Since I practice two separate but related disciplines, I am very aware of the commonalities and differences in the process of each. For me, graphic design tends to be more evolutionary in that I start with concept sketches and develop from there. My illustration process is a bit different, because I almost always have the image complete in my imagination before I begin to sketch it on paper. Things may change a bit as I go, but generally speaking I iterate an image onto paper rather than explore and develop options. This is true whether it’s created for a client’s project or for myself.

My illustration of the Lion of Judah, an icon of both Judaism and Christianity, was no exception. I saw this painting fully-formed in my mind and then brought it into being on paper. I made a couple of sketches first, then enlarged and transferred the drawing to watercolor paper.

The concept sketch:

The finished work created in watercolor, gouache and colored pencil on paper:

Some background on the work: Judah means praise. Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and it was out of his line that Jesus Christ came. Judah was referred to as a lion in Genesis, and it is the Lion of Judah, referring to Jesus Christ, who is worthy to open the scroll in Revelation.

One row forward and three seats over.
I did this quick sketch in about 10 minutes in my sketchbook during a seminar.

This is the concept rough from my sketchbook, which is not finished enough to be considered a comp, and the finished artwork. The illustration was created in watercolor, gouache and colored pencil, on Arches 140#.

Most depictions of David, the hero king of Israel in the Old Testament, show him fighting Goliath of Gath. A few show him in his later years, and several tell the story of his affair and murderous cover up. In reading about David’s life, he comes across as an all around flawed hero: determined, passionate, sometimes fearful, as capable of screwing up as each of us is, but always trusting in God. I decided to portray David as an intense, visionary and epic young man who was aware of his destiny but sometimes unsure he would achieve it.

The illustration was done for a packaging project – a wrap-around cover for a CD album. The “five smooth stones” are on the back of the package where the audio titles will be placed.

My concept sketch for David illustration and CD album cover

Finished Illustration in watercolor, gouache and colored pencil

©2009 Alvalyn Lundgren

Last weekend I was over at the local Borders bookstore and cafe. I sat down with my sketchbook and began drawing the folks at the table in the center of the room. They were all older, and were discussing films and the movie industry, spending a good portion of their conversation contrasting the three Pride and Prejudice movies (Lawrence Olivier, Colin Firth and Keira Knightly versions). I overheard their conversation as I drew, beginning with this gentleman. By the time I had finished drawing him, all but one of his companions had left. He was left alone talking about engineering with a lanky Asian who had recently joined the group.

So at least I got the guy captured on paper. One thing I remember about him was that he didn’t sit still… he was constantly fidgeting and changing positions. And he never looked my way or gave me a full profile. 

By the way, the best Pride and Prejudice opus in my book? The BBC miniseries with Colin Firth.

Ink sketch by Alvalyn Lundgren. ©2009.

I seldom get bored in meetings. There is always something or someone that catches my interest and I begin to doodle. A quick sketch of Laszlo, who was listening attentively to the guy with the microphone, occupied a few minutes of my time. Then I turned to a new page and drew someone else.

Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara ©2008

I enjoy watching people. My frequent jaunts upcoast often include visits to piers where there is an abundance of both commercial and private fishing activity.

This was one of two young men who evidently spend a lot of weekend hours fishing from the pier. He takes his catch home to his family in a 10-gallon painter’s bucket. From the amount of fish already in the bucket I deduced he was having a very good day.

I had the opportunity to sketch some of my students while they took the midterm in my color theory class. This was a quick sketch, drawn in about 8 minutes.