Idle Hands

Phoenix Redesign

2012-02-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

For the redesign of The Phoenix, a bi-polar cosmic entity that inhabits the body of Dr. Jean Grey, I imagined more of a special effect than a costume. She's light, sound and psionic energy, ever burning like the surface of the sun.

I've given her a slightly more alien look with accents of the old Phoenix symbology.

It's been hinted that Jean is to return this year in comics and I'd love to see a more haunting, omniscient representation. Imagine the mood, tone and visuality of Danny Boyle's 'Sunshine' compressed into one character!

(Click image to enlarge).

Why not 'Like' my Facebook page for more sketches, concepts and wry asides...

Colin Alexander { Illustrator }

See you there!

Emma Frost Redesign

2011-12-30T14:29:00.001-08:00

Emma Frost Redesign with Cape

Emma Frost is a ridiculous paradox. She's also one of my favourite X-men, so redesigning the character was scandalously good fun.

Emma Frost Redesign in Diamond Form.

As opposed to the redesign for Psylocke, making the White Queen wear a practical uniform is a bit like taking all the baubles off a Christmas tree. Albeit a super rich, sexually overt, machiavellian Christmas tree.

Capes, platform heels, inappropriate revelation of skin. These are a few of her favourite things...

Emma Frost Close-Up

Emma Frost Redesign Line Work with Vector Martini Glass

Originally inked on canson board, digitally finished using Photoshop and Illustrator.

(Click images to enlarge).

If you want to get in touch or have a look at more of my sketchings, why not 'Like' my Facebook page:

Colin Alexander { Illustrator }

I'll be updating it with finished work, any good sketchbook material and the odd slice of sarcastic verbiage. See you there!

Psylocke Redesign

2011-12-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

As part of a recent side project I ended up with some costume redesigns for a few X-men characters and here we have the ever purple Psylocke.

I've given her a slightly more modest costume based on the classic Jim Lee 90's version (which is ingrained eternally into my psyche) and also took a cue from the completely awesome Generation X uniforms.

I've nothing against a super sexualised super heroine costume when it's in keeping with the character, as with Emma Frost or Poison Ivy, but often when reading a comic I'm distracted by the implausibility and impractical nature of some outfits. Cher circa the 80's is not a great look for saving the earth on a monthly basis. Think of the chafing.

Incidentally, if you're not reading the epic Uncanny X-Force, I highly recommend it. The art is gorgeous and Psylocke in particular hasn't been written as well in a long time.

Psylocke with a little more skin on display, for old times sake.

Black and White (and Purple).

Drawn with graphite/ ink on Canson board, digitally finished in Illustrator and Photoshop.

(Click images to enlarge).

If you want to get in touch or have a look at more of my sketchings, why not 'Like' my Facebook page:

Colin Alexander { Illustrator }

I'll be updating it with finished work, any good sketchbook material and the odd slice of sarcastic verbiage. See you there!

Soul Remover

2011-12-07T08:16:00.001-08:00

I'm doing some design work for Glasgow based band Soul Remover at the moment and this image is part of the work.

She's an evil soul sucking succubus, based on various images and inspirations. Bad guys are always a blast to draw.

Created using graphite, ink, Photoshop and Illustrator.

(Click to enlarge image).

If you want to get in touch or have a look at more of my sketchings, why not 'Like' my Facebook page:

Colin Alexander { Illustrator }

I'll be updating it with finished work, any good sketchbook material and the odd slice of sarcastic verbiage. See you there!

Graphic Novel Preview Page

2011-11-14T14:37:00.000-08:00

So I have a few pages of the graphic novel I've been working on pencilled, inked and ready for colouring. I've even got a name for the damn thing, though I've yet to decide if it's a stroke of genius or an offence to the very fabric of the universe.

For more information about the graphic novel check out some of the concept work here, here, here and here.

The Prologue will be up soon (somewhere) with words, colour and (if it ends up not sucking) even a goddamn name.

Created using canson board, pencil, pen brush and ink. Coloured in Illustrator and Photoshop.

(Click image to enlarge).

If you want to get in touch or have a look at more of my sketchings, why not 'Like' my Facebook page:

Colin Alexander { Illustrator }

I'll be updating it with finished work, any good sketchbook material and the odd slice of sarcastic verbiage. See you there!

It's Raining Rain, Hallelujah.

2011-10-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of panels from the first chapter of the web comic I'm working on. As terrifying as it is to be finally committing to a project, it's nice to get a story out that's been sitting in my brain for the best part of seven years. The first chapter should be up soon(ish) and possibly will have it's own dedicated site. Still a little editing to go on the pages and panels.

