2014 Year of the Horse

Allright horsie. It's 2014. Now it's finally your turn.

Got asked to make a poster for the Chinese New Year celebration today, which I gladly agreed to help out with. I mean, come on. Drawing horses during work hours is a dream come true, haha.

We had a small event here at the office to celebrate, got to taste some cool Chinese snacks and hang out a little. Now I really dig roasted peas ;)

I really feel motivated to make the best out of this year. I've set a few goals for myself, and I'm pretty determent to achieve at least some of them. I'll share them in another post, so stay tuned!


By the way, who wants to see some steps?

Enjoy :)

Done in Photoshop CS5 using a Cintiq as usual.

Frankly, I think that the first thumb is more dynamic than the rest. I'll note that, and pay more attention next time. Practice, practice, practice!

Now I'm curious. What are your goals for 2014?

- Andrea

The awesome Wacom Cintiq 13HD

Wacom Cintiq 13HD + Macbook Pro

I had the great opportinuty to try one out, and all I can say is that I LOVE IT!
Can't stay away from it, I just wanna keep drawing, haha.


The differences compared to my own Cintiq 12WX(older small model) are that:

- It's a lot lighter and thinner
- The display is larger
- It's in HD, baby! Everything looks so nice and crisp
- The wires are a lot smaller and handy, looks less cluttered
- I admit it, the colours and contrast are actually pretty good on this one!

Some tips:

Are you a MAC user like me?

If you own an older model of a Macbook Pro, then you're gonna need an adapter (Mini DisplayPort to HDMI).

(I just upgraded my workstation with a new Macbook though, and realized that later models are compatible without the adapter. Yay!)

Oh, so you're left-handed too?
Originally, the buttons are on the left side when first installing the Cintiq.
You can easily rotate it 180 degrees, so that the buttons are on your right side instead. Same way as adjusting a regular monitor.

Here's how:
Simply go to the Cintiq's preferences(Wacom Tablet) click "Options" and select left under "Handedness".
Buttons can now be on your right side. Sweet!


Overall, it's an incredibly nice device to work on. 
Definitely a keeper if you prefer the smaller models like I do.


- Andrea

See your own potential

Photoshop CS5 & Wacom Cintiq 13HD

Had this idea a while ago, that got stuck in the back of my head.

I haven't figured out any real story yet, I just knew that I wanted to start creating something about this cowardly little donkey. An underdog, who doesn't really believe in himself.. Yet.

He's got so many dreams. But he hides them very well.

Photoshop CS5 & Wacom Cintiq 13HD

Then something will make him realize what he's actually capable of.
The more courage he gains, the more it will come through.
 

Photoshop CS5 & Wacom Cintiq 13HD

I'm a complete sucker for sunshine stories like that, where you cheer for the underdog and cry your eyes out when he/she succeds, haha.



What inspires YOU? Or do you have any sunshine story to share?



- Andrea

An old unfinished Totoro painting

Painted this one a while ago.
Perhaps some of you remember it?

I didn't quite like it then, so I ended up abandoning it.
Couldn't see any story in it, nor personality. The pose felt too stiff and still and I started to see a pattern in my characters: They all looked suspicious(?). Hah.

But now that I look at it...
I like the design. So I'll save it and make something cooler later on.
And come up with a nice story that fits with him/her.
Plus. Totoro is awfully cute, I really wanna make a tribute!


Does this happen to you a lot? Have you reworked any of your older pieces before?


- Andrea

About me

You just found my blog!


I'm a concept artist & illustrator living and working in Sweden. Some may know me as Noukah.

I specialize in character designs, storybook illustrations and concepts for games and film.

I'm also a freelancer.
Looking for an illustrator? I might be able to help out.

Enjoy your stay and feel free to contact me at: contact(at)noukah(dot)com

So long 2013 and Thank You

Allright let's do this. It's time for another little summary.
Ready, set, GO!


My top 10 Highlights of 2013

(In no particular order)

CTNx & US trip
It was definitely the best trip of 2013. So many new memories, met a bunch of new fun and awesome people and gained new inspiration. You can read a little about it HERE.


Studio Tours at Pixar, Dreamworks and Disney
Yes. I still can't believe that I had these opportunities this year. It really meant the world to me.
Was so much fun to have an insight of that it's like inside these studios and I can definitely see myself working there someday. Gotta dream BIG...

Four Leaves
Starting from May, I managed to find at least one four leaf each month until December. That NEVER happened before! By the way I'm in Sweden. Hello, global warming.

Characterized Cut & Paste at Adobe Creative Days
This was a big deal for me.
Earlier in June, I got invited to battle with some artists, on stage, while they livestreamed it on Adobe's website. How. Cool. Is. That?? You got to feel like a rockstar for a day.

Sure it was fun while we were on stage painting against the clock..
But all the nerves before the actual show resulted in a total breakdown a week later.
Don't get me wrong, i would do it again. Next time will definitely be easier. But it really hit a weak spot in me, and that came through that summer. I freaked out completely and doubted in myself.

I realized that this is something that I really need to deal with next year. I want to overcome my fears. Not doubting myself anymore and find the joy that I usually feel when I create for myself.
To slowly build up my confidence. Babysteps I guess...

Featured in Imagine FX & Advanced Photoshop
Gained so much exposure this year, and my work showed up in several magazine issues.
I even wrote a 6-page tutorial about my Wolf Illustration. You can find more about that HERE.

