Heian Cosmopoitan

I finished this around May 23 but am just posting in now. 

So there you have it, my lovely magazine cover submission. I'm quite proud with how it turned out. Especially the cab details. I think I reached a new level in Illustrator realism! Boo-yah.

On the down side, I didn't win the contest. I'm not upset. Especially when I consider the fact that the contest was probably just a ploy to get free cover art. Though I do question their choice in illustrators in the past...

On to the clothing!

I decided to skip the "mo." I couldn't find a clear illustration on how it was tied to the karaginu and it would've looked awkward. Frustratingly, I just found this site. Ah well, it turned out for the best, methinks. 

Rekishi no Tabi


I tried to integrate summer colors into her juni-hitoe. An example of a summer motif was blue waves and red maple leaves. That was just what I wanted to read! Before work even began, I envisioned warm and cool reds and blues. Though I have to mention that I am a complete sucker for those colors (I need to broaden my color horizons). Regardless, I do try to be somewhat historically accurate with my art.  

Some progress!

Can you spot the differences?! 

I'm just trucking along on this. I believe the end is near. But the important part is if I'm satisfied with how it's turning out. All I can say is "meh." I think it looks good, but then I start to worry if my style is sellable. Maybe I'm revolutionary? I wish. 

Arggh. I don't have anything important to say. My mind is a complete mess. I'm consumed with fear and doubt. Have I been living a lie this whole time? Am I forcing myself to do this and that?! I want a solid answer and have no one to ask. 

It looked better when I was tired

Hahar! PROGRESS!!

The changes are definitely an improvement. Though I'm still far from done. 

I realized that I automatically try to make patterns that are historically and culturally appropriate. That just creates restrictions for my work and I get trapped. Then when I get trapped, I worry that maybe I really am not good at textile design. 

But I broke out of it and am pretty pleased at the results. I just improvised with the top layer and it turned out nicely. 

More like a memo to myself

This is very not up to date on my progress. 

Anyway...I made a pattern! It's mediocre! I took this screenshot because I liked the way it looked like a screen before I started to warp it around. 

This is a pointless post. I could've just kept this file in a folder. But, no! Thea doth protesteth to such a waste of memory on her hard-drive! 

Why does this feel like work?

Soooooo, Chopsticks NY is looking for a new cover illustrator. I am applying for the job. In the requirements, they want a portfolio with images that I want to be used for the magazine's cover. Arguably, all of my art has some japanese influence. But I only have a few that scream, "THIS IS JAPANESE! CULTURE!!" and they are mightily strange. Therefore, I am working on an image that is more subdued.

I needed to come up with an idea that illustrates New York City and Japan. Most of the past cover use food. Dammit, I don't want to draw sushi!

Something that would be easily recognizable to non-nipponphiles like myself....

Ah-ha!!

The juxtaposition of a Heian court lady stepping into a cab! I love mixing historical and contemporary themes. Not to mention I could go crazy with the clothing design.

The original sketch

Progress has been slow. Terribly, painfully slow. I don't have the ability to sit down at my computer and just draw. The beautiful interwebs is too distracting. I also feel like I have lost all ability to draw in Illustrator. I'm just becoming lazy! Lately, I have thoughts like, "Working on the folds of the sleeve is too hard. I'll do it later." That can't be healthy.

But I am learning a little. Like how damn difficult it is to find a good reference photo of juni-hitoe. I'm trying to understand how it's all tied! 

Current progress

Ahhh, I really need to fix some of those patterns. Blatant gradients are so tacky!

Anyway, I have about 10 days before the due date. I discovered that I concentrate better if I lay on my stomach.

...

I shall not leave my bed for the next week and a half.