Lost Elf - Illustration Friday

Here is my lastest illustration. It's a LOST ELF girl.  Of course it's my submission for this week's Illustration Friday, (the theme is 'Lost'.)

Again, trying different techniques and the goal is just to capture my idea without too much stressing out over every detail to the point I don't actually complete it. There is always more I could do or improve. But I'm happy with it.

The Sketch: I always love it when artists and illustrators talk about and share their process. That includes seeing initial sketches.  So... here is my idea sketch for my lost elf girl illustration.

As you can see, it resembles nothing, but just an idea. It's a good thing I'm not known for my drawing skill!!

Illustration Friday - REFRESH

Here is my latest illustration (for Illustration Friday). The theme this week is 'refresh.'  I thought a cat playing in puddles in the rain seemed quite refreshing. Hope you like it.

I'm trying to not get so caught up in details and just get the concept done, moving quickly and not being so judgmental of my work or process.

Illustration Friday-FADED Goth Girl Illustration

After a LONG break, I've decided to get back on doing illustrations for Illustration Friday. And posting to my blogsite more too. I can't believe it's been so long un-updated!

This week's theme is 'Faded.'  My initial thought was to do something with with a ghost. I have a ghost character that I've sketched out a while back for an upcoming children's picture book I am working on writing/illustrating.  That would be perfect. 

Of course, I couldn't find the file when I started working on the illo last friday. So I decided to do something new. My next thought was to make a more human-like ghost character, but ultimately I decided to go with a goth-style girl. (I need way more practice doing human characters, anyway.)

I am quite please with how it turned out. She's shy, yet, bold and creative. Wants to fade into the background yet wants to be seen.

Hope you enjoy the illustration.

IF - Slither featuring Lake Monster Illustration

This is a case where I actually had something pretty much ready to go for Illustration Friday. Recently I did up several vector illustration versions of a lake monster for a college mascot design. I took one of the concepts (since they're not using it) and added it to a textured background to spice it up to post for this week's word - Slither!

Klamor Clam Character Illustration

This is just my latest character illustration. It's a masthead mascot for a newsletter project, although it may not even get used. Sometimes I just like to run with the idea. It's a clam!

IF - Detective

It's hard to believe that I haven't posted anything for a few months. (I have been doing lots of work, just not putting it us). Well that has got to change.
Getting back into the swing, here is my latest illustration/photo manipulation for Illustration Friday. The theme is 'Detective.'

This is actually a collage I put together using a picture of myself. I got dressed up in my favorite detective attire and then put it together with a cool scene and added a fedora. Fits the theme well and has some good atmosphere.

Crazy Love Bear - Happy Valentines Day

My newest illustration in honor of the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday. 'Crazy Love Bear'.

This one was done first as a quick sketch, then the character was done as vector art in AI. Finally I did the final image using several layers, textures, and effects in Photoshop.

Spread the Love this holiday season with my 'Crazy in Love' Bear Illustration!

Rat Illustration for Deep Dark Dank Flash Game - IF Focused

I did up this this quick highlight illustration to show of my Rat Character, one of the enemies in my latest Flash Game project in progress, who will be very FOCUSED on eating your player character.

I still have a bit more to do (actually quite a bit more), but I'm staying persistent and continuing to make progress. So in a way I'm FOCUSED as well. So this works also as an entry for this week's Illustration Friday word.

New Illustration - Spaulding Sparrows

My newest illustration was done as a favor for a friend of mine who's the coach for a local little league. He wanted to have a fun new logo/mascot for their team.

Just another good excuse to bring a character illustration and design to life through vector art.

IF - Hatch

Currently I am working on a new casual Flash Game project. It's an 'Escape-from-a-Maze-of-Sewers' type of game. The idea is to create a short (in levels) game with most of the focus on gameplay, atmosphere and art design. Right now I'm working on designing the levels, creating all the needed textured backgrounds and art style and even a few of the illustrated characters that will appear in the game. As with most games, simple ideas become much more elaborate once you start building the assets. Even for this small 3-level game there is a lot of art to do.

This week's theme is 'Hatch'. Since I just finished my alligator illustration a day ago, I wanted to find a way to use it for IF. My first thought was 'Down the Hatch', especially since I just drew out my fabulous storm drain element.

Here is a mock screenshot from the upcoming game. The rest of the details of the project are top-secret. (since it's still in development).

Stay tuned...

