Eachean Can Draw

sketch of the day

2012-02-01T09:23:00.001-08:00

Today's Meeting Notes

2012-01-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

May's 5th Birthday Invitation

2012-01-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

A highlight of the year for me is creating my kids' birthday invitations. My daughter's current obsession is with our new black cat Cricket - so naturally a black cat themed party!

Sketchbook: Owl

2012-01-04T13:34:00.000-08:00

Dog Rocks

2011-12-22T18:29:00.001-08:00

Gifts for a Secret Santa exchange.

sketch 122011

2011-12-20T16:12:00.000-08:00

Cats and Dogs

2011-12-20T12:10:00.001-08:00

This week I am beginning two little side projects that are coming up. The first is a portrait of some dogs for a friend of my wife. It's a Christmas present so I have to get this done fast. The plan is to paint the images onto rocks for her. I have plenty of practice painting on rocks as you saw from last week's post, but never this sort of subject so we'll see how it turns out.

Next is a fun little tradition I've created for my kids' birthdays. Every year I make a birthday invitation for them based on the theme that they want. My daughter Mabry turns 5 on the 27th and wants to break from her long running obsession with princesses to make way for her new fascination with black cats, so it's a black cat theme this year! Here are my initial sketches. From here I'll move on to build the image in illustrator. The gallery in this post show some of the cards that I've done in the past.

Birds and Branches

2011-11-27T14:34:00.001-08:00

With my studio space neatly packed away to make room for holiday visitors, I decided to turn to my sketchbook this week and crank out another illustration to submit to my iStock gallery.

A little over a year ago, I began uploading images to iStock as a way to actually do something with all of the drawings I have in my sketchbooks and push my illustration in a slightly different direction. So far I have 31 images up and have had 29 downloads. I'm not making much money yet, but still find it rewarding to get my art out there and it's a thrill every time someone decides to pay for and download something I've created.
Here's a quick run through of the process I use. I'll keep it short and sweet, but feel free to ask any questions if you are interested in more details.

A while ago, I thought it would be interesting to switch from pencil to sharpie in my drawing as a way to explore different types of line and challenge myself with a more unforgiving tool. I wanted to try to develop a clean style that forced me to think and draw in a different way than I had been previously.

I've been inspired by a lot great vector work I see online and wanted to come up with something similar but still keep a very hand drawn feel to it. After I get the page filled with my drawing I scan it and do a little clean up in Photoshop.

Once the contrast is adjusted and blemishes are removed it's ready for a little Illustrator magic to convert those pixels into clean lines.

I have a palette that I've created for this series of images. Using that I fill the spaces with color, trap the blacks, save it to specifications and send it off to iStock for approval. Viola!

I love working like this and have built up a nice little collection, I think. For me the challenge has been in finding new themes to explore and keeping the ideas fresh. Let me know what you think!

The Designer Co-op

2011-11-17T15:22:00.001-08:00

I recently became a member of The Designer Co-op. So far it's a small group of designers expressing themselves creatively - sharing with and critiquing one another. It's been really nice to have other creative types to communicate with regularly. I have two posts up so far that you can check out here. Come take a look and join us.

Scary Rocks

2011-11-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a bunch of the scary rocks that we put out this Halloween for our Renton Rocks project. Be sure to like us to keep up on our adventures!

More Halloween Decoractions

2011-10-24T10:33:00.001-07:00

Halloween sure has fueled my imagination this year. These family portraits are hanging in our living room now. They may even stay up after the holiday passes.

This year's Halloween window Decorations

2011-10-04T20:53:00.001-07:00

Inspired by...

Tree world, world aquarium

2011-08-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

WIP: Tree world

2011-08-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to vector and add color to this one. It was fun to draw.

Back to School!:Latest addition to iStock portfolio

2011-08-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

The rest of my iStock portfolio is here.

New Work

2011-06-30T15:51:00.001-07:00

More work like this can be viewed here.

Published work

2011-06-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

Renton Rocks in the News

2011-06-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

We've been getting a lot of great press lately at Renton Rocks.
Here is a story that ran on the local news:

Renton Rocks!

2011-04-19T19:56:00.001-07:00

Join the fun at Renton Rocks, a fun art and community project hoping to surprise and delight. You never know what wonders are hiding right under foot. The next time you walk around our beautiful town make sure to take a close look around you. Those lucky enough will be rewarded with a special gift. Renton Rocks hope to bring a smile to your day with an unexpected find. Please join us and share your discovery. We'd love to hear what you've named your Renton Rock. Tell us their story and share your pictures. Maybe you'll even be inspired to add to our collection and create and hide your very own Renton Rock!

Thanks to http://isaacgracelily.blogspot.com/2011/03/rock-on.html for the inspiration!

