Art always goes through different stages, starting from just an idea doodle, to something more grand and complete. That's one of the great things about creating...you get to watch a concept grow. Sort of like planting a garden, you get the seeds planted, toil away in the hot sun and eventually (hopefully) enjoy the fruits of your labour. Here is an inside peek at my creative process for a recent illustration in WO Magazine.
1. Idea Doodle
This is where the idea takes place and I experiment with different thoughts and compositions. It can be the worst most crude drawing ever...in fact sometimes I wouldn't even consider it a drawing. More like some basic mapping language.



2. The Drawing
Most of the work happens in the drawing stage. It involves fleshing out the idea into a recognizable form using your thoughts, reference material, and the overall vibe the drawing gives off. Once the composition feels right, I then go in with a darker pencil and finalize most of the details. Once complete I typically ink with a brush pen.



3. The Finished Colour Piece
 In this case, I scanned the artwork and cleaned it up before adding digital colour in Photoshop. I'm often not sure what direction the colour will take at this stage, and just let it build up on its own. Sometimes I'll add in some finishing texture in this stage too, and then it's all wrapped up and ready to go.

Hot off the presses, is this year's Applied Arts Illustration and Photography Annual, the best lowdown for what's going on in the Canadian graphic arts industry. Overall, the slick matte cover gives off a good vibe, and there are some decent articles inside, as well as the actual photography and illustration award winners. I always feel there could be more illustration featured, but bias aside, at least the photography showcased is pretty amazing.
In the illustration section there are the usual suspects like Rick Sealock and Pol Turgeon, but surprisingly a lot of new faces and fresh talent, which is always good to see. My portrait of Drake, ended up in the portrait section on a spread featuring some other well done portraits including Forest Whitaker and Georges St-Pierre. Here are a few shots of the layout

The warm weather is back again, which for the many sketchers out there in colder climates means freedom. No more doodling in the car, or trying to draw without getting ink all over your gloves as you shiver (and swear). Park life is here to stay for next few months, so get out and enjoy the people watching and fill up your idea file and sketchbooks while you can. Fresh thoughts and inspiration are a great thing. Might still consider bringing an umbrella though.

As most of the world celebrates the death of Osama Bin Laden, I was reminded of an old painting I did, focusing on other, less benevolent foreign military ventures that the US has been involved with. In fact, once you sort through the full out wars, and the playful meddling imperialism of the 80's in Latin America, there seems very left in the way of positive results. More often than not, the U.S military is mixed up in business that it shouldn't be, and gets its hands caught in the cookie jar. But score one for the good guys. Yo mama osama.