Dra Studio.com - Design & Illustration

IF : Routine (uploaded by DRA Studio)

The last few days have been completely filled with guns, zombies and the procreation/ fascination of the intimate relationship of the two. Blame it on Dead Rising or Shaun of the Dead, if you need a scape goat. Me, I choose to not explain the reasoning.

In light … err dark of this walking dead fun, here is my entry for this week’s Illustration Friday theme of “routine”. Hehe.

IF : Detach (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Here is my new entry for the Illustration Friday theme of “detach”. The line work and details are a bit more stringy and rigid from my usual rounded and smooth work, but this time around, I gave even more control to the pen I was using and let it do what it would. Since it was a muddled ballpoint ink pen, it kinda lost and regained its flow pretty inconsistently. I think it made for a pretty fun piece.

There is a tad little pencil shading in there too, just for hay’s sake. ;)

IF: Canned (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Here is my entry into last week’s theme of “canned” on Illustration Friday.

I know, I know. I took forever and almost 7 days to post this! Literally, I barely made the cut-off before the new week’s theme! But you can trust that I did do this last Friday (I wouldn’t think of lying to you … honest). I have just been completely swapped by client work and finishing up the semester strong for my student(s).

I had planned to at least darken some of the lines and even add color, but again, time has gotten away from me. I hope you still enjoy.

Make Sunday Special (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Hopefully, I will be able to push out the new Southside site updates by tomorrow, but for now, please enjoy this little sketch and the notes from Ron’s sermon this weekend.

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I’ve had the words of a song I heard at Status last week stuck in my head for awhile, and after shaking around in my head a bit, this wallpaper is what they turned into. I hope you enjoy, and for those interested, here are my notes from the speaker that night.

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IF:Enough (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Okay, so it has been a full week with iPhone, and I have to say that I am still completely ecstatic about it. Between the amazing-ness that is MobileMe “push” synchronization, GPS locations and the sweet sweet App Store, it is perfectly filling in for those moments where my using Nano was not enough and my MacBook Pro was overkill. RSS reading, Flickr exploration, and podcast viewing is up by tons of percent!

Besides the built-in Apple applications and the excellent streaming music apps (Last.fm, AOL Radio, and Pandora), the most used thing on the iPhone for me is Twitterrific. Simple and elegant … just the way I like my UXs.

I did forget to mention in my previous iPhone post about how smooth the transition from Virgin Mobile to AT&T was (activation and # porting took under 5 minutes!), so kudos on that, VM guys!

As the App Store pushed out more new wonderful things for me to download and Apple releases the next update, I’ll make sure to mention it here. Yay for iPhone goodness!

Oh and here is my entry for this week’s Illustration Friday theme of “Enough”. How angry does he look? Eh? What do you think of the little extras (i.e. the interwinding ribbons)? I think the coloring/shading in Photoshop turned out well. Be sure to peep my Flickr stream to see the original red ballpoint pen that this started out as. Laters!

Pod Wall (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Eric’s anxiousness to see the sketch I drew during today’s sermon inspired me to work up this piece. I went ahead and uploaded the original photo I took, in case you want to play the “Boy’s Life” game of spotting what is different. ;) Enjoy.

He powers up and starts his day;
a few others, in tow, follow his way.
He thinks: “The day will end as the rest”
“Empty, lonely … defeated, at best.”

Stark is his joy and trembling is his hand,
to stumble upon a treasure, so unplanned.
“Consume, relish and to yourself entreat;
rare is the day when love is secured,
while a heart still able to beat!”

IF : Foggy (uploaded by DRA Studio)

It is currently 7:00 am the following day, and I am still hyped up on the rush that is iPhone 3G.

My class ran for close to the entire 8 hours, so we (Jodie and I) didn’t get to the Apple Store at Millenia until around 6:30pm. Luckily, Courtney was holding spots for us.

Four or so hours later, we had Chris the Apple Genius help us purchase and set up both of our iPhones. Then it was another 1/2 hour or more just hanging out in the store, drooling about the ease-of-setup that MobileMe made of our contacts, calendars and email.

Leaving the Mall near-midnight (with still about 20-35 people still waiting in line), Courtney and I heading to the LOOP for a midnight showing of “Hellboy II”. I am a big fan of Mignola’s art and writing, so I really enjoyed the show. After a quick ride home, while watching “David Blain spoofs” on YouTube and playing around with Midomi, we all hung out at the house until everyone else feel asleep.

