EASTER BREAK

ILLUSTRATION NEWSLETTER
ENHANCEMENT WEEK & EASTER BREAK

THREE WEEKS OF NON-DELIVERY:
A TEST OF YOUR RESOLVE

You're staring down the barrel of three weeks without scheduled delivery—consider this a challenge.

📽️ First years – You’ve got a moving image project to bring to life.

🖌️ Second years – You’re wrapping up your final ‘illustration in response to the written word’ project this semester. Once done, you should review this semester's 3 projects and fine tune them before summative assessment.

🏁 Third years – You’re deep into your final major projects—now is the time to push forward - this isn't 'time off' it's 'bonus time'.

In other words, everyone has work to be doing—this is not a three-week holiday. Manage your time well, stay productive, and keep the momentum going.

drawing

I’m certain we’ve said this before, but at the risk of repeating ourself or just in case you weren’t paying attention--drawing is important. Do more of it.
For some of you, drawing is central to your final artwork. For others, it might only feature in the early stages of developing an illustration. Either way, drawing is part of illustration.
So why not use some time over Easter (and beyond) to draw more? No pressure, no briefs—just you, a sketchbook, get into the habit and you'll be surprised how much it impacts your practice over time.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jorge Colombo (@thejorgecolombo)

Jorge Colombo
This simple, home-grown project struck me as a perfect Easter break challenge. Not only does it serve as great drawing practice, but by framing the collection as a zine, Jorge Colombo has also tackled presentation and production—turning a set of sketches into something far greater than the sum of its parts.
No one’s expecting something like this to be part of your final semester submission (though, let’s be honest, it would be very well received if it was). More importantly, you'd be honing key skills left, right, and centre—drawing, editing, sequencing, and storytelling, all in one go.

For more of the New York Times commissioned illustrator and designer's (digital) sketchbooks, follow this link

Naomi Tipping
Another zine, this time from Naomi Tipping—but this one's far more analogue.
If you were to create something like this (or even a whole collection of them!), presentation would really take it to the next level when showcasing it on your site. Some beautifully shot photos—perhaps outdoors beneath the spring sun—or even a filmed flip-through would add a real sense of impact.
Think about how you can make your work look as good as it is!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Naomi Tipping (@naomitippingillustrator)

Paul heaston

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Heaston (@paulheaston)

Artist Paul Heaston has built a reputation for his masterful grasp of perspective, effortlessly capturing everyday scenes teeming with complexity. Thankfully for us, he's just as passionate about sharing his knowledge as he is about applying it—guiding others toward a deeper understanding of perspective and how to wield it effectively in their own work.

This panoramic drawing is, quite frankly, rediculous. Set Youtube to play at 0.25% for a good look

The Instagram account @earthsworld is an absolute goldmine of faces in all their character-filled, non-manga formula following diversity —making it a fantastic source of drawing inspiration. Captured at state fairs across the USA, Earth's (yes, he assures us that’s his real name) portraits fall under the category of ‘Street Photography’—a term that refers to the candid, unposed honesty of the images rather than their specific location.
His work has become hugely popular among illustrators and artists drawn to the quirks, character, and individuality of human faces. So, if you ever find yourself stuck for something to draw, you know where to look!