MY ART

In the last blog entry I mentioned that I was working on an drawing based on the sketch I did to accompany the "triangle" post. I mainly draw realistic style art, but I wanted to try a different approach and style just to mix things up a bit. Also because I need the drawing practice.

I have included 2 versions of the drawing because I would like to get an opinion on which one looks better (I haven't decided on a title either). But the concept in one is: the hummingbird is about to take the nectar from her lips (instead of a flower/rose). And on the other one the small hummingbird is building her. I like both ideas, the first Idea was the main concept behind the art but in the process of cleaning up the line-art, I thought about the idea of a "gentle" piece-by-piece built by the little bird.

I would love to read your thoughts on this! Thank you.

Shahrul Nizam Selamat

Today I share with you the wonderful fantasy/sci-fi art of Shahrul Nizam Selamat.

It comes in a good time that I find Shahruls fantastic imaginative art, because this past week I have started to draw again a bit more then usual. I normally just have a typical quick sketching that only happens about every 3 to 4 months. But I should keep consistent with the practice, because I am extremely rusty at this point.

I am amazed that artists like Shahrul exist, as he is so effective to project a fantasy world in every piece. I have no idea how anyone can have an imagination where they can create so much detail and create a picture perfect surrounding that fit his characters. All the elements in his pieces are always cohesive with his compositions.

In my case I can create the main character, or the main focus point and concept, but I was never good at drawing a background or surroundings. I would not know where to start. But in the other hand you have Shahrul who has so much to offer in this aspect, and give you more then enough of it!.

Shahrul's color choices and accents are on-point. I can look at the water reflection in the first picture and separate myself from whatever I am doing at the moment. It is a joy to see his color combinations and perfect shading.

I will update you with the latest art piece I am working on in the next blog entry. I am trying a new style which was inspired by my experimention of the sketch in the previous post. So far it is coming out pretty good. But in the meantime I suggest you continue observing the rest of Shahruls artwork displayed in his website or Deviant account. He has many wonderful pieces to spark a pleasant distraction.

PS. don't forget to click on the images above to get a larger view as they are savored better this way.

Official Website: http://kloverfx.blogdrive.com/

Diviant Gallery: http://syarul.deviantart.com/gallery/

Brancolina

Angle-tracker Brancolina wants to obtain poetry out of geometry as much as she can, one frame at-a-time.

Brancolina- Photographer based out of Antwerp, Belgium has amazing geometric captures that can be best described as abstract art. While she exploits the best spaces and angles in a shot, she also manages to attain a visual-escape in the linear world she presents.

Rectangular shapes, soft touches and delicate-color-rhythms become great accessories to a minimalistic composition. Her pictures can easily be mistaken for an effortlessly approach, and that she happens to have easy access to these surroundings. But a picture of the set of- red card invitations (third to last picture) can dismiss this thought and prove she can definitely project her creativity through her photographs. As she easily traps the angles of her liking.

More geometric poetry at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22284792@N08/

Focused Blur

Leave it to a freshly-made-look, or a rained into an out-of-focus visual, is sometimes the decision the photographer takes at the very moment before clicking away. And some photographers can already know this approach will work in the composition as soon as they see the very object they are about to shoot.

An unfocused image can get lost in the surface or in the background with no regards to a clean-and-clear shot. But sometimes it is good to conserve a well focused blur and just show the inspired beauty that cannot be presented- by not displaying every-little-detail.

Whether it's the foreground or background, this style (if its well done) can definitely present a beautiful balance and make the leading role in the photograph stand out even more ( take a look at the last shot as an example, which is closer to a Bokeh style photo)

If you did not notice before, by now you can already tell that I love these visually tricky "I'm going blind" style photos. To me these focused blurs can be perceived as a smooth, dreamy, or a cotton-candy-like-texture. But in the other hand I can also see it as a smeared-focused shot with a will to run riot (in a imaginative sense). Both aspects combined explains why I like these spot-on images.


Above are 7 photographs I have encountered recently that is true to my focused blur taste.

