it's very nice

I have neglected this blog for quite some time, but being featured on It's Nice That, can't be mentioned enough. (And lord knows I did.) As a friend of mine said; "That's the cool site." I'm absurdly happy :)

etching feeling

I've broken my personal record by drawing five illustrations in one day, last Wednesday. I went into a bit of a shock when being told they had to be finished that very day. The assignment was already given to me several days before but I had been under the impression there was no rush whatsoever. Which there was. Apparently. So, five drawings on science.. 

I certainly couldn't have done it without my man who remained perfectly calm and reminded me of nineteenth century engravings depicting scientific tableaux. In that manner I'd just have to draw one image piling up all issues that were discussed in the article, and then provide each item separately. I started working, and did so until deep into the night, and I'm more pleased with the result then I dared hope for. I'm not too familiar with using merely black, beyond designing icons, but I think I quite managed to nail the etching-feeling.

So once again, I couldn't have done it without my man with the plan (josephjessen.com). Lots of credits go to him. It's real helpful having an artist around. Not in the least because he took my boy to the fairground all afternoon..

And here, some examples I found on the internet and used for inspiration:

brownish greyish

Two of my recent illustrations, made in commission of different clients, but both subjects had to do with earth in a way. So instead of my beloved clashing colors I couldn't avoid using various shades of brown. At the time I thought they were quite okay, but as a means to an end, something like that. But seeing them together after a few days I started to appreciate them more. I'm now considering trying this mathing-tones-thing more often.. 

right here

So, allow me to share my latest epiphany: drawing buildings from my immediate surroundings - instead of wasting hours on the internet trying to find the right picture of the right building captured at the right angle - is a definite win-win-situation where a) I enjoy working on the illustration a lot more because of its personal nature and b) it helps me to appreciate my new neighborhood that as a result is really starting to grow on me now. Right. Catch breath. 
Never expect me to disclose actual groundbreaking revelations, and I won't let you down.

we have lift off!

On a daily basis I serve you icons in Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant. All credit goes to art director Lucas van Esch for being both patient and encouraging over the many many recent months. Could have simultaneously carried a baby to full term, but that wouldn't have made the papers though.. And these will! A selection:

grams

I made an illustration for Bright Ideas about Grams, the recently launched online Black Market for all your quality drugs, rifles, hitmen, hacking tools and what not. It looks like Google, even the logo is quite similar, but the difference is this search engine will only bring you the forbidden fruits. So I'm hoping it's as shielded as it's supposed to be, for I tried to gram every illegal service. Didn't order any crystal meth or deadly weapons though, just so this is very clear to anyone that might be inquiring into my whereabouts since this assignment.. I'm a mom yo!

intimate

My fourth illustration on the philosopher's big questions is published today in newspaper De Morgen. Philosopher Stine Jensen writes about sharing (or not sharing) personal information, which according to her is the big issue of the 21st century. There is an increasing degree in which we decide to share our privacy. The thing we might not be aware of is that it's actually traded, giving power and influence to politics and media. Journalism, government, businesses and even the law, they're all stakeholders.

So sharing the way this illustration came about might not be such a good idea. Considering it was while taking a shower. It used to be a lot more comfy when I was still in the possession of a bathtub, but texts stick perfectly fine to wet shower walls as well. And after all, it's just the thinking part that takes place here. For the execution I'm properly decent.

Now, I like to see a dealer try gaining power and influence by this piece of intimate information.

The illustration itself (less intimate) can be found on leoniebos.nl.