[stephendavisillustration]

⬅️SWIPE FOR DETAIL PICS. Huge shout out to @a_sarr for pushing the deadline back on this so I could have ample time to finish. Asking for extra time is never a thing you want to do but sometimes it's necessary. Blankets 2 will so be made available on sdavisillustration.com Also YouTube channel is in the works!

[stephendavisillustration]

SWIPE⬅️ TO SEE PROCESS. Color is one of few things about illustration that stresses me out. When I start thinking about all the different shades and tints of just ONE color I start breathing hard. Even just writing this post my hands got clammy. How do you handle working on an illustration that should have vibrant colors when the very thought of said colors makes you poop your pants? The answer is... Painfully. I did a quick color overlay in Photoshop then mixed watercolor and Gouache paints to match the digital plan. During the final painting I used this color study like a helpful guide instead of a rigid plan. Going over the colors once digitally and then a second time, traditionally, made me a lot more confident when it came to the final execution. Most people only get to see the final image as a representation of the artists effort but to get to the final result there are countless hours of unseen sketches and plans. . . . #stephendavisillustration #drawing #art #process #processporn #photoshop #colorful #illustration #colorcomp #spring #plants (at New York, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

SWIPE ⬅️TO SEE THE VALUE STUDY. Springtime is my favorite season because of how bold the transition is. The Fall to Winter and Spring to Summer transitions are smooth and subtle when compared to the dramatic nature of Spring. The gloomy, monochromatic tones of Winter are boldly erased by the vibrant new scenes of Spring. I tried to capture this burst of life in Blankets 2 but the challenging part was arranging this over the top celebration in a visually coherent way. How do I make sure each element adds purpose to the image? What is the best way to combine multiple colors in a way that makes leads the viewers eye? In order to establish order in the final painting I had to pay close attention to composition and value. You can see my thought process in both images. (at New York, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

It's Springtime, you made it through winter alive, your windows are open and your toes are out. Throw @a_sarr amazing beat tape on and be blessed. Link is in the bio. Artwork by yours truly. Process posts are coming. (at Brooklyn, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Bodega Cats . . . #stephendavisillustration #illustration #drawing #art #sketchbook #fantasy #mythology #artistsontumblr #characterdesign #ballpointpenart #sketcheveryday (at Brooklyn, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Mr. Penning. He'll kill you with the quickness or do your taxes with perfect precision. Another character from my upcoming illustrated narrative Bodega Cats. I'm posting a lot more about it... I wonder what that means🤔 . . . #stephendavisillustration #drawing #illustration #art #artistsontumblr #artistsoninstagram #blackexcellence #characterdesign #sketcheveryday #dapper #glasses #ballpointpen (at Manhattan, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Dominican Thunder. Another character from my upcoming illustrated narrative "Bodega Cats. . . . #stephendavisillustration #drawing #illustration #art #latina #dominicanrepublic #lightning #sketcheveryday #ballpointpen #postitart #curlyhair #characterdesign (at Manhattan, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

This is Teddy, a character from my upcoming narrative Bodega Cats. (Link I'm the bio to read about Bodega Cats) He is not a nice person. Pretty sure I use post it notes more for sketching than for their real purpose. . . . #stephendavisillustration #drawing #illustration #art #sketcheveryday #postitart #sketches #ballpointpenart #instaart #necktattoo (at Manhattan, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Laying down transparent washes to give the illusion of depth and atmosphere. Most importantly though, I'm having fun. K bye. (at Brooklyn, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Ready to paint. . . . #stephendavisillustration #painting #pencil #partsofdrawings #drawing #art #artistsontumblr #artistsoninstagram #illustration #spring #blackgirlmagic #flowers #process #wip (at New York, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Blankets II (Spring) currently in the drawing table. I've been working on a few things secretly so right now this project is the only thing I can show. Background 🎶 by @_russellelliot_ . . . #illustration #drawing #stephendavisillustration #process #wip #art #instaart #springtime #flowers #illustrator #pencildrawing #girl (at Brooklyn, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Work in progress for spring time... You know, that thing we were supposed to be experiencing by now. . . #stephendavisillustration #drawing #flowers #springtime #blackgirlmagic #illustration #art #instaart #sketchbook (at Brooklyn, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Just chilling with the homies. Happy Easter y'all! . . . #stephendavisillustration #dogsofinstagram #bostonterrier #eastersunday #sundayfunday #puppies (at Bushwick)

[stephendavisillustration]

Final revisions to a few character designs. My upcoming illustrated narrative "Bodega Cats" will be released later this year! This is NOT an April Fool's joke. Link in the bio to read the Bodega Cats synopsis. . . . #stephendavisillustration #art #thebodegacats #illustration #illustrationartists #pencil #drawing #sketchbook #sketcheveryday #characterdesign #instaart (at Bushwick)

[stephendavisillustration]

For the past few months I've playing with the natural properties of Watercolor and Gouache. Juxtaposing the depth and fluidity of watercolors with the flat and bold quality of Gouache. I still have a long way to go but this is one of the few times I think I got it right. . . . #stephendavisillustration #drawing #comicbooks #art #partsofpaintings #painting #watercolor #gouache #illustration #fondlynotwell #instaart #artistsontumblr #wedding #experimental (at New York, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Wedding Season. . . . #stephendavisillustration #fondlynotwell #illustration #drawing #art #artistsontumblr #artistsoninstagram #weddingday #photo #process #wip #watercolor #gouache (at New York, New York)

[stephendavisillustration]

Me looking at Springtime like, "You up?" as Drake songs play in the background. . . . #stephendavisillustration #drawing #art #illustration #springtime #winter #comicbookart #livingroom #sad #art #instaart #fondlynotwell (at Bushwick)