Beyond The Never Illustration - IF Skinny

Last month I finished a Flash game for 'JayisGames' Casual Gameplay Design Competition #6: Theme Explore. My game is titled 'Beyond The Never.' While I have designed and programmed a few different little game experiments, This was my first real attempt at something more. It turned out quite well, although I still have some tweaks to really make it shine as a playable experience. It is currently featured at the link above.

In the process of designing the game art, I illustrated several characters. One of them is tall and skinny, so I thought it would work perfectly for this week's IF illustration. I added a few more of my original characters to the game's title screen to complete this image.

Check out my artwork and my game, Beyond The Never!

Techknowledge Owl Mascot

At MMCC, we have a new Technology and Learning Center that provides instructional and technology training for faculty wanting to improve their use of media in their classes, both online and traditional. In order to promote this training lab, we're doing a branding campaign. It's my job to come up with some of the marketing materials and design. This includes a new mascot.

Here is the character I illustrated, our new Techknowledge owl.

IF - Caution

As luck would have it, my current project is a caution-themed video game that I'm working on. It's a platform-style game where, as the main character, you have to escape from a factory filled with dangerous, obstacles, and challenging levels. So far I've illustrated most of the various parts and I'm working on building and coding the levels. It's a Flash game, programmed in AS3. The plan is to have over 30 levels. I've got the first three done so far.
So for this week illustration, I thought I would showcase my main character and a screenshot from the actual game.


Until, I release the game, I have to keep the title a secret, but I would love some help with the main characters name. Right now I'm referring to him as 'Sal' since 'Mario' is taken, but I'm open to any comments and suggestions.

MMCC Laker Mascot Illustration

I had some 'Idle' time this week, so I worked on illustrating for an upcoming project at the college that I'm currently doing graphic design for. MMCC - Mid Michigan Community College in Michigan, is exploring creating a new mascot for the school's athletic teams. Since they're the 'Lakers,' they are thinking of using a sea monster.

Being a designer and illustrator, I knew I had to throw something on the table. I am working on a few ideas. Here is the one I like the best so far.

Kick Self-Doubt to the Curb

Self-doubt is particularly dangerous as it cannot only prevent you from starting a project, but can also hit you mid-stride, causing you to falter and quit. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself and your abilities, you’re going to have a hard time selling it to someone else. No matter what your current level or skills, there are always others who are less and more talented than you in your field. Many times the only difference between those who succeed vs those that fade away into obscurity are not in their talents, but in the confidence they show when offering them.

Personally, I tend to always second-guess my efforts or doubt whether what’s the use of creating something if there is no one to view it. Of course, conversely, you can’t gain an audience for your work if you never commit and finish anything!

I’ve come to realize that there IS an audience for everything. Even the worst movie in the world will have at least one fan. With the worldwide access provided by the Internet, gaining an audience for your work might be challenging, but it can be done. Witness the rise of micro-niches, the Long Tail, User-created content and social networking.

Today, one can develop a core following within a narrow demographic or interest group and find relative success.

Each of us must do what only we can and know that there is an rabid, but perhaps small audience eagerly awaiting your next completed project and go for it!

Bunnygo T-Shirts on Zazzle

Just test posting a Flash panel to showcase my newest T-Shirts at my Zazzle store.

Baby Bigfoot T-Shirts

Just started building my store featuring my original characters and designs. I have to find a way to support my art and this seems like a win-win arrangement.
You can purchase this T-shirt design at my Zazzle store. I will be adding to it as I go along and incorporating the work into my main Bunnygo store.

IF - Theater

I did a quick illustration this week just to get in on Illustration Friday. The theme as you probably guessed is 'Theater'. I chose to do some Comedy & Tragedy Masks.

Overcoming Creative Block

You sit down to work on your latest project all fired up, excited about the possibilities, then proceed to stare blankly at the computer screen for an hour. Yep, you’ve got a creative block. Creative block is intimately similar to the all-to-familiar “writer’s block”, but is a much broader definition, encompassing all creative types. You can’t seem to focus your thoughts, nothing comes to mind that you can grab onto and run with, everything seems blank and crappy.

This is actually the easiest problem to beat out of my list, as creative block is typically an immediate threat and not a chronic habit. Of course, repeated bouts could quickly lead to the more permanent habit of procrastination. Here are several techniques to try to overcome this obstacle:

Just keep moving.