The panels features the character Celeano and a hell of a lot of rain. Wonderful tutorial I found for that right here.

Illustrated using graphite and brush pens on canson board. Coloured in photoshop.

(Click images to enlarge).

"I'm so tired of playing with this bow and arrow..."

2011-08-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Another in the series of character designs for an upcoming graphic novel project. This is Eros, God of Desire and Affection. A world weary attendant to his mother Aphrodite and also an accomplished archer with a variety of arrows which can inspire love or hatred amongst mortals.

Eros Detail

I've been working on the script and story boards for the first chapter of the story and even decided on a suitably gaudy title, so the next few weeks should be abundant with updates and posts. Catch the previous character designs here, hereand here and hopefully I'll have more to share soon...

Drawn using graphite and ink on Canson board, post production in Photoshop and Illustrator.

(Click images to enlarge)

If you want to get in touch or have a look at more of my sketchings, why not 'Like' my Facebook page:

Colin Alexander { Illustrator }

I'll be updating it with finished work, any good sketchbook material and the odd slice of sarcastic verbiage. See you there!

Circe

2011-08-11T05:28:00.000-07:00

Another character concept for an upcoming graphic novel project (Previous designs here and here).

In this rendition Circe, the ancient femme fatale of Greek myth, is an off-kilter sorceress whose mind has been warped by centuries of dark magic and 'self medication'.

Drawn with graphite and ink, completed in Photoshop.

Celeano

2011-08-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Another concept design for a character from the graphic novel I'm developing (The first design can be found here).

Celeano is a viciously swift hit woman descended from the harpies, the half bird half female concoction from Greek myth. I was considering giving her the nickname 'Styx' because once you cross her, you go to hell. It's funny. Look it up.

Graphite/Ink on canson board, coloured in Photoshop.

(Click to enlarge image).

"Love is Bondage"

2011-07-31T04:51:00.000-07:00

Character design for a graphic novel project I've been working on since high school. The basic setup of the novel is a crime-noir thriller set in a secret community of mythological creatures in Manhattan. I keep dropping the project because there's a saturation of similar (and fantastic) stories out there but now, I figure, if we have 8 identikit superhero movies why not have one more 'Modern Gods' story?

Here we have Aphrodite, Goddess of Lust. Slightly jaded and darkened, working on the idea that the actual goddess was never quite the Hallmark character she's come to represent in the modern world.

The design is pure Amy Winehouse by way of Marla Singer (This was the case long before Winehouse kicked it, but now it's a nice little nod to the chanteuse). Aphrodite runs a seedy den of inequity in the hidden world the characters inhabit smack bang in the midst of the Big Apple.

Graphite, pen ink and Photoshop. Based on THIS delicious photograph.

(Click to Enlarge).

Penguin Design Award 2011

2011-06-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Final Design Submission

This year I was lucky enough to be shortlisted for the Penguin Design Award for my 'James and the Giant Peach' jacket design. You can check out the list of winners and shortlisted entries here.

For the first time the competition offered live feedback on contestants initial submissions that made the shortlist. Above is the final design which considered points raised by the Penguin Art Director. The original design can be found here and the critique offered by the Art Director definitely made for an overall improved cover.

Mock-up of the jacket design

Seeing the design wrapped around an actual book was a complete thrill, being the first time I've seen my work applied in the 'real' world. Below is a concept board showing the various sketchbook stages of development and the initial inspiration for the design.

Concept board for the Jacket design

Overall the competition was a great experience that gave a little preview of what it's going to be like to work in the industry. If you're thinking about applying for next years competition I highly recommend it!

Orange Ad Campaign

2011-06-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

A little concept work for British PR company Shandwick Design. The campaign, on behalf of telecommunication company Orange, was centred on the tag line "Good things can happen when your phone is switched on/off".

This illustration represents the good things that can happen when your phone is switched on, namely that you can keep in touch with friends and continue a dialogue half way around the world. Which is nice.

Created using graphite, ink and photoshop.

(Click to enlarge image)

Belvedere Vodka Bottle Design - Part 2

2011-05-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

The third in a series of bottle designs for Belvedere Vodka, the previous two can be found here.

Another girl having fun at a garden party on the grounds of Belvedere Palace.

The final print ad, which will include all previous illustrations, is currently in the works and will hopefully be up soon!

