Joel Herrera Fine Art and Illustration

Superfast Flyer

2011-11-01T21:35:00.001-07:00

MAde this flyer for my brother in law superfast.. It was fun. That is all.

A concept for a thing

2011-03-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

That's about all I can say I think. This concept was not used so I think it is safe to post.

Christmas Card

2011-03-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

Something my big sis asked me to do for her for christmas. Great fun for me to draw in a different style.

2011-03-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

Logo for a custom home company in Texas.

Smith concept

2011-03-01T19:28:00.001-08:00

I was pretty excited about this design, but am no longer working on it. I will keep this in mind for another project though.

And another one.

2011-03-01T19:26:00.001-08:00

Still have a bit to go on this one and already have changes to make.

Another Work in Progress

2011-03-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

Still working on the. One of my favorites so far. Probably because of the whole comic book thing

commish

2011-03-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

Sent this out last week. I hope the clients enjoy! It was definitely a challenging one for me.

Grifter and Zealot

2011-03-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

Never finished this. Maybe I will one day

Mo stuff

2011-03-01T19:19:00.001-08:00

Here is the concept for the site so far. Still have some kinks to work out.

work in progress

2011-03-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a shot of the pin up that I was working on for my new site. "But Joel, you just finished your new site a few months ago." I know, I know. What can I say,
I am constantly unsatisfied with my work

Step1

2010-12-29T21:14:00.001-08:00

barely getting into this. Probably doesn't look like much to anyone. Sort of looks like a slim Bizarro to me right now but it's all part of the process. I've done this particular sketch a few times over the last few months but now it's time to stop sketching and get it done!!

Pillowfight! Cat v Canary Round 1

2010-12-23T00:04:00.001-08:00

So I did this for and online competition. Wanted to get back into the swing of things again. The concept was tought for me but I think I did allright with it. I may add some things later on tonight. Hope you enjoy

Some assembly required

2010-11-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

So the sketch I did yesterday basically helped me attempt this idea. It's a pinup girl robot. I really wanted to keep the feel of what makes a pinup a pinup in the first place, but I was also in the mood to draw comic book stuff, hence ladytron from wildcats. I will more than likely paint this but I thought I would post the finished pencils. It was great to actually draw this weekend and not have to worry about any graphic design stuff.

Gil Evlgren Sketch/Tribute

2010-11-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

I just wish I was as good as my favorite pinup girl artist Gil Elvgren. Since I'm not I try to learn from him and do some quick sketches. This took about 20 minutes and felt pretty good in terms of keeping it loose and spontaneuos. Enjoy! or don't.

Arc

2010-10-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

Also coming up is some UID (that's user interface design) for a telecommunications supplier in Monona, Wisconsin. Keep your eyes open, more info to come soon. I think tis will also be done under the name of getfreshdesign, my new collab design group here in Durham,NC

Empty Spaces Design

2010-10-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Next one on the block is Empty Spaces Design. I started the background stuff this weekend and will be working on the core flash stuff. You heard me, it's a flash site...

Lou's Hollywood Boxworx

2010-10-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

I launched Lou's Hollywood Boxworx today. If you have a chance please check her out. She's Awesome!

Lou's Hollywood Boxworx

Dribbble Bribe Complete

2010-10-01T00:19:00.000-07:00

So I believe I have finished my dribbble bribe. If any one has a dribbble account and has an invite to spare I would greatly appreciate it. I would appreciate it so much that I will send you a 15x22 inch print of this dribbble piece! Hope you like!

Dribbble WIP

2010-09-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

Starting working on my bit of bribery. Remember, if anyone has an invite to dribbble, this could be yours!!

new site is up and almost running

2010-09-21T22:13:00.000-07:00

Hey all. I got my new site up tonight. I have some things to finish up an I want to mess around with a few things. I also want to wrap this up in php so I don't have to repeat myself too much.Let me know what you think and if there are any problems. By the way it has a small prblem in Opera. Make sure you have the latest version if that is what you are using for surfing. It's Opera 10.6 I think

Check it out at joelherrera.com

Lou Brochure approved!

