Illustration
Our illustration portfolio contains a diverse collection of different images that we have illustrated, in a range of styles and media. Some images are featured at different stages in their development. For example, some fully coloured comic art can also be seen in its initial line art form.
Sketches
; iStart(542,620,'imgFrame','Portrait 1','This is just a quick portrait sketch, which was drawn on white paper with standard graphite pencils. This drawing used a photograph as its primary reference.');)
; iStart(620,370,'imgFrame','Character Sketch - Deritor the Dragon King','This was another quick character sketch. It was drawn using a Wacom tablet, building detail up over several layers. The image was given more life by applying a few layers of highly transparent colour, creating a distinctly watercolour-like effect. ');)
Line Art - Level 1
; iStart(484,620,'imgFrame','Denethor','This is a design for a fantasy type character named Denethor. He is a middle-aged Lord, famous in his world for his military campaigns. His full armour clearly implies his military connection, while the somewhat ornate quality of the armour suggests his position. ');)
; iStart(295,520,'imgFrame','Rhonwen','This is a design for a character who is slated to be the heroine in a future graphic novel. The two key features of this illustration are her pendant and her blonde hair (which is more obvious in the colour version), both of which are expected to figure into the story.<br /><br />The detail in the line work is minimal, as greater detail was to be added with the colouring. ');)
; iStart(487,620,'imgFrame','An\'Cora the Dragon Man','This is a character design for a half-man, half-dragon type of character. The challenge here was to effectively incorporate reptilian features into a predominantly human form. The result is a menacing character who could be deployed as either a powerful villain or a tragic anti-hero.<br /><br />This is the line art version. There is also a fully coloured version of this image. ');)
Comic Art - Level 1
; iStart(333,620,'imgFrame','Inspector Hamish McMoney','This is a character design for Highland Marketing’s Gotcha Gang series. As the gang’s arch nemesis, the inspector works tirelessly to help expose the gang’s activities and prevent others from falling victim to them.<br /><br />Inspector McMoney was sketched, scanned and then inked and coloured in Illustrator. ');)
; iStart(333,620,'imgFrame','Inspector Hamish McMoney - Alternate','This variation on Inspector Hamish McMoney uses the same line art, shading and highlighting as the original, but applies a different colour scheme to the character.');)
; iStart(593,447,'imgFrame','Gotcha Gang - Sting','This is a character design for Highland Marketing’s Gotcha Gang series. Sting is the scorpion leader of the gang. As the general mastermind behind the gang’s plans, he has a slightly more serious and menacing appearance. <br /><br />Sting was sketched, scanned and then inked and coloured in Illustrator.');)
; iStart(500,586,'imgFrame','Gotcha Gang - Slither','This is a character design for Highland Marketing’s Gotcha Gang series. Slither is the gang’s intelligence officer. As such, this schmoozing snake puts on a more pleasant demeanour, but don’t let him fool you. He’s as sly and sneaky as they come. <br /><br />Slither was sketched, scanned and then inked and coloured in Illustrator.');)
; iStart(648,385,'imgFrame','Gotcha Gang - Squeek','This is a character design for Highland Marketing’s Gotcha Gang series. Squeak is the gang’s primary field operative. He’s the one who lays the webs and elaborate traps that are the main stay of the gang’s operations. <br /><br />Squeak was sketched, scanned and then inked and coloured in Illustrator.');)
; iStart(720,207,'imgFrame','Stone Henge - Innovation','Stone Henge is one of a series of three images, each representing one of the three core values of the client. The sword in the stone, a classic symbol of leadership, represents the respect that the company has for its own clients.<br /><br />The original line work was scanned and coloured in Illustrator. ');)
; iStart(400,520,'imgFrame','Sword in the Stone - Respect','The Sword in the Stone is one of a series of three images, each representing one of the three core values of the client. Stone Henge represents the kind of innovation that allows people to achieve what might otherwise appear impossible<br /><br />The original line work was scanned and coloured in Illustrator. ');)
; iStart(435,520,'imgFrame','Watchtower - Commitment','The watchtower is one of a series of three images, each representing one of the three core values of the client. The watchtower, which stands high above the ground, represents the strength of commitment. <br /><br />The original line work was scanned and coloured in Illustrator.');)
; iStart(484,620,'imgFrame','An\'Cora the Dragon Man','This is a character design for a half-man, half-dragon type of character. The challenge here was to effectively incorporate reptilian features into a predominantly human form. The result is a menacing character who could be deployed as either a powerful villain or a tragic anti-hero. <br /><br />This is the final, coloured version. ');)
