Happy Accident - speed inspires design

This weekend Lauren asked me to create a fast and spooky "Keep Out!" sign for her niece and nephew's bedroom door. What followed was a most delightful 'Happy Accident' (thanks to Bob Ross for that term).

The challenge of quickly cranking out a skull and cross bones lead me to a rather fun and dynamic design. I liked it so much that I decided to experiment with it further (after I printed and handed off the sign of course).

Up top are the fruits of my experimentation. I like these skulls. I think the design is pretty solid and they have a really fun feeling. Once finished I submitted them to my Shutterstock collection so perhaps they'll even earn me a few bucks. Below that is the original sign that I put together for Lauren's niece and nephew (10 minutes).

Larkshop Secrets... No hand drawn sketch this time. I dove straight in with Adobe Illustrator.

13 Ghosts - Boo!

Ooh, spooky! Here's a new collection of ghost vector illustrations that I created for Shutterstock.
I designed thirteen different ghosts for this collection and then created three different color options for each one just to spice things up. For me the most fun part of it all was doodling in my sketchbook and coming up with the thirteen different ghosts.
Hope ya dig it!

Larkshop Secrets... To create this I first scanned my hand drawn sketches from my sketchbook. After that I imported the scanned jpeg into Adobe Illustrator and vectorized the line work (using the pen tool and bezier curves). Then I dropped in the color (also in Illustrator).

Halloween Collection

Here's a new collection of Halloween vector illustrations that I created for Shutterstock.
As I post this I can look out of my studio window and see an enormous cloudy sky. I've got the window open and I can feel the cool temperatures drifting in as I work. So cozy, I adore this time of year.

Larkshop Secrets... To create this I first scanned my hand drawn sketches from my sketchbook. After that I imported the scanned jpeg into Adobe Illustrator and vectorized the line work (using the pen tool and bezier curves). Then I dropped in the color (also in Illustrator).

"Flying" - for lllustration Friday

Here is my latest submission for www.illustrationfriday.com
The topic this week is "Flying".

Well I'm definitely guilty of taking the obvious approach on this week's topic but by golly I love it anyway! For me it was great fun to think back to childhood and all of those wonderful memories of running around pretending my blanket was a cape.

I took that old nostalgic feeling one step further in this picture and imagined the same fantasy applied to a certain youngster we would all come to know in his adulthood. All the clues to his identity are in this image.

Any guesses?

P.S.
www.illustrationfriday.com is a website that posts topics each week for artists from around the world to interpret, illustrate and post.


Larkshop Secrets... To create this I first scanned my hand drawn sketch. After that I imported the scanned jpeg into Adobe Illustrator and vectorized the line work (using the pen tool and bezier curves). Then I dropped in the color (also in Illustrator).

October brings the boogie man!

OCTOBER IS HERE!
I am so giddy and excited to be ushering in another fall season. This block of time from now through the new year is my favorite time of year!
So allow me to kick off October with a few fun classic monsters. I thought it would be neat to take an unconventional approach and illlustrate them all as silhouettes.
Hope ya dig it!

Larkshop Secrets... To create this I first scanned my hand drawn sketches. After that I imported the scanned jpeg into Adobe Illustrator and vectorized the line work (using the pen tool and bezier curves). Then I dropped in the color (also in Illustrator).

"Pattern" - for Illustration Friday

Here is my latest submission for www.illustrationfriday.com
The topic this week is "Pattern".

Here's something from the archives. I came up with these patterns last year just for fun. This year I put some of them up on Shutterstock and sold a few downloads. Looking at these again makes me want to keep knocking out new ones. When I created these last year I wrote out a long list of fun themes to make patterns for. I think I just might dig back into that!

P.S.
www.illustrationfriday.com is a website that posts topics each week for artists from around the world to interpret, illustrate and post.

Fingernail clippings are delicious!

Lauren and I were watercolor sketching at an outdoor cafe recently. People all around us were eating, socializing and enjoying the fantastic weather. Then came this guy. This monstrosity. This hideous affront to nature. I don't mean his appearance but rather his behavior.

He sat down at a table right across from Lauren and I. Amid all the people enjoying their food and drinks this genius leans himself back in his chair, pulls out a nail clippers (attached oh-so-fashionably to his keychain) and starts clipping off high flying fingernail shrapnel.