2010-09-16T21:45:00.001-07:00

I still have some things to fix, but the brochure is a go!We are definitely making progress!

Bettie Page

2010-09-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

Quick Bettie Page Sketch. I did it kind of fast and really craptastic paper. Her face looks a little chubby and the distance between her eyes is a bit far. I will definitely give this one another go since she is the epitome of pinup girl goodness!!

Lou's website revisions

2010-09-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Good Monday Morning Everyone! I just sent off the revisions for this. We got overall approval of our concepts with some some considerations and combinations. I will be working on the brochure in the meantime since the overall color palette has been approved. I actually took a break this weekend. That's unusual for me. Anyway hope you like!(Hope the client likes too!)

working on it

2010-09-10T22:01:00.001-07:00

Just continuing to layer things up and smooth them out. I wasn't really going to go this route but I can't seem to stop. I am just going to go with the flow for now. I am starting to see some interesting things develop

progress

2010-09-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Did some smoothing out which I having done in a while, but I want to use this as my base layer for the painting. I have to go to class but I will hopefully have some time for this over the weekend while I work on Lou's

Quick Color study

2010-09-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

Maybe a little monochromatic and maybe the highlights are a bit strong. It gives me a possible idea of where I want to go though. I really want to try and bring out that Lucien Freud type of fleshiness if possible, which in my mind means lots of cool color laying and then some very selective subtraction.

Quick Study

2010-09-08T23:11:00.001-07:00

So I don't feel well and can't sleep. I thought I would do a quick study to clear my mind. Is it worth painting? you tell me.

Lous website concepts

2010-09-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Feel free to comment. We sent these off today and are hoping our client is into one of these!

Grim reaper WIP

2010-09-04T20:36:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post this real quick. I am doing a commission for an atv shop for a grim reaper. I have had some fun painting this one up thus far. I still have a hand and a sleeve to do. I wish I had a skeleton in my house so I could get the hand just right. I originally went totally anatomically correct on the skull and then decided he didn't look scary enough so I made some changes. Here hoping he looks somewhat grim reaperish. I can't really post the whole pic since I don't want anyone to steal it, but here is hopefully a somewhat interesting portion of it.

WIP

2010-09-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

This is all I am going to do for now. I have other things to work on. there are some minor problems in ie of course but there are easy fixes. lowest viewable resolution is 1280 x 768.
newsite

Inception

2010-08-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

Last good movie I watched. Some love it some hate it. Go check it out and fin out for yourself.

Singer Sargent

2010-08-31T05:28:00.000-07:00

I want to be this awesome. Everyday I try. I do so miss life drawing. I think there is a place called artspace here in Durham where they have life drawing workshops

Cover Run -Adam Hughes

2010-08-31T05:24:00.000-07:00

What can I say about this. a great collection of covers from Adam Hughes, my personal favorite in the Illustration/comic Book biz. great for the coffee table!

Asgardian Wars

2010-08-31T05:23:00.001-07:00

Ahh. When I was a kid I was first introduced to Art Adams with this. I had to go buy it.

Light CMS

2010-08-31T05:19:00.000-07:00

I am gonna try this out. If anyone has had experience with this let me know

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

2010-08-31T05:16:00.000-07:00

I realize I haven't posted in my music section in a while. I thought I would get started with this. Great album. Go check it out.

Thinking about making a new website (again)

2010-08-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

So here I am with a lot of work to do but I have to give myself at least one day to work on me. This is the equivalent of a massage in my strange little mind. I thought I would post my idea to my blog and maybe I would get some thoughts. For those of you that know me I am continuing my experimentation with web design and print design and how these two things should be the same. I am not a pioneer of this by any means but I do think it's important to think about moving forward in web design everyday. even if it means moving only a little..

