So this class may have only three projects, but they were intense. There was a lot of research and trial and error throughout each project. I think the children’s book illustration really shows my process and how I take each critique and pushing myself with each assignment. I loved the flow of this class and the projects. I defiantly feel like I am finding my style and place in the world of illustration because of this class. I feel like I have been given the push that I needed to surprise myself. We are getting there people!
Project 1: Advertisement- Climate Change
Subject Matter: Ocean Pollution
References
Rough Sketch Idea
Final Line work
Value Study: 1
Value Study: 2
Value Study: 3
Value Study: 4
Value Study: 5
Color Study
Color Palette
Rough Final
Final: 1st Draft
Final: Final
Project 2: Children’s Storybook Cover
Theme: Medieval Ireland Fae Mythology
Reference
Reference
Reference
Rough Ideas
Rough Sketch Draft
Concept #1
Concept #2
Concept #2: Value Study
Concept #3
Concept #3: Revision
Concept #3: Revision: Value Study
Concept #3: Rework of Linework
Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision
Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision: Value Study
Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision: Color Study
This class was one big assignment. It is basically all the steps that an illustrator makes to create a story for a book, game, movie, or what ever they are assigned to do. I decided to go ahead with choosing Alice in Wonderland for this project. Alice in Wonderland is my all-time favorite story. I have read it at least a dozen times. I thought for this project I would go for more of a fantasy horror theme. I wanted to dive deeper into the psychology of the tale. I wanted to include reasons for why Alice goes to Wonderland, why she has all these philosophical debates, and all the questions that arise about who she is and what she wants. I am leaning more towards childhood trauma and how she dissociates to Wonderland to feel safe. So there is going to be a lot of symbolism and mental health motifs. What do you guys think? Should I continue this project?
Welcome back! How are you doing? Hopefully nothing too crazy has happened lately. I think we all need a vacation and a peace of mind. The world just seems to become a bigger and bigger dumpster fire everyday it seems. I have been listening to music that I loved when I was younger. A good dose of nostalgia is comforting. What was in your playlist back when life was simpler for you? I’ll be posting my list over on Pirate Games later today. Maybe we can compare notes?
My Dreams of the Moon
“I am Sailor Moon, champion of justice! On behalf of the Moon, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil, and that means you!”
Sailor Moon
Speaking of nostalgia, I’d like to introduce you to the very first obsession and love, Sailor Moon. If you have no idea what I am talking about… //cricket cricket//… I suggest you take a moment and go educate yourself. I can’t… can’t even. Anyway. for those who know, you know the feels I am talking about. I grew up with the 90s Sailor Moon and boy did that have an impact on my life. I always have dreamed to become a Sailor Scout and protect peace and love and the moon. Usagi always felt real to me, you know? She was the first character that hit a level of realness that I can’t even begin to explain. As corny as it sounds, I could see myself in her. I think that that is the magic of character design and connection that the viewer and artist makes. So it just seemed fitting to make my next Fan-Art piece about Sailor Moon.
References
For this I used Princess Serenity as my model. I wanted to challenge myself and push my knowledge of the Art Deco style. I took pointers from the illustrator Erté. In this first image that you are seeing, these were the main reference material that I used to create my piece. “You are only as good as your references are.” Professor Barclay. I obviously looked at many pieces of Erté’s work to get a feel for what I should do for the outfit and details. But I was mostly captivated by “The Queen of the Night” illustration he did. I thought it was very fitting for Sailor Moon.
I am so very proud about how this turned out. Like it is so clean and well polished. This mixture of Art Deco and Sailor Moon turned out so smooth. This is by far my most favorite illustration I have ever done. I think I am figuring my artistic style. What do you guys think? I am still blown away.
That concludes this story time. I can’t even get over how well I did. Like I am super critical about my own work, but I can’t see anything wrong with it. //Mind blown// Things can get keep going up from here, right? Check in tomorrow for a peek behind the scenes. Things are going to be looking a bit different around here soon. So stick around awhile! Remember to stay safe and to stay sane.