Lauren and I watched with expressions of disbelief and disgust as these miniature razor rockets sailed forcefully around the outdoor cafe. I mean, you would have thought these things had tiny jet engines attached to them.

Well I'm certainly no saint but I just figure there's a basic level of courtesy and consideration that most people possess and this guy was lacking it. Sit down in the middle of people eating and start firing off your nail clippings? Really???

I suppose I could have said something. But instead I put my talents to use and decided to skewer him in this sketch and blog. Ahhh... how cathartic. I feel better.

Larkshop Secrets... I sketched this first with a Col-Erase blue pencil #20044. After that I dropped in some watercolor with my Windsor & Newton Watercolor Field Box Set and a Waterbrush. To wrap it up I added some contour lines with a blue Prismacolor Premier pencil. All of this was done in my Canson All-Media sketchbook which is a spiral bound beauty comprised of 90lb. cold press watercolor paper. A delight!

Autumn or Fall???

When you speak about the season that comes after summer and before winter what do you say? Autumn or Fall?

When I was a kid I thought everyone saying Autumn sounded uppity, pretentious and goofy. What the heck is Autumn? What's with all the fancy schmancy language? The leaves fall in the Fall so let's all call it Fall! It just sounds more fun that way right?

But what the heck do kids know anyway? By the way that's a rhetorical question - I realize the little buggers can be quite brilliant indeed.

That has been the whole great dilemma in naming this collection of illustrations for my latest submission to Shutterstock. Do I call it a Fall Collection and let my inner child dance with unbridled glee? Or do I name it Autumn Collection and settle comfortably into my professional role?

Ultimately I did come to a decision and I uploaded my submission. But still, I'd really like to know...
What would YOU have named it?

Larkshop Secrets... To create this I first scanned my hand drawn sketches. After that I imported the scanned jpeg into Adobe Illustrator and vectorized the line work (using the pen tool and bezier curves). Then I dropped in the color (also in Illustrator).

Art Show, Impromptu Life Drawing and meeting an idol...

Sunday evening was a blast!

Lauren and I attended the closing reception for the Girls Drawin' Girls Art Show. The work was fantastic and inspirational! I saw a slew of design approaches and media techniques that I'm going to try. Boy I tell ya, there are few things better for the soul of an artist than to bask in the creativity of fellow artists.

As if all of this wasn't enough, to my delight I noticed that there were models taking pinup style poses at the show for artists to draw! OUTSTANDING! I reached in the back pocket of my jeans for my mini Moleskine sketchbook, grabbed a seat and had myself a ball at this impromptu life drawing session.

A short while later I noticed Alina Chau grab a seat and start painting across from me. I had never met her in person but I follow her extraordinarily prolific work and blog. When the models took a break, I swallowed the lump in my throat and went over to meet Alina. I felt star struck and self conscious. I would probably have an easier time talking to Brad Pitt than to an artist I admire. She was wonderful though and it was a highlight of the evening to meet her.

Lauren was so sweet, taking a few pics of me sketching at the show (one of them is posted above). Thanks, L!

Overall it was a great way to spend a Sunday evening and I want to send a big thank you to all of the artists who created such a wonderful show! Great job! For anyone who hasn't yet heard of Girls Drawin' Girls, you're missing out! Check 'em out here.

Larkshop Secrets... I did all of this sketching directly in pen. I used a Staedtler triplus fineliner (a variety of colors available) and I sketched in my little 3.5"x5.5" Moleskine Sketchbook. The pen is great for loose sketching and is capable of very thin lines and variences is tone depending on how you hold it. The sketchbook is small enough to fit in my pocket and really comes in handy when I don't feel like carrying a sketchbook in my hand.

Contest Winner!

WE'VE GOT A WINNER!
Shane "Seven" Sowell was the first to respond correctly to the challenge that I posted on last Friday's blog. As promised, I'll get crackin' on that fancy new original sketch for ya!
Shane's got some really fantastic work on his blog. Check it out here!

Marcus Cutler was the second person to weigh in with the correct answer to the challenge. The bragging rights go to Shane but I just can't bear to leave you hanging, Marcus. I'll work up a mighty fun original sketch for you too.
You've gotta check out Marcus' blog as well. Dynamite!

Thank you both for jumping in! I've already sent emails to both of you to work out the shipping details for the original sketches.

