Illustration Blogs

April 12, 2012 By

For inspiration when it comes to illustration I don’t think it get’s much better than this blog.

David Apatoff really likes great pictures…

That’s what his profile say’s anyway. But his well researched and intelligent response to traditional illustration are inspirational and enlightening. I’m always a little bit excited when a new article pops up in my feed.

But he really likes great pictures. This is what makes his blog so great. The work he find is truly excellent, he knows how to spot the work that has not just excellent skill and technique but soul.

Take the image above by Franklin McMahon. Apatoff writes:

“confronted with mountains of material and a need to transcend the usual dreary recitation of facts and figures.” His role was to “heighten the emotional reaction to a printed piece and transmit the special flavor of a [subject].” ”

That idea of transcendance show’s up in a lot of his writing and I’m always interested to here what he has to say becasue he dosen’t care for trends or stylistic fads.

The value of transcvendence in an illustration, the ability to heighten a peice to draw emotion from a viewer is what illustration is all about. Somehow a lot of that has been lost with the ease of technology.

Apatoff reminds us that tradional skills and technological ease are both not the integral components of illustration. He points us to somehting bigger. Something external, almost mystical that makes illustrations great.

Filed Under: Art, Illustration, Inspiration Tagged With: ,

Risk

April 12, 2012 By

Here’s a recent post from entrepreneur and risk taker Seth Godin.

Seth’s writing as usual encourages risk taking. His job is to motivate and engage entrepreneurs and I rarely read him suggesting prudence. He’s all about the maxim “He who hesitates is lost”, rather than “look before you leap”.

“The purpose of the modern organization is to make it easy and natural and expected for people to take risks. To lean out of the boat. To be human.”

Alas, most organizations do the opposite. They institutionalize organized cowardice. They give their people cover, a place to hide, a chance to say, “that’s not my job.”

Our organizations are filled with people not only eager to dehumanize those that they serve, but apparently, instructed to do so. In the name of shareholder value or team play or not rocking the boat…

“During times of change, the only organizations that thrive are those that are eager to interact and change as well. And that only happens when individuals take brave steps forward.”

Giving your team cover for their cowardice is foolish. Give them a platform for bravery instead.” (From Seth’s Blog)

There’s more than enough encouragement in our own instinctive being not to take risks. We are hardwired to underperform.

I read Seth from time to time because in business, art and life there is more reward, more fun and more reason to take risks and sometimes you need inspiration to take the risks.

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: , ,

Old & New

April 12, 2012 By

I came across this illustration site via drawn.

http://oldandnewproject.com/

The lovely illustration above is by super talented artist/writer/illustrator Cassie McDaniel.

“Old & New provides a platform for contemporary graphic artists to exhibit works themed on Biblical stories and passages. It also aims to introduce a new online audience to Biblical art, attempting to replace popular, yet sometimes low-quality, contemporary Biblical artwork with the kind of accessible and honorable work that has historically been associated with the Bible.

The website will be a curated collection of single designs by a variety of international illustrators, artists and designers. The collections will be released in an indefinite series of rounds. The goal of these rounds will be to bring new light to well known Biblical passages as well as introducing less familiar (or comfortable) content.” (From the site)

I love the simplicity of Cassies illustration.

Muted colours and and the contrast between ornate calligraphy and utilitarian implements creates a perfect tension that is held together with a remarkably balanced composition.

I also like the idea of illustrating traditional text, giving it new life through contemporary context. Regardless of your position regarding faith, ancient text’s, the Koran, the Bible, classic literature have inspired and shaped our culture.

Recontextualising these cultural icons helps us both reflect and move forward.

Filed Under: Illustration Tagged With: ,

Brisbane Marketing

July 12, 2011 By

Brisbane Marketing made contact earlier this year to produce series of illustrations for their upcoming Brisbane meeting planning and venue guide. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advertising, Art, Book Design, Brochure, Concept, Editorial, Illustration Tagged With: , , , ,
« Older Posts