Freelance Success
Despite an extremely busy time, I landed some pretty fun freelance gigs throughout this year.
Connected with a couple of new and interesting clients, and I feel that I managed to push the quality of my work even further.

My Facebook Page and Behance account exploded
No idea what's going on. But my art really has spread like a wildfire this year.
A big THANK YOU to all of you who follows, comments, supports and send all that love.
You have no idea how overwhelming this is, I appreciate it so much.
I'll try to give back as much as I can.

Sketch Tuesday Stockholm
This has been an awesome thing over here. So simple, but it's been going on for a year now.
Johan Idesjö started this little sketch group, and it's been slowly growing month by month. Every Tuesday, we pick a bar, grab a beer or two and sketch. Just hanging out and chatting about art.
You get to meet new artists, and also some old familiar faces. It's awesome.

Cintiq 13HD
Yes. We're dating, and I think I have a crush. I'll post more about this later on! :D

Back in the saddle
I started riding again! I found a stable where I take lessons once a week. Gosh I missed this so much. I've been riding regularly since I was 11 or something, with a few longer breaks here and there. But now I'm finally back. It's SO NICE to have another main interest beside art, the time I spend with horses are the only hours of the week, where I actually forget about everything else that's constantly going on in my head. Work or art-related stuff. Makes me calm down a little :)


CONCLUSION:

I had some downs, sure. But mostly, this year has been awesome and exciting in general. I can't really complain about anything. Once again, thank you so much for all the support.

Wishing you all a very Happy 2014.
It's gonna be the Year of The Horse, so things just CAN'T go wrong, right? ;)


Love, hugs and cheers!


- Andrea :)

It's only a fast doodle

Am I the only one who's thinks that phrases like these are getting worn out?

"Just a quick morning doodle"
"Quick sketch before bed"
"Drew this during lunchbreak"

Then the post is actually about an image like this:

Uhh….   -.-

NO. It's not just a doodle.
It's years of practice, practice and PRACTICE. A lot of love, tears time and effort.
Feels like we're shrinking ourselves and our skills when we put it that way.. Why do we do this?
Me included, I catch myself saying this sometimes too. BUT WHY?


No it's not just a doodle. Usually, I do lots of rough thumbs before even starting on a more refined sketch.

THIS is "just a fast doodle":

For me at least.

And here's that fast doodle after a few revisions and refinements:

Sorry for the rant, but seriously, does anyone agree?

Next year, I'll try not to type things like that unless I actually made a 2-second sloppy thumbnail, hehe.
Art is NOT super easy at first, and I think that revealing the actual struggle will also give others hope. Those who still may believe that it's all about talent.
I mean.
Drawing is a lot about frustration, and that will never go away…
We all doubt. Even our heroes. I'll get to that in another post though….

- Andrea

Happy Holidays!

Before life kidnaps me completely for a few days...
I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for the love, comments and support through out this year.
You have no idea how much that means to me and I'll do my best to give something back to all of you.

Christmas has been awesome so far. Lots of Swedish x-mas foods, drinks and such.
Plus I can officially announce that I can now make my own ice cream AND cotton candy right here in the kitchen! Got the best x-mas presents ever haha!


I'll be back with a bunch of fun posts really soon :)
Until then, have a good one!

Cheers to you all and lots of hugs.


- Andrea

Hit Girl

Hit Girl from Kick Ass. Will color it later! Photoshop CS5 & Wacom Cintiq 13HD

Hey hey HEEEY! How is everyone?

I'm in slacker-mode. My 2,5 week x-mas break started yesterday, so I'll spend the rest of the year slacking.

I really need it. 

It's been a crazy, hectic year.
Awesome but busy like CRAZY.

I was thinking about putting together summary of all the things that has happened(work-related).
How does that sound? Shall I do it?? Hmmm?


On a side- note: I finally had some time this other day, to try out the new Cintiq 13HD, and gosh I LOVE IT TO BITS! I'll put together another post/review about it later on. So far I love it.

Felt like gaining new super powers.. NO wonder that HIT GIRL showed up with her HIT HORSE.
I wish I was a brave as her. You see, I'm terribly scared of show jumping.

But I'm working on that.


Laters!


- Andrea

Chapter 2: Le Roadtrip

Allthough we stayed in US for two week,s we still had a rather tight schedule so after two days in SF, it was time for the next adventure - moving on towards LA!

Rented le purdy car. It was RED.

Haha no but seriously :D
Only two of us had a driving licence(unfortunately I'm not one of them, and I'm starting to want it SO BADLY), and it was thanks to them that this whole adventure happened at all.

Lots of hills, lots of fog, pretty beaches, BIG waves...

 Managed to snap some postcard- shots. Just for the sake of it!

Made one stop at Monterey, slept at Otter Inn(It was off season so we had everything for ourselves MUHAHAHA). Also on a sidenote: Otters seem to be da shit over there.


Went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (Supercool!)
Ate heavy breakfasts, scribbled on the tables.....

 Must've been the heaviest french toast everrr...

(Made two stops in total, but I've forgotten about where that was. Shame on me. 
The motel was really nice & cheap though!)

Ah right! We made a little stop at Carmel as well. Tourist- style. Ha, the streets over there were rather adoreable. Felt like living in some Disnye/Hobbit dreamland.

Passed by, and saw lots of other places too such as Santa Barbara.
So nice and hot. Wish we could have summer all the time here in Sweden.



 And then... dun dun DUUUUUHHHH! 

Finally arrived at Burbank :O



- Andrea