alex davey illustrations: May 2010

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Tutormill

Hello again (miss me?)

So let's take a trip back in time, shall we? Let's go back to January 2010. Winter. Snow. Instead of 30 degrees, think -30 degrees.

Anyways, a while back I received a phone call from my past illustration teacher Gary Taxali. He told me he was starting an online tutoring program called tutormill and that he needed some help with the site, and asked if I could be their "beta tester".

I wanted to share with you the process and final work I created.

My tutors were Edel Rodriguez (genius) and Marc Burckhardt (wise one).

I took the Fictional Book Jacket Design Course and this is what came of it.

1984

My initial sketches included one image only. From here my tutors suggested a more "graphic novel" approach...

So from there I created a panel-like cover including images directed from the novel.

My tutors suggested cleaning up the images, use more hatching/ texture, and avoid added type.

The end result! I was pretty happy with it but I can definitely see further improvements....

HAMLET

For these two sketches, my tutors agreed the image of the skull wearing a crown was strong, but agreed the type in the first one was best suited....

So I mixed the two together and came up with this sketch....

They then agreed that maybe I should tilt the skull and keep the typography tight....

The end result... what we all figured was the skull looked like he was smiling... which is cool don't get me wrong. But not what we were going for.

A couple of months of sitting on it and I decided to go back to this. I'm afraid it's still not up to snuff. Let's check back in a few months shall we? Next,

The Catcher in the Rye

My sketches included a lot of focus on Holden in the city, more of a portrait approach.

My tutors suggested to take the image of Holden away and focus on what was of important significance of the novel.

I had this sketch of using a cigarette, his lucky hunting hat, and his luggage with skinny type. My tutors suggested a more minimalist cover....

And this was the result. My tutors, and I, agreed the luggage was bit fussy, close to the typography, and the scale in general was a bit off.

And so a couple of months later and I refined the cover again.

I was really happy I got to experience tutormill and definitely recommend it to new illustrators starting out.

Ok goodnight!

xoxo Alex

Technical Difficulties...

Hey everybody,

I am going insane at the moment; I have been a bit of a Lazy Lucy with my website, and almost 1 year later I've decided to update it with all of my recent work. And because I am not the smartest when it comes to computers... my website is in a bit of trouble at the moment. Go take a look. Really. And please keep laughing to a dull roar.

Please stand by and do not panic! Breathe with me!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Inspiration

Please click on each image to enlarge

When I went to Florida, I went with my older sister and my parents. The entire trip we begged our Dad to take us to the Goodwill; everytime we'd pass it we'd get all riled up.

When we did eventually go, it was a big let down: everything was really picked over. A lot of Diaper Genies, clothes from 2000, and just general "blahness". But I did find this book, a true gem. I had never heard of Brian Wildsmith before, but his LSD-psychedelic style illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. Totally inspired.

And, for only 60 cents.