The Cask of Amontillado

As another semester comes to end, I present my final for Illustration 1. It is an illustration based on an Edgar Allen Poe short story. For this project, I tried a brand new technique which is a liftoff technique on gouache stained, gesso textured illustration board. This has been one of the most fun projects that I have done and I can't wait to experiment more with this style. Have a great break everybody and a Merry Christmas!!

A Christmas Carol

"At this, the spirit raised a frightful cry, and shook its chain with such a dismal and appalling noise, that Scrooge held tight to his chair, to save himself from falling in a swoon."

A Gouache Illustration

The Costume Carnival

Every year at the Academy of Art University, the Illustration Dept holds a Costume Carnival. This is basically a workshop where the models are dressed up in all sorts of different costumes and pose in various environments. I am so excited that I was able to go for the first time this year and I can't wait until the next one. It was great just to be able to draw and try to take advantage of all the storytelling potential.

Snow White's Last Stand

So this is my first Illustration 1 assignment done in gouache paint. The option of the project that I chose to paint, was to set up a couple of toys and create an environment to put them in; hence Snow White's Last Stand. I have a lot of trouble painting with gouache, but for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the turnout, as always though, it could definitely use some more work. Thanks for stopping by. :)

Me and My Dad: A Composite

First of all, I would like to say thanks to everyone that commented on my last post, I really appreciate your input. : ) So here is another project from Illustration 1. The goal was to create a composite image of either a good or bad memory or dream. I chose to create image about working with my Dad when I was a little younger. This is a really fun memory and I tried to capture the feeling of the vastness of the woods and showcase the Skidder which is key to logging in Maine. 

Genetic Improvements

Here is my first Illustration 1 project, a pen and ink drawing using a crow quill, toothbrush, and ink wash. This was a really challenging assignment and the first time that I have ever used ink to this extent, essentially making it quite an experiment. I learned so much in this assignment, both good and bad, but overall it was a lot of fun. I hope to explore this medium more in the future... 

PS, I just want to thank everyone for all of the support on my work. I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and check it out. Thanks a lot

-Brandon

Indy in Color

Finally I learned how to color my sketches. This is my first attempt at a photoshop painting, I can't wait to try some more...

Symmetrical Self-Portrait

Here is a 2-3 hour symmetrical self-portrait for Heads and Hands class.  It was a lot of fun trying to make sure that the light was correctly placed each time that I looked in the mirror and trying keep myself from using any line; only using value to render the form.

The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Dr. Jones and Agent Spalko sketches. These were fun, I hope to do some more.

The Joker

This painting was not part of my actual mural and stood on the opposite wall. I painted it as a preview to the public for what I was working on. Without labeling it "The Dark Knight" I used it as a teaser. It was a blast discussing the movie and the mural with the customers of the theater, while I painted. It was challenging working with an audience, but it really was a great time. I want to thank everyone for all their support on this  project, I really appreciate it. 

The Dark Knight at Flagship Cinemas

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted and I guess that's partly due to this post right here. This summer I was able to continue a tradition that I've been a part of since I was 14 years old. And that tradition has been the honor of painting a mural at the local movie theater in my town. After around nine different murals, I was given the opportunity to paint for my all time favorite super hero, Batman. So after approximately 50 hours of the fastest painting of my life, and the trials of dim movie theater lighting... I can finally present my completed "The Dark Knight Mural."

WHY SO SERIOUS?

Here is my first completely digital drawing. One thing I worked on for this drawing was to avoid using direct reference and going strictly based on memory, I'm pretty happy with the result of that. So here it is my favorite villain in my favorite franchise. This ones for you Heath. You changed things forever.

The Ovaltine Ads

So I was approached during finals to do three illustrations for two very nice advertising students regarding a new take on Ovaltine advertising. I really had only one day available to do the three illustrations so I worked as quickly as possible to get them all done. Afterwards, the art director did a great job of toning down the saturation, giving age and wrinkles to the ads, and entering in the text. To work with both an advertising art director and copywriter was a great experience and a fun challenge.  