Created using Graphite and ink on Canson Board, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

(Click to enlarge images)

Blue Lotus (Lotus Blossom Macerated Vodka).

The Master + Margarita

2011-05-04T14:04:00.001-07:00

A graphic novel adaption of Mikhail Bulgakov's masterpiece 'The Master and Margarita". Though the novel's been around since the 1930's I've only just recently discovered it. The story begins one humid spring evening when the devil comes to Moscow with his ethereal entourage. Needless to say, hijinks ensue and many lives become hopelessly (and often humorously) entangled in the devils farce. It's a great book, I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

For the brief I had to produce a full colour cover and double page interior, adapting a scene from the novel.

The cover is influenced heavily by director Baz Lurman's films. I felt his visual style, pacing and wit would be a perfect match for the story and, as it turns out, he's currently developing an adaptation of the novel. The cover depicts the Devil, mid performance at a variety show for the Muscovite masses whilst in the background lurks his henchman Behemoth (A giant talking cat-demon).

The layouts for the interior pages were influenced by J. H. Williams' work on the graphic novel Batwoman: Elegy. His panels burst off the page and propel the story through high action scenes and pulpy melodrama. The artwork is delicious. Another recommendation, even if you're not a huge comic geek.

The layouts provide a sense of movement to match the scene. The grieving and weary Margarita is rejuvenated and transformed into a witch. Naked and ecstatic Margarita flies out the window, rushing to an audience with the devil himself.

The final pieces are the usual Frankensteins Monster, created using various programmes and mediums: Graphite and ink on Canson board, Photoshop and Illustrator.

(Click to enlarge images)

James And The Giant Peach

2011-04-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

Or James and The Giant Nectarine (My peach game is a little off these days). This is a competition piece for the Penguin Design Award 2011, the brief was to create a new design for the Roald Dahl classic 'James and the Giant Peach'.

I decided to go with the image of the giant peach approaching Manhattan as it always stuck out to me when reading it as a kid. Plus it's just fun and iconic and totally dramatic. Which is ideal for a cover that needs to grab peoples attention on the shelves.

Created using graphite on card, then whipped through illustrator and photoshop for colouring and layout.

(Click to enlarge image)

Dubcontinent

2011-04-06T16:09:00.001-07:00

A Flyer for DUBCONTINENT, a dub step night upcoming in Glasgow. The concept for the colour and layout were pre-provided by the event organiser and the broken shards represent the debris from the massive sounds inside the club. Literally bringing the roof down etc. etc.

Mosey on down if you want to sample the sounds and it's all for a good cause too!

If your interested in having a flyer or poster designed for your event then do get in touch!

Created using Adobe Photoshop and a boat load of fonts from Dafont.com

(Click to enlarge images)

Belvedere Vodka Bottle Design

2011-03-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

Two bottle designs for a range of flavoured vodkas from Belvedere. I enjoyed working on the graphic design elements and also getting to test the beautifully smooth Belvedere range of vodka (all in the name of research, of course).

The idea behind the design was for each bottle to depict a girl at an elaborate garden party on the grounds of Belvedere Palace (Which appears on the label for the original bottle). Each girl is loosely based on a famous glamour puss (Monroe, Hepburn etc.). I've had fun revisiting the use of decorative borders to frame each image which was originally tested with the Snow Queen (Which can be found here).

Two more bottle designs are in the works along with a composite image depicting the four girls at the party, so plenty still to come from this project.

The third bottle design in the series can be found here.

Created using Graphite and ink on Canson Board, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop,

(Click to enlarge images)

Cherry Blossom (Maraschino Cherry Macerated Vodka).

Dragon Fly (Dragon Fruit Macerated Vodka).

Cloud Atlas - Graphic Novel Cover Redux

2011-02-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

The final version for the 'Cloud Atlas' Graphic novel cover (the previous draft can be found here). A little more polished and graphic looking, using the idea of human cloning from the novel to create a frame for the image.

I really enjoyed the process of adapting from another source (a novel, in this case). It's kind of like when you hear a song you know covered by another artist, when done well it offers a whole new experience and creative twist to that familiar piece.

Created using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

(Click to enlarge image)

Cloud Atlas - Graphic Novel Cover

2011-01-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

A mock up for the 'Cloud Atlas' graphic novel adaption (previous character design for which can be found here and here).

The image was inspired by an original cover shot of Angelina Jolie for GQ which has been borrowed to death by 'True Blood', the movie 'Jennifers Body' and now me.