Until next time,
Suzanna 🌙
Want to know more about Erté? Check these links out:
How’s it going? Are you remembering to take care of yourself? I hope so. If not, please take a moment to yourself. You are alive, you are loved, and you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. I believe in you. And I am proud of you. You go out there and grab that bull by the horns and rock it’s world. You’ve got this!
Arteza Awards 2020
“Unleash your artistic spirit and enter the ultimate art battle of 2020 by entering the first annual Arteza Awards. Everyone, regardless of medium, skill level or age are invited to enter. Six participants will have the chance to win amazing prizes up to $5,000 in total. One lucky winner will be chosen as the Golden Artist of Arteza and will receive the Grand Prize—a year-long collaboration with Arteza!”
Guys, I have entered a contest. I, SUZANNA, HAVE ENTERED A CONTEST AND I AM hella nervous. Like I don’t even know where to begin with this. However, I am planning on taking you guys with me every step of the way. There is going to be video and bloopers and failure and everything in between. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up to date with it all. I’ll be sure to make a whole compilation of everything after the announcement of the winners on August 31st and I’ll post it here.
So the deadline is August 24th for all entries. That means I have two weeks to get an illustration done. Can I do it? You can bet the farm on that one! The real question is, what is the piece going to be about? At this point in time, pfft I have no idea. But I am going to post some rough ideas up tomorrow to start things off. I am accepting any requests too. We can do this together!
If you want to know more about the contest or even enter yourself, check out Arteza. Don’t forget to follow along on the progress over on my Instagram! I’ll see you over there tomorrow! Come back on Saturday to see our next Sign. I still have so many questions about a goat-mermaid. Like, why even? I hope to see you then! Remember to stay safe and stay sane.
Welcome back everyone! 23 more days until classes begin. Even though I am taking all my courses online, I am still nervous. But I know everything is going to work out in the end. How are you guys doing? Have you listen to any good music lately? I’ve been feeling that I have only been listening to the same 5 songs for weeks. It is time for something new. Do you have any good suggestions?
Dedication to Hello Kitty
Did you guys figure it out? Are you surprised? I don’t even know where to start with my relationship with Hello Kitty. I have been told that I have an unhealthy obsession, but that doesn’t stop me. I can’t say that I can fill up a whole room with my collection, although I wish I could. Come Hell and high water I will invest in my collection to dedicate, at least, a whole room to Hello Kitty. You can bet the ponies on that. I low-key really want to live in the a Hello Kitty designed house. I think my best friend Brina will commit me to a psych ward though. It’ll be worth it!
You might be asking, “why Hello Kitty?” To be honest, I have no idea why Hello Kitty. All I know is that she plucks at a string in my soul. And I have learned that I need to listen to the notes that they sing. The same can be side with books, Tokidoki, the moon and stars, occult, Halloween, and just everything that I love. They fill me up with joy and happiness and that is what is important. So a word of advice, don’t listen to people who tell you that the things you like is trash or immature or whatever. If the things you like are not harming you or others and bring you joy continue loving them. Screw the people who shame you for liking something “childish” or weird. Your purpose in life is to do the things that speak to your soul and that bring you happiness. You will thank me later.
Now let us talk about this piece. As you know, I am still trying to figure out my style and what works for me. In the beginning I was having a real hard time trying to figure out the composition. Then I just said f*** it and just went balls to the walls. The flower behind Kitty is a daisy, which symbolizes purity and innocence. Plus in Sanrio’s world for Kitty, daisies are one of the most common flowers portrayed. I went with a vector based style, like that of the Art Nouveau illustrators. I can totally see this as a sticker for Sanrio. Ugh, it is too cute! What do you guys think?
And there you have it! I can call this one a success! Please visit Sanrio for everything Hello Kitty! I can’t emphasize it enough, I love everything that is cute and fun just like Hello Kitty. I hope to see you tomorrow when we talk about something that I just recently found out about. Talk about perfect timing! Remember to stay safe and to stay sane!
