This is one of my favorite illustrations its called “Feel My Pain.” In it a guy has his new air force ones scuffed on his first day wearing them out side. A tragedy without a doubt. You’ve seen this piece before but now for the first time I’m sharing with you a piece of planning of this artwork. I super imposed the original sketch on top of the actual artwork (somewhat) to show how it all began. This is a peak into my sketchbook. Even if its a pinhole peak.  

Over the course of my life studying art I’ve accumulated and completed about 15 sketch books of various sizes. 8×6 all the way up to 11×15. This doesn’t include the 4 journals I’ve written and drawn in but does take into account the 3 years I took off from 1999-2002 where I did nothing but work shit jobs, watch movies, play video games and discover what AOL had to offer. Chat rooms how do I miss thee.

Since my return I’ve learned that in order to become a better illustrator you have to do the one thing that defines you. That’s illustrate. Early and often. Now, if you see me out, travelling around the city there’s a 90% chance that I’ll have my sketch book on me. I draw/design/illustrate at least every day at some point in some fashion.

Last week, I attended an event at the Wix Lounge, in NYC, entitled “Promote Your Art.” A really informative talk discussing the different techniques an artist can use to promote the work they love to do. After the panel there was a networking session where I met a woman who represents illustrators and she was surprised that I had one of my journal/sketch books on me. “Most artists I meet don’t carry books with them any more” she said. Which shocked me because most illustrators I know do carry them. (S/O to Phil Mamuyac)

I wrote all this to say to all my fellow illustrators, painters and artists: Carry a damn sketch book. It doesn’t have to be a Strathmore 400 or a Canson Classic. It can be a generic, lined, spiral notebook that’s big enough to fit in your back pocket. When inspiration strikes you have should have a way to document it. Although you might feel you’ll remember the moment, there’s a chance you won’t. That’s a risk I choose not to take.

By definition style is a particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode of action or manner of acting. To me style  is a definition of who you are as an artist. Many things help shape that definition such as where you studied your craft, which artists inspire you the most as well as what constitutes art in your eyes.

Growing up I’ve met all types of artists:

• The Carbon Copy: someone who mirrors their work so closely to someone else that it’s hard to tell the two artists apart.
• The Shape Shifter: the artist has spent so much time searching for their own style by mimicking others that they can’t help but shift into different identities in each piece they do.
• The Non-Believer: this person just lacks confidence in their ability to embrace their own work. They believe that they should follow the path of someone else in order to find their own style.
• The Old Dirty Bastard: he truly believes there is no father to his style. Says things like “I’m the only who creates work like this. I’m an innovator.” In actuality there many people who are very similar to you.
• The Vanguard: One who absorbs the knowledge of those before them and leads the pack. Not by reinventing the wheel but by merging what they’ve learned into something that defines who they are.

The thing about style, in order to find your own you have to play the role of some of the personas listed above. In the end, like most art related philosophies, it comes down to confidence. Do you believe in yourself enough to trust your own instinct on what is art?
Personally I’ve followed many comic book artist on my artistic journey because that’s the medium I grew up around. John Byrne, Want Simonson, Arthur Adams, Joe Madureira, Jim Lee are some of the artists who have influenced and dominated my studies growing as a kid artist. I looked to them because at the time, this is all I knew and I felt they were the best in the business. And in order for me to achieve success I needed to be more like them.
In reality I just didn’t think my work was strong enough. I was self-conscious about my style. But over time I’ve become more comfortable with it for better or worst. Either way it’s me. When you see my work you know that Popephoenix created that piece. That is what you want. Instant recognition. No label or copyright needed. That is what style is. Its basically your brand, your logo, your calling card.
I ask you, what is your style? Who were your influences? What’s holding you back from embracing your style completely and utterly? Have you branched out from what you’ve seen and defined yourself as a Vanguard?

