Scion Magazine - Issue 4 (the Music Issue)

Apologies, for not posting for a while everyone! It's been quite busy since this project ended (which is SO great), but it means I have no time to write a proper post. 

Scion Magazine Issue 4 starts off a new format: 48 page magazine at 10.25" x 14.5" but still printed on the matte recycled stock. It's also the first of 'themed' issues, starting with 'the Music Issue'. Yes it was very exciting: bigger, more pages, and lots of music content! I thought I'd actually get quite tired of drawing speakers, records, or headphones...but surprisingly I didn't! It makes for great practice too~. 

Anyhow, more stuff being posted this week! Seriously. :)

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

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DOS: In the Works

Just getting ready for an upcoming group art show DOS this Friday July 19 @ Evergreen Brick Works. Tacos will be provided by La Carnita and Big Star (Chicago), with music by Dj Platurn and Grandtheft. Pretty excited as my friends: Jacqui Oakley, Jamie Lawson and Carson Ting will be in it as well! Don't forget to buy tickets in advance and arrive early! Hope to see you all there.

New Beastie Boys Illustration for Grantland

This was for an upcoming Grantland book (no 5? or is it 6?) for an article, 'In Memoriam: Adam Yauch (1964-2012)'. My way of honoring him, HAD TO BE with all of the Beastie Boys together of course. As a unit, at the peak of their careers, just after the release of 1998's 'Hello Nasty'. The first single off of the album was 'Intergalactic', and for me I had heard it by watching the video on MuchMusic. It just blew me away, having rap music over their ode to old school Japanese TV superheroes (also known as 'tokusatsu'). I watched the real TV shows ever since I was a little boy. So in coming up with ideas for this article, it was almost instant that I thought of that video, because it made the biggest impression on me visually as a band (with 'Sabotage' in close second). If you haven't seen the video, check it here (seriously you haven't seen it?). 

'Oh and what color did you go with?' you might ask. Bright Pantone Yellow of course. Duh. Maybe I should offer this as a print? :)

Cruder the better! In the beginning anyways.

A new formation, posing with their fighting robot

Getting the pose right. Just need to get the faces right...

Final version with color!

Don't forget to follow me here and here! :D

James Bond 007: Illustration for The Genteel 5

New illustration for The Genteel i just finished, published today! 

An Accessory for the Modern Man

by: Andrew Adebowale

The James Bond franchise is celebrating its 50th year with the release of Skyfall at the end of the year. To mark the occasion, a unique exhibition is being held at London's Barbican, showcasing the design and style of the world's most famous spy.

Read Article >

Really rough sketches...

Ok, this was definitely the most fun assignment EVER. If you really know me, you would know that I'm one of the world's biggest James Bond fans.

My first film was apparently 'From Russia With Love', which my dad made me watch on TV. I'll admit I wasn't a huge fan of Connery in the beginning. Dad was trying to explain to me why Connery was 'the man'. But like most kids, I quickly became a Roger Moore fan because of his humor, his ladies (he had more conquests), and gadgets with 'wow' factor (Lotus Esprit submarine). It wasn't until early high school, I rewatched 'Dr. No', and from that very first introduction of 007 lighting his cigarette at the casino table introducing himself, I became a fan. I thought, 'there is no one cooler than Connery's Bond'. 

I actually had to ask my dad, what my first 007 film was (I've rewatched them way too many times). It was was then, when he said something that shocked me."I hope it doesn't take you as long as it did for me to graduate from 007.” I thought my dad, the one who introduced me to it, how could he have 'graduated' (move on) from it? And why was he telling me to move on from it?

As a kid, I was obsessively into three things: James Bond, Petshop Boys, and New Order (in that order). At my age now (over 30), I'm still into those 3 things. Maybe not as obsessive, as I was back then. Also I still prefer 'those things' from that era or before. 

I am however, really looking forward to the next 007 movie Skyfall (directed by Sam Mendes). It just screams old school elements (Aston Martin DB5 again), combined with new school tech backdrops. The set design and cinematography look immaculate. Also filled with such a talented cast (Bardem, Fiennes, Dench, Finney), and directed by an A-list director: Sam Mendes. Trailer looks so great!

So as long as more James Bond movies get produced until the day I die, I don't think I'll ever stop watching them. I know I'm letting you down Dad, but I don't think I'll ever graduate from 007!

New Russell Simmons & Rick Rubin Illustration for Grantland

My sketches always start really crude. I usually don't bother with reference photos for portraits in the beginning.

A more polished rough. 

Finished this back in March (or April?), but was finally allowed to post this up. New illustration of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin for Grantland. Lots of textures here with brushstrokes. Limited colour schemes are always fun. :)

Illustration for the Genteel 4

New illustration for The Genteel i just finished, published today! 

Haute or Not?

by: Chere Di Boscio 

Despite their astronomical price tags, haute couture creations are rarely profitable, and only a handful of women can afford to buy them anyway. So what's the point?

Read Article >

This assignment was definitely the most fun for sure. Being able to check out the Alexander McQueen show at the MET last year was such a huge inspiration for me creatively. I mean I've seen a lot of 'fashion' on TV and in books through high school and at OCAD (was hardcore into Issey Miyake of course). But to see them in person...at the MET...after a 2.5 hour line up...really blew me away. Since then, my appreciation for craftsmanship has grown immensely. Currently I'm really digging the work of Katsuya Kamo. Check out his paper sculptures (hats and stuff) coupled with Lagerfeld's designs for Chanel's 2009 Couture show here.