Larkshop Secrets... To create this colored version of the Frankenstein sketch I first scanned the sketch. After that I imported the scanned jpeg into Adobe Illustrator and vectorized the line work (using the "Detailed Illustration" setting). Once that was finished I simply selected a color for the lines, dropped in an orange background and added the word balloon and text.

Frankenstein - Win an original sketch!

Well as I've mentioned before, my excitement for the Halloween season has sparked my inspiration to dive right into all sorts of fun drawings. Here's the latest installment. I knocked this out in about 2 hours I think. I had a blast! When I was done with this drawing, Lauren said: "Great job, honey. How come he's dropping a flower?"
Which leads me to the contest...

Win an original sketch! Here's how!
Be the first person to leave a comment correctly identifying the significance of the flower. That's all you gotta do! So get out there and bone up on your Frankenstein history and win yourself an original drawing (I'll even pay for the postage). Have fun!

Larkshop Secrets... I sketched the original on 11"x14" smooth finish Strathmore Bristol Board with a Sanford Uni-Ball Micro pen. It sounds fancy but you can find it at an office supply store. I picked mine up at Staples. I just figured I'd be specific in case anyone would like to give this pen a try. I'm a big fan of it. Nice, even ink flow with a consistently thin line. It's great for working fast and loose.

Tools of the trade

I had a fun idea today. I'm going to start posting a little info at the end of my blogs about the tools I'm using in my work. I always find it very inspiring and helpful when other artists write about their process. I think most creative folks are interested in knowing exactly how a piece was accomplished. We love learning from each other!

So with that in mind, look for Larkshop Secrets at the end of my blog posts to read about how I accomplish each creation!

Larkshop Secrets...
I took the above photo with my digital camera. In Adobe Photoshop I cut out the background and added this flat charcoal gray. It was fun selecting items from my supply closet to include in the shot. The hardest part was editing my choices because I wanted to photograph everything! I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to art supplies.

Coffee Shop Extravaganza

Here are some more sketches from a few recent coffee shop visits. I get such a kick out of creating these. I hope you enjoy!

Self Doubt and the force that powers it...

I once heard the metaphor that when you squeeze an orange, the only thing that comes out is orange juice. It doesn't matter what tool is being used to do the squeezing or apply the pressure because the only thing inside the orange... is orange juice.

The same is true for us, as people. It does not matter what forces in our lives are applying the pressure to us. What matters is what we keep inside of us. When that pressure is applied to you, what comes out? Anger? Frustration? Resentment? Motivation? Peace? Love? What we keep inside of us will determine the answer, and that is a responsibility that we must each carry alone.

So maybe it's a boss, a spouse, money, a broken down car, a person who disrespects you, that nagging voice of self doubt. Whatever it is the only thing that matters is what we make an effort to keep inside of us. Because that is what will come out of us when life applies the pressure.

As a person with a long history of self doubt I have been a willing recipient of all things negative. But I can certainly tell you from personal experience that my life is exponentially better when I let go of that and keep positivity in my heart. That's not always easy and I often feel as though I'm fighting against my nature. But it's always worth it.

Do the whole world a favor and love yourself. We love you too and need you at your best!

"Caution" - for Illustration Friday

Here is my latest submission for www.illustrationfriday.com
The topic this week is "Caution".

"Hey bartender, who's that fox over there in the pink?"
Nothing about this illustration is autobiographical. I SWEAR! So please don't ask.

I had several ideas cooking for this week's topic when this one popped into my head. I loved it immediately and bounded with childlike glee toward the drawing table. I feel like this situation epitomizes the word 'caution'. Although, admitting that probably reveals more about me than you needed to know!

Anyhoo, here's the original sketch and the colored version which I completed in Photoshop.

P.S.
www.illustrationfriday.com is a website that posts topics each week for artists from around the world to interpret, illustrate and post.

Nocturnal Buddies

As I mentioned in my blog last Thursday (the mummy illustration) I've got quite the hankerin' to create some Halloween themed drawings. I know it's early but I simply can't help myself.

So here's 13 bats. When I got the bright idea and inspiration to do a collection of 13 bats I whipped out the first 5 or 6 at lightning speed. All of a sudden I hit a wall. I mean after all, how many new and different poses can you really imagine for a bat? Looking at these all finished now the solutions seem so obvious. At the time though I was sweatin'!

I hope you dig it!

