Geological Time

Educational and fun? Hopefully both with my new artwork illustrating Geological Time.  My image was created to help visualize how far time goes back in Earth's history from modern day to its earliest period.  It was nice to stick buildings and a petrol station at the top to help identify today and use perspective in the drawing to indicate how far things go down into deep time.

Geological Time 2013 (on Blue)

In geology, layers of rock are identified and dated by whats in them (finds of fossils or minerals) These layers of time are given names e.g. Jurassic, Devonian etc and they span from today all the way back billions of years.  

Holocene,Pleistocene,Pliocene,Miocene,Oligocene,Eocene,Paleocene,Cretaceous,Jurassic,
Triassic,Permian,Carboniferous,Devonian,Silurian,Ordovician and Cambrian 
(before that is called the Pre-Cambrian and divided into the Proterozoic and Archean)


Their is a a way to remember all those names and it might be something you recall from school. Here it goes: Camels Often Sit Down Carefully Perhaps Their Joints Creak (Perhaps Effective Oiling Might Prolong Perfect Health) 

Geological Time (On White)

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Child's Play

A brilliant little local job came my way recently for a client only a ten minute walking distance away in town.  The closeness of this project allowed me to dust of my folder and bring my I pad and sketch book to the meeting for a face to face meeting to discuss the job.

Most of my work is done via the phone and email, I listen or read the brief make comments, send concepts, respond to feedback and draw finished illustrations a process I’m very good at.  My objective when working remotely is to give the impression to the client that I’m just another part of their workspace, easy to contact and talk too with ideas and artwork ready when needed.  That they can in a sense look over my shoulder and see what I’m doing by giving them updates and sketches to progress the project.  Working remotely can be for the client as involved with what I’m doing as they want to be or if they prefer I can create something with greater latitude then that’s good too.

Lots of commissions can involve me to project manage a lot of what the final art will be and its context.  As some people can be new to asking a freelance illustrator to work with them, with only a bare outline of what they need provided.  Its great and I get a buzz out of guiding this kind of project.  Developing the rapport and work to give them something they wanted but maybe couldn’t articulate preferring me to get there on my own as part of the commission as much as the finished illustration.  

Some of my clients will express a feeling about the kind of image they want and if I can capture that impression the result is very satisfying.  The specifics and detail are left to me and these elements if correctly interpreted in the artwork can capture those feelings and give them the emotional connection to the work that they desired.  

My recent local project to draw the shop front for the children’s shop Puddles and Sun was one such project with latitude to create something the client felt they wanted for their store.  As it was for a local independent retailer I wanted to capture that uniqueness and feel of a special one off experience you get when entering that outlet.  I rendered the illustration in a children’s book style to deliver that sense of magic complete with toys that come alive, children playing, a dragon and of course given our location in Perthshire a Highland cow.  It’s not a typical shop illustration but it suits the shop’s identity and the clients feeling that the artwork needed to have a sense of wonder and creativity.   

 

Puddles and Sun 2013

Puddles and Sun 2013, illustration created in pen and ink with art pen and pencil for some textures with colour added later on the computer.  The artwork was fully layered so that characters could be taken away with new details added.  The flexibility was created to allow a change in format for Facebook and Twitter banner use and for seasonal variations for postcards for you never know when Santa might show up.

Puddles and Sun Facebook and Twitter Banner

Visit my website for more work and ways to get in touch, please email me for samples.

Follow me on Twitter @dylanillo

Calling The Doctor

Some new artworks developed from some doodles I did a few weeks back showing different stylistic takes on the same character.  My illustrations here show the present version of the Time Lord in a caricature style with three variations and in a more dramatic comic book take.  It was a challenge to take such a recognized icon and try quite different looks.  

As often through my career as an illustrator working on different commissions I try to offer up different ideas and solutions to a project to create an image that works within the context of its use.  These creative challenges can push you out of your comfort zone and if successful can develop and further you skills in what you can offer a client.  Personally they can liven up your day to day experience and freshen you outlook and style of work so that your skills don't become slave to a certain kind or type of work.

Left: Madman with a box and Right: Mr Clever

Something Stolen

The above variations of Doctor Who in caricature style were inspired by aspects of his character and reference to his history and recent episodes.  Its was also a challenge to draw the prior incarnations of the Time Lord on the wanted posters of the titled Something Stolen variation. 

The Doctor Comic Style

Lastly my Comic style above complete with Sonic screwdriver and twirly whirly timey vortex. 

