Hey Ray! Caricature

Hi All,

Happy New Year....OK, it's a little late.  Larry David (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm), would say you have 3 days before the statute of limitations runs out on "Happy New Year."  But I digress.

Here's a fun little caricature that I did for a friend, Ray, who is a life coach specializing in helping couples work through their issues.   I had a little fun with it and turned out Ray loved it and uses it for everything.  The other day he gave me a golf ball....that had the caricature printed on it.  He told me a client had it printed for him.

The original Ray Kopakowski caricature. 

Over the last couple of years I've done a few background variations and designed a couple of tshirts for him as well, with the caricature on them.  The one thing I didn't expect, was the golf ball with the pic on it. 

Hey Ray QnA - Design for social media to go with his podcast where he answers relationship questions

 Ray's got a good little practice going; helping people in relationship crisis, a podcast, he's finishing some books, and he's planning to do some public speaking in the near future.
His practice is called: Inner Power Insights.  He works with local clients as well as folks around the country and even internationally.  Website: InnerPowerInsights.com

The "Ask Ray" golf ball. 

It's been a fun little project that keeps bringing in work.  In the near future, there's a couple of book covers that I'll be designing around the Ray pic and I'm sure there's other projects that will come up as well.

That's all for now.  Back to work.  I hope you all have a wonderful winter.  Enjoy each day.  Even if you're in cold country - relax and enjoy...summer will be here soon.  Make each day a good one and do something good for others too....maybe even for a stranger. 

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
Artist, Illustrator, and Designer
www.behance.net/tk-art
email: tom.kbrink@gmail.com

TomK self portrait 2019

Hi All,

Well - I've become a very very inconsistent blogger.  I've got several pieces of artwork in the pipeline and in process, so I'll be back a little sooner next time.  Things are heating up here in Phoenix...in the 100s every day now.  I've got plenty on the plate; work, artwork, projects around the house and more.  Whew...busy life but excited about some of the things coming on the horizon.

One of the mediums of artwork I've always enjoyed is cartooning.  Over the years I've done several cartoon portraits....and self portraits.  Recently my older son Dave gave me this great hand made sketch book.  One day about a week ago I did some sketching and one that I did was a cartoon self portrait.  (I have another fun one coming from that day that I need to finish, but it's coming). Then today, I thought I'd take it to the computer and do a little color and finishing.

I complete the project using Photoshop and a Wacom tablet on my old Mac desktop.  It's fun working on little pieces like this once in a while.  Here's the finished product....

It's me.  I just sit with a pencil and paper and sketch it out.  Not very detailed, but fun.  I'm going to put up a couple other goofy ones that I've done over the years.  However - above is the 2019 version.  When I'll do the next one?  Who knows.

Above is one from 2011.  This was produced with pen and ink. I was a little younger and definitely entrenched in Arizona culture....tshirt, shorts and sandals.  And, I'm pretty much the same today, just older.

Here's a fun one from the early 1990s.  It's a pen and ink illustration. I was the medical illustrator at an Air Force teaching hospital, while on active duty.  I'd use this in some of the material I'd put out regarding the service I'd provide.  I'd produce little informational brochures to provide info to my customers and potential customers.  It was fun. 

So have some fun yourself, this summer.  Enjoy every day.  Be good to others, but also be good to yourself.    Have a great summer and more blog posts and artwork to come....now I'm going swimming.

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
tom.kbrink@gmail.com
www.behance.net/tk-art

Duane "The Rock" Johnson Caricature

Hi All,

It's been a busy summer and fall has finally come to the Valley of the Sun (thankfully).  Even though it's been busy this summer, I've still been working on some artwork here and there when I get the chance.  I love doing caricature work and I have a new one to share (although I finished it a while ago).

Recently I was hanging out with my granddaughter and we decided to do a little drawing.  I love hanging out and drawing with her - and she's a pretty good budding artist.   She found a topic to draw and I found an old magazine with The Rock on the cover and decided to start a piece based on him.

I started with pencils and a piece of bristol board and started a loose caricature of Duane Johnson.  When finished drawing I put it down and forgot about it.  Eventually I picked it up again a few weeks later and decided to finish the piece.

pencil sketch/caricature.

After I bought the pencil sketch along, I took a photo of it and brought it into Photoshop and did some digital painting.  I started by giving the image a sepia tone (a light brownish color).  I tightened up just a few areas that needed it, added a background design and a border; some finishing touches that I can easily apply with Photoshop and my Wacom drawing tablet.

finished artwork - pencil and digital paint

I enjoyed this project and I like the subject matter.  Typically, D.J. makes movies that are exciting and fun and a lot of times family friendly.  I've enjoyed many of his films and used to watch him wrestle, with my sons, years ago.

In a world as polarized as we live in today - Duane "The Rock" Johnson is a guy most of us can agree on.  This is a rare quality these days.

So remember the things we can agree on and that even though we may have differences, we all share a common humanity.  Have a great week everyone.

"Can you smellllll.......what the Rock is cooking?"