100 Sketches for 100 Posts!

This is my 100th blog post!
I thought it would be fun to celebrate the occasion by doing a special drawing in keeping with the "100" theme. So last night I took my sketching supplies to a local coffee shop and created this piece.

Here are 100 sketches! These are all done on a single sheet of 9x12 paper. I sketched in ink and did touch ups with colored pencil, marker and brush pen. this was all done in one sitting and took about 2 hours and 20 minutes for an average of 1.4 minutes per sketch.

As I look back I realize that I began with a fixed idea about what this would be but it completely transformed on me as I got into it. For example, I was about 55 sketches into it when I realized that I didn't have to stick to only drawing what I saw. That's when I let loose and started doodling from my imagination as well. Also, I began to notice and draw more details like hands, ears, objects, etc.

If you're an artist reading this and you haven't given something like this a try, go for it! It really focuses your observations and forces you to draw continuously without over-thinking or constantly editing yourself. It's a great exercise and lots of fun.

I hope you dig it!

"Wrapped" - for Illustration Friday... and the REMIX!

Here is my latest submission for www.illustrationfriday.com
The topic this week is "Wrapped".

With autumn fast approaching I just couldn't help myself. This week's topic was just begging for me to indulge my eager and anxious enthusiasm for Halloween.
Now of course, Pandora's box is wide open and I've got a super duper hankering to draw all sorts of Halloween goodies. I'll definitely be posting those up as I knock 'em out. In the meantime, enjoy this creepy little mummy! I sketched him directly in ink (no pencil preliminary drawing) using a Sanford Uni-Ball Micro pen. I buy them by the dozen from any office supply store. I love 'em.

I'm also posting the remix! I scanned my ink drawing and punched it up in Photoshop.
Hope you dig it!

P.S.
www.illustrationfriday.com is a website that posts topics each week for artists from around the world to interpret, illustrate and post.

My greatest unsolved dilemma

Here's a sketch from the ol' archive. I did this one back in January while I was at a Chinese festival. I definitely see some errors in this with the scale of the figures in relationship to their distance from the viewer. But alas, it was a fun sketch and I enjoyed making it.

Here's my dilemma though. My attendance at this festival was much like my experience in many social outings. As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I am compulsive about observing things and wanting to sketch them. As a result I have this never ending internal battle between an intense need to draw and artistically record my life and a desire to put down the pen and get more involved in it.

Being an artist and observer unfortunately carries with it a certain amount of detachment. If I'm going to draw or paint a scene, I can't be in it, living it. Yet, I really want to be. So I have to choose. On the one hand I don't want to miss an opportunity to capture this fleeting life with the talents that I am fortunate enough to possess. On the other hand I feel that I am missing a lot by watching and drawing versus getting involved and living.

I keep remembering the commentary of George Carlin (my favorite comedian). He made the blistering point that people running around constantly recording their experiences with cameras and all other manner of technology are missing the whole point: to actually be there, experience it and take it in! Maybe the fact that I'm creating something makes me a little more involved. Still, I can't help but feel that while I'm creating the drawings and paintings of my life, I am simultaneously missing it.

It's a riddle I have yet to solve.

Compulsive

If you're an artist you know this feeling well.
You're hanging out at any sort of social gathering but you can't get your brain to stop observing your environment and thinking of ways to sketch it. This happens to me often. I'm constantly drawing subjects that go completely unnoticed by non-artists. Light poles, fire hydrants, mail boxes, etc. I love to record these things because it serves as great reference and retroactive practice when these things come up in illustrations later.

Also (and here's the thing about me that is so deeply and unshakably true), I see so much beauty in the things all around me. I can stare for hours at the most mundane things because I see so much in them. I see shapes and structure, shadow and light. I see clues for new and interesting ways to mix color. I see how I would exaggerate it, push it and pull the beauty out of it and onto paper or canvas in a way that would make everyone else see the same beauty that I see.

Many times I have looked down a litter strewn, densely urban alley and marveled at it. The layers and composition entrance me. I see the fire escape, the dumpster, the garbage, the puddle, the brick, the concrete, the wires, the grease. I see it all, place my hands up to frame it and then imagine a watercolor painting with the same color intensity of a John Singer Sargent. It's beautiful and I want to draw it all.

Well here are a few of these types of sketches. I was hanging out at a social gathering and all I could focus on was the view of the "mundane" through the window. I excused myself and did what any self respecting artist must do...