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The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
Music has played a big part in my life, and I've had the good fortune to work on a number of great projects related to that passion over the years. So when Justin Reynolds at the Village Voice contacted me about doing the cover for their upcoming Fall Arts Guide, which features the Brooklyn-based band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, I was a pushover.
The band's label provided some reference for me to work with.
Roughs, along with some old cigar box type i liked for inspiration; next to it, the pencil I sent Justin.
Justin was looking for art that would incorporate type into the design, and was drawn to the album cover and concert poster work I've done, where hand-lettered type plays a big part in the image. I've always enjoyed combining those elements—the control freak in me, I guess—and the idea of doing a group portrait that brought together this band's urban roots with a Fall theme struck me as a fun challenge. With their music on in the background for inspiration, I roughed out a few general ideas and then sent a pencil to Justin.
In process: pencil on board with a light grey wash; toned wash over that; rendering up the image
I got a quick OK and was off to the races. Here are a few shots of the work underway, as well as some details of the final art. I used PS to incorporate the teaser line type in the banner—that was a bit much to hand paint in the tight turnaround time I had—but the rest was done the old-fashioned way, though I did some last minute touch-up to the banner type in PS and delivered as a digital file for speed.
As luck would have it, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart are playing Austin later this month, just a few blocks from my home. I'll be there, enjoying the show!

Detail of the piece; the final art is roughly 10" x 12"
This detail is for Kroninger, who is still working on his signature.
Topical: Music  Projects  
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