Editorial illustration has it's challenges in 2009. Advertising buys are down and many publications have had to fold in the aftermath. Still through it all, there are places out there where talented Art Directors and Editors collaborate to produce amazing issues filled with illustration. I have a pile of old FORTUNE magazines in my studio. I used to flip through them and marvel at the use of illustration in years past. I don't do that anymore. I live in the current market and have come to appreciate places around today that champion our craft and do so with style.
(Perhaps I can do this on a regular basis)
Tim J Luddy, creative director at Mother Jones assigns great illustration every month. He's a wonderful guy to work with and each issue is like a little portfolio of illustration today.
Here's to Tim and the rest of the folks up there.
For this cover I had to paint a joint made from a 100 dollar bill. I had to find one on the internet...I'm no Lenny Dykstra. (wink)
The thing I learned in this one is how to paint swirling smoke. There is a sort of formula to it. I never knew.
Tim provided the smoke reference and I painted this realistic cover in short order.
INSIDE is where the real show begins...
For any of the artists included here, if you want me to swap out the page I shot with a good file, send them on.
