Jim Bradshaw's Uploads

So, I really wasn't going to participate in inktober this year because of time constraints. But I saw some simple line art stuff from others that looked fun. I'll see how far I can make it this year.

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The 3x3 Illustration Annual I was recently chosen to be in, inspired this recent doodle. Fireworks went off in my head and then spilled out on this Moleskine page.

The daring rescue of the helpless space jellies from a pesky rope nebula. Moleskine sketch.

Did you ever have a page in your sketchbook that was so bad and so embarrassing that you tore it out and chucked it? This was one of those pages that made me cringed every time I came to it. So today I said to myself, "ENOUGH!" and ripped it out of my moleskine. But something wouldn't let me throw it in the can. Now, I'm not one of those artists that can't bring himself to throw away any of his stuff because each and every piece, good or bad holds some kind of sentimentality or sense of importance. This particular page was a result of a crappy angst filled day and stuff poured out of me. For some reason, it felt like I was throwing away some piece of my soul. There were parts that were overworked and others that were painfully too personal. So I decided to cut it up and put it back together in no particular order, however it seemed best. As I was pasting the pieces down it occurred to me that this had a comic book feel so I scanned the final and added the black borders in photoshop which I really dug. I like that it is cryptic and jumbled up like my brain can so often be. This reminded me of the awesome @johnhendrix who said something in his book, Drawing Is Magic that stuck with me. He said, "Don't worry about doing anything wrong. If you're hoping your sketchbook turns into a glossy display of only your best drawings, you are not carrying a sketchbook, you are carrying a portfolio." In other words, explore, take chances, loosen up and have fun. Try your best to go at it like an uninhibited child. In so doing, you will stretch as an artist by avoiding repetition and predictability. We all know how to do what we already know. To sum up, I created a bad page, and whether or not I was able to fix it, it expanded me. So, follow your pencil, pen, or whatever and let them take you to places you never imagined when you started. Then, maybe you will end up staring happily at the final and with childlike wonder, say, "man, where did that come from?"

Here is a sneak peaks of my submission to the Home Sweet Home Challenge. I loved this challenge because it forced me to do something I never would have, which gave me happy surprises as I worked through it.

Brainstorm. I decided the color of intelligence is green. This can be backed with science and a random internet article or two.

Folktale Week Day1: Home. This is a folktale about the ghost of a woman who lived at Heceta Head Lighthouse Her baby died when she fell off the cliff outside their home. Tragic!

Many times the craziness of my life makes it into my art.

Ahoy, me mateys! Jimmy had a fun day on the high seas.

Moleskine spread. If I don't get it out on paper, my brain will explode and who wants that mess to deal with? Stay safe. Sketch regularly.

This comic came out of a conversation I’m having with a friend. We both found it fascinating that so many comedians and creatives come from broken and dark places. Robin Williams said, “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.”

Sometimes I just need to vent. This is my sarcastic take on our fallible humanity and one of my ways of dealing with absurdity. My therapy.

Was just hanging out with my wife and son in the living room last night and this spilled into my Moleskine.

Rabbits thorns and moons. I usual don’t know where I’m going when my pen touches down. The illustration took me for a ride and I’m not gonna lie. I kinda enjoyed it. As it progressed, it felt like an album cover so why not?

WIP and having a blast. What could it be? The answer coming in the near future. #doodle @shawnimals @rotofugi #ocean #mixedmedia #plushform #robot #shark #porthole #nautical #outerspace #space #fish

Working on characters.

The caravan is coming to town. I hope everyone hops on.

Here is a character I have been thinking about off and on. She is a seagull who loves the beach and everything to do with it. Especially jellyfish.

Original graphite drawing. 6x4 on bristol vellum.

I don't know why, but I had to make yellow buildings. I wish I had more time on this, but I took it as far as I could and hit submit with 1 to 2 minutes to spare. Why do I do that to myself? Anyway, I hope you enjoy.