When I’m not busy working on client projects I try to noodle around in a sketchbook. Here’s a few recent scribbles. You can also see my latest sketches as they happen by following me on Instagram.
Sketchbook Update 12-26-12
Most of my client work is done digitally on my Cintiq, but when it comes to personal sketches every once in a while I go back to my roots and draw on good-old paper. Often I doodle on blank greeting cards. If one of them turns out really well I may mail it out as a special promotional piece, either to stay in touch with a past client or to try and build a stronger connection with a client I hope to someday do work for. You can see a few samples of those sketch cards in this blog post.
I’ve recently joined the cool kids over at Instagram (find me at “cedrichohnstadt”). I post some artwork now and then but mostly I just browse the amazing work of other artists to help me get inspired. Recently I had the rare privilege of taking the entire afternoon off to go sit in a bookstore and just sketch for fun. I cranked out these three sketches and posted them on Instagram, but thought I’d also share them here as well.
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.
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.