Digital Forest pt. II

The art request must have been written with me in mind: a forest, at night, roots, interconnected tree limbs, animals, stars, fireflies, and a small group of figures admiring it all.

I really enjoyed my time on this piece. For this second post we'll walk through the conceptual stage. I did a few variations of the art request. I'm a little envious of those people who do a zillion thumbnails to find their piece. It must be nice to think of a lot of different things. I tend to see it quickly and get the idea down or I just struggle with it for a while, nudging the elements around in my mind until I arrive. Usually though, I'll hear a request and immediately see it. 

The three options.

The refined thumbnail. B.

I liked C. a lot because I would have gotten to do more trees but B. ended up being the best choice because I'd get to do larger, more involved figures (and trees) which is ultimately my favorite thing to do. I love organic shapes and human (or human-like) figures.

So this was approved and I moved on to making all the elements. Working along the lines of the Zune commercial meant working (mostly) all digitally and I started to put together the pieces.

Le Cadeau du Temps for Microsoft Zune.

Next time, Friday, we'll take a look at finishing the piece.

Digital Forest pt. III [final]

Here's a look at the steps of completing this illustration. To see the thumbnails and original idea, visit the previous post.

The figure silhouettes.

Detail.

Watercolored, knocked out and layered trees to play with.

Arranging the forest.

Most of the elements added.

Playing with the colors.

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The final.

* * * 

Above. Owl and squirrels are probably best friends.

That's me in the hat with the backpack.
Sort of. Not really. A little. Never mind.

The finished spread.

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Like I mentioned previously, I don't often get to do just single, one off illustrations so it's always extra enjoyable when I'm asked. I enjoy pouring everything into one image.

I had a really great time on this one.

Digital forest

I don't often get to do editorial work or single, stand alone illustrations for magazines so when I do it feels like a treat. Here's a look at a one such recent piece.

The AD referenced my Microsoft commercial as a direction he wanted to go which I was thrilled to hear, I also don't get asked to work in that method too often either. 

This week (M/W/F) I'll provide a look at the stages of it's creation.