Do you use instagram? I've just started posting a little more often, don't ask me why but lately I've been snapping work in progress pictures for all to see some of my process while I am illustrating. Here are a couple for you to see. You can follow me by searching @paulshipper in your instagram app.
On a Dark Knight: Sketching ideas using Paper by @FiftyThree
Thought I might take a moment to share some of the sketches I created to use in my recent Dark Knight Rises T Shirt submission.
I used a brand new sketchbook app on my trusty 1st Gen. iPad to get some ideas on Paper. Working on concepts, designs, layouts and even sketching the characters from memory. I didn't use any reference for the drawings, I did that on purpose as I usually rely heavily on reference when drawing for my illustrations, so i guess it was something of a test for myself.
Some of the character sketches actually came out better than I thought, and so they ended up in the final illustration.
After sketching, I emailed the images to myself (before the new feature of saving to your camera roll was available - it is now!) and composed the illustration in Photoshop.
I have put together some screen grabs directly from the app and the final artwork at the end.
If you like drawing, sketching, a bit of painting I thoroughly recommend the new app by FiftyThree, from beginners to professionals the ease of use and simplicity of the design is the closest thing I haver found on a digital device that comes to actually drawing in a sketchbook.
Dark Knight Rises Poster Artwork - 2 different styles
Update! One of my designs has been chosen for the DKR contest, be sure to check it out and please vote!
Dark Knight Rises Tee Shirt Preview Designs
Update! One of my designs has been chosen for the DKR contest, be sure to check it out and please vote!
http://www.designbyhumans.com/vote/detail/100889/
Here are 2 designs I have submitted to the official Dark Knight Rises contest that will be judged by none other than Christopher Nolan himself!
As you can see, both of these designs are polar opposites stylistically … do you have a preference?
Head over to the website and if you are an artist or designer, or just want to have a go… get creating something for this cool contest!
http://www.designbyhumans.com/shirt-design-contest/the-dark-knight-rises.html
Dark Knight Rises
New Maleficent in the Disney Villains Show
I wanted to draw Maleficent, one of mine and my daughters favorites for the new Disney Villains Show over at Plant-Pulp and after doing a little scouring on the inter-webs, I read about Tim Burton possibly making a film about Maleficent with Angelina Jolie… Couldn't help myself…
Check out all the other amazing Disney Villains art by fellow Rogues over at http://www.planet-pulp.comHappy 80th Birthday to John Williams!
Where would we be without the musical genius of John Williams?…
His music has inspired so many, myself included, Listening to his wonderful scores and classical compositions while I work and even in my free time.
I created this painting back in 1998 when I went to see him conduct the London Symphony Orchestra. I managed to get a print of this piece to John, although I didn't meet him. A little while later I received a couple of lovely letters of thanks, one from his agent and the other from the Boston Symphony which was where he was working at the time as Laureate Conductor.
Here's wishing you a Happy Birthday Mr Williams! Thanks for continuing to inspire us through your music.
PS.
From the Archives: Manchester City Stadium
Looking through my photography archives came across this photograph I took for the Manchester City Stadium while I was in the UK...
Illustrating the Screenplay
Mark Leaphart is a screenwriter for feature films. He approached me about illustrating his stories as film posters for his new website www.nextboxofficehits.comThe two illustrations were from different genres and had to have a feel of the sort of movie they were. After reading the screenplays, I had my own ideas and concepts forming in my mind. It was still a challenge in many ways though. First of all, no production stills to work from. Mark sent me images to help me capture his vision. He sent me detailed information even down to who might play the roles of each character! We went through stages of evolution on each of the posters eventually coming to the right conclusion.
Christmas Greetings from PS STUDIO DPI
Christmas greetings to you and huge thanks for your continued support this past year!
Lots of great work has come out of the studio in 2011 thanks to my awesome Clients.
Design, Photography and Illustration work have been abundant, not forgetting the newly launched illustration portfolio site last month and keeping you updated with all things DPI on the blog
The Gallery Store has also been a hit for Christmas gifts!
Keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for Promo codes saving you upto 40% this month!
Looking forward to a great 2012 for us all.
PSSTUDIODPI is here to continue realising your dreams visually...
whatever they may be.
Peace be with you…
Paul.
New Illustration site just launched
I am pleased to announce my newly designed illustration website at paulshipper.com
The new site is aimed to simplify the browsing experience (with a little less clutter) connecting my Posterous blog with the main page along with my recent tweets ;)
While I was working on the new portfolio layout I came across FolioHD. Co-created by one of my favorite Posterous page designers, Cory Watilo. FolioHD was the perfect choice. Scalable artwork on any device, so all my visitors will be able to view my portfolio on pretty much anything that can hook up to the internet. and it saved me so much time!
You will also find a link to the Directory of Illustration. If you are on their mailing list, be sure to look out for my illustration page next January.
I hope you enjoy browsing the new portfolio - more artwork will be put online as time goes by so be sure to check back.
Special thanks to Graham for his support =]
DECORATE IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! PROMO CODE!
