, I still really like it. The reference I used was from a photo that my friend Chadwick Tyler had taken and let me use. It’s funny how some pieces kinda grow on you over time. This one definitely has. Hope you are having an amazing day!
Portrait
Lucy & the Cupcake
In honor of seeing my friends Max, Sherri, & the Bemis Family tomorrow… this sketch of their daughter Lucy seemed like the right post. Lucy really needs her own comic book. I am starting on a handful of commissions today and will be working on them for the next few weeks. With Christmas quickly approaching, if you are wanting to buy any originals or prints, it’s best to order sooner than later so I have enough time to get them to you. If there is any piece you want that is not in the store, just comment and let me know which one, and I will try to get it up in the store. I hope you are having a great day.
Art Portrait
Miyako 眞鍋 都 (Miiiyaaakooo)
Drawing faces is one of those things that never gets old. I enjoy it so much. Peoples’ faces are so expressive and interesting. It’s such a fascinating subject-matter. Miyako’s portrait was another by-product of stumbling onto a photo that looked too fun to not draw. I couldn’t pass up drawing it. Today I was talking with my friend Katie Rodgers about cutting out those things that affect you negatively, and focusing on activities that lift you and the people around you up. More and more that is something I’ve been trying to do. I’ve been trying to figure out how to spread the hope and joy I have to you all, and encourage you. Well, I hope you are having a great day! ☺️
Sketch
Gemma Charcoal Study
I tried my best to get the Inspiration Friday post up today. It looks beautiful (if I may say so myself)! Sadly, I didn’t finish it in time, so, it will be up next week instead. I hope you like this little charcoal study of Gemma Ward from not too long ago as a consolation prize. Have a great weekend!
Portrait
Dancing Lines
Some images, the moment I see them, I know I will draw them. This one of my friend Stacy King of the amazing band Sucré was one of those images. I loving drawing images from extreme perspective or images with a lot of foreshortening. In the past, I’ve been a bit too intimidated to delve into the deep end of foreshortening and strong perspectives. I finally started playing around with it. Though I still don’t feel comfortable with it, I have really enjoyed working on it.
P.S. Thank you to all new Bloglovin followers! I can’t believe we are approaching 50,000 of you following Igor + André. Please say hi! I would love to get to know you all :)
Design
Curious Life of Yuki
The first chapter of “Lost in the Crowd” is going to be Chapter 0. Taking place 5-10 years before the start of the main story, this chapter follows Yuki, so I’ve been focused on finishing her design. She is a kind, genuine, and a bit curious person. Most of her life has been scheduled out. Life has been work, work, work. She hasn’t had much time off, and desperately needs some. By the time of Chapter 1, she is a very famous pop star. This version of her feels like it is getting close. What do you think?
Drawing
Lost in Sketches.
I decided this year I was going to turn my self filter off, and share my process. I started to notice a really bad habit of only posting final finished pieces. I think the habit started right around when social platforms started, limiting the reach of posts based on interaction, which is one of many reasons I’m starting to slowly leave those platforms. Whatever the cause, I want to share the countless unseen drawings, attempts and failures, that go into every project. This page is my first Sketchbook page when I started working on Character Design for “Lost In the Crowd”.
** if you are viewing this on Bloglovin, make sure to click through so you can see all the images. ;)
When I get working on projects like this, I tend to get what I call “reverse” writer’s block. I get so many ideas, it’s a bit overwhelming. For Lost in the Crowd, it’s a story that I can really relate to, so the ideas keep pouring out. The only way I can deal with reverse writer’s block is doing every idea until my favorite one rises to the surface.
My favorite part of the process so far is the more I sketch the characters, the more the characters go from these abstract concepts to feeling like old friends. The Study Sketches on this page are super rough mood sketches for the character Yuki Tachibana, and there are two rough sketches of Hachi.
Have you done much writing or character design? I would love to hear about your experiences. Even if you haven’t, I love hearing your thoughts. Let me know which number drawing is your favorite for Yuki. Quick background is She is pop star in her mid 20s. Will tell you more soon. :) Click Here to Comment. I hope you have a wonderful day!