Illustration for The Genteel 3

Another new illustration for The Genteel! Do you recognize any of the faces on the left hand side? Hopefully you do if you're in the fashion world.

Love doing this style. I suppose most of it comes rather easily as I work a lot in vector. Over the years I've become more and more obsessed with detail (I suppose it's natural since I spoil myself by zooming in 1200% a lot of the time). 

Digital Newsstands With Virtual Shopping Racks

by: Paul Aguirre Livingston 

As the digital world continues to become the new developed world, I find myself doing more with virtual assistance: maintaing some sort of "social life," consuming and creating content, and, well, general sundry tasks like, say, shopping.

Read Article >

Illustration for The Genteel 2

Also just finished this one with a new look and feel (for me) for the wonderful folks at The Genteel! This time around I got to get a little drawing time with Twiggy's face. (I need to definitely draw more of her.)

The article is not about her, but more about 'mature' models in the fashion world, and why '...ageing and fashion have - until now - been such odd bedfellows in the first place.'

A New Age in Fashion

by: Erin Ridley 

With the public smitten by more mature looks and the industry following suit, one wonders why ageing and fashion have - until now - been such odd bedfellows in the first place.

Read Article >

Illustration for The Genteel 1

Just finished a new illustration with a new look and feel (for me) for the wonderful folks at The Genteel! It's fun to get back to drawing more fashionable subjects.

If you haven't checked their site yet, definitely do if you love a good read. Oh and there will be more work by yours truly there of course. :)

The Importance of Being Fashionable

by: Erin Ridley 

Women think about fashion 91 times a day. For those who have "clothes on the brain," why is fashion so important to us. 

Read Article >

@La_carnita #UNO #Artshow Submission Complete

So I just finished signing my 18" x 24" giclee prints (will be sold at the UNO show on friday) and dropped them off at @La_Carnita!!!

YES, you heard right. New prints will finally be available, printed with the highest quality using Epson Stylus Pro 9900 (scroll down below for more info on Epson Technology) on Epson Matte paper.

Relaxing now eating a grilled chicken bahn mi sandwich from Bahn Mi Boys, and an americano from Sense Appeal. It is a good day today. 

ps: thanks to Richardson DX for the photos!

Could that be the new issue of Scion Magazine Issue 3???

Epson Technology

To produce our archival prints with amazing colour integrity, gloss-level, and scratch resistance we use Epson Stylus Pro 9900.

Representing Epson's next generation, the Epson Stylus Pro 9900

(44 inch) incorporate the latest achievements in photographic ink jet technology. By combining the precision of the MicroPiezo TFP™ print head with the extraordinary performance of Epson Ultrachrome® HDR Ink, the newest generation of Epson Stylus Pro printers continue to represent a level of technology unprecedented in Epson's history. 

Epson Ultrachrome High Dynamic Range (HDR) represents the latest generation of pigment ink technology. Now utilizing 10 COLOURS (including an all new ORANGE and GREEN) Epson Ultrachrome HDR Ink produces the widest colour gamut ever from an Epson Stylus Pro printer. Even more remarkable, when combine with the new Epson AccuPhoto™ HDR screening technology, Epson has once raise the level of print quality, while setting a new benchmark standard for photographic reproduction.

Epson Accuphoto™ HDR Screening

*- Advanced ten-colour screening algorithm resulting in prints with superior colour and clarity.

*- Maximum resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi for incredibly sharp text and line art.

*- Produces extremely fine blends and photographic transitions.

*- Extremely accurate highlight-to-shadow details.

*- No visible photographic graininess due to the printing process.

*- Ensures consistent color balance regardless of the viewing light source.

*- When combined with the precise dot placement accuracy of the Epson MicroPiezo TFP print head, overall photographic print quality is dramatically improved.

EPSON ENHANCED MATTE:
Archival quality 76 years approximately
Flat matte surface provides the optimum photographic platform.
Heavyweight stock delivers true photographic feel.
High colour gamut yields remarkable colour reproduction.
Epson Archival Ink compatibility ensures exceptional lightfastness ratings.

New Halloween Art

Yes it's that time of the year, where we all get dressed up in some zany costume of a character that's super popular in pop culture, or super obscure that requires a little bit of explanation over a trip to the bar (I prefer the latter). This year however, I'm kind of on the fence about going out, since the deadlines seem to be piling up nicely (a tad crazy). 

Anyhow, a few weeks back I finished a new design for (what was to be) Monster Massive's upcoming Halloween party. Just found out that it has been cancelled. More info here.

I rather like this one, and hope to get more chances to do more of these. Let me know what you think. :)

2 New Pearson Covers!

Cover illustration for Pearson Australia's Science book.

Cover illustration for Pearson Australia's Math book.

Just finished off 2 new covers for Pearson Australia's Math and Science books. Just like the English cover, there were quite a few artists that did their own covers as well. Putting them all together like a puzzle, the outside covers would create a giant 'm' for math, 's' for science, and 'e' for english. So of course in order to do this, a portion of the cover is hidden. I'm guessing it's the full cover image somewhere on the inside of the book. Anyhow, designing the layout to work with the template was pretty challenging, but at the same time resulted in some fun compositions I think. Also, flexing my Photoshop skills a bit more this time was kind of fun, exploring a few new textures. Below are some roughs.

Middle of 's'

Left side of 'm'

3/4 alternative.

Character Design

The new section is finally up, which includes works from past years: McCain Zwak, McDonald's, Bell Gamesmania, and many others. Check it!