Saturday, February 26, 2011

Exploring the Vikings (part 2)

Second illustration for the same iconography project.
Let's see a couple of WIPs (works in progress)
Progress at 50%(ish) Unfortunately I didn't scan my line work.
at 75% ish
All done!
close up

Illustration info:

Paper: Strathmore Bristol smooth 9x12 (image 7x 10'')
Colour: Koh-i-Noor colored inks + Daler Rowlney white gouache + Rapidograph (6x0/13)
Time:  Uncalculated, but a long time..=D For the next one I will count the hours:)
One more to go!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Exploring the Vikings (part one)

One of the latest illustration projects is to research about a culture and create three iconographic illustrations on it. I chose the Vikings:)

Here is the first illustration which I've been slaving over for a LONG time. It's the Yggdrasil tree, but I focused more on the animals in this piece rather than all the realms.


Here's a quick online excerpt of the myth: 
"In the Norse mythology birds of prey are found in the ash tree Yggdrasil, whose branches spreads over all the world. In the top of the tree live a wise eagle. Between its eyes sits the hawk Vedrfolner. At the roots lie the snake Nidhug, gnawing at the roots. The squirrel Ratatosk run up and down the trunk, bringing gossip between the eagle and the snake. The ravens Húgin (Thought) and Munin (Memory) are servants and companions of Ódinn--the chief god of the Norse mythology--whose domain includes knowledge, wisdom and poetry. Their mission is to fly around the world and report what they see to their master.

Paper: Strathmore Bristol smooth 9x12 (image 7x 10'') | Koh-i-Noor colored inks + Daler Rowlney white gouache | Rapidograph (6x0/13) |
Initial line-work:
And some close ups:

Hopefully the remaining 2 images of the series will be finished promptly:)

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Me, Myself, and I

It seems this semester many of my illustration portraits are centered around "the self" and self portraiture. One of my teachers said that the reason he is having us do various self portraits is to have us focus more on experimenting with different techniques and materials. Since one knows oneself best, all concentration can go towards the image, rather than worrying of how to properly represent someone else.=P

Anyhow, here are a couple of self- portraits that we were supposed to do from the same sketch/reference:

9 x 12" | stretched canvas | acrylic paint


8.5 x 11'' | hot-press watercolor paper | watercolor paints | inspired by vintage fashion posters
And here is my reference sketch:

and reference photo:

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Memories in Acrylic

Illustration Iconography class project #2
The idea was to create two pieces which illustrated two of our memories which we have a strong connection with.  The pieces had to be 11 x 14 inches and we had to use acrylics.

This 1st piece is a memory of me going out to feed the ducks ever since I can remember.

And this 2nd one is of me and some of my friends taking breaks on the steps that lead to our art class. The friends' facial resemblance isn't too strong, but oh well, I didn't have references=P
So to sum up:
11 x 14 inches
Acrylic paint on Canson illustration board
hours spent...many