GQ Germany · July 2014
2014
Repeat business is a great kind of business, especially when its a client I love working with like Axel Lauer from GQ Germany. My ever so talented agent, Deborah Wolfe, lined up all the details and with the brief in hand, I was off to draw mountains and lodges (can't beat that!)
The article I was tasked to illustrate for was about outdoor getaways for couples looking to leave work and technology behind to vacation for a while and included a full page illustration as well as a spot illustration.
Spot Illustration
The brief for the spot illustration required a couple in bed in a cabin with books scattered around the floor and bed. Outside we would see some of the outdoor setting. I came up with a handful of options to show the couple, one being a closer, more intimate view, while the other pulled back to show more of the setting.
The brief for the spot illustration required a couple in bed in a cabin with books scattered around the floor and bed. Outside we would see some of the outdoor setting. I came up with a handful of options to show the couple, one being a closer, more intimate view, while the other pulled back to show more of the setting.
The pulled back view showing more of the setting worked out better for the article, so I moved from sketches to blocking in the values in black and white.
I presented 2 color options - one with a more natural color scheme as well as one with a palletized color scheme. The natural color scheme was chosen and you can see the palletized version below:
Full Page Illustration
The full page illustration brief asked to show a man and woman relaxing outside. The woman would be holding a drink and relaxing under the shade of a patio while the man grilled in the sun. I presented a few layout options and then refined the overall direction based on feedback from Axel.
With the layout, figures, and textures in place (in black and white), I moved onto color and presented the 2 color options (natural and palletized).
What I enjoy about the working method I use is it allows me to explore colors without any sort of finality to my decisions - meaning if I want to try wild colors, I can. If I want to try neutral colors, I can do that too. Its not as decisive up front as a painter working with actual paints would have to be, but I enjoy the exploration and was happy with the results.
Another fun project for a really great client! Big thanks to Axel for the repeated opportunity, I really appreciate it!