Welcome to a Special Post for #BlackoutFridays! Today we are going to be dissecting all the symbolism in my latest #BLM illustration. Before we begin I have a little bit of a disclaimer to give you. I purposely chose everything in this piece. There are some religious context in here for a reason. If you don’t like it, too bad. I am here to push the boundaries and make you feel something. You have been warned. 😘
Here is a little history lesson for you all. Flower Power was coin in the late 1960s and early 1970s during the Vietnam protests. People would be offering flowers to the police and military personal as a peace offering. They refereed the protesters as Flower Children. So I think it is time to bring back #FlowerPower.
My original idea for this illustration was a little bit darker and more centered around death. I guess my mind is in a dark place and I can’t really fault it for that. Every time I look at any of my social media platforms or on TV there is something horrible being uncovered every day. And the feeling of not knowing when the next hit will happen or even when this is all over is driving me into the ground. So, I scratched that idea.
I have been looking at doing more symbolic illustrations lately. I want to make people think and to search for answers. And I thought that the best hidden language is flowers. So here is the deal, I am going to give you the meaning to each flower that is in this piece, but I want you to tell me why I included it in the illustration and how it connects to the #BLM movement. You ready?
Meanings behind the Flowers:
Water Lily: (background flower) Purity, rebirth and enlightenment.
Lily: Humility, devotion, and restored innocence after death.
King Protea: Courage, daring, and transformation.
Black-Eyed Susan: Justice, encouragement, and motivation.
Balloon Flower: Wiccan Pentagram (protection).
Anemone: Protection against evil or ill wishes.
So the Red Crown has 2 meanings. One is it is a spider web collecting rain drops. A spider web is made of the strongest material made (based in size and creature), but it is delicate enough to catch rain drops. The human connection can be the strongest of bonds and delicate enough to heal the wounds. The other meaning to the Crown is connected to The Crown of Christ he wore during his Crucifixion. Unfortunately #POC are being essentially being Crucified. Don’t forget Jesus was a brown, middle eastern Hebrew. I dare you to fight me on that.
As for the blue drip, I am kind of obessed with that effect. Also you can see it as tears.
As for the purple in the lip and in the lashes;
“The color purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. Purple also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic.”
Purple also seems to be a running color for me with my #BLM posts. It just really fits with the movement.
So what do you see? How does it make you feel? If I have been able to invoke some sort of response, then I have done my job. And if you want to use this illustration or any of my #BLM illustrations please message me. I’d like to know where and why you are going to use it for. Please also Like, Comment, Share, and Follow for more illustrations and info for the #BLM movement.
Until Next Time,
Suzanna 🌙🌙
PS: Check out my IG for a news update for the #BLM movement.
How are you all doing? I hope that things are, sort of, falling in place. I think this is, whatever it is, the new normal. The struggle is real. Anyways, how are you liking the Zodiac Series? I am having a blast with them. Each one has it’s own sets of challenges and pushes me to think outside the box. Which Sign are you most excited to see?
I know you are here for something completely new. I’m excited to announce that COMMISSIONS ARE LIVE! Head over to my Shop to see what is available. I am starting small to help with me trying to figure all of this out. I have never taking formal commissions before so I am mostly nervous about pricing and contracts and all that mumbo-jumbo. This was not covered in my undergraduate studies, so we are learning together. Please stick with me as we traverse these rough waters. I promise it will be worth it.
Here are the basic steps for Commissions:
First pick out which type of work you’d like from me
Simple
Abstract
Full Illustration
When you go to buy the slot from me (assuming I did it right) we will start the contract process.
I’ll email you asking you what it is you are seeking.
Then I’ll send you a contract so we both have a piece of mind.
According to the timeline we agree upon, we will start the next steps.
Roughs
Color comps
Final
Then we will discuss how you would like the piece delivered.
So be warned now, we are going to have a lot of email/video calls to make sure there is strong communication and nothing is lost. It might seem annoying at first, but it is for the best. I am not a mind reader, so I want to make sure that I can see the vision that you are seeing.