Which brings me to my current state of “ready-to-finally-fall-asleep-ness”. Apple, I had a great day. AT&T, for shame. Del Torro, nice work bringing some much appreciated character detail and creepy crawly organic-ness to the Hellboy movie franchise. Everyone else, enjoy this little sketch for today’s Illustration Friday theme of “foggy”. It came about as I alternated between sitting and standing in the iPhone line … which is why it is on the back of my iPhone 3G flyer. Night!

Squiggly worms (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Squiggly worms,
given to and shaping in an
over-abundance of glee;
though warted, hairy and toothed is
how they tend to be.

Their wisdom is strong,
and though I want it much,
the skin they share, I truely fear to touch.
“Stay your distance and keep your way!
“Just shout your words
and I’ll continue my day.”

IF : Hoard (uploaded by DRA Studio)

I forgot to finish this post in time to add it to the Illustration Friday archive, but I hope you still enjoy the napkin sketch and this bit of rhyme.

They amass upon the cliffs,
seeking to find an sustaining ledge.
In pursuit of a welcoming host,
their fall upon him is swift.

Dark is their interest,
deep is their intent.
From within the bellows,
they are seeking and are yet to be content.

IF : Worry (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34

Vector Study (uploaded by DRA Studio)

This is an Adobe Illustrator vector study I did, using some of the excellent look that the Blue Moon beer logo has. Classic typography and subtle colors. Simply beautiful … even if I don’t drink.

To create the faded embossed line in tan area, I had to learn to create a mask layer in Illustrator, something which could really be a lot easier … seeing as how often I like to use it now.

Day 2008-1-6 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #31

Have you missed these as much as I have? Hopefully, I can get things back on track. ;)

Day 2008-1-5 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

For my Jodie:

“the ocean’s tide; it is calmed.
the push of breeze; it is stilled.
time itself finds a stopping place.
In the moments when you are gone,
Life is weak.”

“And breathing; it is hard.
the flow of feeling; it is numb.
The mind has found a different pace.
This heart I suffer and bear
has an aching beat.”

“Love is life and in the seek of what’s
fleeting, love in its strength
will stop the heart of beating.”

Sorry that this piece is less sketching and more writing, but that is what came out when I put pencil and pen to paper. ;)

Day 2008-1-4 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

“four brothers separated upon
their birth … sifted through
life and strife and directorial girth;
now find a home within
my mind’s milky mirth.”

(This was for the four movies I have seen in the past year that were absolutely amazing and had so many iconic moments/elements.)

IF : Tales and Legends (uploaded by DRA Studio)

I originally had planned to create this just in Art Rage, as a fun experiment with the new version of the app, but it quickly deteriorated, as I realized I don’t like Art Rage.

It is strong in some areas, and feels much like what use to be Alias’ Sketchbook, but for some reason, the blending and colors and brushes weren’t working for me. Something about lacking precision. I don’t know. I have Corel Painter back on my Mac now, so I will give that a go next. Let’s hope for some better results.

If you want to see the partial colored version I posted, just check out the alternate on Flickr.

IF : Plain (uploaded by DRA Studio)

It was created in Illustrator using the typeface of Eccentric Standard at various sizes and rotations, then taken into Photoshop and laid down on a pretty little parchment texture via Google.

I did manage to capture a screen of the creation process of the main graphic, but I will wait to post it until I have my new MacBook Pro tomorrow and can use Final Cut to increase the frame-rate on playback.

It’s funny. All I could think about while making this were poems by Shel Silverstein. Memories …

Day 2008-1-3 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

“three insignificant glances,
bleed my heart of past romances,
and fill my life anew,
with opportune chances.”

Day 2008-1-2 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

“this is for two
as in the number of the day.
but also as in you
as in a way for me to say:”

“I really missed you,
and am glad you are home.”
“I can’t live without you.
I am so not me on my own.”

Day 2008-1-1 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #26 – It’s a new year and here are some new lines. Enjoy the goodness and the fun. I seem to have run out of pages in my sketchbook, so time to set that one aside and find a new one to fill.

And if you haven’t already looked at the last couple of posts, go ahead. Tonight was nice and lazy and I managed to ink and scan all of the past days’ drawings. All caught up!

Day 2007-12-31 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #25 – Zoom in! Zoom in!

If you were looking for all those hairy gunky details that are sometimes missing in my sketches … well, there it is. Reminds me of some of the SpongeBob zoom jokes … right?

Day 2007-12-30 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #24 – Gah! The monsters are at it again. These are all with horns and friendly salutations. Geepa!

Day 2007-12-29 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #23 – All of these guys look a little goofy, but that was kinda the point. Each is similar in dress and mess, but with some fun variations. I hope you enjoy.

