The whole sketch n' kadoodle

The summer has started off pretty well! I went back to work as an apprentice to Eric Joyner and am enjoying it so far. Being able to work in a very laid back environment in a nice cozy studio beats working at a starbucks (which I may have to do later on in the summer, but pretend I didn't say that so shhh . . . quiet). I've been working with him on and off for about 2 years, he's a masterful painter and I enjoy watching him do his brush magic. His book "Robots and donuts: The Art of Eric Joyner" is coming out early August, so look out for it! I've included some sketches and doodles, so enjoy!

random sketches and site update!

Here are some sketches of people in a cafe and other random ones. I'm trying to sketch more as much as possible, I reeeaaaaly need the practice! Oh, and I updated my site so that when people go to see my illustrations, there's a link to buy prints of them (wink wink)! Share the love, people! I'll return the favor . . . maybe.

An Elephant off my shoulders!

So, Graduation has come and gone and I can now focus all my time on getting work! This past year has been very difficult balancing time between freelance work and school, and doing my own personal paintings. I am happy with what I have accomplished though. I don't like to boast but having 2 art shows in lounges, one in october and the second in may, makes me feel accomplished. Having doing freelance at top ad agency Goodby, Silverstein & partners was a great experience! Illustrating 6 cards for fantasy flight games puts my foot in the door. Getting work with a graphic designer and illustrating marketing and label designs for Corte Clean, Avery and Solovue broadens my style. I got a small storyboard job with an indy director within the past 3 weeks! All this while going to school in the past year and getting ready for graduation, man I'm tired! The spring show at my school was fantastic, and being able to display my work with all my talented peers was an honor. I've included a work in progress picture of a personal painting I'm working on for my portfolio. The sketch I posted below, and it's gone a long way from that.

passing of a legend

My most recent memory of Barbara Bradley is when I heard of her retirement and I went to tell her I will miss her teaching full time at the Academy of Arts. She looked up at me with her pleasant smile and reassured me that she will be back for small workshop sessions and talks. That made me feel better to know that she will still pass on her immense knowledge to other students. I took her class once, and then was a teacher's assistant to her for a couple more semesters. She gave me a gift for helping me out, even though I thought she owed me nothing because I learned so much. I felt like I couldn't take her class enough because every time I learned something new. She passed away on Friday, May 2nd from a car accident. I will sorely miss her and will take her lessons to heart. We love you Barbara!

painting sketch

Here's a sketch for my next painting I'm going to be doing! I felt like I needed a painting that shows emotion and a kind of situation that you wouldn't normally see in fantasy, medieval painting. I also need a grand opus and a new cannon to my portfolio, so I'm going to spend a lot of time on this one and make sure it comes out right. I'm planning on the title to be "parting sorrow". Yeah I'm a big softie, so what!

Brand New Blogger

Hey everyone!!! Welcome to my new blog site. If you came here from my new website design, please let me know what you think of it! If you happen to stumble upon this blog, thanks for visiting and make sure to check out my site at www.iankirkpatrickart.com . It feels good to get a re-design done and I feel it serves my work a lot better. Hopefully I'll get my name out there and get some assignments for books. I finished some illustrations I did for Fantasy Flight games last week and sent them in. They're for playing cards based on H.P. lovecraft stories. They liked them and I think they're gonna use them, hopefully. Feel free to contact me with any comments or just to say hi!