Head over to the PSSTUDIODPI shop and use the promo code: DECORATE22 and get 22% off your order in time for Christmas!
Illustrating Yoda for Star Wars Galaxy
It's always a great pleasure to work on a new Star Wars illustration. And to be asked again this year to produce another original for the Topps Star Wars Galaxy series is an honour.
I decided to follow on from my Yoda and Dooku illustration "Once Allies" to show the continuation of their relationship from being Master and Padawan, fighting the good fight flashing forward to the time in Attack of the Clones, where they are now enemies. The duel in AOTC stood out for me as one of the highlights of the movie where, unpredictably, Yoda finally gets to show us his moves! He walks into the hangar bay to face his old Padawan hobbling with a walking stick...and then...Who'd have thought he could be so fast?! Took my breath away the first time I saw that scene.
So it's only fitting that when I re looked at these two characters, that this scene was a must to try and capture.
I did my initial concepts on my iPad, using a painting application called ProCreate and a stylus...not my finger ;) The comp was approved by Topps/Lucasfilm and then it was on to start the painting in reality on a piece of 30x40 illustration board.
Illustrating Yoda can be quite a challenge...he has quite unusual features, yet such a recognisable character... Quite a lot to render, but so worthwhile. Using my usual method similar in many ways to the art of Drew Struzan, drawing, drawing, airbrushed colour over airbrushed colour and then more drawing, using Prismacolor pencils filling in the lights and darks, I love the process.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little sneak preview into the behind the scenes of what goes into creating an illustration at PS STUDIO.
Posterous Spotlight: Paul Shipper - The Official Posterous Space
Click on the Picture above to jump to the PS STUDIO DPI Spotlight story over at the Official Posterous Space.
Photo Session On Q
Kat Quin Merewether from Design on Q, a Te Awamutu based design and illustration studio hired PS STUDIO DPI to capture her portrait and the team in their work environment for use on their new website and to accompany a new book Kat has just illustrated. We even did an impromptu homage to the late Steve Jobs by way of a portrait of Kat. We were and still are both huge admirers of what he did at Apple. Enjoy this selection of photos.
Meet Herbert the Organic Gnome - Hamilton Organic
Latest vector illustration from PS STUDIO illustration is a character design for Hamilton Organic. Meet Herbert the Gnome, He's a friendly fella who wants to help you. Did you know that Gnomes live to be 400 years old... well Herbert here is a fairly young gnome... how old would you say he is?...
Hamilton Organic have been showing off Herbert in the last 10 days in the Waikato Times, seen him lately?... Well you can get your chance to maybe meet him in person this weekend 15th October, Herbert the Giant Home Grown Organic Gnome is coming to Hamilton!
Head to Hamilton Organic Centre. We're located at the end of Wickham St (off Kahikatea Drive Extension) in Dinsdale.
Sad News from Apple - Paul Shipper
via apple.com
Steve Jobs has been one of those figures to me that I have most definately looked up to. A visionary who has brought to this World so many technological advances from the Personal Computer in the form of an amazingly designed piece of hardware to the undeniable simplicity and beauty of the Mac OS and to the art of digital animation with Pixar to name but a few. I have never met Steve Jobs personally, but he has impacted my life in so many ways over so many years. I will miss you Steve. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends and colleagues. You will, as you always have been, be regarded as a legend throughout time.
PS.
You can email thoughts, memories and condolences to rememberingsteve@apple.com
Indy Illustration Interview
You may recall the artwork for Indiana Jones and the Lost Idol I created for Fran Casanova's short film, well, the nice folks at IndianaJones.es wanted to interview me, and it is now online. The film is now completed with an original score and will be screened at a film festival in Madrid. Nice work Fran and all the best.
"We present the original poster from Fran Casanova's latest short film about our favorite character. The poster is the work of Paul Shipper, renowned illustrator who has produced several best-known illustrations of the character after the teacher Struzan. On this occasion we were able to interview Paul .
And now a pleasant surprise after a long time waiting, Indiana Jones and the search for the lost idol be screened at the Cificom to be held in Madrid on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October. Just this Sunday at 18:15 hours will be screened first short film with original score composed by Oscar Navarro." (google translate)
Here is a translated version in English of the interview that was posted in Spanish. Thanks to Google Translate and Ai.
Original version of the interview can be found at http://www.indianajones.es/entrevistas/paulshipper.php
PS STUDIO DPI - Radio Ads!
PS STUDIO DPI has been on the air with a couple of Radio Ads on local stations ZM and NewsTalk ZB in the Waikato... for those of you not in the Waikato region... Here they are in all their mp3 glory for you to have a listen to...
....PS, the PS stands for Paul Shipper ;)
A Pig Headed Illustration
Here is something you don't see everyday, a portrait of a pig! This is the latest painting from my drawing board. Love the look on the face of this animal, such a knowing look... an all-wise pig. I have uploaded the underdrawing as well as the finished painting for you to see. Enjoy. PS.