Like I said earlier, I am still trying to figure all this stuff out. If you have any tips or tricks, or even a good source of information for me to research, please share. Knowledge is power. Thank you in advanced. Plus I’d like to know if you guys want me to put my original artwork for sale? Would you also like prints to be available? Let me know what you guys want to buy. Things can only go up from here.
So let’s get this show on the road! Things are moving forward faster than I originally thought. This is all crazy! Thank you. You have no idea how much this all means to me. Please stop by on Saturday and meet the next member of the Zodiac family! This Sign is logical based and knows how to use their wings. Here’s to the next adventure!
How have you all been? It feels like this week was never going to end for me. The struggles, right? Anyway, things that been looking more and more bleak as the days roll by. To tell you the truth, I am terrified. I’m not scared of COVID-19 or the #BLM movement or anything like that. I am terrified of how little the ones we put in charge are not listening to their citizens and the world. I am terrified of the medical bill that I’ll get if/when I get COVID-19. I’m afraid of passing it on to my family and them being stuck with the same bill. I don’t have $500,000 just burning a hole in my pocket. That is a life time of debt that I can’t afford. Neither can my family or the vast majority of my fellow Americans. It hurts so much to know my government cares more about money and pleasing the 1%, that they are willing to have a mass slaughtering their people. History is repeating itself and the ones that have sworn to protect us are dooming us all by not see it. What are we to do? Peaceful protests are getting through to them with the #BLM movement, facts and statistics aren’t opening their eyes, the rest of the world is screaming at them to do better, and they are turning a blind eye. I don’t know what else to do. All I can do is to try to be a safe and calm place for you guys. Art is a good distraction, so I just have to keep creating in order to not get sick with insanity. I hope change will come soon. That concludes my rant, please continue on to the light-hearted and fun illustration.
Quarantine Challenge Project #13: Redo: Alice
I’m not sure if you guys have noticed, but I love making things about Alice in Wonderland. I have always loved this children’s story ever since I was a little girl. Just being able to fall down a rabbit hole to a land full of interesting characters and sights and the absence of reality. I feel like everyone needs a safe place to check out of reality every once in a while to recharge. I find myself daydreaming of a far off reality to seek positive adventures all the time. Do you guys daydream?
So, this drawing I made quickly at Vermont Comic Con that I went to as a student ambassador for my college’s art department. It was a lot of fun! But this was a very rushed piece, as you can see. And I have been meaning to redo this ever since the Con was over. (HAHAH… See, I have always had too many ideas and not enough time. HAHAHA…)
I knew that I basically had to start over from scratch. Between the lazy composition and the lack of movement, there was no hope for this piece. So, I started the old fashioned way, I sketched out some rough ideas. I have been trying to play with new and different angles for my pieces. It defiantly a challenge to me, ’cause I tend to draw like the ancient Egyptians. I draw side profiles and very little background and very stiff. I don’t mean there isn’t a time and place for that kind of style, but I am trying to grow and improve my skills. I have to get out of my comfort zone every once in a while.
In the end, I came up with this. I hope by now you have realized I hate backgrounds, especially trees. Ugh they are the worst. But luckily, with the rules of perspective, the farther way the object, the less detail there is. Plus, I pushed myself to try to make Cheshire’s tail to be translucent. I think it turned out pretty good for the first time. And by the way, children proportions DON’T MAKE ANY SENSE! The struggle my peeps. I hope you guys realized she is a little kid. Can you guys spot the different items that stand for different characters and stories from the book? Let me know in the comments!
In the process video I was trying new and different ways to film. And like 70% of it I had to cut because my hand was in the way. I totally forgot to film on the opposite side to see what I was drawing. I’m an idjit sometimes. I am still learning this new medium of film making. Influencers and shows and such, make it look so easy and simple. Practice makes perfect, as they say.
