Hunter 2

I tried revisiting this piece, but it's still not quite right.

I don't want to do it more harm than good or take away from the time I have to work on new pieces going round in circles with old ones, so I think I'm going to leave it for good now.

But I do still like the figure.

Empty Lolita

I actually didn't expect to make another Illustrator post so soon, but I am still pluggin' away at it.

Today I was doodling lots of little things and one was a little book cover/poster for a book I will probably never read (no offence, Vladimir Nabokov...also sorry I forgot to slap your name on the doodle). I quite liked the sketch so I did a version in Illustrator.

I don't know if the Illustrator doodle is as clear as the pencil sketch (she is sitting at a desk), but  I'm thinking maybe I'll do more of these quick book-inspired illustrations just for fun and practice.

However, that's not ALL I did with my week! Yesterday I sat down and taught myself some InDesign by revamping my illustration CV. I'm still not totally pleased with it yet, but it's not bad for a first try. I hope to be able to use these newfound skills I'm cultivating to help me realise more of my ideas because I've got a lot of 'em! (And too many only half-baked...!)

Growing Illustrator

Here are a few sketches I did in Illustrator. It does seem like quite a nifty, fun tool even if I don't quite know how to make the best use of it or how to use it to make beautiful text yet...

Blobby Brush Tool

colours added using the Pen Tool

pencil tool

And more practice with the Pen Tool (excuse the rudeness)!

It seems weird to "sketch" this way because everything is so super clean and doesn't resemble what I consider to be a sketch at all. It has certainly helped me expand my understanding of what a sketch can be and to think about my process in a different way.

Armchairs

A selection of armchairs.

Also...

Sam

I don't know if you remember Sam, but I've been revisiting her character a lot lately. Here's a younger, slightly fluffier version of her (still grumpy as ever).

I'm trying to put together ideas for a short...something or other, but don't know how this will pan out as I'm not well versed in plotting stories. Hmmm!

Foray into the World of Illustrator CS5

This year was the first year that I made any serious New Year's resolutions and, halfway through the year, I'm pleased to say I am slowly but steadily making my way through my list.*
*For illustration goals anyway. My personal NYR list is ongoing and includes exponentially more difficult things like 'stressing less'.

One of my goals was to tackle a new programme (preferably Illustrator or InDesign...or maybe both. The year is young!) and last night I took the plunge and started exploring Illustrator.

Here are the fruits of my (equal parts fun, frustrating and taxing) labour.

This mess of graffiti may not look like much to you, but it was great playing around with the look of the letters after the basic structure was set up and watching my freehand lines become instantly smooth.

edit 5/7/13: speaking of "playing around" I just found this post which I think is super relevant! : )

Uke Me

I feel like it would make me happy to learn to play the ukulele, but even after 6 years of guitar I would hardly call myself a guitarist (I'm not a particularly gifted musician). So maybe it would be a wasted investment...

But I can still dream, can't I?