Figuring out This Digital Thing...

Here is a sketch, started in my sketchbook during a lazy Friday night, and built it up a bit in Photoshop.  I like this process a lot better than simply starting from scratch in PS, it helps keep things in perspective, so I don't just quit out of a digital drawing 2 hours in.

Sometimes it's good to just get the art blood flowing, even if it's not being used for anything specific.  Here is a finished self portrait,  I'll probably be using this one often.  Same process, all the line drawing done traditionally, then colored in PS.

 

As much as art frustrates me, there are times when I am so thankful for it, like tonight.  Not sure why so much tonight, but I am.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hello!

Hey everyone,

Welcome to Purity of the Line, my very first (art) blog!  Here I will be posting as much art as I can, as often as I can, to show my continuing growth as an artist, illustrator, and designer.  I also hope to include some of my own thoughts about art/illustration, and share some of my aesthetic when it comes to my style of art and why it means so much to me.

So, you might be asking, why the title "Purity of the Line?"  Sounds a little pretentious, right?  It's a saying that has stuck with me since my junior year of college.  I remember I was in a figure drawing class, and for some reason that day, I was absolutely obsessed with the fact that by simply taking a piece of graphite, focusing on the human in front of me, and dragging my hand down the paper, I could create a line that physically represents the living thing in front of me.  Color, flare, texture, shading, anything, could all be added, but that first line, that backbone, is one of the things I treasure most about illustration.  I like to make something really simple into something really beautiful. 

I feel like I should post some art of mine that I am proud of to start with, and then continue to update regularly with my new projects, sketches, and artistic adventures.  This is a piece I did for my church here in Chicago, Missio Dei, last summer.  Our pastor was giving 6 sermons reflecting on the life of David, and he asked me to do an illustration for each Sunday, one piece for the different periods in David's life.  One thing that I struggle with, and probably will always struggle with, is the pervasive violence in the New Testament.  This piece was a reflection on that.  David, the victorious warrior, being worshiped by the Israelite masses for his many kills.  It seems to contradict so strongly the New Testament image of Christ, who is a direct descendant from David himself.









































It's a pretty heavy topic, but I think I managed to directly challenge this idea of Biblical violence by creating an almost propaganda image of David, playing his harp over his slain enemies.  My old art Professor from North Park, Tim Lowly, loved it, which meant the world to me.

Thank you for taking the time to check this blog out.  I hope this will push me to create more art.  More importantly, push me to create better art, since I know it's now up for everyone to see.

I'll post more soon.  Thank you again!

-Dan