That is the end of this story for today. I hope you guys like my new Alice piece. Just know this won’t be the last! By the way, we have only 1 more Quarantine Challenge Project! Sweet Neptune guys, we did it! I hope you all come back for next Saturday’s update to see what kind of magic comes to life this time. Monday we are going to be learning more about your Captain’s head. I hope I can answer some of your questions that I have planted in your head. Anyway, remember to take care of yourself. Stay sane and look towards the future. We can do this. We just have to stand together and be there for each other. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Are you surprised? Is your Captain learning to time manage life better? Who know, ’cause I don’t. HAHAHAHA… Anyways, how are you doing? It might sound like I am a broken record, but I want you know someone out there cares and wants to see you thrive in life. I also ask to remind you to ask yourself that. You have to take care of your mind, body and soul. And I hope you following along in my journey is a stepping stone in your self-care routine. Personally, I have been listening to lectures and watching docu-series on Medieval times. I have no idea why I fell into this rabbit hole, but it has helped me to stay grounded and feel as though I am being productive. It is just the little things that you can do that helps you survive and better yourself. Don’t give up yet. I’ve got your back, always.
Speaking being productive, I have some news to share with you all. As many of you know, I have been struggling on getting a job in my field of choice. I want to be a full time illustrator. The trouble I am having is either jobs are too far away and I am not ready to move yet, or that they don’t think I have enough professional experience in the field. And that is a blow to the ego and mental health. So I started to research graduate school. If no one can take me seriously because on paper I’m not “good enough” to take a risk on, then I am going to have to get another piece of paper that proves I am good enough.
My original plan wasn’t to be going back to school for like another 10 years. But sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you just have to go with it. For this, I am kind of thankful for the pandemic. It has made me slow down and smell the roses, so to speak. I am thankful for the chance to reevaluate my life. I have no idea when I am going to be able to go back to work, or even if my position is going to be held due to the pandemic. I am the low man on the totem pole, so if there is going to be cuts I’m in the firing line. Plus with the threat of the second wave just around the corner and new reports saying that the coming fall and winter there could be even more trouble with the other yearly disease and cold and such. It doesn’t seem like we will be going back to normal anytime soon. Who knows when I’ll be apart of our working society again. Instead of being all doom and gloom, I guess there is no time like the present to go back to school.
Starting in September of 2020, I’ll be officially starting my MFA in Illustration at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. Like I said earlier, I am not ready to move out yet, but AAU has a really comprehensive online program that I am excited for. For a Master’s of Fine Arts degree, I have to complete another 4 years of schooling. There is no half-assing for this girl. Plus AAU just seemed to be the best place for someone like me. They are a small privately owned school, so there is more one-on-one opportunity with instructors. Their whole philosophy is to train their students for a successful artistic career. It is like a trade school just for artists. I don’t have to worry about non-degree courses taking up time and space in my schooling. I always excelled at my classes that were in my degree, but something had to give in for me to have any outside life and that was my non-degree classes. Not saying that I threw away money for courses by failing, but I just didn’t try hard and got by. Now I am enrolled in a school that is just art for artists.
If I can pass on a lesson to juniors and seniors of high school is this: if you have no idea what you want to do with your life, go to a school that has many different majors and fields of study and try everything you can to figure yourself out; if you know what you want to do with your life don’t go to a school that has a million and one majors and degrees, it is going to burn you out before you graduate. Please keep researching and find a school that is just for your skills. Like go to AAU if you want to be an artist or go to a school devoted to engineering if you want to go into robotics or go to a medical school to be a nurse or doctor. Reach for the stars. And trust me as a student that is first generation college goer and now graduate school goer, and that comes from low income, single mom with 2 siblings, there is help out there for you. Ask the school’s financial aid office for all the scholarships and grants that they offer and apply, plus ask your high school counselor about all the scholarships and grants that you can qualify for, and search online. Trust me, there is a scholarship out there just for being left handed, you’ll be surprised what you’ll be able to find. If you are going to be going into debt for your schooling, make damn sure you’ll be able to walk away with pride and a clear path for your career. This is YOUR life, don’t settle for anything.