Duet: Renton Rocks

2011-04-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

This image "duet" is part of my ongoing Renton Rocks art and community project. It is being documented on Facebook. Be sure to check it out and like it if you want to see what happens next!

Renton Rocks! art and community project

2011-03-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

My kids and I were inspired by Chicken Nugget Lemon Tooty to start a fun art project this weekend. We collected a bunch of rocks and painted them with silly faces. Now we are hiding them all over town for others to find with a facebook page written on the back. We are hoping that some of the people that find the rocks will leave a comment, story or picture on our page's wall. You can follow the fun at Renton Rocks!

Fox in the Woods

2011-03-01T12:00:00.001-08:00

Birthday Invitation

2011-02-03T14:47:00.000-08:00

This year's party invite.

Breakfast!

2010-12-13T13:29:00.001-08:00

Feathered Friends

2010-12-13T13:28:00.001-08:00

Circus

2010-12-13T13:27:00.001-08:00

How do be a good guest illustration

2010-12-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

This illustration was published in last weeks Everett Herald.

I'm on a boat!

2010-11-29T17:09:00.000-08:00

Another image accepted to iStock!

Chinese Zodiac

2010-11-29T17:06:00.000-08:00

This one was a lot of fun to do. Thanks to Stephie for the idea.

Holiday Guest

2010-11-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

Another illustration for the Everett Herald for an article on how not to be a bad holiday guest. Should see print in a week or so.

Walking on the Sun

2010-11-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Here's an image that was just submitted to be in my iStock portfolio. Shared with Illustration Friday under 'Spent' topic - poor tired alligator!

iStock Portfolio

2010-11-01T13:20:00.001-07:00

I was recently accepted to become a contributor to iStock! You can view my growing portfolio here.

New Published Work

2010-10-13T16:07:00.000-07:00

Here are the final layouts for a group of illustrations I did recently for a newspaper article on bed bugs. They ended up using my work on 3 separate pages including the front page!

LittleBeasties doodles

2010-10-05T09:52:00.001-07:00

LittleBeasties doodles

2010-10-05T09:47:00.001-07:00

LittleBeasties doodles

2010-09-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

LittleBeasties doodles

2010-09-28T14:11:00.001-07:00

LittleBeasties doodles

2010-09-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

LittleBeasties doodles

2010-09-27T10:28:00.001-07:00

LittleBeasties doodles

2010-09-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

LittleBeasties doodles

2010-09-27T10:23:00.001-07:00

More LittleBeasties paintings

2010-09-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Here's another batch. They are for sale on Etsy!

Uwajimaya bag design contest entry

2010-08-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

This was my entry in the Uwajimaya bag design contest. I found out yesterday that I didn't win :(. I still really like this image and am interested in seeing the winner.

More LittleBeasties paintings

2010-08-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest additions to the LB Monster Family. Click here to see the entire collection.

Little Beasties T-shirt Designs

2010-07-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hopefully I'll have these up for sale soon at my Little Beasties shop.

Black Comedy Illustration

2010-07-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is work commissioned by the Pioneer Theatre Company for art to go on their Black Comedy Playbill.

Green Hospital Jobs Logos

2010-06-29T10:04:00.001-07:00

New Monster Paintings!

2010-06-16T15:23:00.001-07:00

Heart Attack Hike

2010-05-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

This is an illustration for a newspaper article about surviving a heart attack and then getting back into hiking. I'll update with the layout once I see it.

Little Beasties

2010-04-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Stephanie is starting an Etsy site to sell some of her awesome blankets and dresses and stuff. I had the honor of creating a logo for her and here it is.

Milo's Birthday Invite

2010-02-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

This is the art I did for a birthday invitation in the form of a comic book for Milo's 5th Birthday Party.

Birthday Card Art

2010-01-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

Mabry turned 3 last month! Time flies. Here's the art for her party invite. Her princess obsession is still in full force.

Jack-O-Ween!

2009-10-20T13:13:00.001-07:00

Jack-O-Ween is upon us. For all of you following Jack Hanson Loves Us! on Facebook, here is your assignment material. Print, take a pic and post! BOOOOO HAAA HAA HAAAA HAAAAA!

Jack Hanson Loves Us!

2009-09-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

In honor of the magnificence that is Jack, you too can sport your very own Jackstache in honor of Jackstache Week! Just print out the above stache and post your tribute picture on our fansite. You will be rewarded in the next life with a healthy and trouble free facial hair.

IF: Hollow

2009-07-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

Did he just lose his heart or find it?

2 more new paintings!

2009-07-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Here's Tootie (taking her first shaky flight) and CrabCakes! All paintings are for sale on my Etsy site. Hope you like.

