Architectural Watercolors, Architectural Imaging, Digital Rendering and more - Lucid Arts

Clay Hughes Icon

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:47:17 +0000

One of my favorite local musicians, Clay Hughes, recently commissioned me to do a logo-type icon drawing for him.

I love it when people give me license to do whatever I want. He was looking for something super loose and quick. So, while this might not be the cleanest or most detailed work I’ve done, it was ideal for what he needed.

As always, I have to provide process images. Which in this case was just one loose sketch…

I almost like this look better. But I could never let go of something this loose to be used.

Hustla The Rabbit t-shirt

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:17:17 +0000

Mac Lethal recently commissioned this t-shirt design, titled “Hustla the Rabbit”. Its a character made up by his cousin Bennett, as seen on his viral website, “Texts From Bennett“.

I think this was a two day turnaround project. I got an e-mail asking for a design for a “gangster bunny rabbit”. For which I produced three quick sketches.

As usual, the first iteration is the best. We went forward with that one.

Layering color for t-shirt designs to me is much akin to solid color cell shading in animation. First I do the line work.

Then add shadow.

Color.
The amount of colors is always up to the client, as more colors increase cost. So, the trick is to do as much with as few tones as possible.

Sprint Story Boards

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:54:46 +0000

Some story boards I did for in-store Sprint commercials.

Video Conference.

Telemedicine.

Maze Craze Mural

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:03:57 +0000

Last summer I had the opportunity to produce a commercial display window mural for a new laser tag facility in the local Zona Rosa retail development.

As always, I like to share the process undergone to get where I got. Here was my initial direction.

The first sketch captured interest, but then on to realizing a direction.

I really tried to combine all the aspects of what this store would be. It was comprised of a mirror maze, a laser tag facility, and a laser maze, very Mission Impossible.

The client really wanted a “Tron-like” feel for the graphic. As the new movie version had just come out and would be hot content. So, I worked to accommodate…

This was our final design.

And painted…

So, it’s hard to predict how a digital design will translate into a painted mural. Especially when digital monitors are consistently calibrated differently, and matching mixed paint from swatches can be tricky. I think the client was a little concerned that ultimately the design and product differed in tones. And it just didn’t have the exact same feel. But regardless, I’ve gotten only positive feedback about it and am personally pleased with the end result.

Trezo Mare, Restaurant Theater Option

admin — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:54:19 +0000

Here’s a theater option concept illustration I recently produced for a local restaurant here in Kansas City called, Trezo Mare.

Though Trezo Mare used to have a wonderful Sunday brunch, it was lightly trafficked and didn’t turn any profit. This concept proposed here would hope to solve that issue. It would take a day of the week that the restaurant is closed, and provide an opportunity to expand profit while offering a fun and cultural experience to its patrons.

Located in the relatively new Briarcliff development, this restaurant is one of my favorites here in Kansas City. Not just because of their amazing food, unbeatable service and modest prices. But because of their unique commitment to local produce, antibiotic and hormone free meat, as well as a composting program meant to recycle 60-80% of the restaurant’s waste. If you live in or visit the area, I highly recommend checking it out.

Farmer’s Market Watercolor

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:32:13 +0000

Kansas City’s downtown area has been on a come back for a number of years now. And its not all corporate redevelopment. The idea of “community” is resurfacing. And one way its manifesting is in farmer’s markets popping up all over the area. Not only do farmer’s markets bring people together. They enforce the idea of supporting local growers, and also cut out the shipping and environmental cost of many supermarkets.

This architectural watercolor represents an idea that’s set to gain traction in the southeast part of downtown, where a lot of renovation work has been happening. Fortunately I got to be a part of it, and look forward to hopefully watching this effort come together.

Right now all that is there is this vacant lot. Its not a wonder that they want to transform this, and the potential in extraordinary.
Here are some quick process images.

Fountain of Youth, process

admin — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 04:03:08 +0000

I recently did this illustration for my boy, Kemet “The Phantom” Coleman. The cover for his upcoming album, “The Fountain of Youth”.

Kemet approached me wanting an image of a mermaid bathing in the Fountain of Youth. I decided this was a good opportunity to brush up on my “concept art” technique. I took an avenue of shortcuts to see what I could come up with as quickly as possible, utilizing some Google image searches as well as my Photoshop editing capabilities.
First, I found these photos,

I thought that together they might well make for a good “fountain of youth”. I didn’t think it should really look like a ‘fountain’, but more like a natural tropical pool with waterfalls. So, combining these, applying some adjustments and filters, I developed this to a suitable background.

Then I needed the mermaid. My image folders are vast, and it took no time to find a body that fit the composition. All I needed to do was turn her into a mermaid.

The painting process is pretty similar to canvas. Build up tones and craft the image. But it also helps to be able to eye drop colors and adjust the tones to figure out what works.

About this far along, I thought that it would be a lot more interesting to have the mermaid be a soul sister, afro and all. Anyone who knows Kemet’s music understands how this might be more appropriate. And to me its just a lot more interesting of an image this way.

Then I found this 3D model someone did of a conquistador, and chose to use it as a place holder to build my conquistador over.

Put it all together…

…add some light, blur the foreground…

Viola!

Sikenomics Mural

admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:26:32 +0000

Yet another collaboration with Sike Style Design!

So, really all I contributed to this piece was the pilot character in the upper right. Sike and his intern, Kendra, were already close to finished when Sike had the realization that he didn’t have quite what he wanted to fill that corner.

He asked me to come up with something, so I sketched out this pilot figure.

And voila…

Sike Style Collaboration, “Experimental Aircraft”

admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:39:19 +0000

Here’s a new collaborative work of art produced in conjunction with my homeboy Sike.

Sike recently got awarded a studio space from KC’s Urban Culture Project. I decided to go check it out. Since he happened to have an old wooden door (compliments of Luke Firle) just laying around, we grabbed some paint and went to town.
A glimpse into the process…enjoy.

Oh yeah, and its for sale! Fyi…

Lucid Arts in the Kansas City Star

admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:08:42 +0000

Lucid Arts recently got a nod in the Kansas City Star. Stacy Downs wrote a great article on the implementation of barn doors into condos and lofts. It so happens that she was contacting Joe Munson about the project we did last year, (here’s the blog I did on it) and he suggested she talk with me. Take a moment and check it out if you haven’t.