Day 2007-12-28 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #22 – Simple and large. Curvy and hairy. I like these three guys because of the emotion they convey in easy lines. I went ahead and left some of the sketch lines because that is always fun. :D

Day 2007-12-27 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #21 – I am really liking the lines and patterns in these pieces. The mesh-work in the bottom panel seems to have a great balance with the empty white characters within. What do you think?

Day 2007-12-26 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #20 – These turned out a bit smaller in size, but made for plenty more nibblets of fun and joy. No, I don’t know what is going on with the “Yes” bubble. I am confused by that too.

Day 2007-12-25 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #19 – Again, real life sketches are not a strong point for me … so here are some quick and best attempts. Hope you enjoy them. Any pointers are always welcome. :D

Day 2007-12-24 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #18 – The line-work in the far left piece makes me really happy. Plus, Wolvie getting a birthday cake makes me smile.

Day 2007-12-23 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #17 – I am really digging the kid in the cooking at, and those little ingredients are fun too.

I know that “The Island” piece isn’t that strong … sadly, life-like sketches are my Achilles heel. :(

IF : Soar (uploaded by DRA Studio)

My entry into this week’s Illustration Friday theme, “Soar”.

These are a couple of sketches for “Ki” on Pownce … Super Seal and Wonder Polar Bear.

Who doesn’t want to see their favorite animal as a soaring super hero? I am still waiting for my polar bear to let me ride him around. ;)

Day 2007-12-22 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

If the solace of life has keep you from the bread river, look deep past the snarl’s embrace.

You will find that socks don’t bite and vested vestigials don’t sing. Rays of light are more for fright and less for fear.

Okay, so I am back to the felt-tip brush pen and as you can see, the details are much better and the line work is cleaner. I was messing a little bit with the interplay of the characters and the containing borders … I think I like this! Enjoy!

Day 2007-12-21 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #15 – Enjoy the lines … I think I through with just the Sharpie approach … it keeps giving me loose and thick and I want detailed.

Day 2007-12-20 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Sponges dance on sandy shores,
while moon-lit lizards contemplate bubbly conversations;
Knob nose-ed box antennae prance;
Disco never felt so good.

If you feel as trapped as he, maybe we should talk?

Enjoy and comment, eh?

Day 2007-12-18 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #12

Bandanas, bubbles, bandages, and probably more vomit that most people are comfortable with. But then again, I really don’t know what I am going to draw when I sit down to do these … hmm, probably more on that later. The discussion of whether I define art or art defines me is always an interesting one.

Day 2007-12-17 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #11

Slithering snakes and screaming cheesy toast cakes! Sketching is so much fun!

Oh, if you have a few free minutes today, why not check out Vera’s and Raina’s new sites. They both had recent re-designs and I can’t get enough of either of their illustration work. Beautiful lines and colors … and who doesn’t like a girl artist. ;)

Day 2007-12-16 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #10

Some really pretty lines, if I do say so myself. Oh, and why not head over and check out Ape Lad’s printable ABCs book on flickr. Fun, fun stuff!

Day 2007-12-15 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Day #9 – Ribbons, tongues, a couple of ice cube houses … and how about a pretty falcon eye, heh?

Day 2007-12-14 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

For this day’s, all of my sketches were done in resturants or on the go. There are some on the back of reciept, one on a diner napkin wrapper, and another on a paper bag. Enjoy! :D

Day 2007-12-13 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

These next few are being posted a couple days late, but they still have a lot of fun going on in them. Dino-sneak!

Gee bird goes bark (uploaded by DRA Studio)

This morning I added the finishing touches to this piece from my Digital vs. Physical sketchbook. Like most of my sketches, this started out as one thing and ended up being something that I have no idea where it came from.

I started this one while on lunch break, drinking Sprite, at Apple. The scanner wasn’t working right at FS, so I used Zak’s Kodak point-n-shoot to grab a pic of it. Color adjusted to line-art in Photoshop, Live Traced and Painted in Illustrator (still not too crazy about either of those), then copied it over to Photoshop to add the rest of the look and feel.

Painted Osiris – 2 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

A bit of dipping and a touch of glossing and here you have what I did on my day off today. A couple of 80’s color gooey monsters that might have taken over and eaten my feet if it weren’t for being melted onto my Osiris shoes.

Now to seal their fate by adding some black laces …

Hope you like the video … it is for a project Tyler and I are planning right now. You can view the final piece on my Flickr.

The actual time on this in Photoshop was 56 minutes, but Jennifer helped me lapse it to nearly 550 fps in Final Cut … woo hoo for speediness!

