Thursday, August 20, 2009

Wrapped

Art created for the weekly illustration challenge site, IllustrationFriday.com. This is my take on the subject “Wrapped”.

“Wrapped” started with the octopus. I liked the idea of using its out-jutting tentacles as a framing device for the picture. I considered using a modern day diver, or an unfortunate swimmer as his victim, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was making the picture more mundane than required. Since there were no restrictions (and I’m already using a monster octopus) why not delve completely into the realm of fantasy, and make its victim into a mermaid?

There you have it. She’s wrapped.

The final image with a more restricted color palette.

I consciously limited the palette and degree of brushwork in this piece, modifying my painting style to match up with the sort of quick-turnaround work seen in magazine spot illustrations. I was shooting for two days, but the work took a little longer than expected – maybe 2.5 days in total.

The final sketch, drawn on a half sheet of 9”x12” Strathmore Sketch paper.


Basic color tones, plus “paper bark parchment” texture from cgtextures.com. I was glad to see that a little texture could bring the Octopus to life. Almost no shading or painting required. A nice trick when you can pull it off.

Color + dramatic shading.

7 comments:

  1. Incredible work! I love your choice of color with warm and cool contrast, and so nicely drawn. I also enjoyed reading about how it was composed. Great job!

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  2. holy, sucks to be her! this is outstanding!

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  3. Great work. Love seeing the in progress images

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  4. Very impressing. High quality work.

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  5. Wonderful! Beautifully rendered and composed.

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  6. Thank you for showing your progression! That was awesome of you, and such a cool final piece. I will be keeping my eye on you!

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