Lou's Hollwood Boxworx Has Arrived

2010-08-22T15:53:00.001-07:00

Hello all. I just sent off my latest logo. I had great fun designing this logo and will continue on by creating the business cards, brochures, and website! Great project and great client! I will keep you all up to date with how Lou's company is doing!! Remember this logo is the property of Lou's Hollywood Boxworx and cannot be reproduced! Thanks and enjoy!

New Lou

2010-08-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

Still working on this. It is part of a logo for a production company. I wanted to get a clear idea of some coveralls that she would be wearing so I decided to draw it from some preliminary observations. Enjoy!

Sailor Girl

2010-07-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

Did this for a client recently. Nice fun project for an atv or some such thing. Full disclosure, the client had a pin up picture that they thought was the right idea so they wanted me to use it as a reference, but they wanted me to do it "my way" which is, at least, a little bit closer to the vintage style. I also decided to make some anatomical and color adjustments as well. Hope you all enjoy.

Tom Tom Commercial

2010-07-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

Funny Stuff.

Even More Venom Progress

2010-05-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

Some hatching and such

More Venom Progress

2010-05-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

I don't think I am quite done with this phase but I will post all of the progress thus far. I am experimenting here so if you see some flaws, things are still changing. Enjoy

Venom Progress

2010-05-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

So I am starting this Venom sketch an thought I would once again show some of the steps for those of you interested in the process. I will start by saying I did a basic sketch and received some good feedback on lengthening the traps a bit to widen the chest so I decided to do this in photoshop during the ink process. I will try to remember to save my steps as often as possible to show how this hopefully ends up. Thanks!

Bot and Babe

2010-04-17T19:08:00.001-07:00

Something I did for a show in Chicago. Learned some new things. Hope you enjoy!

Bomb Girl Redux awating approval

2010-02-26T19:12:00.001-08:00

I was commissioned to do a version of my bomb girl print. I offered to redo it thinking I could do it better. I would like to think I succeeded. Hope you all enjoy. I am posting the old one as well so you can see the difference.

Spidey Sketch

2010-02-21T17:53:00.001-08:00

Just messing around

Commision almost complete

2010-01-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

Here is the almost final version. Hope you enjoy.

Commission Progress

2010-01-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

Just making some progress on my commission. Thought I would share.

Flying C Ranch

2010-01-17T21:07:00.000-08:00

Working on a commission folks. Just wanted to post the progress on one of my concepts. I am pretty excited about this and I hope the client is excited as well. Enjoy and feel free to leave some comments if you like

Twitterfeed

2009-11-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

Gonna try this out for a while

More WIP

2009-11-17T20:06:00.001-08:00

Did a little more for educational purposes

New Painting

2009-11-17T18:21:00.000-08:00

I haven't really worked on anything for a bit in terms of Fine Art. I have been extremely busy at the new job. It has made me think more about what I am teaching in figure drawing class and trying to really catch the spirit of a pose and trying to make it my own at the same time. This particular sketch took about an hour or so. I am planning on an attempt at a more impressionistic style, which will be a challenge for me. I will post as I make progress. Hope everyone enjoys.

Blackberry blogging

2009-09-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

Just testing out the blogging capabilities via blackberry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Apparition

2009-08-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

That really all I can say besides I might be doing some art for it. that is all. Wish me Luck

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

2009-08-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

Looks like I am doing some work for Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is a show on Starz with a corresponding comic book. I have done a ton of sketches and hopefully will get approval soon. Wish me luck

Lady Punisher

2009-08-14T19:59:00.001-07:00

So I realize she isn't the actual lady punisher, but I thought it would be cool to make it anyhow. I will more than likely paint this up in a bit. I thought I would post the sketch also since I typically don't sketch anything . It is definitely a habit I want to get into because I think it can help me loosen up a bit. I did use a photo reference for this as I usually do just in case anyone is wondering. I can, fortunately, draw without ref still. I was starting to worry about that as well. I gotta say, I will always enjoy drawing from the imagination or using refs in conjunction with it. It just feels right. Anyhoo hope you like...

