Shhh...

This is the album artwork for Dave Menzo's newest album Shhh...

It's an interesting project, it's created entirely with instruments checked out from the Ann Arbor Public Library. They have a substantial electronic instrument section that he frequented to make the album. I started with the illustration of the face, hand drawing, scanning and digitally finishing it. I worked up the "Shhh..." text the same way. A few pages of S's and a few more of h's whittled down to the best ones. The velvet and fur backgrounds were really fun to work with as well. They lend a distinct vibe to the whole thing. 

I've got a few digital projects in the works and I'm enjoying this process being a blend of hand drawing and finishing in PS. 

Lady portrait

This is a portrait of the lady. It's on the smaller side, 8x8. I wanted to try loosening up a bit. I kept the face mostly tightened up to a higher level of detail but let the background be looser and unfinished. I also wanted to try sticking a little bit of color in like the dark blue in the hair.