2013 Portrait Run - Progress

So in February (???) I opened up an invitation for free portrait sessions to ABSOLUTELY ANY-FRIGGIN-BODY...and the response I got was great! I'm still overwhelmed at how many of you got in touch, so thanks for that!

I thought I'd better post an update on this thing because I did originally set the deadline to be the end of February, however that obviously hasn't happened because life. So apologies for overshooting that.

I've been snowed under witha sudden influx in other work for the past few months, however I'm now shifting my focus to getting this series finished and dusted off for good.

So here's some previews of some of the portraits that are underway...there are around 21 altogether, and they are going to look fucking fantastic when they're all completed!

I'll keep posting previews and up-to-date notes over on my Twitter and Facebook feed as I go along, but this whole project is getting dusted ASAP.

TEDxHull Fringe

The guys over at H&H were kind enough to let me go down to the TEDxHull event and do some live art alongside fellow super-badass-talented illustrator Jake machen. Here's how it went.

 Details from my own work (above) as well as an shot of the final thing (below), all in ink, acrylic and emulsion on a big mother of a board.

Jake working on his absolute monstrosity of a piece, all in markers. This thing was unbelievable to see being created.

Progress shot by Karl Andre Photography

Great day, great people, great vibes! 

More of Jake's work can be found over on his tumblr - http://2dope2front.tumblr.com/

Photoshoot Sundays

 Yesterday we had a photoshoot for the clothing brand I did some work for last year, it's great to finally see things taking shape! More to be revealed soon, exciting times ahead!

Age of Atlas

Just some album artwork and web banners for a friends' band and their new EP. Produced these in the past week and I'm pretty chuffed with how they turned out :)

Ulysses Pact

Something I've been working on as a practice piece in-between other gigs. A2 (429x584mm) prints available from the print store

"Let's Go To Work"

I made a few tweaks and the Res Dogs print went up for sale at the screening on Sunday Night. Big thanks to everyone who came down and picked one up.

For online sales, head over to Cult Cinema Sunday's online store to get a signed and numbered copy whilst they're still in stock.

2013 Portrait Sesh

Morning everyone. I've been planning it out for some time now but I'd like to start 2013 off with a portrait project (cliche, but it will be awesome!). I was originally going to keep to to a closed group of people but I've got a few more places that need filling so I thought I'd broaden it out the everyone. 

 If you're interested, there are two ways to go about it...You can either send me a link to a photo of yourself, or you can be original and take a new snap of yourself and send it over to me!

 The outcome, you get a free print of your portrait illustrated by myself, and hopefully a killer profile pic ;) If interested, email jfenwick-art@live.co.uk or inbox me over on my Facebook page.

 The only rule is that it has to be a single person, individual portrait of yourself. No group portraits, no pet portraits and no family portraits. To keep the consistency of the project I need a body of individual portraits.

 I look forward to hearing from you all! Remember that places are limited so get in touch fast!

James

Cult Cinema Sunday - Reservoir Dogs

Reservoir Dogs for Cult Cinema Sunday's January screening. 

Sapling

I had some time to spare yesterday and pieced a few of these together, just the negatives of various ink drawings and some watercolour textures I've done over the past week - simply overlayed over each other. Honestly thinking this would make a good print series...failing that...anyone wanna lend me a projector so I can light my house up with this stuff??? 

STRINGS

(Text is placeholder)

I've been working on this piece on and off for a while now. I put it up for use for a local music and arts festival but it didn't end up used, so I'm still trying to find something to do with it!

It actually started out as an idea for an editorial piece I was commissioned to produce by a music magazine just over a year ago, but they went with another one of my ideas instead. I liked the way this image could work out so much that I had to follow it up and get the thing finalized. So there you go, it's been an on/off project to fill in the gaps inbetween other jobs but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

So yeah, above is the original editorial rough concept which I've cleaned up a bit.

Had to add birds, because I draw birds way too much...pencil and ink all the way.

August Album Artwork

I did some album artwork for a music/branding label just over a month ago, some of the type

work still has to be completed but here's a few variations of the current stage...

                           

Cult Cinema Sunday presents DRIVE

So before I say anything else....yep, I jumped on the Drive poster bandwagon haha! After taking a break from working for Cult Cinema Sunday I'm back taking part in their print design brief. I've got a couple of other projects lined up with them in the next few months, one I get to draw Bradd Pitt, the other I get to draw Steve Buscemi's handsome mug.....this month was Ron Perlman's turn...

No idea why but I'm really pleased with the pencil stage of Perlman's face...

In all honestly, I think nearly everything that can be done with a Drive poster design has been done. A massive range of illustrators and designers have given it their own interpretation, and most of them are pretty awesome (two of my favourites are Gabz variant and Ken Taylor's piece). I've tried to make this rendition as unique as possible but with a film that's already extremely stylized as this is it's actually incredibly difficult to try something different that works.

But anyway, hope you enjoy.

The Apex Project

I recently was asked to take part in The Apex Project, a collaborative piece set-up and directed by graphic designer, eventual self-made millionaire (or so he keeps telling me) and batshit insane art director, Mike Tierney.

The outcome of the project is to create artwork to be projected onto the human body as a virtual, interactive tattoo (examples can be seen on the Apex site). The catch being the artwork had to represent one or more of the words Strength, Power, Passion, Elite and Ambition. My piece relates more to Strength and Ambition, with the smaller sparrows tackling the larger, more predatory snake...however, the same could be said about the snake, being the individual struggling against multiple competitors. Take it as you will.

Pencil to inks to digital progression shots are above too, just because it's something I like to do these days...

Colour version to come eventually :)

Shit that makes me want to draw harder

I've been wanting to stick one of these together for some time now. Just a chart of 

people whose work inspires the absolute crap out of me! 

One day I can only hope to finally achieve the level of skill they have...it's all down

to hard work.

Soir

More ladies for the Soir series, colour version and b+w version.

Pencil, inks and wacom

Composition

Colour tests