Phoenix 1901

2009-08-03T13:49:00.001-07:00

Review from Pitchfork:

It's hard for artists to teeter on the fence of change between albums-- between refining your sound and getting stuck in stasis, between growth and overreach. Unless you're Phoenix, in which case you make it look really, really easy, and crank out more effortless pop-rock. While there are more pronounced synths on this preview of their upcoming album, "1901" sounds like a logical extension of It's Never Been Like That, and is just as smooth and spirited and dementedly catchy as any of their best singles. That last record endeared them to many, and it's worth noting that they don't sound especially daunted by following up their last big success. Whatever new touches are added here-- the singeing keyboard chords that dominate the first few bars before taking a backseat to that clean guitar, or the percussive marble-down-the-drain echo-- it takes effort to pick them out, as this track is as seamless as the top of the peanut butter when you first open the jar. Remember "12:51"? Me neither.

Venture Bros

2009-08-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

I have always been a fan of The Venture Bros. I just thought I would share my love.

James Jean

2009-08-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

Another artist that I am a big fan of. He has an amazing style an his covers for FABLES are amazing. When I grow up I want to be just like him. Except for the Asian part because that would require some surgery on my part an I gotta say I don't think I could handle it...

District 9

2009-08-03T13:28:00.001-07:00

I have to say I am excited to see this movie. What could be a better sign of the times than watching a movie about humans beings fearing what they don't understand? Or do they fear it because they DO understand! DA-DA-DAAAAAAAAA! Stay tuned for the answer. District 9 in theatres August 14th

Rives BFK

2009-07-08T08:25:00.001-07:00

I realize that this isn't comic book paper, but this is for the most part my drawing paper of choice. Very soft, and it just feels great. Sure it's a little pricey, but it is worth it. Just don't use it for sketching, unless you have money to burn.

Michelangelo

2009-07-07T14:25:00.001-07:00

When I see this and almost anything else he has ever made, it not only reminds me of how far I have to go, but it also how far I want to go with my art. I try everyday to be this good.

Let the right one in

2009-07-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

An interesting vampire movie about Eli and a troubled 12 year old youth Oskar who develop an interesting relationship. Great character development and story. I will have to pick up the novel as well as I have just found some interesting details about the movie online. Go check it out!

Phil Hale

2009-06-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

Another fabulous artist that I wish I could be like. It's the sort of organize chaos that I would like to achieve. Sometimes I think I have it, but I inevitably work it to a point that the chaos goes away...

Ponyo

2009-06-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

Saw bits and pieces of this a while back an my bro in law Alaric reminded me of it. The creatives at Disney have done it again!! They love Miyazaki and have decided to slap a Disney logo on another of his fantastic movies. Go Disney!! I will say that they at least know good animation when they see it.

Michael Jackson RIP

2009-06-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

I gotta say. It is regrettable that the King of Pop has died. Right now I am trying to decide if I don't really care, because I never really listened to anything beyond Thriller or if it's my heart of stone...

Oh, well. One less werewolf in the world...

CMS

2009-06-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

Content Management Systems (CMS) come in all shapes and sizes. Chances are, if you've put up a Web page on a free Web page server or ISP you've had access to a rudimentary content management system.

Several years ago, when I worked at Netcom, they had Personal Web page space, and to add to your pages you had to use a tool called "PBuilder". PBuilder allowed anyone with a Netcom account to create a Web page from a template and put it up on our Web server. It was rudimentary, but it didn't require knowledge of HTML and you could have a page up quickly and painlessly.

Companies then saw that this could be useful within an organization. For example if a PR department needs to get a press release up on the Web site, often it has to go through numerous steps:

1. Write the release and get it approved
2. Send the release out on the wire
3. Send the release to the Web group
4. The Web group then converts the document to HTML and puts it on the Web site
5. Most larger companies have some sort of staging server where Web documents sit until they are pushed live
6. If a press release has sensitive information, it can't be released to the Web group until it has been sent to the wire, but often upper management wants it on the Web site immediately

This situation causes a lot of stress for both the Web group and the PR team. It would be a lot easier if the PR team could post the release to the Web at the same time that they post it to the wire services. But, often they don't know HTML or don't have access to the Web site. This is where a content management system comes into play.

