Three Beauties sketch

Sketching out a rough draft for a new illustration, based on Utamaro's Three Beauties. Going to be a bit different from my usual style and looking to experiment more with patterns.

Check out my Instagram for more WIP shots.

X ROY SPEX

It's finally done! I posted my WIP pics a while ago, and now I can present my latest illustration X ROY SPEX.

I had a lot of fun working on this illustration based on the idea of Roy Orbison wearing X-ray glasses. Definitely got a lot of practice at drawing skeletons. And had the best soundtrack while working on it!

 Keep posted with my latest illustrations on Instagram.

Roy Orbison WIP

Getting the details right in the hair

I've been working on a new illustration of one of my all-time favourite voices in music - Roy Orbison. I love his iconic sunglasses, haunting lyrics and that voice that got him the nickname 'the Caruso of Rock.'

Below is a few more WIP shots, to stay updated with my latest work and inspirations make sure you check out my instagram https://instagram.com/annecobai/

Making progress but need a helping hand from Grey's Anatomy

Sketching in some details over the top of the digital work so far. Using a lot of creative license / imagination with drawing the skeleton!

20% off all Society6 phone cases

Just a heads up, there's 20% off all my phone cases on Society6 happening now until Saturday at Midnight. Maybe it's time to update your phone case with a mysterious looking skull-holding lady? www.society6.com/annecobai/cases

In other news - I'm on Instagram! Check out my latest illustrations and news at https://instagram.com/annecobai 

I'm on Instagram!

Sharing my work in progress pics and inspiration on Instagram

Those that have been following my blog for some time may have noticed that I don't post here as often as I used to.

I've been blogging here for nearly 5 years, and I have enjoyed sharing posts that explain my process while being able to show multiple pictures of how my illustrations evolve. Its always been a huge encouragement for me getting feedback from my readers whether it's a comment on the blog post or an email.

I'm on instagram now and loving the ease of sharing my WIP pics and inspiration. I'm working on a new illustration at the moment which I can't wait to start posting pics of!

Check it out here: https://instagram.com/annecobai/

Illustration Mini Movie

So for a while now I've wanted to create a short video showcasing my illustrations and how I create them.  Well, I finally did it and it's a 40 second behind-the-scenes peek at my vector illustrations and the stages of creation, from initial sketches, to digital layout, colour options and the final illustration.

I had a lot of fun making it, probably the hardest thing was deciding on a song to use! But I think Queens of the Stone Age is a perfect fit.

Note: Due to the song I put with the video, Youtube won't allow the video to play on mobile devices. If you're on a mobile and want to view the video check it out on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=556098777828791&set=vb.274254949346510&type=2&theater

YOLO

Music is very close to my heart so I was super happy when YOLO Mag published my illustrations and an article about me in their latest Music-themed issue. Some great interviews in this magazine with legendary photographer Tony Mott and amazing illustrator Helen Green. 

Check it out here http://www.yolomag.com.au/magazine.html

Back from the Printer

I got my new business cards back from the printer and I love how they turned out!

Below you can see some of my earlier concepts using the symmetrical mirror effect on my illustrations. I really like the mirror effect, I might use it again in future illustrations.

Westfield Portrait Booth

Hard at work!

Last weekend I was at Westfield Whitford City drawing portraits for the Autumn Winter fashion launch. There were activities set up all over the shopping centre, with free popsicles, games, manicures and style advice. 

My area was set up like a photo booth where I would draw quick stylized portraits. The client approached me with the idea of the portrait booth based on Tobias Gutmann's Face-O-Mat concept. I didn't know if I would be busy or not, but the illustration booth was super popular with people that day! It was so nice to see the reactions of people when seeing their portrait, for most people it was the only portrait they had ever had.

Inside the booth where all the magic happened

Inside the booth there were interactive buttons where you could choose if you wanted a b&w or colour portrait, plus other options. My favourite portraits were the family ones :)

 

All in all, I had a ball drawing the portraits! I don't think I've ever looked into so many strangers' eyes before, and for a digital vector fiend like me it was a nice change to work in an impromptu setting where there is no undo button!

Catapult Mag

Cover image by Van Saro

Thanks to Catapult Magazine who featured four of my illos in their current issue. Cover image is by Van Saro. For a limited time you can view the mag for free here.

Prints & Papercuts

For the last week I've been busy organizing prints and frames (and getting lots of papercuts in the process!) for my latest group exhibition. I'm so used to seeing my work on a computer screen, it's really nice to see my illustrations printed in real life  :)

For those in Perth who want to check it out the exhibition it's at Walther Music, 115 Newcastle Street, Northbridge. Mon - Fri: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Visit the Occupy Pop-Up Facebook page here.