New Paintings!!

2009-06-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

I just finished three new paintings in a new animal series for my Etsy site. The alligator was painted on an old worn out canvas and I'm loving the texture that shows through. I'll have to do more like that. Let me know what you think.

My new Etsy site

2009-06-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

I finally have enough of my Faces series done that I feel comfortable selling them off. Check them out on Etsy and don't forget to pick one up for Father's Day, too!

Tattoo Design

2009-05-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

I just finished a tattoo design for a friend. It's meant to be a full arm sleeve. The concept was a joining of nature and technology. This one was a lot of fun to do.

Painting: Faces

2009-05-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

Here are the final touches on my latest two Faces paintings. These were a lot of fun to do and I am liking them more as I go along. They look deceptively simple I think, but can actually be kinda time consuming. Time to get a few more started!

Painting: Faces

2009-05-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Progress on my new Faces painting on a large canvas. One or two more passes and this one will be done.

Painting: Faces

2009-04-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

I've been able to get dirty in non-digital paint again lately and have added a new member to my FACES series. I've got another larger painting on the way (shown in progress). I'll post the finished version in a day or so...

Logo Design

2009-04-10T11:07:00.001-07:00

This is one done for the day job.

Character Design: Cows

2009-04-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

I decided to go with more anthropomorphic cows for some reason. I think they have a bit more personality when then are standing up. Plus easier access to all that delicious milk!

New Character Design

2009-03-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

I think I am procrastinating doing the actual work of getting my children's book published. Now I want to totally redraw the thing. UGH. Anyway here is a new frog for it.

Logo Design: Alfie

2009-03-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

I did this one for my wife's baby blanket business.

Milo's B-day designs

2009-02-25T10:28:00.000-08:00

These are several animal designs I'm working on for my son's 4th Birthday. I love that he has an endless fascination for learning about animals. I also love the huge encyclopedias we are buying to feed his interest. They are great references for me, too and something I would have never bought my self.

Evergreen State

2009-02-25T09:57:00.000-08:00

Here is another newspaper illustration. This one is for an story on how Washington doesn't "officially" have a nickname though most people think of it as the Evergreen State. I guess there's a Bill floating around that will seal the deal.

Caesar's Autopsy

2009-02-19T17:02:00.000-08:00

This is a poster I just finished for a show my client is doing. Sounds like an interesting idea. I'm looking forward to seeing the show and had a lot of fun coming up with the art.

Here's more information of the upcoming event:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/event.php?eid=52248685969

"Union organizer discusses how the play "Julius Caesar" demonstrates many key concepts in organizing. Includes dramatic passages from the play. Subtitled: "How To Organize Political Conspiracy and Influence People by W. Shakespeare". Fundraiser for the Fund of Union Democracy."

May's 2nd Birthday

2009-01-08T15:34:00.000-08:00

My daughter has resolved to have a princess cake for her party, so I made this card for her.

Painting of Grandma presented to Grandpa

2008-12-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

It was really touching to be able to see this. I am thankful for the opportunity to do something this nice for him. In the video: My Grandfather (who is recovering from a recent stroke) is being presented with a painting I did for him from an old photo of my late Grandmother that he has always cherished. See more details in the previous post.

Portrait of Grandma

2008-12-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

I was asked to make a large drawing from an old grainy picture of my late Grandmother for my Granddad for Christmas. I finally got around to starting it last night. Here are some progress pictures of it. I've been working on it for a few hours now and hope that I am getting a similar likeness to the photo. It still has a way to go and I'll update this post as I get more work done on it. My goal is to have it in the mail by the end of the week.

UPDATE
Above I've posted two more images with the last one being the final (I think). It was really fun to work like this again and I think that I will do more in this style (as you can see from the rest of my blog, my work tends to be more graphic and digital). Hope you like it.

Logo Design

2008-12-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

I did this for a new Weight Loss Center. I was pleased with the result but may do a little more tweaking. For IF: this place will keep you from looking like a balloon.

Caricature: Andy Sandberg

2008-10-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I was hopeful that new blood would repair the failing quality of Saturday Night Live. Andy is doing a great job, but I seems that Sarah Palin has done more recently to bring success back to show.

Halloween Match Game

2008-10-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

This is a Halloween matching card game I designed for my kids. I was very happy to see that they loved it. We've been playing it constantly since I gave it to them. I've posted the images large enough for anyone to copy and print out so that you can enjoy it with your kids as well! The orange bat filled image is what I used for the backs of the cards. So print 2 copies of each, cut them out, and have a spooky fun time! Let me know what you think!

