Epic Celtic Keds

So, for our 3rd Surface Illustration project we had to design a pair of keds-shoes using the PRO-Keds shoes from Zazzle.com.

I decided to create a fiery Celtic bird-of-prey motif=)
We also had to order the shoes we created, and so I can't wait till mine arrive in the mail!

side profile

tongue

heel accent

Linework:

These designs were first hand drawn. Then they were Live-Traced in Illustrator, and then they were Live painted in Illustrator:)

Soon to be available to the public purchasing on Zazzle. I'll keep you posted:)
Happy Friday!

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:)

Hawk of Achill

Here's the 2nd project of the semester.

The objective was to create two illustrations based on a piece of text that relates to a culture. The two pieces also had to relate to each other.

So..due to my love for all things Celtic. I illustrated the following pieces on the Celtic Hawk of Achill.

The information I used I found on this Celtic Symbols page which said:  

Celtic tradition lists the oldest animal as the Hawk of Achill.  As with many other birds, the hawk is a messenger of the various worlds. However, it is noted as being more skillful and stronger than most others of its species. To hear the cry of a hawk during a journey is an indication that it would be wise to be alert to upcoming situations that require boldness and decisiveness in order to keep from being thrown off-balance.  The hawk was considered a noble bird that brought the sun within his feathers, and enabled recollection and the ability to progress.

size: 8.5 x 11 inches | colored inks & watercolor

size: 8.5 x 11 inches | colored inks & watercolor

some detail

another detail shot

 How much time did I spend on these? Well...let's just say they were my priority and sleep was not an option, haha