A New Year – A New Technique

I love to illustrate. I find it a struggle full of brainstorming ideas, playing with shapes and colors, tough decisions, extreme concentration, upsets, and trials. SO why do I love it so much? Because when the stars are aligned just right and your brain and hand are completely in sync, you get a final product that makes you sing!

I am experimenting with using a faster illustration technique. The method consists of watercolors, ink, and colored pencils – in that order. I have found it keeps me interested and involved in the process, plus it is full of happy accidents, new learning curves (which I adore), and surprises.

SO without further ado, drum roll, please…….

The quote reads:

“Every man who observes vigilantly and resolves steadfastly, grows unconsciously into genius.”

- Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1908-1873)

In additiona to opening up to conceptual ways of thinking this year, I also intend on finding a really nice illustration process that works for me and produces wonderful results.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this piece.

Memories: Illustration Friday

The Obama/Lincoln Parallel

Illustration Friday‘s Word for the Week is Memories.

With all of the exciting political campaigning going on in our country, I thought I would be only right to address what should be going on in all of our homes.  I am following the Conventions and listening to the speeches and trying to form my own opinion about what is going on in our country.  The question is – Who will lead us the the right direction?  Well, I am not here to answer that for anyone, but I did find it interesting that Al Gore drew parallels between Obama and Lincoln.  The following is an excerpt from the speech Al Gore gave on August 28th at the National Democratic Convention:

The experience Lincoln’s supporters valued most in that race was his powerful ability to inspire hope in the future at a time of impasse. He was known chiefly as a clear thinker and a great orator, with a passion for justice and a determination to heal the deep divisions of our land. He insisted on reaching past partisan and regional divides to exalt our common humanity. In 2008, once again, we find ourselves at the end of an era with a mandate from history to launch another new beginning. And once again, we have a candidate whose experience perfectly matches an extraordinary moment of transition.

For my weekly illustration, I have attempted to create a characature of Obama in Lincoln’s top hat and dress with images of our country in Lincoln’s Era.  This is an attempt to visually parallel these two leaders.