This illustration Friday entry will have you up very late playing this fun game. ;)

ABC

2008-10-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

This project has been a long time coming, but I finally finished it. I was really pleased to see my son, Milo, so engaged with the poster print out of this. He stood there staring at it asking questions and learning from it and began pointing out things to his little sister, Mabry. I'm sorry it took so long to make, but so happy to see that it has paid off! For the IF crowd: not only is this a string of letters but you'll also find shoestrings in the image.

President Obama Sketch

2008-10-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by the debates last night and came up with this sketch of our next President. Oh and for the Illustration Friday crowd: How sugary sweet will victory taste? YUM!

Logo Design

2008-10-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

This was another fun one at my day job. I was asked to recreate a Fish Cannery Workers Union Logo. The only original (at the top) available was this grainy photocopy done decades ago. The following images are my take on the original. I tried to stay true to the source but modernize it a bit. I think it is coming along nicely.

IF: Packed

2008-09-26T10:51:00.001-07:00

This is an illustration I did for a newspaper article on Podcasts. As you can see he is all packed and ready to hit the open road. It's funny to look back on older work and think about how differently you would approach the subject now.

Caricature: Travis Barker

2008-09-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

Snoop Dog

2008-09-25T12:14:00.001-07:00

I feel like I'm finally finding a style that feels natural. It still needs work but I've been happy with these more rendered approaches.

John McCain

2008-09-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

If I get to color this, I think I'll make him yellow (unless he shows up for the debate on Friday).

IF: Clique - Hugh Laurie

2008-09-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

Dr. House forms an elite clique of doctors dedicated to solving medical mysteries too complex and confounding for your average MD to handle. A perfect fit for this weeks Illustration Friday assignment. ;)

Caricature: Christian Slater

2008-09-19T13:27:00.001-07:00

Not sure I have a lot to say about this one. I think that I am getting more comfortable with the digital painting technique I'm using. The actual drawing style is still a work in progress, but I think that I am getting somewhere - slowly but surely.

Caricature: Sarah Palin 2

2008-09-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Went back to the drawing board for this one. I think this is a better likeness and will be easier to paint.

Caricature: Sarah Palin

2008-09-17T12:35:00.001-07:00

Color version to follow...

Caricature: Lyle Lovett in color

2008-09-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here's our pal Lyle again. This time in color!

Caricature: Lyle Lovett

2008-09-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

Another fun face to draw. I'll have to figure out the hair someday and try again.

Truth Squad logo

2008-09-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is a logo I created at my day job for a coalition of organizations looking into health insurance. It's not often that I get the time to do something this polished there.

IF: Sail

2008-08-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

This is an early illustration I did for a newspaper about internet rumors, but I think the image fits into this week's IF theme. I've posted the published version with the story below for more context if you are interested.

IF: POOF!

2008-08-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here is another page from my children's book / cautionary tale, The Owl Who Wouldn't Toot. This is from the end of the book where Owl learns his lesson and just has to share his...joy.

The text reads:
"Owl was surprised to learn that day
The mice were right, he had to say.
Owl wanted to thank those two guys
And show them both his very first try.

So he braced real hard to let it come out.
With a cautious smile and joyful shout,
Owl cried real loud with smelly glee
That at last all his gas was finally free."

My apologies to those faint of heart.

IF: Enough

2008-07-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

This is one of a series of paintings I've been working on. I think there are enough faces on this canvas but I keep getting compelled to fill up more. Someday I'll have enough of these to show. Someday...

Caricature?: Italian Greyhound

2008-07-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

We'll take a short break from drawings of my co-workers for a cute puppy chaser.

Caricature: Patrick

2008-07-15T16:10:00.001-07:00

I was going for a more stylized look with this one. I think it's working. Might take it into Illustrator at some point to push the style further. There is always that conflict between realistic representation (my training) and stylization. This is one that found the right balance.

Caricature: Susan

2008-06-25T10:25:00.001-07:00

Sue is a sweet lady with the mouth of a trucker. She's always threatening death upon those that cross her, but she says it in the cutest way.

IF: Baby

2008-06-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Here's one I did in a series of cutesy animals. Hope you like it.

Caricature: Casey

2008-05-13T16:33:00.000-07:00

Casey doesn't think that he looks like Lenin. If fact, he gets rather angry at the comparison - which is, of course, very funny to watch around the office. A simple google search proves him wrong.

Caricature: Rueben

2008-04-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

Rueben has been gone for a while now, but those eyes... those eyes still haunt my dreams.

Pranks update

2008-04-14T16:48:00.001-07:00

Here's my Pranks illustration again as it was published.

Caricature: Bob

2008-04-10T15:33:00.000-07:00

I don't care what they say, there is no way my co-workers are going to convince me that Bob isn't one of the undead.