A few of the components for this illustration hint at the nature of the story within, which I always find fun in these kind of non literal pieces. Barcodes, blood, clones, slavery, birth, life and death. It's all in there. Somewhere.

The idea of the barcode falling into a sort of star shape came from the lead character being a cloned slave owned by a massive commercial company and also having a comet shaped birth mark (unique to her amongst her clone sisters).

Created using Canson Bristol Board, Graphite , Ink. Post production in Photoshop and Illustrator.

(Click to enlarge Image)

The Snow Queen Cometh

2010-12-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

A festive illustration inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen'. In the book the Queen is described as being sovereign of the Snow Bees, which are in fact snow flakes, and she can always be found at the centre of a swarm (or flurry) in the deep of winter.

Then there's the magic mirror (any fairy tale worth its snow wouldn't be without one) crafted by the devil himself, which fell to earth and smashed into millions of tiny fragments spread around the world. This mirror only showed the ugliness of the viewer, no matter how beautiful.

It's designed as a two part illustration, the sequel representing the Summer Lady, perhaps I'll wait till sunnier climes before working on that one.

Drawn on Canson Bristol Board with graphite and ink, post production in Photoshop and Illustrator.

(Click to enlarge image.)

Sonmi-451

2010-11-14T16:40:00.000-08:00

Sonmi-451, slaving away at 'Papa Songs', a futuristic fast food joint. The holographic writing on the walls reads 'Starbucks' in Hangul (The story is set in an overtly capitalistic future Korea) though I'm pretty certain I've inverted, distorted and mirrored the text into oblivion. Apologies to Korea. A generous helping of camera flares a la JJ Abrams 'Star Trek' movie, because its the future and it jolly well better be bright.

The image may seem unbalanced as on the right copy from the novel is to be placed.

Created using Graphite/Ink/Illustrator/Photoshop/Pseudo Science from the future.

(Click to enlarge image.)

The Sonmis

2010-11-14T15:52:00.000-08:00

We had been tasked to produce concept work for a potential adaptation of David Mitchell's

novel 'Cloud Atlas' into a film, graphic novel or computer game.

This is the design for the Sonmi's, cloned slaves from a future where even souls have barcodes. And everyone has RGB hair. I've elected to create concepts geared toward a graphic novel adaptation, with more work yet to come.

Drawn in graphite and ink, digitally finished using Illustrator and Photoshop.

(Click image to enlarge.)

Radio Times Editorial

2010-10-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

A quick Adobe Illustrator task. Small editorial image to accompany the synopsis for a radio play written by none other than Elizabeth Taylor. Go figure?

(Click image to enlarge.)

Adventure Gal Final Variant

2010-10-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

The final piece from the '60's Adventurer project'. If I see another smirking retro girl it'll be altogether too soon. Cocktail? Too right.

Completed using Adobe Illustrator.

(Click image to enlarge.)

A Look For Every Occasion

2010-09-28T15:30:00.001-07:00

The final set for the Sixties Adventurer: Aztec Gal, Scuba Gal, Safari Gal and Space Gal.

Graphite, ink and Adobe Illustrator

(Click image to enlarge.)

Acapulco Gal in Colour

2010-09-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

And so the 60's adventurer is finally starting to explore a little colour. You go girl.

Each Gal will have her own colour and the finished product will be a nice set of four prints. Oh, I sell prints now. Thats a thing I do.

Coloured in the somewhat glorious Adobe Illustrator, with a neato little sketchy style.

(Click image to enlarge.)

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back In The Water

2010-09-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

Finding sunken treasure whilst scuba diving, as is the wont of a 60's adventurer. One more variation to go and then ready to colour. Exciting Times, naturally.

Graphite and Ink.

(Click image to enlarge.)

In Space No One Can Hear You Back Comb

2010-09-07T14:19:00.000-07:00

Another variation of the 60's Adventurer: The first space tourist. Never leave your ray gun at home.

Graphite and Ink.

(Click image to enlarge.)

'60's Adventurer' Line Art

2010-09-03T15:33:00.001-07:00

Back to college and back to....strange projects. For the first brief of the semester we've been tasked with creating a character to be used on a website which sells incentive gift vouchers to employers, offering unique products.

The Character is to have four variations representing different outlandish activities. I've developed a globe trotting 60's dame who enjoys the finer things in life. Above, the character is enjoying an Aztec cocktail whilst holidaying in Acapulco. Other activities include scuba diving, space tourism and camel riding.

All in a days work, naturally.

Done with graphite pencil and ink.

(Click image to enlarge.)