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Advice for freelance illustrators, common questions I'm asked.

Hi
I thought I'd post some answers to common questions I'm asked by budding illustrators starting out in the industry.  My answers are a more personal response to the queries asked by students, I hope reading them with be helpful.  I'll post more information and advice next month.

Are there any technical skills that are required to work in the industry?

Being confident in your skills and developing your craft to keep your work fresh and interesting.  Knowing how to use creative software and save to print formats are the most helpful.

What are you views on qualifications? Are they necessary or are portfolios / abilities more important?

Maybe a qualification is not necessary; I’ve yet to be asked! A good portfolio and having completed work for a few clients is more important.  The most important thing is a client needs to be able to trust you to carry out the project and get it in on time.  I’ve been at it for a while now and have always turned in great work on time, never let your client down or you will never regain that trust.

How important is it to make contacts / network?

Very important, having a repeat customer is a good way of generating more work by word of mouth and exposure.  Getting a good reputation is very helpful I often get clients who have had a bad experience with an illustrator.

What are the pros and cons of having an agent? (If applicable)

Pros can get you work and throw their resources behind you to get exposure, help guide your career and negotiate with clients.

Cons, Can take quite a percentage.  Or retain license over your work in some bad cases.  Agents might also ask you not to do personal promotions so you have to rely solely on them to get you work.

Were there any difficulties when starting out in the industry?

Start up funds for equipment, advertising and software all are very expensive.  It can take a few years to fully establish yourself in the field and your style may vary and develop more differently than imagined in order to interest people and get work.

 

When adding an image to you site or sending via email. Always title your image, and add you your name so if its archived and picked up at a latter date the client knows who its from. e.g. Urban Racers Dylan Gibson Illustration

What levels of commitment are involved while working as a practitioner? What are the hours involved? How do you maintain a good work/life balance?

I work a full normal week about 35-40 hrs sometimes I'll need to work more and the odd weekend working can sometimes be necessary.  Your income might be low to start off with and even with this remember you still have to keep money over for your end of year tax return.  It’s a good idea to estimate what that might be and save it away. 

If you work from home have a dedicated space, a spare room to act as a studio, treat it as any work place when you’re done switch off the computer close the door and leave.

 

Working from home made easy.

Have you noticed any changes to the industry while working as a professional?

The biggest is how styles go in and out of fashion very quickly, this is most obvious in advertising and you might get a lot of commissions in that field one year and none the next.  The other big thing is the license of your artwork where and how your work is used, clients are pushing for more ownership with China and India becoming more important markets to the UK.

Are there any traits (such as enthusiasm, determination) that you think are necessary / useful while working in the creative industry?

Enthusiasm will carry you through even the more laborious projects.  It takes a lot of effort and hard work to get going but in can be done and you can make a living from it.  If you can say you enjoy your job you are very lucky and as long as you recognize that you can work through anything in order to keep that going.

I will continue to post more common questions and advice soon, please check back.

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New Work: Mark and Dave go shopping

Just finished of some illustrations for the lovely people at Umbrella Design.  A large part of the project consisted of character design which is always fun to do, my figures were to be based loosely on two real people Mark and Dave.  My illustrations are to feature in their blog a diary of adventures in travel and shopping. The Mark and Dave go shopping blog offers a unique perspective from the duo, tips on what to buy and where and a little culture too.

Dave left and Mark on the right.

These are two trendy guys and designing such happening fellows can always be a stretch when you don't consider yourself to be trendy having a much different definition of the word.  Thankfully however I got a nice run down of their likes and what they wear.

Let me introduce you to Dave…

Name: David, but all his mates call him Dave.

Age: 29 ish. He's kinda geeky, and wants to thought of as really cool... in fact beyond cool. Of course he isn’t, he is in fact a bit of a twat, but nice, really nice in a bloke sort of way. Likes women who have an oriental twist, but always keeps them at arms length. I call them 'mysterious girls', cos they drift in and out of his life and none of us ever actually meet them. We only know about them by the morning smile of his face!

Where he shops: Carnaby Street for trainers, Ted Baker for shirts, Urban Outfitters, and surprisingly, Acne, which is uber cool. Some vintage bits from Brick Lane and Spitalfields, especially sun glasses and picture frames.

