Short Review 2012-14

Illustration of smartphone app to the Detrans of various Brazilian States.

I always remember that I have to write more often on my blog... after all, it summarizes and mirrors my in progress in many areas and interests, which by the way are many... it gets a bit distracting ;). Lately I've been involved in some projects that have taken my interest and mainly my time, all of which are linked in a certain way to my illustration and digital painting activity using free software.

Illustration for Folha de Sâo Paulo, but not used...

It is really sad to note that there is a common sense or a kind of conventional wisdom that assumes that the brand, type, price of the pencil is more important to the artist who wields it and uses it.

Illustrion for 2012 ARede Magazine Year Book.

These common places are, as the adjective says, "common" and not everyone notices the trap of many of these places. Particular of the cover for Wireless Mundi magazine.

Detail of the cover for Wireless Mundi magazine.

Personally, I am interested in the instruments themselves and a large part of my research is focused on something that was done in the old artistic botteghe of the Renaissance, discovering and improving new processes and methods but in a digital environment. My objects of study have been to better understand the relationship between the digital, its instruments, techniques, applications, which can expand and improve an artist's knowledge and expertise.

I don't believe that there are quick, easy ways or even formulas to be able to work as an artist in the digital age... there are indeed reference paths that are often being dictated by the most fashionable or cutting-edge digital tools.

In progress to build the Vitoria city Map. [Draft]

Throughout 2013 I was focused on improving the use of free tools for digital painting within a path that is mine alone, but without forgetting to look at good examples, always looking for something that fits my way of doing things and think art.

Vitoria City map made with MyPaint and Gimp to print (190 x 280 cm).

Much of the work was still discussing and studying brushes for the Gimp, research I've been doing since 2007. To publish these arguments I've been using my weblog Forks And Drills.

Half-page illustration for ARede magazine in November 2013.

In 2010 I wrote here a long article about what I was doing and my projects, some of those projects are dormant, others on the contrary are vigorous and well founded.

Double page cover story for Wireless Mundi magazine in 2013.

Also during 2012 and 2013 I created a good portfolio of illustrations, based on real work done for some magazines dedicated to new technologies mainly. Making new and interesting images for a theme like internet technology and the like was certainly a challenge with each new story or cover, but I had the opportunity to improve many aspects of my style and solutions using the free software I chose for this process, the MyPaint and the Gimp.