Sketchbook Seven: The Only Dream I Ever Have Is The Surface Of The Sun

2010-09-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

A sketch in pencil and ink drawn while watching the Danny Boyle movie 'Sunshine'.

(Click image to enlarge.)

Sketchbook Six: Anteros

2010-08-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

More ramblings from the sketchbook. Anteros, god of Requited Love and Brother of Eros (he of the bow and cherubic build).

(Click to enlarge image.)

Sketchbook Five: I Like What You've Done With Your Eyes

2010-08-08T06:53:00.001-07:00

From a recent sketchbook session. Graphite, Ink and Photoshop processing.

(Click image to enlarge.)

Sketchbook Four: Penny For Your Thoughts?

2010-08-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

A sketch of one of my favourite characters from the X-Men books, Emma Frost. I love a superhero who knows how to rock a Louis Vuitton handbag.

Graphite and Ink with some questionable photoshop processing. I've been thinking about drawing from a pre written comic book script as practice so hopefully the results will be up soon.

"Do you pray, Emma?"

"These are two hundred dollar Italian cashmere Kiki de Montparnasse stockings, Kurt. I'll only kneel in them if absolutely necessary."

(Click to enlarge image.)

Sketchbook Three: Unfinished

2010-07-28T13:18:00.000-07:00

Progress of an image from the sketchbook. An ethereal looking woman surrounded by typically eldritch fire. Captured using a run of the mill phone camera, my scanner is not feeling so grand. I wasn't sure if the figure was going to have a Gorgon vibe or not but she's suitably creepy nevertheless. Drawn using graphite and technical pen.

(Click image to enlarge.)

'Jet!' Character Design

2010-05-23T16:38:00.001-07:00

This is Jet, designed for a small class exercise. We were given two words and the challenge was to create a character and a situation from those words.

I got 'Underground City' so I went for a free running vigilante who lives in the slum of some futuristic dystopian city. The mind goes in curious directions when left to its own devices, right?

Jet is kind of a riff on those spunky teen heroines like Tank Girl, Faith (of Mirrors Edge) and Batgirl.

To keep her swift on her feet I added little wing designs on her sneakers like the Talaria of Hermes (Greek God of Messengers, Thieves and about a hundred other little epithets).

Originally drawn in graphite and ink with a little photoshop processing.

(Click images to enlarge.)

Faerie Queene Line Art

2010-05-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

This is an illustration I thought I'd lost a while ago so I'm happy to have found the original in my filling system (at its best a mountain of paper). Done using Graphite and Ink.

The idea came from the Fairy Queen of common folklore. Fairies always seemed like little creeps to me, steeling children and giggling at the bottom of the garden. In my imagination I've rendered her with insectile features and tribal tattoos, the queen of a hive of nasty little critters!

(Click to enlarge image.)

Sketchbook Two 'The Realm Guide'

2010-05-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

Another page from the sketchbook, and yet more shiny hair! I'm enjoying these hand finished pieces as opposed to the usual photoshop extravaganza.

This was done using graphite, charcoal and ink, it's a sketch of the main character from a book my friend is writing. I love to draw her and feel like I've gotten to know the character over the years. I think thats one of the rewarding aspects of illustration; getting to create things with other people and watching little worlds develop below your eyes.

(Hi Kate :P)

(Click to enlarge image.)

Sketchbook One 'Pandora'

2010-05-10T07:03:00.001-07:00

A sketch from the weekend. Pandora, done in graphite and ink with a little clean up using trusty photoshop. The idea comes from the Greek myth of Pandoras box, said to have contained all the worlds evil as well as a wee dram of hope for good measure. Drawing the shiny hair was curiously therapeutic.

(Click image to enlarge.)

Circes Kitchen

2010-05-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

A double page spread for a childrens book I had been tasked with titled Circes Kitchen, inspired by Greek mythology and fairytales. I love mythology and the Greeks especially had a way of weaving stories that packed a punch.

At first I thought it would be challenging to draw for a much younger audience but in the end enjoyed it immensely, so much so that I hope to continue developing the story and see what evolves.

(Click image to enlarge.)

Joker

2010-05-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

First blood and a bit of a test run. As the blog progresses I'll post more recent work. The goal is to present a progression from sketchbook work to final piece with some sassy commentary for good measure. Enjoy!

Here we have a female jester (certainly NOT a harlequin) developed for a set of steampunk themed playing cards. Drawn in graphite, inked and coloured using photoshop.

(Click image to enlarge.)

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