The "Myspace Pose" (Mirror Self Shot)- Tradigital Artwork by Merrill Kazanjian

http://merrillk.com/?part=publications
If you own a computer, and you have a myspace account, chances are, you have seen what is known as the myspace self photo....also known as the TOO MUCH INFORMATION profile pic! These photos are usually a combination of blatant misspelling and nudity. Sexxii Grannii (Sexy Granny) ON DECK (Whatever the HELL that means)!

As an artist, it is my job document what exists in the world around me. Right now (early 2010), the social networking sites are king......so I created this mixed media artwork, based upon a scary picture that I saw on Myspace.

I took a mixed media approach in creating this work.
1.) Pencil- I used the pencil to sketch the initial pose. I do not do any shading while working with the pencil (in step one)
2.) Illustration Marker- Prismacolor and Chartpak Ad markers allow me to put down layers of color quickly. These markers leave transparent marks of color, similar to watercolor paint and often, their vibrancy can be seen through layers of translucent color (added later).
3.) Color Pencils- The fine tip of color pencils allow me to make marks with extreme precision. I use prismacolor color pencils because they blend extremely well and are compatible with oil paint.
4.) Oil Paint- The most versatile medium. Oil paint can be applied in thick "impasto" style or in thin transparent glazes. In this case, I tried to finish my work......but I decided that I needed to make a few changes.
5.) In order to make those changes, I let my work dry, then scanned it, then opened it up in....
6.) Photoshop (And Paint Shop Pro 9)- THese two computer programs allow me to do digital collage and edit/refine my work. In this case, I changed the posture of the character.
7.) Print- On SPECIAL paper (hit the link)
8.) Color pencil- to bring out the tones (again) and prep the paper for oil paint (yes, it is a good primer). Also the color from the color pencils mix with the oil paint, which creates a cool effect.
9.) Oil Paint- Finishing touches
10.) Scan
11.) Save as a PNG file....so that I can use this character multiple times.

How to Draw the Hand (Peace Sign) Step by Step.mpg

Link- http://merrillk.com/index.php?part=fi... This is the second in a series of twenty videos, that will show you how to draw the hand in various poses. This video will specifically focus on the peace sign hand gesture. I broke the process down in to simple steps and I went the "extra mile" to make sure that EVERYONE could do it, even if you havent had much experience with art. The link in the videos description will take you to a web page with step by step instructions and a PDF Book that you could download and print for free..... Lets get ready to draw

As a general recommendation, pause the video at the end of each step and look at the reference image often.

Step 1: Draw the two fingertip shapes. Notice that the fingertip on the left is at a different angle than the fingertip on the right.
Step 2: Add the next two shapes. Notice that they are slightly longer than the fingertip shapes.
Step 3: Draw the trapezoid shape in addition to the two shapes that complete the fingers. Notice that the bottoms of the fingers are slightly longer than the mid sections of the fingers.
Step 4: Step four is a tricky step! Be sure to spend some extra observation time. Notice that the thumb overlaps the trapezoid shape. Also notice that the thumb in this position, resembles a flying saucer tilting to the side.....YES...a flying saucer with a thumbnail in it.
Step 5: Draw the traingle shape. Notice that it is directly below the V shape from the two fingers. Also notice the tiny shape that I made tp the right side of the thumb.
Step 6: Draw the tilted U shape, to the left of the triangle. Also, draw in the fingernail.
Step 7: Observe the picture to close the U shape from step 6.
Step 8: Add in the shape that I just added. It will eventually be a part of the pinky finger.
Step 9: Add in the fingertip and fingernail to complete the shape for the pinky finger.
Step 10: Add the triangle shape next to the pinky finger. This will eventually be part of the palm.
Step 11: Add in the shape for the lower palm.
Step 12: Observe the line that was just added. It is similar to the bottom of a cup. It starts at the middle of the ring finger and ends at the thumb shape from Step 4.
Step 13: Take some extra time to observe the line that I just added. Then, complete the shape for the bottom of the palm
Step 14: Now, take a second to observe the lines that I ALMOST totally erased.


SHADING

Step 15: Build the tones up slowly. Start cross hatching with an HB (#2) pencil.

Step 16: (NOT SHOWN) I use a blending stump to smudge my hatches. And then I do more hatching atop of the smudges.

Step 17: The darkest parts will be the triangle in the center and the areas on the edges of the right side of the hand (and fingers....see this developed in the next few steps).

Step 18: At this point I am using my darker (in tone) 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B pencils. I also use the eraser (A LOT) to create highlights.

Step 19: I always try to finish a drawing by smoothing it out by using the pencil, the eraser and the blending stub (tortillion).

Tradigital Art / Illustration with Decocolor Markers, Prismacolor Markers and Pencils and Photoshop

Tradigital art incorporates traditional materials with digital media. This video illustrates the tradigital process step by step (demonstration by artist Merrill Kazanjian). Link- http://merrillk.com/index.php?part=pu...
Kazanjian's process for this artwork-
1.) Pencil Drawing (regular HB pencil)
2.) Digital Scan
3.) Digital Collage with Paint Shop Pro / Photoshop
4.) Print
5.) Illustration Markers
6.) Opaque Paint Markers
7.) Scan (Again)
8.) Digital Touch Ups with Paint Shop Pro / Photoshop
9.) Save as PNG file
10.) Juxtapose PNG file