Merry Xmas 2015

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday.

 

Sketch:

-- Julia

Portfolio site

Latest Macleans

I remember reading about the death of Alberta MLA Manmeet Singh Bhullar in the news. Little did I know I'd be commemorating his life a few days later. It was a privilege to read about him and his accomplishments. He died helping others and service is the Sikh way.

 

Not sure if this one's still on newsstands. I am lagging behind in posting things again. Maybe a New Year's Resolution is in order..

 

-- Julia

Portfolio site

Snakes n' Ladders Spread

I've done a bunch of back page illustrations for Macleans over the years, but sometimes the art director has something a little different. I always say "Count me in!".

One time I got to do an illustration that looks like a colouring book page:

And here's one for J.K. Rowling's first venture into grown-up fiction, "A Casual Vacancy":

This one is a vintage-looking Snakes n' Ladders board with a bunch of tidbits about the Canadian economy. We were always a board-gaming household and one of my first favourites was our old-school Snakes n' Ladders board with moral lessons for the snakes and ladders. Example: Eat snacks before dinner / spoil your appetite! Snake! Study hard / pass the test! Ladder! 

Here are some of the spot illustrations that go in the little game squares. I don't often draw full body shots of teeny-tiny people so that was something new for me:

I had a lot of fun coming up with concepts for each tidbit of writing.

This one's straightforward -- Target stores in Canada miss their mark and close all their stores:

Household Debt:

Trans-Pacific Partnership deal. I made them wear old-timey bathing suits because the board was supposed to have a vintage flavour: 

This one was my favourite. Had to do with the Bank of Canada Governor shocking the market by cutting the overnight rate :D :

There were a bunch more on the board, hope you like them!

-- Julia

Portfolio site

Bunch of illustrations for Rhode Island Monthly's State Food Guide A to Z

Food, glorious food! One of my favourite subjects to draw. So I was psyched to draw a bunch of Rhode Island's most delicious and representative tasty bits. 

That first illustration is kind of like those classic exploded technical drawings of toasters and such, the ones in the manuals that shows all the parts that make up the toaster. Rhode Islanders call submarine sandwiches (subs) "grinders". I love learning regional stuff like that.

Rhode Islanders also love their chowder and clam cakes!

Their main drag has a bunch of restaurants so I finally got to make one of those map-type illustrations I see in magazines!

I also learned about "kawfee milk" made from coffee syrup. Why haven't I heard of coffee syrup before?

4x milk and 4x sugar in coffee is called the "Xtra Xtra"!

And here are the illustrations that are meant to go around the hed and dek (headline and sort of sub-headline writing)! Clockwise from top left: Ravioli, some type of slushy lemonade that comes with a pretzel stick, calamari, and a zeppoli (a type of pastry that sounds pretty awesome). 

It's fun making a series of illustrations like this -- A unified collection that shares a harmonious colour palette. Nice to do it when given the chance!

-- Julia
Portfolio site

Happy happy Hallowe'en!

First look at my working game, with a special Hallowe'en scene (that won't actually be in it)!

Video can be watched on Youtube, too.

Have a safe and happy Hallowe'en!

More of my game's art can be seen here.

-- Julia
Portfolio site

Candy Corn Princess

Another candy-themed Asian-type princess. Because I can draw whatever I want!!1! I'm proudest of her "Batman and Robin" Poison Ivy vaguely candy corn shaped hair buns. 

Also another Japanese crest design, this time using candy corn. I don't actually like candy corn. Or licorice allsorts, for that matter.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Sketch:

-- Julia
Portfolio site

Licorice Lady Candy Princess

I love Japanese family crests and drawing colourful candy and princesses and kimonos. So I combined all of those things. I designed a licorice allsorts crest for the background!

I repurposed this licorice pattern I made for the kimono:

Sketch:

Happy Hallowe'en!

-- Julia

Portfolio site