Photosource from top to bottom:

1.http://www.flickr.com/photos/i_travel_east/3469966999/

2.http://www.flickr.com/photos/32068797@N04/3514119483/

3.http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerryseinfeld/3515032926/

4.http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettydreamyforagirlfromrhodeisland/3514896514/

5.http://www.flickr.com/photos/22284792@N08/2527619697/

6.http://www.flickr.com/photos/22284792@N08/2658197591/

7.http://www.flickr.com/photos/gizlife/3548334036/

Andrew Archer

Andrew Archer is this months incinerator of my jealousy, when speaking about-the talent I wish I had. His work displays one of the best artistic talents I have seen in years.

Based out of New Zealand and only at the young age of 23, Andrew has already racked up a very decent list of clients. Ranging from: Vogue Fr, Penguin Books, Elle, New Scientist and Emi Music to name a few.

I am surprised that his work never came to my attention before. But I am glad to know about him and his art now, as this will also serve as a motivation for me to kick my self into gear and re-sharpen my drawing skills.

Another good thing to point out about Andrews art work, is that he mainly hand-draws and paints a large percentage of his work. This presents real talent in my opinion. Plus the style and color palette he chooses makes-it-all close to flawless in my eyes.


The first picture is extraordinary! the accents and colors are visually effective. But the second picture... wow, it is just poetry to me, there's glamour, there's darkness, there's perfection in the brush strokes. It's insanely amazing! I am very drawn to it!.

I highly suggest you click each image to enlarge for a better view!

NOTE: Regarding the last image- I am not PRO smoking/cigarettes. This is just for the sole purpose to display the variety of work by the artist.

The rest of his work at: http://www.andrewarcher.com/

Face

I am loving the overall work from Face design group -based out of Mexico. Most of all I love the first sample you see here(Border Noise poster design). Although the Border Noise design represents a quite manic and frenzy look, it definitely co-ordinates with the identity of the project. The poster just demands a lot of attention immediately when you first view it. Also the sharp edges and shapes seem to replicate and represent a "noise" level visually. The vivid colors in all the right places adds to it, and it seems like you can almost hear the design break-out into pieces.

I had seen some of their work about a year ago in the Los Logos book ( I had come across it at Barnes & Noble) but I was not aware they did more then just logos. The consistent level of execution in their portfolio, with the projects that tie-in with the identity of their clients, seem to be their strong point. If you're looking for extra visual inspiration, take a look at the rest of their work displayed in their website.

click images to enlarge!

PS. The second image is art direction for Lola De Alejandro. I just thought it was a good example of beautiful typography.

Their portfolio at: http://www.face-face-face.com/#/home/portfolio

Chocolate Dreams

I am currently working on a design that involves a "chocolate" theme, and funny enough I happen to stumble upon this piece today. I am a chocolate addict and this piece (much to my delight) is filled with chocolate goodness.

"Chocolate Dreams" is the work of artist/graphic designer Rik Oostenbroek - based out of Netherlands. I have seen Rik's work before but not quite in the direction he is taking now. The previous work I viewed was more generic and commercial. It seems now that Rik is in the upwards hill of progression ( Though he was only 18 when he started to get a lot of buzz for his work). Now that he is 19 (turning 20 shortly) Rik seems to show a new direction of creativity and his art is evolving quite well. Rik's work will be all over the place before you know it.

I love his signature melted/distorted detail in the shapes, and the shine effects that add an edible/visually-tangible quality to-it-all.

click image to enlarge!

Source: http://nkeo.deviantart.com/art/Chocolate-dreams-121060579

A Touch Of Yellow

My attention in photography that I have been browsing through lately seem to mainly focus on the color Yellow ( for some reason it currently stands out to me in the composition).

When I think of yellow, it reminds me of the hot valley sun here in southern California... and I feel as if it slows-me-down a bit (much like the Yellow in a traffic light) Yellow also reminds me of summer and things related to summer.

Yellow can also make me feel outgoing, and very alive. It depends in what tone. A bright (somewhat fluorescent) yellow against a black background can become very vibrant and alive. It also very much reminds me of the beautiful Yellow that nature brings.

Above are some cool Yellow tunes I have come across in the last few weeks.

Photosource links from top to bottom:

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/35645520@N02/3506708549/

2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/94422515@N00/3514225439/

3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/eduardos_pictures/3501919363/

4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilrobbins/3515027806/

5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/faithannyoung/3505454936/

6. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidpieces/2262837948/

7. http://victoriabennettbeyer.blogspot.com/2009/04/daffodil.html