Inspiring Artists
It’s hard for me to whittle this list down to only a few. However, these six are always on my mind when I draw. They continuously shape the technique and expression of my illustrations.
Mattias Adolfsson
Mattias has had the most direct impact on my style. I first discovered him reading “An Illustrated Life” by Danny Gregory in which Mattias was a featured artist. (Gregory’s wonderful books about sketching deserve their own post later.) The timing couldn’t have been better. I was in my last year of college and spending most of it outside sketching in a Moleskin around panhandle Florida. I latched on to Mattias, checking his blog everyday, studying the way he constructed buildings, inked and colored them. On the left you see one of his sketchbook illustrations and on the right is my first study of his style.
Image sourced from mattiasa.blogspot.com
Shel Silverstein
Silverstein’s influence reaches beyond his spindly inked lines. I often add captions or poetry to my drawings. If I’m stuck on words, I can read a few pages of “A Giraffe and a Half” or “Where the Sidewalk Ends” to get back in the creative zone, helping me to write poems such as for Zack the Zipper.
Image sourced from pinterest.com
James Stevenson
Stevenson is another illustrator from whom I leach design and poems. I adopted his method for creating atmospheric perspective with grayscale washes such as in my sketch of this NY parade.
Image sourced from condenaststore.com
Skottie Young
I learned of Skottie Young through Marvel’s Wizard of Oz comic series. I am by no means a comic book reader, but the depth of space he can create in a 3” x 2” box sucked me in. I’m particularly drawn to his balance between soft and jagged lines, which nudged me into experimenting with a comic book structured story.
Image sourced from geekdraw.com
Tim Burton
Tim Burton teeters right at the edge of being too dark for my taste. However, the charming exaggerated features of his characters and scenery make me giddy with amusement. His 2010 MoMA exhibit was hands down the best art display I have ever seen. I love the theatrical nature to everything he creates.
Image sourced from creoflick.net
Bill Watterson
The guy behind Calvin and Hobbes has the best spot on my bookshelf. If ever I’m feeling nostalgic, I pull down one of his books to read. Calvin is the epitome of my three older brothers and the comics take me back to my childhood spent largely playing in the woods. I’m always surprised at how Watterson’s watercolors are simultaneously comical and fine art. Though mischievous, there’s an innocent nature to Calvin and Hobbes that strikes a chord with me. I strive to achieve the same sentiment with my characters.
Image sourced from http://nuvoleparlanti.blogosfere.it
Welcome to 2015!
Teddy Bear
My fuzzy teddy bear is adorable.
He has brown fluffy hair and a button nose.
A wiggle nubby tail, and two floppy ears,
a tummy like a whale that I squeeze real near.
He's so sweet and squishy, my cute teddy bear,
but monsters don't agree. Wonder why they're scared?
Happy Holidays!
"A jolly metropolis holiday, we spend with our eggnog and candy canes, cozy inside watching snowflakes, blanket the town into calm display.
Joyous are we for each other, no matter the fur, scales or color, to be safe and warm in December, in this world full of infinite wonder."
My Artist's Bag
I've grown increasingly curious as to what supplies other artists use for illustration. To reciprocate, here's what I use.
Onsite:
Right now, I'm still working through a Molenskine Sketchbook (5" x 8"), but I also really like the pocket size Moleskine Watercolor book (3.5" x 5.5"). I can't wait to get back into this size after I finish the sketchbook. Though I agree with others that the quality is not really worth the price, I like the assurance that I will always be able to find these exact books anywhere I go.
Bottle of water.
Ziplock bag containing Faber-Castell pens (sizes XS and F), 0.7mm mechanical pencil, office and artist erasers, and 4 to 5 small watercolor round brushes (as long as they don't shed bristles, I'm not picky on the brand).
Winsor & Newton 14 half pan travel set...which I never clean.
Paper towel for dabbing...or sometimes just my pants.
My camera phone to snap a picture if I plan to finish the watercolor at home.
Oh, yes, and my dog.
At Home:
For personal stuff, I use the Moleskines. For clients, I like using Arches Cold Press at least 140lb watercolor paper. I buy 22" x 30" sheets which I cut down to size. This stuff IS worth the price.
Water glass.
All the same pens, pencils, and brushes.
Winsor & Newtown 45 half pan set...which I also never clean.
Swatch reference for my watercolors.
Paper towel.
And that's it. I'm not a tester of supplies, so I pretty much stick with something until it's no longer good for the job. These are all still doing the job!
Another Cousin's Wedding!
Runner fabric by The Original Runner Company.
Wedding photography by Lily Voss Photography.
Fourth of July Crack Ups
"What's the difference between a duck and George Washington? - One has a bill on his face, the other has his face on a bill."
"Why did the duck say, 'Bang'?" - Because he was a firequaker."