Chantuese Lily

It's finally finished! I created this poster for a super-talented singer named Lily. I designed her Dreamer EP cover a couple of years ago. This project was a lot of fun to work on, as I love creating anything relating to music. It's a bit different to my usual illustrations as I usually focus on drawing just the face, but this time I have drawn the entire body as well as background details. It's good to challenge yourself and try different things.

I did two colour variations, the client loved both and decided they wanted to use both versions in the future. 

Which version do you like better - blue or purple?

Lily WIP

Finishing off the details before I add colour. I always work in black & white first for vector drawing so I can concentrate on the layout without being distracted by colour.

Fanciful hair and flowers

Some concept sketches for my latest illustration. Looking at flowers and crazy hair styles. Stay tuned to see how it turns out!

Take the Power Back

Hmmm, where's the next place we should take over?

Happy New Year everyone! I always like to do a bit of decluttering and get rid of old sketches and paper that I have accumulated over the years. It's also nice to look back on old work that I might have forgotten like this old illustration of Rage Against the Machine.

The original thumbnail sketch is below. This illustration was done years ago, so while I can definitely see it's in my illustration style the technique is not quite refined yet.

And I still love listening to RATM!

Adding Personality and Expression to a Character

I love posting work-in-progress pics on my blog to show the process of how I work and how an illustration takes shape. Today I would like to post a mini-tutorial about drawing the face and how small tweaks to the illustration can add personality and expression to a character.

The example I'm using is my most recent illustration Manic Cure. When starting to draw a new illustration I always begin with the eyes and the face, because it's one of the first things that the viewer will look at as the eyes are naturally drawn to look at another pair of eyes.

The first attempt at drawing the face, I wasn't quite happy with the facial expression. It looked very serene and angelic and I had envisioned the character as a sort of femme fatale, mysterious being with multiple arms.

Without starting over from the beginning, I made a few tiny adjustments to the face which changed her expression from being sweet to someone a bit more cocky and mysterious. I raised one eyebrow, narrowed the eyes and turned one side of the mouth into a smirk. Very small changes which added some spark into her character.

My Billie Joe illustration is another example of how to add expression into a character. Just by looking at the angle of the eyebrows, the shadows and wrinkles around the eyes you can inject some life into an illustration and make a more compelling image.

Draw a bunch of different mouths and see how dramatically they can change the look of an illustration. They don't need to be over-the-top to show emotion, the human face is capable of showing hundreds of emotions with the most subtle changes in expression.

So in summary, to add some personality and expression to a character think about:

• Eyebrows: are they raised (surprised), furrowed (angry), or is one eyebrow raised (cocky)?
• Eyes: are they big and sweet, do they sparkle or are they narrow and mysterious?
• Lips: are they smiling secretly like the Mona Lisa, smirking or showing some teeth?
• Wrinkles: the signs of life on a person's face and a great way to show character.

The great thing about working with vector illustrations is that you can go back and make tiny adjustments. How do you like to show personality in an illustration?

Manic Cure

Manic Cure, my latest illo is done! It's inspired by the traditional Chinese '1000 hand dance' and the nail salon. I've always wanted to draw something with many arms, and watching the Coldplay & Rihanna videoclip for Princess of China gave me the initial idea to research the dance/multiple arms concept further. Who says watching Youtube videos is a time waster?!

It must be said that I got A LOT of practice drawing hands on this illustration, as well as crazy long nails! Click here to view my earlier blog post with the WIP process pics of this illo.

And check out my Facebook page if you haven't already (I update it more regularly than my blog these days).

WIP pics and link

Some WIP screenshots of my latest illustration I'm working on. Starting off with the eyes as usual then adding grey tones. Colour will be the next step. This illo has the longest fake nails I've ever drawn.

PS- if you have a spare minute, definitely read these wise words about observing, questioning and dissecting by Brian Ewing.

Fluevog finalist!

Will this illustration make my shoe collection $1,000 richer?

Last week I posted a sneak peek of my latest illustration. Well, I just received the most exciting news - my 'Back to School' entry into the FluevogCreative competition has been announced a finalist!

The winner is based on the public vote, and gets a $1,000 voucher to spend on Fluevog shoes!

So PLEASE click the link and vote for me - it will literally take only 30 seconds of your time (plus you don't have to sign up to any mailing lists or anything)  http://www.fluevog.com/code/fc_finalists.php 

Thank you!

Work in progress screenie

A screenshot of my WIP in FreeHand. The first illustration I can remember doing that shows the shoes!!