Creature (uploaded by DRA Studio)

I am not sure where he came from exactly, but I definitely had a lot of fun with the detailed lines … zoom in to see the details. I think there are some Egyptian and/or Stargate influences in there. What do you think?

I am kind of excited about this, being that it is one of the first of my pieces I have bothered to post from my Sketch books in a while … though I am wondering … does anybody even care? With the lack of comments I am getting here and the amount of time I am spending on Pownce lately, it seems like such a moot point to post in both places. Maybe the people that are enjoying these are just the silent type … hmm … maybe.

Either way, let me know if you want to see more artwork instead of the other random stuff I have been posting.

dotMac Galaxy (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Another Photoshop goodie for you kids. Sound off if you are enjoying these or want to see them in any other sizes. :D

Uberbot UV Wallpaper (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Pretty lil’ wallpaper I whipped up today … mainly because I just love the Uberbot seal that they have. Enjoy!

The Break – Curl Sand (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Just finished up what will probably be the final version of “The Break” logo for Jared … now to work on a 2-color version for the shirt.

Pink Gaah! – Closeup (uploaded by DRA Studio)

It was a nice laid-back Sunday today, so I was able to finish up a piece I had started on Thursday. I really didn’t have anything specific in mind for this one … just wanted to fill an empty canvas that had been sitting on my studio floor waiting.

I am thinking I might not keep this one, as I really didn’t paint it for anyone in particular. If you are interested, let me know.

Gaah!

The Break – Proof 2 (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Head over to flickr and check out the 3 mockups I did for Jared Curtis’ youth project, called “The Break”.

I think I like one of these.

New Illustrative – Site (uploaded by DRA Studio)

I just spend the last couple of hours finishing up my CodeIgniter PHP work to get the new Illustrative launched. Have a visit and let me know what you think.

Check it out here: Get Illustrative.com

Giant Man Baby – Site (uploaded by DRA Studio)

I just finished implementing the new CSS stylesheet for Jason’s new video company site, Giant Man Baby Productions. I was given a logo created by a friend (Andrew Sale) and tagline … then pretty much ran with it.

I really feel that this design is going to be a lot of fun. It is simple clean and as soon we get some free time, adding in the Flash touches will make it really sweet.

This project is going to involve some really great guys, so I’d definitely recommend that you stay tuned and keep checking it for more of their entertaining videos.

Oh and props to Jodie for suggesting the nice touch of a tie to the whole man baby icon.

Substance – Black n White (uploaded by DRA Studio)

A preliminary design of shirt artwork for Justin Pressly. The early black and white version, though the design did start in my Physical vs. Digital sketchbook.

Wii Muscle (uploaded by DRA Studio)

The most recent addition from my new Physical vs Digital sketchbook.

The best thing about the Wii is all the mini-muscles you get to build up. Oh and the Tennis elbow. ;)

IF – The Blues (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Pencil and Sakura Pigma ink on medium tooth paper. Photoshop CS3 for the final color touches. I tried to model the guitar after a BB King classic.

While working on this piece, I was listening to the Bottles and Bottles playlist from my iPod “Love”. It isn’t really blues … but that is the same feeling I get while listening to artists like Ryan Adams, Lucero, and Mike Dunn & the Kings of New England.

Light Night 2007 – Proof (uploaded by DRA Studio)

My newest design for Southside’s upcoming Light Night event. Should be pretty fun.

The main stipulations I got from SS was that it couldn’t directly include anything Halloween related … since it is a Halloween alternative. So, pumpkins, skulls, blood, guns … all out. Josh had the idea of incorporating something to do with buildings or the city, since it happening in the Orlando area.

This is what I came up with … which, after hearing Josh’s description of it reminding him of Nickelodeon and the animated Batman cartoons, I was very happy.

IF – Juggle (uploaded by DRA Studio)

Here is my entry for this week’s Illustration Friday theme, “juggle”. My current trick is juggling my three awesome jobs … Full Sail, Apple and Illustrative – all with my two little hands.

Oh, and why am I in my underpants? Who knows. Isn’t just like life for you to be at your best, but still everyone only sees the embarrassing stuff?

iPod Love Bag (uploaded by DRA Studio)

If you’re like me, you have fallen in love again with iPods … especially the new touch. How simply wonderful, though direct downloads could prove to be pretty dangerous for impulse music lovers.

Here is one of the shots of the iPod pattern I painted on Courtney’s old Fossil purse. Click thru for more.

It feels good to get back into the swing of things and let loose on the posts. I toyed around with the idea of migrating to yet another blog system, but it is so hard to find a great client that supports Textile (which I am sick on now, thanks to BaseCamp) and with the recent re-domain-ing, SimpleLog seems to be pushing this out just fine.

