I’m working on some postcards, business cards, and email designs this week. Drawing is fun and all, but the only way to move the illustration business forward is to promote, promote, promote. So thank you Illustration Friday, the topic this week, forward, not only inspired this graphic illustration, but it also inspired me to work hard to move things forward.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

Before I start explaining this piece I should start by explaining where this piece comes from. Although Illustration Friday is a great motivation to do some artwork and play with styles I wouldn’t normally feel comfortable playing with on a clients piece, I feel it’s also a little to easy to fall into one’s usually safety nets with these self motivated assignments. This week, in order to push myself, while waiting for the illustrationfriday website to refresh and for the new theme to be announced I laid out a few ground rules; no mater what the topic, my illustration would include at least three people and a complex background.

And so it is, with at least three people and a background, this weeks topic is ‘Twirl’. The theme for this piece is grounded in the hair twirl. The concept for this piece based around body language, the flitting hair twirl, the ‘social mirroring’, and the couple who are obviously disinterested.

My sketch for this started off really rough while I worked out the composition.

From there I cleaned things up a bit before blocking in some color.

Then the next step is to destroy everything and paint over, then paint over again and again until many hours later, voila! except for some details to make it pop, it’s finished.

As always, I’m just trying to experiment and to learn something new. Comments and feedback are always welcome.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

I found a two for one motivation to create something today. I’ve been really busy with the paperwork side of things ever since I got back from the holidays and felt like I needed a creative break this afternoon so I turned to illustration Friday for an excuse for a little sketchbook drawing. This week’s topic was ‘prepare’. I racked my brain on it for awhile until I thought up my two-for-one concept of pairing it with a flickr ‘what I wore today‘ post.

It’s cold out now and this is what I have to put on to prepare for the winter outside. From the toe up: Black Sorel boots, black Naked and Famous jeans, black Kennith Cole jacket, black Banana Republic fingerless hobo gloves, black wool scarf from UniQlo, a black wool tuque that was a freebie from the last place I worked, a black leather messenger bag for my laptop and sketchbook, and finally, my black AKG headphones to keep my ears warm.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

This is my New Years eve NYC promo card for 2012. Please share, enjoy, and all the best in 2012, cuz  It’s NYE in NYC and there ain’t no party like a hipster party.

This piece is also the inaugural post marking the launch of the new URL for my blog, the redesign of my site, and the display of much new work. The New Year’s resolutions have started early this year so update your bookmarks if you have them, 2012 will be the year of updates and promo.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

I was cleaning up my hard drive when I came across a video short I made years ago and thought I’d share. As a point of interest, that’s what I used to look like a long time ago, back in the days of a lot of gel and of pretending to wear glasses.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

This is a reworking of my figure drawing from my last post. I thought I’d bring it into Photoshop and try out some new style.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

On Thursdays, between 12:30 and 3:00 I go do life drawing at the Community School of Music and Design. This is something I do every week, regardless of how busy I am (unless I’m on vacation). There, now that it’s writing I’ll have no choice but to keep it up, (I felt my resolve waning last week). Also, now that this is on the interweb, if anyone wants to stalk me I’m easier to find. See you next Thursday.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

Another project for another design contest, Finch’s Beer. I did these mockups for the submission. I’m not really hoping to win, there’s hundreds of entries, but it was a fun design exercise. I think I may have even found a new style direction to develop some work in out of this.

Anyhow, here’s the pitch:

Mock humility aside, it would be great to win. Ever since I discovered this kids’ beer I’ve wanted to make one of my own.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

*** I’m trying my hand at making some t-shirt money and I need your help  - Please click on the link at the bottom and vote a 5 on my design. You’ll have to make an account, but you don’t have to buy. It would be really awesome of you to help out. Thanks! ***

It’s Bacon Tie!
Never feel under-dressed for for special occasions again – Bacon Tie is extra crisp!
No need to risk frying bacon shirtless anymore – Bacon Tie is extra greasy!
Looks so good you won’t believe it’s not really bacon. It’s Bacon Tie!

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration

*** I’m trying my hand at making some t-shirt money and I need your help  - Please click on the link at the bottom and vote a 5 on my design. You’ll have to make an account, but you don’t have to buy. It would be really awesome of you to help out. Thanks. ***

Don’t get me wrong, I love America, the problem is, as far as I see it, is the system doesn’t work. No matter which side of the political fence you’re on, the other side screws up any plans you might have to make changes. This t-shirt design is for the Republican/Democrat who feels like the Democrats/Republicans are always sticking it to them.

all images ©jeff szuc Jeff Szuc illustration