Recent Work: Music Studio Mural Art

I was commissioned to create a Sci Fi influenced wilderness landscape painting for the broad wall of a music studio. Armed with the dimensions and a photo, I tried to envision how the large painting will look using vector graphics.

Posted below are various stages of the actual painting.

And the completed painting...

Recent Work: Afro Retro + Art Nouveau + Greek Mythology Design Concept

I am in the middle of making calendar art, mural painting for a music studio and creating concept art for a prospective commission. I had to take a little time off to clear my head.

I enjoy the result when creative elements from different and varied concepts, genres and ideas are combined. I recently made a design by mixing aspects of Greek myth, European art nouveau and 1970s Afro fashion. Just something I wanted to do to clear my head during crunch time. To make it even more interesting, I used a restricted colour palette.

Recent Work: Gender Equality & Women Rights Poster Designs

The issue of gender equality is crucial, especially in my part of the world. I have heard lamentations about how few women hold their own in the science/technology based industries in comparison to their male counterparts. But in truth, the story is not that different in the creative fields as well.

I have been a studio manager working in the comics creation/illustration business in the country for many years. I have had the opportunity of working with highly talented professionals on several projects. Yet, the ratio of females to males, in almost a decade, is appalling. Even a survey of the resumes received over the years show the number of female applicants in single digit, out of over a hundred applications!

The idea that men are smarter or more productive is a myth. I have two sisters who are holding their own in the finance and IT sectors and I believe if given the same opportunity as men, more women will be visible on the professional scene. Also, marriage or care-giving at home are no longer tenable excuses, especially in the world we live in today. The economic realities have left many men very open to their wives holding full-time jobs.

Copyright 2012 Olusola Akinseye

Food for thought: Illustrators Are Artists

I have always loved art since I was a child growing up in Palm Groove Estate in the 70's. This interest has been close to my heart even as I grew up to an adult. Imagine my surprise when I came across opinions and mindsets that belittle illustrations and consider illustrators as lesser than or different from 'artists'. I believe any form of visual expression or communication that requires creativity, personal perception and interpretation is art. Most people with this mindset have no problem regarding Michelangelo as an 'artist'. Of course he was a great artist. But a close look at his paintings reveal he was really an extraordinary illustrator. I have usually avoided making an issue of this though. 

 

I was delightfully surprised when I came across Brad Holland's illustration (above), especially the hand written message. I have taken the liberty of typing it out clearly. I think this says it all. 

Past Work: Old Portfolio

While clearing some old files from my desktop, I stumbled on an downloadable portfolio I designed in 2008. For some reason I never got to upload it. Here are pages form the file.

Recent Work: Character Designs

I was commissioned to create characters for a series of publications last month. One is an ordinary guy while the other is more manly or heroic. This is my take on the brief...

Recent Work: Tribute To An Old Friend

I mentioned in my previous post that an old friend of mine had passed. I was so overwhelmed by the many testimonies of goodwill during his burial ceremony, I was moved to say Adieu in my own way- a portrait painting to remember him by.

Recent Event: Studio Update

Wow! The past months have been a roller coaster of adventures, challenges and demanding work. I have been so busy, and at same time distracted, I have left this blog unattended. I suffered a spell of poor health, had to relocate my studio apartment, handle a demanding and protracted book illustration, design and layout (of which I am not allowed to blog about). And just as I am about to breathe, I got news of a dear old friend's passing. We've been close pals since my days on campus at University of Lagos. This week I'll be travelling to visit his family.

I am determined to get back to my usual studio updates as soon as I settle down after my trip. I have a lot of projects lined up for the remaining of the year. Please tag along.

The following pencil drawings were made for a children story book in 2011. It's about the Tortoise and the Hare (not the tale about the race).

 

Have a great week!

Past Works: Early Photoshop Illustration

I am still reorganising my studio files and recently came across some early Photoshop illustrations. This work features my attempt at using the selection feature. Before this time I only used the airbrush tool. The image is the cover illustration for a novel written by Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, English don at the University of Lagos. The cover was commissioned by Lantern Books.

Past Works: Pencil Sketches From My Archives

During a recent new year purging and rearranging of my studio, I stumbled on some pencil illustrations from earlier years. The above was for a storybook while the sketch below was part of a conceptual art for a website. 

All images are copyrighted please.