CUFF Documentary Film Festival Poster

Click image to see as intended!

Here's something a little bit different. A combination of the art I'm doing for my computer game and my freelance illustration gig -- For the Calgary Underground Film Festival Documentary Film Festival!

The sixteen colours I used form the classic EGA palette:

Detail interior shot (click the image to enlarge):

I managed to squeeze in one of my favourite posters, the lovely "Le Chat Noir" by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen:

Sketch!

This was the first time I've used this technique for illustration. What do you think? :D

-- Julia
Portfolio site

Cozy little bar

Click to enlarge and see how it's supposed to look!

What better way to wind down after dinner but with some brandy and a nice cigar? I actually have no idea as I've had neither, but I've read plenty of books!

I wanted to do an Art Deco style bar, as I imagine Margot the maple syrup heiress would want to have the latest and most fashionable furnishings. She's the reason a lot of the rooms have framed Art Nouveau posters. Trying to class up a rustic lodge!

I feel like this room is overwhelmingly red so I may change up some of the colours. Maybe make the red door green. I keep telling myself I'll revisit all the other rooms I've done so far to spruce 'em up -- Trying not to linger forever tinkering with each and every pixel :P.

Speaking of posters, here's the one I chose for this room:

This week I've done this bar-type room (lounge?), a powder room, and I'm currently working on the parlour. I'm not posting everything because I want there to still be a sense of discovery when people play my game!

To see the other rooms and game art I've posted click here!

-- Julia
Portfolio site

Latest Macleans out now!

Tomato soup, onions, and corn. I always perk up when there's food involved in my work! This week the subject was a proud farmer from a family of farmers. I had fun drawing the stages of growing corn, from the fields to the stalks to the corn growing on the stalks to the harvested delicious result.

iPad version:

It's a fun challenge to use elements from the frame to create these skinny horizontal compositions. 

Sketch!

This one ended up being fairly close to my original sketch. I ended up creating more space in the middle -- It's my natural tendency to try and fill every nook and cranny!

-- Julia
Portfolio site

Wood-panelled Dining Room

Click image to enlarge.

Now that I'm finished the upper level of my mysterious lodge, I'm working on the main level. It's hard to resist the urge to include all the rooms that are on a standard Clue board :P. I mean, I've already got a conservatory, kitchen, dining room, and study done, and I'm currently working on a games room / billiard room. Should I just succumb to this desire and do the library, lounge, and hall?

I haven't been posting all the rooms I've done (although here's what I've posted so far) because I want there to be new places for people to see when they play my game!

-- Julia
Portfolio site

Macleans' Latest

Here's my latest for Macleans! This fellow was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He grew up during the Depression and picked blueberries to can for his family. He met his sweetheart in the 60s -- she with a beehive hairdo, he with an Elvis pompadour. Much later, when the couple was caring for ten grandchildren, he would make them porridge and toast every morning before school. And even later than that, he'd take his beloved wife to bingo every day. 

I always jump at the chance to illustrate food. I'm fascinated by what people eat and why they eat it. I have the official Game of Thrones cookbook. My personal work often centres around food. I'm a little obsessed!

iPad version:

Sketch:

 This one ended up very close to my original sketch. This isn't always the case :P.

-- Julia
Portfolio site

Renovated Conservatory

Click the image to see as intended and not moire'd weirdness!

After I drew up a floor plan for my mystery house, I realized the conservatory as I had it wasn't going to work. I flipped the room around and redid the whole thing. Kept the comfy couch, side table, garbage can, and lamp. Waste not want not -- Furniture isn't cheap!

I'm happy I was able to do a contrasting-tile floor for the conservatory. A childhood of staring at my sister's Clue board game taught me that conservatories have tiled floors. 

I'm also pleased do to some moodier lighting. I might dial up the moodiness in some of the other rooms. Gives a nice, eerie ambience :). 

The old conservatory:

I enjoy the "Le Chat Noir" poster. Hopefully I can squeeze it into another room! It's hard to stop tinkering with all the rooms and improve them as I get better at this type of art. Onwards and upwards!

-- Julia

Portfolio site

Latest Macleans illo on newsstands!

I'm not sure how I would do these illustrations if I didn't have access to the wondrous internet! I try to do as much research as possible to get visual references for places and things that are mentioned in the articles. 

For example, the fellow who was in this frame met his future wife at the Millionaire Drive Inn. I was able to find a picture of its iconic sign (the classy waiter/chef with the frosty mug and burger) and include it in the illo! Another subject was an author and I found the cover art for some of her older, less known works and incorporated those into the frame. And for a young track star, I went to the Nike website and found the shoes she was wearing in her photo. 

The spot illustration for the iPad version: 

Sketch:

Yeah, my bagpipe was pretty rough. And let's not consider that sad-looking car :P.

-- Julia
Portfolio site