So what has been filling my eyes and head recently, you might ask?

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Calima Monster (uploaded by DRA Studio)

He’s scary. He’s red. He’s got horns. He’s the pimp vectored version of my recent marker-attoo. Why not make today National Draw On Yourself Day? It’s not like it is already any other holiday … right? ;)

Why “calima”? Those belly stripes remind me of the stripes on the stones in IJ’s Temple of Doom. “Calima! Calima! Calima!” Yeah. Scared me too.

Illustration Friday – Suit (uploaded by DRA Studio)

You didn’t see them yesterday. You didn’t notice them tailing your car today. You won’t even remember to look behind the shower curtain before you get in tonight. You might as well give up. Things aren’t changing any time soon. They are here to stay.

My advice? Forget the whole thing and chill out the best way you can … Big Willie style, with Black Suits Coming’ rolling in your ears. Remember, ignorance is bliss.

Jodie has been watching lots of Ace of Cakes recently and decided to add some fun fondant pizazz to the cake she made for her College Choir’s end-of-year party. Not only does it look pretty amazing, but because she used marshmallow yummy fondant, it tastes good too!

Frank Shepard Fairey (Shep-Ard Fair-ee)
Born: February 15, 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina

Wikipedia says, “Fairey is a contemporary graphic designer. He is most noted for being the artist who, while attending the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 1990, created the ‘André the Giant Has a Posse’ sticker campaign, which has evolved into the ‘Obey Giant’ campaign, and can now be seen all over the world. Fairey frequently uses wheatpaste to affix large posters to billboards.

Fairey graduated from Porter-Gaud School in 1988. He graduated from RISD in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in Illustration, and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.”

Piece I Enjoyed: Walk the Line (Motion Picture promotion) - 2005 Poster paper
URL: ObeyGiant.com
Gallery of Interest: Ducky Waddles
?: Google Search Artist

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Yesterday I had a revelation. An astounding and fantastic revelation!

Yesterday I realized that two of my favorite visual creators (it doesn’t seem enough to call them just ‘artists’) share a first name and a near identical sounding last name.

Meet Mike Kunkel and Michael Kungl. Both spectacular in their medium of art; both much more creative than I can currently hope to be; both with a flair for marvelous colors and ingenious storytelling (in their own manner). And now, both with a special tribute digital wallpaper, created by me. You can download it on this page.

I hope you enjoy their work … they both have provided wonderful inspiration to me in my own creative works, as well as visual encouragement when I need a little “pick-me-up”.

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Joe Madureira (Mad-uh-rare-uh)
Born: December 3, 1974
School: High School of Art and Design in New York

Art Tools:
Pencils: A standard lead holder.
Lead: 2h or 3h depending on the pape … Berol or Staedtler lead.
Erasers: Magic Rub, Staedtler or kneaded erasers.
Rulars/etc: T-square, circle template and French curve … he freehands most of his curves.
Paper: 11”by17”, 2 ply Bristol Board. 2ply is the weight of the paper, some artists use 3/etc.
Other: Acrylics, Oils, and pastels also Conte crayons.

Piece I Enjoyed: House of M #1 (Variant cover; 2005) - Pencil & Ink
URL: Cold FuZion Studios presents MAD!
Gallery of Interest: JoeMadfan.com
?: Google Search Artist

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Eric Grohe
Born: New York City in 1944

Working in cooperation with architects, designers, art commissions and community representatives, Eric Grohe creates mural art that transforms the environment and communities as well. He believes that his art should involve, challenge and inspire the viewer; not simply adorn, but integrate with its architectural surroundings. The large public mural projects are painted on site and typically take several months, giving the local community a unique opportunity to witness the day-to-day creation of a work of art.

Piece I Enjoyed: Steel - Steubenville / 45’ x 90’ acrylic on prepared masonry
URL: Eric Grohe Murals and Design
?: Google Search Artist

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Michael Kungl (Mik-el Kung-all)
Born: Unknown

Soon into his new career, Kungl never suspected that success on one coast would lead to recognition on another. Within just two years the California artist was selected to create the official artwork for Miami Beach’s 25th annual Art Deco Weekend. The Miami honor is just one of many in a succession of developments that highlight Kungl’s growing reputation as a recognized collectible artist across the country and around the world. In addition to strong domestic sales of his images, Kungl’s works are rising in popularity throughout Europe, Japan and Australia. His work is featured regularly in magazine articles, how to books and television shows.

Piece I Enjoyed: Euroair France - Limited Editions
URL: Mkungl.com
Gallery of Interest: The Artful Home
?: Google Search Artist

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