Brian Britigan

Minneapolis-based illustrator, animator, artist, educator, etc. • he/him 🏳️‍🌈

[brianbritigan]

This past Friday was the final day of MicroVisions 9, which is also the final show from WOW x WOW — it has me feeling nostalgic and thinking about the piece I created for WOW x WOW’s very first MicroVisions show way back in 2018.

Looking back at so many years of art makes me feel super thankful for all the opportunities (and necessary deadlines) to create personal work — not to mention the chance to be featured among a truly stellar selection of artists. I’ll always appreciate how these shows gave me an excuse to experiment with new materials, processes, palettes, and subjects. Endless thanks to Tim Maclean for bringing me on board and for his YEARS of support behind the scenes! #wowxwowforever

[brianbritigan]

🌷 It sure is pretty out there 🌸

[brianbritigan]

Today’s the final day of “Love in the Time of Resistance” at Co-Prosperity in Chicago — it’s truly an honor to have a piece of my work included in this traveling snapshot of Minnesota’s visual response to ICE violence. So much of what happened in the Twin Cities was shaped and informed by Chicago’s efforts during last year’s Operation Midway Blitz, so this show of solidarity feels full of collective gratitude.

Extra thanks to ArtYouHeart for continuing to support this important work and to Chan C. Smith and Sandra Oviedo for these documentation photos!

[brianbritigan]

Here’s my contribution to MicroVisions 9 from WOW x WOW 🐝 The online group exhibition of small artworks runs through May 22nd.

“Sunny Side” — Mixed media on wood panel, 6” x 6” (very happy to report that this piece has already sold!)

[brianbritigan]

Process steps from my piece for MicroVisions 9 from WOW x WOW 🐝 The mixed-media drawing was made with colored pencils on a small wood panel, alternating with layers of ultra-matte medium and a final addition of acrylic paint for the background.

[brianbritigan]

A little Ahsoka treat for May the 4th

[brianbritigan]

Here’s my contribution to MicroVisions 9 from WOW x WOW 🐝 The online group exhibition of small artworks runs through May 22nd.

“Sunny Side” — Mixed media on wood panel, 6” x 6” (very happy to report that this piece has already sold!)

[brianbritigan]

🎀🐰🌼🥚👒🐇🌷

Help yourself to some chocolate rabbits, drawn on a field trip to the Li-Lac chocolate factory in Brooklyn a decade ago (!!!)

[brianbritigan]

🤞😬 Hoping that this is the last of our winter weather here in Minneapolis

[brianbritigan]

Forgot to post this lil’ black-and-white piece from the start of the year 🔥🏠🏠🏠 Big thanks to AD Vinnie Neuberg for the NYT Second Look spot!

[brianbritigan]

And here are the thumbnail sketch explorations for this illustration about community fire prevention strategies...

[brianbritigan]

Forgot to post this lil’ black-and-white piece from the start of the year 🔥🏠🏠🏠 Big thanks to AD Vinnie Neuberg for the NYT Second Look spot!

[brianbritigan]

Mail day! Always a treat to open up the newest American Illustration annual and find my work inside.

Cover by Dadu Shin ✨ Design by Rachel Willey

“On Book Bans and Minnesota” — illustration for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine with art direction by Laurie Hawton

[brianbritigan]

This is my brain on color 😵‍💫

Digital palette tests and linear burn experiments from my recent illustration for The Gullet.

[brianbritigan]

A peek behind the curtain to show the printmaking-inspired digital approach from my recent illustration for The Gullet

The image is built out of one orange layer and two blue layers, using the linear burn blend mode to create the limited palette seen in the final illustration. Selectively layering these two colors can produce a surprising range of tones and effects, while also ensuring a harmonious and cohesive end result.

Decision making is the most difficult part of the art process for me, so I find this strategy of boxing myself in to be strangely liberating. These self-imposed rules transform the blank page into a puzzle game, making a maze for my little rodent brain to explore.

[brianbritigan]

Thumbnail sketch explorations from a recent illustration for The Gullet 🍳 “The Egg Mule” is a lovingly-written tribute to Alyce, a trusty four-legged member of the Yellowstone Horse and Mule team.

[brianbritigan]

Process steps from this recent illustration for The Gullet — thumbnail sketch, color study, work in progress, & final illustration. Many thanks to AD Greg Kozatek for the guidance along the way!

[brianbritigan]

An illustration for a lovingly-written tribute to a trusty member of the Yellowstone Horse and Mule team. Created for The Gullet with art direction by Greg Kozatek.

[brianbritigan]

Absolutely surreal to see my ICE OUT illustration featured during last week’s protest poster projection event at the Witch’s Hat Tower in Prospect Park— big thanks to ArtYouHeart, Second Sight Visuals, and Nate Meyer for putting together an incredible showing!