It was really cool trying to come up with compositions for the Art Nouveau style and testing different sorts of shape design. One image is based very very closely often a classic image by Mucha with a bit of a new twist to update it for the ad. Anyway, Thanks girls, it was fun. :)

Note: This was a school project and is in no way for commercial use.

Genghis Khan Character Studies Part 2

And here is part 2 of my final project in clothed figure 1....

Clothed Figure Studies

After watching a really cool demo from my teacher Chris in Clothed Figure 1, I tried out some live studies with markers for the first time. I really love faber-castell brush pens, so this was definitely a fun way to draw. I'm not sure how happy I am with the way they came out, but hey its a learning experience :). I think this is definitely a style I would like to explore a little further this summer.

Genghis Khan Character Studies Part 1

So I'm back after a busy couple of weeks with these pieces here. This assignment was a very fun extension of the 360 Degree Turnaround project. The goal was to create 4 studies of our character in storytelling poses and then 4 head studies which you will see in part 2. I really had a blast with this assignment. I have learned so much from my Clothed Figure 1 class and with this project I was able to really explore a lot of the topics we covered. They need some various adjustments, but for the most part I'm pleased with the result. :)

X is For Xerxes devoured by Mice....REVISED

My first digital illustration... :)

REVISED: I went back in and did more work on the mouth and right eye. I'm still having fun with this piece and plan to keep working on it in the coming months...

360 Degree Turnaround: Genghis Khan

This was a really fun assignment where we had to research a historical figure and then make a 360 degree turnaround drawing of the figure. The first step was to draw 5 versions of the character without the clothing and then the second step was to lay tracing paper over that character to add the costume. It was very challenging to make sure the figure looked accurate from all angles and to make sure the clothing and features lined up properly. I had a lot of fun working on this assignment and I am very excited to take it to the next step and show the infamous Genghis Khan in action. Thanks hope you enjoy. :)

Batman Begins Portrait

This is a portrait that I did last year of Michael Caine in a class called Analysis of Form. It was a lot of fun experimenting with different types of charcoal to render all of the forms. 

Xerxes Color Rough

So here is my very rough "color rough" for my Xerxes illustration. Its 2:00 this morning so we'll see if it will work or not but this is the overall look I hope to be working with. More updates soon as I move towards a final version.

A Self-Portrait Expression

Okay so I'm back with this image right here which is a self-portrait. The assignment was to make a distinct expression to show the muscles and movements in the face. This is my first oil painting of a figure, as I have just begun working in that medium. I had fun with this assignment and am reasonably pleased with the outcome, however I may go back in and do some more work later on.

An Aerial Battle

So this image is actually an anatomy assignment where the goal was to create a two person composition. Having just seen the film "Jumper" I was inspired to create this piece. It was made with the classic micron pen and prisma color marker combination. 

X is For Xerxes devoured by mice...

So here is another sketch from the Gashlycrumb Tinies. This sketch was selected by my teacher and class to refine for a final illustration. I am really excited to work on this piece, I think it will be a cool learning experience. I definitely need to fix the crop and placement of Xerxes so as to not cut off his hands and avoid the facial tangent. Anyway hope you enjoy.

F is for Fanny sucked dry by a leech

The Gashlycrumb Tinies is an amusing poem that chronicles atrocities that occur to children. The goal of this assignment is to illustrate one of those atrocities. This is a preliminary sketch of the line "F is for Fanny sucked dry by a leech..." I wanted to keep the composition very centered as to contrast the madness that is taking place. Beware those leeches...

2 Point Perspective Jungle Lab

So this is my first post. I created this image for an assignment in my perspective class. It was definitely a learning experience as it was my first attempt at true two point perspective. I wanted to create a sense of mystery and awe with a supernatural glow. I hope you enjoy.