Blogging

2009-06-21T21:04:00.001-07:00

As I think about the blogs I’ve returned to over the years — and the increasingly few new ones that really grab my attention — I want to start with, ironically enough, a list. Here’s what I think helps make for a good blog.

1. Good blogs have a voice. Who wrote this? What is their name? What can I figure out about who they are that they have never overtly told me? What’s their personality like and what do they have to contribute — even when it’s “just” curation. What tics and foibles fascinate make me about this blog and the person who makes it? Most importantly: what obsesses this person?
2. Good blogs reflect focused obsessions. People start real blogs because they think about something a lot. Maybe even five things. But, their brain so overflows with curiosity about a family of topics that they can’t stop reading and writing about it. They make and consume smart forebrain porn. So: where do this person’s obsessions take them?
3. Good blogs are the product of “Attention times Interest.” A blog shows me where someone’s attention tends to go. Then, on some level, they encourage me to follow the evolution of their interest through a day or a year. There’s a story here. Ethical “via” links make it easy for me to follow their specific trail of attention, then join them for a walk made out of words.
4. Good blog posts are made of paragraphs. Blog posts are written, not defecated. They show some level of craft, thinking, and continuity beyond the word count mandated by the Owner of Your Plantation. If a blog has fixed limits on post minimums and maximums? It’s not a blog: it’s a website that hires writers. Which is fine. But, it’s not really a blog.
5. Good “non-post” blogs have style and curation. Some of the best blogs use unusual formats, employ only photos and video, or utilize the list format to artistic effect. I regret there are not more blogs that see format as the container for creativity — rather than an excuse to write less or link without context more.
6. Good blogs are weird. Blogs make fart noises and occasionally vex readers with the degree to which the blogger’s obsession will inevitably diverge from the reader’s. If this isn’t happening every few weeks, the blogger is either bored, half-assing, or taking new medication.
7. Good blogs make you want to start your own blog. At some point, everyone wants to kill the Buddha and make their own obsessions the focus. This is good. It means you care.
8. Good blogs try. I’ve come to believe that creative life in the first-world comes down to those who try just a little bit harder. Then, there’s the other 98%. They’re still eating the free continental breakfast over at FriendFeed. A good blog is written by a blogger who thinks longer, works harder, and obsesses more. Ultimately, a good blogger tries. That’s why “good” is getting rare.
9. Good blogs know when to break their own rules. Duh. I made a list, didn’t I? Yes. I did. Big fan.

And, yeah, you should disagree with potentially all of this. It’s because I have an opinion, and so do you. It’s why you probably have a blog. See? The system works.

Web Design

2009-06-21T20:59:00.001-07:00

9 essential principles for good web design

Graphic Design

2009-06-21T20:56:00.001-07:00

What is good graphic design?

What makes a good graphic designer, and how can you be sure of getting good graphic design? The graphic design market can be confusing. At first sight, inexpensive graphic design looks readily obtainable, because there are a lot of good people out there eager to get some references. But for the customer, getting the right graphic design is not easy. In fact it's a problem. Because what is the right graphic design?

Just because someone can work with Photoshop or has a graphic design qualification does not necessarily mean they are a good designer. An able designer needs far more qualities than just a good eye for colour, form and detail. Design is an entity.

Good graphic design tells a visual story. Good graphic design employs succinct psychological tools, such as reactions to and associations with forms and colours. But above all, good graphic design is a visual expression that functions in optimised interaction with communication and strategy. This makes heavy demands on the designer's ability to integrate design into the whole. It also calls for considerable insight into the customer's firm, the purpose of the message and the underlying strategic thinking. Because like communication, design must reflect the customer's profile, appeal to the customer's buyers/partners, and also distance the customer from his competitors.