Well, you guys know that I have arguably the worst time management skills. So that is going to be one of my goals for this summer. I need to nail down my daily life. I need to make it predicable. I need to stick with it like super glue. Apparently, planners don’t do anything for me. So, I am going to have to research other strategies for time management and how to organize my life. If you guys have any tips or tricks you use, please let me know. At this point I am willing to try everything. I foresee no sleep, lots of caffeine, and craziness. Help.
You guys are now caught up with my news worthy events. I am super excited to start school this fall. There are going to be some bumps in the road that I am going to have to figure out how to navigate them. Lucky for you, you guys get to come on this adventure and enjoy the chaos that is soon to come. I hope you are prepared for battle well. Please like, share, follow, and subscribe to all of my social media accounts to have the best seats in the house. In the next post, Quarantine Challenge Project #13 is on its way! Just a warning, I am kind of obsessed with this children’s story. Like you have no idea. And you can’t tell me I didn’t warn you!
My oh my, things have not been slowing down, huh? Does anyone else feel as though it has been years instead of just 6 months into this year? ‘Cause I feel like I have lived a lifetime already and I am in another reincarnations lifetime. This is bananas. I know I have no certain return date for work or anything going back to some sort of “normal” any time soon. And everyone is holding their collective breathe for this second wave that is bound to hit us hard. We are in the middle of history repeating itself, but most of the people that are in charge are refusing to see it. And I think that is the scariest part of it all. Please listen up, remember to take care of yourself. Remember unplug for a moment. Remember to not burn yourself out. Please use this time to grow. Use this time to learn something new. Use this time to unlearn something toxic. Use this time to find yourself. Please remember you are not alone, you are loved, and you can grow. I’m going to try my damnest to be that calm oasis for you. I’ve got your back. I promise.
Quarantine Challenge Project #12- Re-do: Dragon
I made this back in September of 2010. 10 years ago. How did I get into art school again? I’m so funny, I know. I am not sure where I was trying to go with this. It kind of looks like a cross between a snake and a bug. And that position of the head…. Like what?? Any sort of improvement will do wonders for it.
I started with some research on dragons. I looked at a bunch of pieces that other artists have made of dragons. I looked at historical and modern interpretations of the mythical creature. And although I saw some wonderful and creative pieces, nothing was sparking interest for me. So I started to look to actual nature. That is when I knew that I was going to hit the jackpot. I came across this Peruvian Dragon snake that was the perfect head, and then I used the body of a Monitor lizard, and the wings of a bat. And it looks a little like this:
I have figured out how to push my work to another level. I am really good at drawing what I can see. But somehow when I try to draw what I see in my mind it turns out to be dumpster fire. So I have found away around it. I create this kind of chimera like image of something that shows me what I truly want to create. The one thing I want to express to just budding artists out there is that you are only as good as your references. That can be anything from books, to life experiences, to internet image searches. And then the next lesson that you need to learn is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and patience.
After I have a solid drawing, I start the illustration process. And I am exploring markers as a medium. I have subscriptions to Art Snack and SketchBox monthly boxes. Because of these boxes I have been trying lots of new mediums and techniques that I would have never tried otherwise. So far, I have found a new love with alcohol based markers. I’ve been wanting to do a full illustration with markers for a while, but I haven’t had the color range that I would like. So I purchased a ARTEZA EverBlend marker set. I don’t have the funds to get more of the Copic or Tombow markers that I love so much, so I got a good budget friendly brand. I can promise you that these ARTEZA markers are the bee’s knees. I am glad I got them to learn how to really use markers and just play with a new medium.
I am really proud of how this turned out! You can so see how there is a massive jump in skill in 10 years. Sweet Neptune.
And that marks the end of QCP #12. We’ve got only 2 more project left in this series if you can believe it! And this has been an incredible journey. However, this does not mean the end for us! I have a whole bunch of new projects lined up for us. So don’t go anywhere! In the next post, I am going to be talking about what the future is going to be looking like for our life on these Artist Seas. So I suggest to like, follow, comment, and subscribe to never miss a beat. Let’s set sail!
S.E. Illustrator 