Peace,

Tom Kreienbink

Farewell to Tom Petty

Hi All,

I hope you're doing well.  I'm doing alright.  I'm keeping busy with a job doing outreach to homeless folks, here in Phoenix.  I'm the EMT on the team.  Here in the USA it's a big holiday week.  We celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday.  It's a great chance to get together with family and friends and celebrate and give thanks for the many blessings that we have.  I'm working the holiday, but so grateful to be getting together with family when I can this week.

On quite a different note, recently quite a few of our favorite musicians (and other celebrities as well), have passed away.  One in particular, that I've enjoyed over the years was Tom Petty.  As I became a young adolescent in the late 70's, he was breaking out on the national music scene with his band The Heartbreakers.  Later on he did some solo work and even was part of a supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys. 

About 10 or 11 years ago I was able to catch a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert with my wife and friends in Maryland.  The crowd was so excited and the band seemed to be having so much fun...it was pretty special.  I've seen some pretty good shows, but this one was as good as any that I've ever been too.

A few weeks back I started playing around with my sketchbook and a pencil, drawing a caricature illustration of Tom Petty.  I'd like to share it with you here.

Tom Petty - pencil and digital paint. 2017.

It's kind of a fun and loose caricature.  I started with the sketch and imported it into Photoshop, where I did a little more work, some shading, some background, etc. 

Farewell Tom Petty.  We'll be here enjoying American Girl, Free Falling, Handle with Care, Learning to Fly, and the rest of your music.

Have a great week everyone.  Enjoy Thanksgiving Americans.  There's plenty of places to help out the less fortunate this holiday season, if you're inclined.  They appreciate it.  Those of you travelling this week - be safe and happy trails.

Till next time..... Peace.

Tom

Caricature Illustration of Ray Kopakowski

Hi All,

I hope things are going well for you.  Well...winter is beginning to come to an end quickly here in Phoenix.  Should be in the mid 80s tomorrow.  Too warm, too fast.  That's life in the desert, it's all good.  I have been busy here.  I've been keeping busy with the holistic biz as well as doing some art and illustration on the side.

Today I'm featuring a caricature that I just finished for Ray Kopakowski.  Ray is a public speaker, hypnotherapist, counselor, and energy worker.  He's also a friend of mine.  I've been doing some illustration work for him and thought I'd have some fun with a caricature...something he could get a chuckle with or use with social media or his professional work.

tight pencil sketch with basic inked lines.

I always like to start with a nice sharp pencil and bristol board (a sturdy drawing paper).  I sketch out my idea and tighten it up with a nice ball point pen.  I like a lot of the pens you can get in a grocery store or office supply store.  Some of them are really nice quality pens.

Finished black and white illustration

Once I get the initial sketch, I take a camera photo and take it into Photoshop.  Then I focus on completing the black and white illustration.  I have an old Wacom tablet (that still works pretty well), and I thicken the lines.  Thicker lines and thinner, where appropriate.  Some of it I draw freehand with the stylus and some of the lines I plot out with the pen pointer tool in photoshop to get a nice tight line.

Finished color caricature illustration.

Finally, I add color.  Each piece varies, but typically I like to keep it simple.  For example, I use a base skin tone and one or two shades darker for depth, (same with the hair, shirt, etc).  For this I select the black layer and make it the top layer.  The color layers are "below" the black layer and the background is the very bottom layer.  Pretty simple technique and I like the result.

And there you have it.  The Ray Kop caricature.  I hope you all have a great week.



Peace,


Tom

Tom Kreienbrink is a freelance illustrator from Phoenix, AZ.  You can see his work at:
www.behance.net/tk-art
or you can follow his art and design page on Facebook
www.facebook.com/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

Geddy Lee Artwork...Rockin the Bass

Hi All,

I hope your summer is going well.  It's hot here...whew!  I just got back from Texas and it's hot there too.  But hey - that's how we roll down here in the summer.  Not complaining.

Today I'm highlighting a couple caricatures I recently completed of the vocalist, bass and keyboard player for a band called Rush; Geddy Lee.  This summer Rush is out on tour, celebrating 40 years together as a band.  They've made a lot of music together, with just 3 members in the band...and, they still tour and play shows with only the 3 guys playing, (unlike several of the old bands who bring in many supporting musicians to back up the main band members). 

A few weeks ago they came thru town and I really wanted to see them in concert again, (I'd seen them around 1985).  At the same time they were on the cover of the Rolling Stone and I saw an excellent new documentary on them, (on Netflix).  So I was inspired to have a little fun with Geddy.

I started this one in pencil and finished it out in pen and ink. 

 

 

I know I'm not the only guy my age with this story.  In 8th grade, while hanging out with friends I heard the album, "Fly By Night" (yes - on vinyl), and then "2112".  Needless to say, I was hooked.  They rocked; the dude's voice is completely unlike anyone elses,  they have the best drummer in rock and roll, and they sang about some things I could relate too....deep topics and some a little lighter.  Throughout my teenage years - they were the best in music (in my humble opinion).

