Hurray for drawing! I have had the opportunity to work with a lovely lady named Laurie.  She has been so very kind, and also is ready to take my professional advice.

The idea behind this piece was to capture the boys excitement over Zack Hero.  The Zack Hero logo is placed where the boys are pointing.  I took out the logo so you can just see the illustration.

Watercolor/digital.

I first sent the client a rough sketch of the idea. I thought looking 3/4 over the boys shoulders was nice, however the client ultimately decided on the perspective from directly behind the boys.  I should always thumbnail.

I did a couple more thumbnails to help figure out the position of the camera.

Here we have the rough with some value tones.

Cheers!

The smashing duo of Nicholas Jackson and Samantha Nienow of RedZest Design team up to create a fun map for The Black Lantern Resort and Retreat.  I supplied the illustration while Samantha took care of the graphics.  We wanted the Black Lantern guests to be meet with a very informative yet friendly map.  I think it went well.

I recently had the privilege of designing and illustrating the cover of the Collaborating For Success Fall Directory.  This directory is great as a guide for fall activities in the Bemidji Area.  Keep your eye out for this directory if you live in the Bemidji Area.

Here is a fun little drawing that I have been working over the last couple of days off and on.  I finally painted it yesterday!  My new scanner is here, the Epson Perfection V600.  This is a wonderful scanner! This piece was scanned in multiple parts and stitched together.  Enjoy!

Newsound

Newsound is a fantastic upcoming band featuring solid original worship music. I had the privilege of creating the cover of their latest album/EP.  The idea here is out of Revelation 5:11-13.

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

In a loud voice they sang:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!”

The idea that I really wanted to get across was the animals worshiping in their own way.  I realize that not every fox you run across plays the keys…or does he

Process

Below I shown my progress in the piece and how it all came together. Keep in mind this started with thumbnails and quite a few sheets of paper just drawing animals.  I don’t usually draw animals so I had to do quite a bit of reference and practice.

Here is the initial line drawing sent to the client after hours of sketching.  This drawing was done with my friend, Sketchbook Pro.

After a few chats with my client, I presented a drawing which would then move to color.

This is the color rough, that I have been doing lately, just to give the client and idea of color.  This is super helpful and for sure worth the effort to put it together.

Here is the pencil drawing on paper transfered with an enlarger.

Here we have the watercolor under painting for value and texture.  All the coloring in this piece will happen digitally.

Enjoy

Hey friends!  I’m proud to announce that I have started an artcast.  The artcast will run a couple times  week. (Schedule TBA).  What is an artcast you say?  Well and artcast is a live broadcast of me making art captured either my webcam or screencapture.  Anyone is welcome to join in the chat and sketch along with me or simply hangout and discuss life.  My broadcasting is on Ustream, although you don’t need an account to view the broadcast.

I shall be sketching master paintings and drawing, and working on my person projects.  Come join the fun!

My Artcast Page.

For now I will be letting everyone know when I broad cast via twitter.  My twitter username is nickjjackson.

David and Goliath is such a fantastic story. The  battle between the underdog and the overbearing giant is as exciting as it in insightful into a characteristic of the Lord. Despite all odds the boy is triumphant and wins the day.  I have decided to retell some of my favorite Biblical stories and will be posting my ideas here.  If you are interested in a print please don’t hesitate to let me know.

This year I made illustrations for my Mom and Dad on Father’s day and Mother’s day.  This piece for my Dad is special as he used to enjoy skiing with one of his boys in a carrier on his back. He said that he wouldn’t go very far before he would feel my tiny head hit his shoulders.  I would be asleep.  I guess skiing rocked me to sleep.

So cheers to my Dad for his love, guidance, humor, and support for me an my family.

Thanks Dad.

Gnomes are so silly.  I can’t look at one and not laugh. This year I thought it would be fun to talk about how the real world in rather a light hearted manner.  With so many things in our lives we pretend we live in other worlds. This can happen by spending too much time with entertainment.  Although I love fantasy and all that goes with it, the reality of our existence is that we need to live for God.  So get your heads out of the clouds. Stop watching so much TV.

What little girl doesn’t like unicorns.  Here is an example of using something fun like a unicorn, and have a downright fantastic teachable moment.

This year’s theme and logo were put on a tshirt and sweatshirt…hurray for zip hoodies!