I was sent this link to BRIAN WOOD’s free book Public Domain 2 by my good friend Cameron Moore today. True to his word, its free, its huge (115megs, 132 pages) its great to look through. I suggest you download it asap. Its worth the bandwidth and you can also buy the physical copy as well. But while looking at these great black and white sketches I had a thought…

Why haven’t I created a body of work similar to this? My answer? I’m still kinda looking for my voice. That one project that defines your style and talent. That one thing you love to draw. but for me… I still feel like I’m looking. One week it could be pin up girls, the next it could be cartoony monsters, its always evolving always changing. For the longest I thought that was a strength… Now I’m not so sure. I ebb and flow btwn cartoony and realistic comic book style constantly. I think I’m getting to a point where I feel like I have to choose.

But do I? Is it really necessary that I limit myself to one style of drawing? Years ago I was a jack of all trades. I would design, illustrate, art direct, layout magazines, design logos and websites. Over the last few years I’ve devoted most of my focus to illustration and its been a good move for me. I’m happier with my work but not completely. Is another round of focus needed for me to move to the next level?

Which ever my decision before this year is out I will put out a book like this. I have 9 sketch books completed over the last 5 years. There’s a book in there somewhere.

This blog has helped me get some exposure and for that I’m thankful. With out it I would not have been able to meet the fine folks over at Rebel 4 Men Magazine. An Arizona based men’s magazine that is launching this month. With the help of the Creative Director Gabi Mink, I was able to create some great images for two stories in the premiere issue. If you’re out in Arizona please reach out and buy an issue, support the cause! lol. Check out the second image after the jump…

New submission for Illustration Friday. This weeks theme is Subterranean and this is my interpretation. Only thing that came to mind was some Morlock-esque, Moleman, deep cave dwellers.

Today I decided to venture out into the world and get a change of scenery. Luckily there is a Starbucks in my neighborhood that isn’t the size of a walk-in closet. So I packed up my laptop, wacom and iPhone trooped the hills of the Bronx. Upon arrival at my local barista shop I found the old man above. At first I thought he was a homeless man eating a $5 egg sandwich but alas he was just a scraggly looking old guy. But he had a cool look and basically he looked like this. The rest was 20 minute history.

Wow. What a first month. I took on this task to help build my skill and strengthen my discipline as a whole. In the course of the first 31 days I’ve learned that drawing daily illustrations is a very big task. Currently I’m about 10 images behind on this project, I’m not giving up though. Its been difficult and rewarding. The first step is always the hardest one but now I’m deep into this there’s no turning back. More work coming tomorrow.  In the meantime peep my favorite pieces from this month after the break…

Day 017: Questlove or ?uestlove

As a really random piece, it is hands down my best from the month. Combination of all my styles in one great piece.

Day 008: Betty Boots

Another example of my mixing and matching my painting style with my graphic design technique. The final piece came out better then I could perceive.

Day 027: The Grim Reaper

I am surprised at how this came out because I’m really not big on the goth/death art that is so prevalent in graphic tee lines (affliction, ed hardy etc.) but this just came out exactly how I wanted. This also is another step in the evolution of painting in photoshop.

Calendar: February vs Valentines Day 2010 Wallpaper

This is image was a long time coming and I love how it came out in the end. Although everyone thinks this image was about me, it was not. Completely…

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Those were the best of the best to me. Which image was you’re favorite? Let me know in the comments below.

For years it has escaped me, I am Jonah and discipline is my white whale. In my infinite search I have allowed myself to falter and fail time and time again. Simply because I allowed myself to fail. This is from not conditioning myself to stay vigilant and allowing myself the easy way out. Looking back that’s sad, my daughter Azailia, is the most vigilant person I’ve ever met. Her ability to fight sleep is unmatched by anyone on this planet. She will be my role model for this project.

It is currently 10pm on the 1st of January 2010. I have 2 hrs to produce an Illustration. It might not be great but it will be an illustration. See you in a bit.