; iStart(492,599,'imgFrame','Rhonwen','This is a design for a character who is slated to be the heroine in a future graphic novel. The two key features of this illustration are her pendant and her blonde hair, both of which are expected to figure into the story.<br /><br />With this image, the colouring was used to add a number of details that were not present in the original line drawing.');)
; iStart(341,620,'imgFrame','Golfer','This illustration was created several years ago, and used to help a company promote its charitable golf tournament. The original sketch was inked and coloured in Photoshop. Recently, however, the company was considering using the image again, and it was converted to a vector format through Illustrator. ');)
Painting - Digital
; iStart(500,620,'imgFrame','On the Trail of the Gotcha Gang','This painting was created directly in Photoshop, and was used for the cover of the Winter 2008 issue of the Highland Marketer. It clearly depicts Inspector Hamish McMoney and the Gotcha Gang’s yacht, the Gotcha Good. The shape of the gang member named Sting can also be seen in the smoke wafting up into the night sky. ');)
Painting - Traditional
; iStart(400,523,'imgFrame','The Wastelands','This simple painting depicts a wasteland of leafless, petrified trees. The use of watercolours helps to emphasize the eerie quality of the piece, while the broad, black brushstrokes help to suggest the trees, rather than depicting them realistically. ');)
Detailed Vector Illustration
; iStart(703,397,'imgFrame','Vector Car - Blue','This vector illustration was created in Illustrator, and was designed in such a way that the colour of the car can be changed with just a few quick clicks. <br /><br />This variation can be seen by comparing the five different versions on this image. ');)
; iStart(703,397,'imgFrame','Vector Car - Orange','This vector illustration was created in Illustrator, and was designed in such a way that the colour of the car can be changed with just a few quick clicks. <br /><br />This variation can be seen by comparing the five different versions on this image. ');)
; iStart(703,397,'imgFrame','Vector Car - Green','This vector illustration was created in Illustrator, and was designed in such a way that the colour of the car can be changed with just a few quick clicks. <br /><br />This variation can be seen by comparing the five different versions on this image. ');)
; iStart(703,397,'imgFrame','Vector Car - Yellow','This vector illustration was created in Illustrator, and was designed in such a way that the colour of the car can be changed with just a few quick clicks. <br /><br />This variation can be seen by comparing the five different versions on this image. ');)
; iStart(703,397,'imgFrame','Vector Car - Pink','This vector illustration was created in Illustrator, and was designed in such a way that the colour of the car can be changed with just a few quick clicks. <br /><br />This variation can be seen by comparing the five different versions on this image. ');)
; iStart(520,471,'imgFrame','Vector Collage 1','This vector-based collage was created primarily as a visual representation of creativity. It combines general abstraction with stylized, recognizable elements, paying careful attention to colour in order to maintain visual harmony.');)
; iStart(406,520,'imgFrame','Celtic Circuit Cross','This image attempts to merge the ancient with the modern. It takes the shape of an old Celtic cross, substituting the intricate knot work with the wires of a circuit. Additional lighting effects were added to complete this striking and dramatic vector image.');)
; iStart(320,500,'imgFrame','Vector Mailbox','This vector image was created as a concept for an ad that never evolved much past conception. Using a photograph, the texture for the mailbox was created and then multiplied across the various exterior surfaces in order to give the image a sense of depth and realism.');)
; iStart(620,285,'imgFrame','Vector Collage 2','This collage was created as a header for a page layout in the Winter 2008 issue of the Highland Marketer. We started with the photograph of the thistle, and then applied a variety of vector-based grunge effects to give the image more texture and visual interest. Finally, we added in the beige grunge box as a rough frame for some introductory text. ');)
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bloglines
Our Creative Director, Matt Ward, maintains a blog called the Designer’s Cloister, which focuses on issues of design and illustration. Here are some of the recent headlines:
Tapping into Regional PricingSending Heavier PiecesMarketing with EditorialPublications Mail Can Really Make Sense The $0.52, $0.96, $1.15, 21-Gram Corridor; iStart(620,408,'imgFrame','The Highland Marketer - Winter 2008 Interior','This is a two-page spread from the interior of the Winter 2008 issue of the Highland Marketer. The layout is inspired entirely from the content of the article, which uses a strong fishing analogy. Thus, the prominent visual elements of the layout were selected for their association with fishing. ');)
