Editorial Work : Brain Booster

graphite & digital

graphite & digital

What's the best way to get your brain powered up in 2011? Not a fancy head contraption, apparently. (Guess that's money I'm not getting back.) Boost your brain with these 10 steps. This is a notable illo. First time to draw skinny jeans.

(No. That's not Sarah Palin throwing stuff into that guy's head.)

© 2011 Fort Worth Star-Telegram, © 2011 CSJennings

Works In Progress

blue col-erase

Not a stopping point, but definitely moving toward the finish.
Proportions are a bit off, and ALL THAT HAIR.
Finding the visual narrative of the project is as important
as the words for establishing tone.
I have wrestled with design of elements, and find at the end of the day I am best following my initial instincts.
Sometimes to find the path you must wander off it.*

*That sounds like something someone wise would say, no?

Boston Colorin'

Tired of the Boston yet? Here's a quick color test.

pencil rough : digital

Boston Drawin 3

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Boston Drawin 2

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Boston Drawin 1

blue col-erase

Christmas Card Conundrum 2010

graphite & digital || click to see larger

There is no project—personal or professional—that gives me illustrator's block like the annual Christmas card. So pervasive is this condition that I have not put one together for the last three years. We'll skip the suspicions I have about why this is and continue with the drawing part.

ballpoint pen || click to see larger

 Here's the original rough... not much more than a thumbnail.

graphite & digital || click to see larger

This was the original color of the card. After spending an hour on it, and then accidentally printing it on my grey-scale printer, I decided to toss the full color for the duotone version above.

graphite & digital || click to see larger

This is the color with the duotone laying on top of it. For me, this was a close second to the duotone. More wintery... how I am feeling this year.

Which color approach do you dig the most?