Hello, Fall 2022 students!

 Hello, you all. I look forward to meeting you soon. In the meantime, here is a list of supplies for the class "Intro to Illustration."

(owen gent)

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Note that these supplies are in addition to the base level requirements for a laptop with the Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Photoshop and Illustrator) OR a tablet with ProCreate.

11 x 15 watercolor sketch pad

Sketchbook (your choice)

Pencils 

Gouache (If you already have watercolor, you may use that. There are a number of possible alternatives that I am happy to discuss)

Watercolor palette

Brushes (#3 round, #6 round, 1/2" flat suggested.)

Brush pens

Black ink

Optional: Other working surfaces, like illustration board, other w/c paper. Other drawing tools of choice (colored pencil, markers)

Portraits in a spectrum from analog to digital

 

Cannaday Chapman

Jillian Tamaki

GRAFILU

Golden Cosmos

SUPPLY LIST!

 Hey beauts!

Lee Piechocki

Here is a supply list with links, so that you can fill in what you don't have. Let me know if you have questions about substitutions for any of these items. Note that these supplies are in addition to the base level requirements for a laptop with the Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Photoshop and Illustrator) OR a tablet with ProCreate.

11 x 15 watercolor sketch pad

Sketchbook (your choice)

Pencils (also your choice, but if starting from scratch this is a good set)

Gouache (I am linking to my preferred set, but if you already have some, or watercolor, there are a number of possible alternatives that I am happy to discuss)

Watercolor palette

Brushes (#3 round, #6 round, 1/2" flat suggested. This set works well)

Brush pen (this is my favorite, but there are many variations here as well)

Black ink

Optional: Other working surfaces, like illustration board, other w/c paper. Other drawing tools of choice (colored pencil, markers)

WELCOME, Students of Intro to Illustration, Fall 2021!

 If you scroll down, you will see that I have been keeping this blog for a number of years now. It's a place where I can keep tabs on certain ideas and illustrators and movements, and keep them accessible to new generations of aspiring illustrators like you. Feel very free to browse away, and do not be surprised at the possibility of dropped links, especially further back in time. The internet is like a proverbial river-- always on the move-- so if you see something that piques your interest with a broken link I can help you find your way to the good stuff. Looking forward to a semester of lots more finding and posting. Let's go!

Portraits from a distance

Check these examples of celebrity portraits:
Rolling Stones
Rolling Stone
New Yorker
New York Times
Maya Rudolph

Color as a psychological player in portraits

BB King by Sterling Hundley

Rachel Cusk by Siegfried Woldhek

Camelia Pham

Howard Fonda

Paula Moderson Becker

Frida Kahlo

Beginner's mind and the process of becoming an artist (a never-ending proposition)

Leah Tinari for Nike

Leah Tinari for Nike

Does an athlete become strong without doing reps and calisthenics?

Johnny Cash by Sterling Hundley

Does a musician stay on top of their craft without scales and exercises?

Emily Dickinson by Penelope Dullaghan

Does a writer become a great writer without writing every day, challenging their own edges, continuing to hone their skill and depth by returning again and again to the basics?

In a word, no. 

When you begin studies in any school setting, your sites are set on the final goal-- as they should be. As aspiring artists and designers and architects and film-makers, this means that you probably are ready to make amazing finished pieces, having been inspired by others who have made great work and having seen that your own hands and mind seem to have the capacity to do the same.

In a setting where you are learning the foundations of these skills, you may become impatient. You may long for greatness now.  And you should. But before you get ahead of yourself, realize that every practicing maker of note goes back to the basics ALL THE TIME in order to rebuild their chops. Every world-famous athlete still lifts weights (boring! but crucial!). If you take upon yourself this "beginner's mind" as you start your studies, you will gain so much from the process.

Certain exercises might seem below your level of expertise. Challenge yourself to find ways to make them interesting and deepening. Other exercises may seem to be beyond your scope or grasp. Enter into these with bravery and willingness to look foolish. Some things may interest you deeply-- run hard. Other things may be outside your natural inclinations-- press on. 

Your faculty are a team of caring individuals who also happen to be practicing artists. They are here to coach you into building a life-long practice of growth and development. We ourselves are constantly evolving, going back to the basics and reaching for new ground. Foundations never ends!

Charline Von Heyl