A good designer must therefore be able to be creative within the framework laid down by the customer. Bubbling creativity is of no use without a sense of context and economic realism. A designer must be capable of focused working within financial and time limitations. This is the challenge, and it is one of the areas a good designer gets paid to master.

That the designer must work within the framework of the customer's situation and market can surprise no one. But this does not mean it is the customer who sets the limits. The customer possesses an in-depth insight into the circumstances of his business. But precisely because he is so deeply involved it is important that fresh eyes should be brought to bear.

Innovation is a word commonly used in the value sets of many companies. But being innovative means being willing to move boundaries – not least within oneself. There is a difference between being creative and being innovative. Being creative means getting the best out of the given framework. This can be done by any good designer. Being innovative means thinking beyond the given boundaries to take a fresh look and set new boundaries. This takes courage and trust – on the part of both customer and designer. The best graphic design is therefore produced by a designer who knows the key questions to ask the customer and who transcends the conventional, and by a customer who has confidence in the end-result, dares to break limits – and to invest in the future.

Creativity, inspiration and above all motivation must never be forgotten. Because being a good graphic designer means being thoroughly tuned in, finding inspiration in the oddest things, and preferably also having access to exactly the right sources. An awareness of current and future trends is thus an integral part of a graphic designer's toolbox. This awareness provides the source of the inspiration that the designer passes on to the customer, but is also enables the designer himself to achieve self-renewal and find fresh creativity.

It should be clearly understood that a professional graphic designer does not necessarily have his own style. This is because the designer's job is to supply a message that has to fit the company's view of itself, the company's strategy, and the company's desired market position. Another reason is that the design must appeal to the values of the users. Good design must be design that works: design that helps generate revenue and optimise the understanding of the message. Such design can only result from thorough preparation, an analytical appreciation of the company's message and market, and naturally a creative mind.

By Jan Nielsen, Creative Manager, and Mette Falk, Graphic Designer, Kühl+co

Branding

2009-06-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

The American Marketing Association (AMA) defines a brand as a "name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers.

Therefore it makes sense to understand that branding is not about getting your target market to choose you over the competition, but it is about getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their problem.

The objectives that a good brand will achieve include:

* Delivers the message clearly
* Confirms your credibility
* Connects your target prospects emotionally
* Motivates the buyer
* Concretes User Loyalty

To succeed in branding you must understand the needs and wants of your customers and prospects. You do this by integrating your brand strategies through your company at every point of public contact.

Your brand resides within the hearts and minds of customers, clients, and prospects. It is the sum total of their experiences and perceptions, some of which you can influence, and some that you cannot.

A strong brand is invaluable as the battle for customers intensifies day by day. It's important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand. After all your brand is the source of a promise to your consumer. It's a foundational piece in your marketing communication and one you do not want to be without.

Movies

2009-06-21T20:41:00.001-07:00

I vow to put any movie I see that is even remotely interesting on my blog. Even if it brings me great ridicule. Case in point, I just watched Twilight yesterday. All in all a sappy movie that ha something interesting qualities. The thing that interested me the most was the high intensity emo vibe. It was insane. If there was anymore emotion going on in the room I think their hearts as well as mine would have exploded. Although mine would have exploded from the emotions trying to fill my heart that is already full of hate...

intertainment

2009-06-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

What's Intertainment? for me it is anything that I find interesting on the web from videos, to images, to whatever else. so with that in mind I bring you "It's not Jackie Chan!"

Music

2009-06-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

Music has been pretty interesting for me as of late. Living in Wisconsin has forced me to broaden my musical horizons. with that in mind I suggest LCD Soundsystem. If you love great beats, please check them out.

Artist

2009-06-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

John Currin is one of my current favorite artists. His sexual overtones may be quite heavy for some people, but the paintings are fantastic as they stand somewhere in between classical and more contemporary styles. Check him out. He is awesome!