I took the pen and ink version into Photoshop and created a color version.

By the time I was well into my 20's, they took a little different turn musically and I did a little bit as well.  However, I still love that trio from Canada.  They can rock the house.  I heard they'd put on an amazing show here in Phoenix...I'm sure they did.

Have a great day everyone.  Enjoy.  Be kind to yourself and to others as well (even the annoying guy or gal at work).  And....rock on!!

Peace,

Tom

On-line Portfolio:  www.behance.net/tk-art

Having a little fun with The Donald

Hey All,

I hope your week is off to a good start.  Mine is pretty good so far.  Today was my day off and I met with a colleague, ran errands, and made a big crock pot of chilli.  (I know...chilli in the middle of the Arizona summer??).  Anyhow - it turned out delicious and was a good day.

Anyone who's watched the news lately has probably heard that Donald Trump is running for President of the United States.  At least most people in the USA know about this and most of you overseas are most likely familiar with who he is.  So I thought I'd share a fun piece of artwork that I created during the last Presidential election.  Back then Trump was talking about running, but in the end he didn't.

Back then, I thought I'd do a fun caricature illustration of Trump.  He's such a boisterous, loud and over the top character anyhow - he's naturally the first person you want to immortalize in a cartoon.  Of course, he's a business man and known for his hotels and lavish lifestyle...so I was thinking...how would he envision upgrades to the White House?  Perhaps a Trump Tower DC? 

Well - anyone who's watching election coverage, here in the US knows that he's said some controversial things.  I don't want to get into that here.  He's not my preference for President, but I know there are some folks who really like him.  That's one of the things about our country that I'm grateful for....the freedom to enjoy our opinions and the right to select our representatives.

Enjoy my small attempt to get into the head of Donald Trump.  It's certainly going to be an interesting campaign season...good luck with that my fellow Americans.

Have a great week everyone...work hard and have some fun too.

Peace,

Tom

On-line portfolio:  www.Behance.net/tk-art

Phillip Seymour Hoffman Caricature

Hi All,

How's it going out there?  How's summer time where you are?  Here in Phoenix, it's been hot, as it should be in summer.  This morning I cleaned the swimming pool and I've got a couple massage clients later in the afternoon.  So it's a good Monday.

The other day I watched the documentary about Drew Strewzan - the amazing movie poster artist.  Back when I was doing mostly airbrush work and illustration, he was one of my heroes.  So I got out the sketch book and a pen, as I was watching and started sketching a caricature of Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  I love his movies - such a great actor and I'm sad we no longer will have him around.

pen and ink in sketchbook

Initially I sketched with a ball point pen and sketch book in my lap....just for fun.  Then I took a photo of it with my phone and did a little painting in Photoshop on the computer.    I started with a magazine photo to work from.

sketch after painting in Photoshop with Wacom tablet.

I enjoy sketching once in a while as I sit around.  It's good for all of us to do this.  It gets us into the right side of the brain...let that creativity flow.

I hope you all have a great week.  Enjoy a little sketching today.  If you're not very artistic...make sure you do the sketching.  It's good for you.

Peace,

Tom

web portfolio:  www.behance.net/tk-artwww.behance.net/tk-art

Cap'n Pete's Midlife Cruise

Hi All,

Wow - what a busy weekend.  Had a great 4th of July holiday, got to watch a good fireworks display.  Then, we hosted a party yesterday, which was fun.  A low key get together, but hopefully a good time for all.  Whew!

Today I dug out a piece that a did a while back for a guy we call Cap'n Pete.  Cap'n Pete is a guy who would conduct transition programs for the military.  The programs help military members transition professionally from being an active duty military member to becoming a civilian again and Cap'n Pete is excellent at what he does.

Cap't Pete had developed a special transition program for career military members who were venturing out into the workforce after a 20+ year career.  I developed a design that he could use on folders, coffee cups, email and web, and various other promotional items.  One thing about Cap'n Pete; he is a huge Jimmy Buffet fan - or a Parrot Head.

Midlife Cruise artwork - Photoshop and Wacom tablet.

So with Pete being all about a laid back nautical lifestyle and the name of the program being, "Midlife Cruise," the illustration just about designed itself.  I started with Pete himself; a caricature portrait, and also a parrot and life preserver.

The life preserver is a symbol of getting help that is needed - like someone tossing you a life preserver when you're floundering in the water.  We all need that when transitioning to a new chapter of life post military service.  Of course the parrot and drink with umbrella are a light hearted nod to Pete's love of Jimmy Buffet and the laid back lifestyle and his mellow island music.  It's also representative of how this should be an enjoyable "cruise," into a new chapter in life, not a rough situation.

Like a lot of my artwork, I started with a tight pencil layout.  I then scan the pencil sketch in to the computer and work in the color with Photoshop and a Wacom tablet.

Well - gotta go.  There are still things to be done today.  Have a great week ahead.  Enjoy every day.

Peace,

Tom