The key here is to get momentum on your side. Even if you can’t focus on your chosen goal, just get started on something. Doodle on a piece of paper, write a short poem, and visualize your favorite movie with you in the lead. The idea is to keep your mind working in some creative way. Sometime the blank paper or screen can just be too overwhelming. If you can find a way to start putting something out, you can then move your focus onto the main project. It is easier to direct your creative flow once you get it moving, then to try and hit the mark from a standstill.

Look for inspiration.

When I can’t find the right idea to solve a particular problem I’m working on, I turn to the Internet. I’ll look to other’s work to get my creative juices flowing. Looking at beautifully designed sites, painting, books, etc. can give you ideas for your own projects. One must be wary though not to get so caught up that you spend all your precious time admiring other’s work and never get to create for yourself.

Start by copying.

If you’re really stuck, try imitating a design you like. I find if I try to copy or remake a website I think is great, it usually ends up being something of my own anyway. I will learn from the example but ultimately my own creativity finds its way in and I’ll end up with something new and wonderful. By starting with a finished design, I don’t have to worry about coming up with a totally original idea. Eliminating this requirement makes it easy to get moving.

Walk away.

Sometime you can’t force it. By walking away from your work, by going and doing something else, you allow your subconscious mind to work on the problem. You may find that inspiration will strike if you let you mind have a little space to work.

Collaborate.

Working with a partner or by group brainstorming is a great way to inspire new ideas or to flesh out the ones you are working on.
Hopefully, this has given you good tips on how to overcome and move past your creative blocks and onto the task of making your dreams a reality.

Happy Creating.

Spider Illustration - Monday Artday

I finished my 'Spider' Illustration for Monday Artday. I really challenged myself on this one. I'm trying to create more complete scenes including the main subject, secondary characters, background elements, lighting etc. I also tried to do a more painterly-style as well instead of my usual vector art. It was much harder and more frustrating to move out of my comfort zone. I'm happy with the result but I need more practice with this type of illustration.

Let me know what you like or (even what you don't).

IF - Impossibility SPACE WHALE

Here is my latest illustration for Illustration Friday. The theme is 'Impossibility'. What could be more impossible than an intergalactic space-traveling whale?

I'm really trying to work on illustrating complete scenes rather than just my characters. I hope you enjoy this.

Mini Whale

I was inspired to create this illustration using my whale character by a poem (Mini Whale) by Carrie Heyes. You can view her reading the poem in this video clip. I think they go well together.

IF - Talisman Illustration

This is my latest illustration for Illustration Friday. This week's theme is 'Talisman'. I was quite excited this week when I heard the theme, it conjured up several possible images. I sketched out one that I really liked. Below is the original sketch. Normally I do my illustrations using the scanned sketch as a guide, but this time I didn't have it with me so I created the artwork from the memory. I also did most of the artwork in Photoshop instead of Illustrator. I'm really happy with the results.

BUNNYGO Portfolio Site Launches

I recently got a new updated version of BUNNYGO.com done. This new portfolio site better showcases my illustration skills in conjunction with this recent blog addition. Check out the new site.

BUNNYGO Flash Game

This is a test as to whether I can post Flash Files to my Blog. This is the first part of the Bunnygo Interactive Game/Story 1.

Working on New Portfolio Site for my Bunnygo Brand

Currently I am working on designing and building a new portfolio site that better showcases my illustration, design and character work. Should be up by the end of the month if all goes well. I'll keep you posted.

My Little Pony

Here is my latest illustration, that I posted for this week's Monday Artday challenge. The theme was 'My Little Pony'. I used my signature skewed design and added some background in Photoshop. Of course I it had to be pink. I think it's quite cute. What do you think?

Bigfoot UPDATE

UPDATE: My mini-bigfoot illustration won this week's 'Bigfoot Challenge on the Monday Artday blog. Thank you so much. It is an honor just to participate, yet alone be honored with the top award. I look forward to continuing to grow, learn, illustrate and post on this great site.

BIGFOOT Illustration for Monday Artday

Here is my latest illustration, it's Bigfoot, well actually like mini bigfoot. This illustration is for the Monday Artday blog. I hope you like it. Following is my original sketch and second tighter sketch which I then illustrated digital in Illustrator then added some effects using PhotoShop.

Misty and Simba

Every good artist always has some cats to keep them company. Here is a picture of my two cats, Misty and Simba. This was taken when they were a bit younger, but they're still cute and cuddly and lovable.