Books

2009-06-21T20:16:00.001-07:00

This is actually going to be about books and graphic novels for any sticklers out there. I simply wanted to mention a book that most comic book fanatics have read, not just because it was made into a fantastic movie, but because it truly is a fantastic read. Please go check it out at your nearest library or just spend the money and buy it.

Experimentation

2009-06-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

Now this has always been a problem for me, but I have always tried to experiment in baby steps. One of the ways that I do this is simply by looking out the ways other artists experiment.

Superflat is a postmodern art movement, founded by the artist Takashi Murakami, which is influenced by manga and anime. It is also the name of a 2001 art exhibition, curated by Murakami, that toured West Hollywood, Minneapolis and Seattle. The term is used by Murakami to refer to various flattened forms in Japanese graphic art, animation, pop culture and fine arts, as well as the "shallow emptiness of Japanese consumer culture." A self-proclaimed art movement, it was a successful piece of niche marketing, a branded art phenomenon designed for Western audiences.

In addition to Murakami, artists whose work is considered “Superflat” include Chiho Aoshima, Mahomi Kunikata, Yoshitomo Nara, Tatsuyuki Tanaka, and Aya Takano. In addition, some animators within anime and some mangaka are considered Superflat, especially Koji Morimoto (and much of the output of his animation studio Studio 4°C), and the work of Hitoshi Tomizawa, author of Alien 9 and Milk Closet.

Lolicon art is satirized by works such as those by Henmaru Machino. These works are an exploration of otaku sexuality through grotesque and/or distorted images. Other works are more concerned with a fear of growing up. For example, Yoshitomo Nara’s work often features playful graffiti on old Japanese ukiyo-e executed in a childish manner. And some works focus on the structure and underlying desires that comprise otaku and overall post-war Japanese culture.

Murakami is influenced by directors such as Hideaki Anno.

Motivation

2009-06-21T19:55:00.000-07:00

I have generally considered myself a self-motivated sort. There is a good and a bad side to it of course. The good being that I have made the time to strive to be as good as I can at whatever I do. The bad being that I never think I am good enough so I never felt the need to really show my stuff to anyone. I have only recently begun to learn that I can continue to improve AND show my art to people. I mean how do you expect to get in the art business is you always think you suck right?
My other motivations are some simple and cliche ones, but nevertheless the are true.
There are as follows:
1)My Wife
2)My Professors, particularly David Becker and Richard Long
3)Gil Elvgren
4)John Currin
5)Adam Hughes

Resources

2009-06-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am not even sure what I was thinking about when I did this resources post. I believe I am simply talking about where to go to look for some art help. There are plenty of places online to go to of course. If you are interested in comics books, the place I tend to go to is Penciljack. It is a great place to post your art, get some critiques, good and bad ones, and to develop a thick skin as any artist should. If you are an aspiring comic book artist you should give this site a moment of you time.

Techniques

2009-06-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

Hmm... Techniques. What shall I say about some of the techniques that I use? I don't know if this can be considered a technique, but it is something that I believe is extremely important. Observation is the best weapon in your art arsenal. You must time the time to break down all objects to their most basic parts. You must learn to see past your initial observations an look deeper into the smaller shapes that create the whole. If you can do this you will better be able to draw what you see.

Tools of the Trade

2009-06-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

So I have decided to try something new here on the blog. I will continue to make updates when new pieces have been completed or if some random and reasonably interesting thoughts come to mind, but I will also blog about tips and tricks to help you get your work done.

With that in mind, this particular post is simply going to be about some of the tools I use to make my art.

I currently use the 9 x 12 Intuos 3 for all of the digital painting that I do. It is a great tool to use and works even better with the latest drivers running on Photoshop CS4 an Painter X.

I try to approach it the same as traditional painting for the most part. What this simply means is that I try to treat the the software and the tablet like I am painting on a canvas. Sometimes it works an sometimes it doesn't.

If the 9 x 12 is too pricy for you, trust me I understand, Wacom makes smaller tablets that are less painful to the wallet.