Got a little silly in the sketchbook today. Merry Christmas everyone!
I’m On Instagram
A few weeks ago I decided to join the cool kids and get an instagram account. I’m not sure how to share the link outside of the Instagram website (if that’s even possible) but all you Instagramers can look me up by my username, “cedrichohnstadt“. If you follow my studio on Facebook (www.facebook.com/cedricstudio) you can also see my Instagram activity there – although it seems a bit buggy. Sometimes things show up in the feed, other times not.
I plan to primarily post sketches, doodles, and other artwork, and occasionally other items of interest. For instance, I posted a few pics from the CTN Expo a couple of weeks ago. But mostly it will be artwork. Look for me on a smart phone near you.
EDIT: I guess Instagram recently made some changes to their still-very-minimalist website (either that or I just didn’t know how to navigate it correctly) and you can now view my page on your web browser. Here you go.
Sketch Cards
Every once in a while I sit down and doodle up a few sketch cards. I buy the blank cards at my local art supply store, then get out some colored pencils and markers and have fun. No pressure. I just draw whatever I feel like. Some turn out, some don’t. The ones that do I send to past clients and/or potential future clients I’ve been trying to connect with, along with a hand-written note inside. It’s a great way to stand out from all the clutter that crosses an art director’s desk, or to keep relationships from growing cold. It’s also much more sincere and authentic than an email blast or a postcard campaign.
Another benefit: creating the cards doubles as sketchbook practice. Only instead of shoving all the drawings into a closet I’m sharing them through the mail.
The only downside is that it can be very time consuming way to connect with clients. As a result I can’t send out nearly as many as I’d like. On the other hand, if a client is worth connecting with, they’re worth spending a little time on.
Here’s a few of the cards I’ve mailed out recently:
Sketchbook Update 4-19-12
To wind down after a busy day of work I started sketching one of my favorite TV characters, Colonel Potter from M*A*S*H. I liked how the sketch was turning out so I started adding in some grayscale washes. Before I knew it I was painting up a detailed value study. Although I still prefer to sketch cartoon characters and children’s products, it feels good to go back to my fine art roots every once in a while.
The photo I was sketching can be found here. Total working time: Two hours.
Sketchbook Update 4-13-12
Lately I’ve been experimenting with a new self-promotion idea based on advice from two people: my friend and fellow artist Tim Hodge, and Marcia Hoeck, the consultant I hired last year. I bought some blank greeting cards at the art store and sometimes instead of sketching in my sketchbook I’ll doodle something on one of the cards. If it turns out halfway decently I’ll mail it to a client or potential client with a personal note as a way to (I hope) stand out from all the other illustrators who’s work is flooding their desks. If I can time it with their birthday, bonus!
Last night while crunching on a deadline I had to force-restart my computer. While I waited for everything to boot back up I worked up this doodle. I really liked how it turned out, and since Tim’s birthday was this month I’ll be sending it to him as a way to say “Thanks” for turning me on to the idea.
Sketchbook Update: Lee Marvin
Yesterday’s warm-up sketch was a pseudo-caricature of the villainous Lee Marvin in the classic western “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”. I decided to add some b&w washes and pretty soon I was experimenting with several painting techniques in Photoshop. The result is a bit overworked and contrasty, but if you can’t make mistakes in your sketchbook where can you make them?
‘Valance’ is considered by many to be John Ford’s greatest western. There’s some big-name talent involved – it stars Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne, and it was Marvin’s breakout role. It’s also the movie where John Wayne started calling someone “Pilgrim”. It’s a decent flick with a powerful twist ending. Unfortunately the story is undermined by Marvin’s silly costume. He’d be a very threatening villain if he didn’t look like a prissy schoolboy playing cowboy dress-up. I kept expecting him to reach into his holster and pull out a lollipop. If you’re going to dress like that you’d better act tough. Still worth renting though.