Jeans: Cheap Monday 

Watch: Vintage

Boxers or commando: Calvin Klein Boxers

Interests: Cool pubs and restaurants with friends. Sunday league football, gym... only when necessary. Pop-up Art Galleries, street art, photography, gigs headlining up and coming bands, such as: The Black Keys, The Cribs, Twin Atlantic or The Maccabees.

Job: Graphic Designer 

Loves: Geeky gadgets

Favorite Drink: Great beer

Drives: No need, Dave lives in London, but would like a vintage Triumph.

Personal Head Space: Need to make a change and find stuff that inspires him! 

Dave as a finished illustration.

And now on to Mark…

Age: early 30’s, trapped in the wrong era, should have been born mid 1800's then could have been a poet riding an old bike round a village green, a romantic at heart, yeah I know, I am a twat!

Where I shop: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Fenwick Men’s, Diesel, Paul Smith. Some

Vintage bits from Notting Hill, especially furniture.

Jeans: Diesel

Watch: Tag

Boxers or commando: Diesel Boxers

Interests: Out door stuff, cycling, cricket. Love great coffee with mates on a Sunday morning. Play occasionally in a band and open mic nights with guitar. Sketching (belong to urban sketchers).

Bands: Keane, Band of Skulls, Muse, Paul Weller, Florence and The Machine, Elvis Costello

Job: Furniture Designer

Favorite Drink: G&T

Drives: BMW Motorbike

Personal Head Space: Looking for direction and want to go and see great stuff! Like Dave, I need some ideas to guide me to my next project in life, what ever that might be.

Mark in all his illustrated glory

As the blog progresses we get to see more how they both develop via the travels and adventures in shopping they have.  

Mark and Dave's adventures in Brighton.

Good luck to Mark and Dave I hope they continue to trek around the country with their wallets ready and shopping bags full.  Visit Mark and Dave go Shopping blog here.

Go to my website for more illustrations.

 

Tally Ho!

This is a recently finished illustration and will soon be posted on my website folio pages.  Adding new images and keeping the content of my site fresh and up to date is important to keep people coming back while also broadening the subject matter on display.  It can take time to come up with something new if I’m lucky I can maybe add two illustrations a week.  Sometimes these are paid commissions others are selected from self-initiated work. 

My sketch in pencil roughly works out the perspective and dive angle I want to show .

The Spitfire artwork is something I wanted to add to my folder, it’s the sort of thing I hope appeals to potential clients that are in children’s publishing in the UK, the type of illustration they might use for a reference book or children’s encyclopedia if my style is appropriate for the project.   The image itself was sketched out first in pencil then refined and finished off as a pen and ink illustration.  The colour was added after it was scanned on the computer with Photoshop.

Also personally the Spitfire is a very impressive plane, I was lucky enough as a child to get inside the cockpit of one on display and I had a little airfix model I built too.  So it was very nice to revisit those memories and have fun drawing it.

Finished image in pen and ink coloured on Photoshop.  Note the angle of the plane in relation to the horizontal line shown by the White Cliffs of Dover in the background.

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Many thanks for dropping by.

Breakdown of an Illustration

I thought I’d write a little about how I would go through the process of illustrating an image in a step by step way including some of the rough work concepts and developmental sketches.

The following artwork is for a self initiated project to draw the cover artwork for Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species.  First up is my initial idea, rendered in pencil the rough shows the basic composition of the cover, back cover on the left hand side and front on the right.  My idea for the cover was to create a montage of imagery of Darwin and some of the subjects associated with his theory laid down in his book, The HMS Beagle, Finches, Darwin’s study and the Galapagos tortoise.

This concept was sketched down to quickly capture down on paper my montage idea It includes a youthful and older versions of Darwin.

Above I've further developed the image giving it more detail in an effort to see how more finished looking elements work together.  I've added in some stylized waves swirling around the main montage.

 Added clouds in around the edges to fill in the space. These can be knocked back in the final art so not to interfere with the type.

Here colour is added, I wanted to do the final in hues of blue, my choice of blue to use needs further thought.

Here I’ve done a more finished image of the central composition of the illustration.  This is done in pen and ink and I’ve shaded it in a cross hatched way to see how it might look as a variation.  I’ve also added the “Darwin’s Finches” in a way to highlight the changes in their beaks.

The older Darwin here, illustrated in a simpler style without cross hatch shading, as the colour I will add will add the shading I need.  I wanted to develop his likeness more and have singled him out in order to work on his features more.

The finished image, I’ve drawn all the elements separately and added them together in a layered file so I can move them around and change colours more easily.  

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