TMNT progress

I've been solidly working on this piece, amongst other sketches I've had to get on with. Right now I'm  currently working on the background, and then there will be some amendments to do on the characters, just to make sure the style carries as best as possible.

A little work process insight.

There's so many times I take screen shots meaning to share a bit of my process... and just never get round to compiling them and showing ye! So I'm just going to post it right now. 

I'm currently outlining the pencils for my TMNT poster, and for this I've opted for illustrator. I did this because I work with a set of custom brushes, some I make up on the go. This gives me the decided effect I want. I have 3-4 that are my go to. I make them plotting out vector points and my main aim of creating them is to achieve more of an inking I'd do by hand.. but in one stroke with the brush tool.

I'ts a great method to try in illustrator. What I will say is do not get upset if you don't get your strokes perfect. There is a lot of room for what some call 'happy errors'. Also when it comes to over lapping lines or 'overshooting' you can amend these if you were to say use the live paint tool at the end so you can then delete different overlaps and lines.

Return to TMNT

Of lately I've had  more chances to get back involved with my sketchbooks. A current project I'm working on is one which I find quite exciting is with XBox and Game. 10 of us including a good friend Wumi Olaosebikan from Beddow 'n' Battini have taken on individual Xbox titles and creating our own prints reflecting on the games.

I previously mentioned that I am a fan of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the animation being one of my favourites growing up. If you're new to my blog or you didn't see the last image I created take a look here.

This time round my main concentration is to communicate the game TMNT Out of The Shadows. Naturally I would jump gung-ho into it and go crazy in exploring a comic inspired inspiration, however I've had to slow myself down and take notice of the character design that has gone into the game. Considering the character design and style of animation I found myself considering a different approach to illustrating from my usual.

There will be more updates and I'm gad to say that there will be an exhibition of the printed work. You will be updated on this too.

In the meantime, I've been very much sucked into the anime 'Shingeki no Kyojin' or 'Attack on Titan.' The cartoon is kind of epic!

Ha I was also quite excited when my baby brother rang me to tell me he was readin Bleach! I don't but it's just briliant!

JEBA X Brownstock Festival

Last week I was invited out to Essex to produce a piece for Brownstock festival. I was given the theme Cowboys and Aliens. This was definitely a totally different experience than previous. I was in the middle of fields painting a 20ft wall in the sun. It was totally serene and peaceful, fresh air and I even had my shoes off! A beautiful experience.

I decided to go with a different approach to style, drawing influence from old Tex Avery animation. Bold outlines and flat fills. After all the conceptual work I've done in the last few months, it was quite refreshing to get concentrate on just this.

The weekend commenced with the Festival which was brilliant. A great Line up and production was on show, with the likes of Benga, Mark Ronson, Krafty Cuts, Jaguar Skills, and Roni Size! I missed Roni but the rest of the sets were crazy! Dubstep and Trap was in full affect!

Danke Schon London..

Shhhh it's a secret...

Difrancesco's Vamp

So as I said previously I've just been given a new mechanical pencil, which I have filled with 2H lead. The terms of receiving the pencil was that I create a sketch for the contributor... simple!

Scanned and going into Illustrator.

Travelling Man

Amongst all the painting I haven't had much time to sit down in front of the computer and develop any of the images in my sketchbook.

This illustration is my reflection on many cultures and how descendants have travelled and spread their culture. Coming from a Jamaican family, partly of African descent, I strongly feel that [like many cultures] much of the Caribbean descendants are quite nomadic. People have travelled throughout Africa, to the Caribbean, to either the U.S or Europe and elsewhere. Gradually I believe that many have the sense to travel back.

I myself haven't travelled as much as I would like. But people spend there lives travelling, and as you do you bring various cultures with you; scenes, sounds, nature, and approaches to living. 

I once heard a tail the Ghengis Khan had a vision of collecting as many trees as possible along his travels to plant all on one hill.

On a different note, I have now acquired a new mechanical pencil!! I will be filling this with 2H led now as to replace my recently lost friend, and am going to create a new relationship with it this weekend.

I have also started reading Anthony Kiedis' autobiography which I do recommend.

I also just copped Earl Sweatshirt's DORIS album!! My evening has been confirmed!! I really think he's one of the artist who is reviving Hip Hop at the moment.