Jessica Fortner Illustration Blog

From the Sketchbook – Beastie in Nature

Jessica Fortner — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:54:46 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog, but I’ve been working hard on a number of illustrations that I can’t wait to share with you.

In the meantime, here is a sketch of something that I’ve been messing around with lately (my sketches are not usually this detailed). I’ve been experimenting with some new inking techniques that I’m hoping to incorporate into a poster I’m about to begin. It’s nothing fancy but a bit of a departure style-wise for me. This is not the final sketch for it, I’m just playing around with some ideas. Hope you like it. ~Jes

Incomplete sketch»

Here’s a closer look at some of the details»

New Print For Sale – Twisted

Jessica Fortner — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:48:35 +0000

You can now purchase my illustration
Twisted as a print!

» BUY PRINT

Something a little different…

Jessica Fortner — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:37:28 +0000

I’ve always wanted to make a rag rug and finally I found some time to do it! I also decided that I was going to make my own crochet hook (mainly because I didn’t have the right one to make the rug), so I did and it worked like a charm. Here are some pics from my experiment. This is my first attempt at making both a rag rug and a crochet hook. I think i’m going to make some knitting needles next. Hope you like it! ~ Jes

P.S. I like making tools.

HOMEMADE CROCHET HOOK >>>

HOMEMADE RAG RUG >>>

Prints for Sale!!

Jessica Fortner — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:46:33 +0000

I know that it’s been a long time coming, but I now have prints available for sale!! You can purchase them in my print shop here. If there is a print that you’d like that isn’t available, just let me know! Thanks in advance for all your support. I hope that you find a print you really love. ~ Jes

BUY PRINTS »

WRAP Magazine – Open Country

Jessica Fortner — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:47:18 +0000

Wrap Magazine | Open Country | © 2012 Jessica Fortner. All rights reserved.

I was invited by Polly, Chris and Harry of WRAP Magazine to contribute an illustration to their latest issue (#4), themed North America. Without explaining too much, my illustration titled ‘Open Country’, is more of a critique on our relationship with the land; our need to control, own and dominate it, and the constant struggle to protect it.

The magazine itself is a really cool idea. Not only does it feature a lot of cool art, interviews and features, but it also has a second purpose as wrapping paper. The two-page illustrative spreads can be removed from the magazine to make a unique one-of-a-kind gift. AND to top it off the magazine includes note cards to make it that much easier for you. Personally, I’m planning on framing some of the art because it’s SO amazing!

Buy a copy of WRAP here: http://www.wrap.bigcartel.com/product/new-issue-four

Pictures courtesy of Chris at WRAP

I’ve included a couple of details from the larger image below »

Illustration for The New York Times

Jessica Fortner — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:43:12 +0000

Here’s an illustration that I did for The New York Times Sunday Travel section, for an article written by author Dominique Browning about airport lit. I was delighted to find that the author, Dominique Browning, featured this piece along with my illustration “Tiger’s Tale”on her blog.

It was a pleasure working with AD Corinne Myller on this assignment.

From the Sketchbook

Jessica Fortner — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:30:09 +0000

I don’t often just sit and sketch— which is something I’m trying to change. So, here is a drawing that I did recently which I thought I’d share with you. I might actually make this into a final illustration at some point, but for now it remains a sketch of one of many of my random ideas. Hope you like it! ~Jes

FormFiftyFive Masthead Illustration

Jessica Fortner — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:08:02 +0000

I did this illustration for my friends at the amazing design site FormFiftyFive. The illustration was designed for the site’s masthead. It is my first attempt at making an animated gif. The animation is very simple, but I think a nice subtle touch.

The idea was to create a masthead based on inspiration. I decided that I’d play with the theme — inspiration being such a mysterious and random thing. I created this character emerging from the dark depths of who-knows-where holding abstract letter forms of three F’s (the site’s acronym). I wanted to work with the design of the site, which is generally quite dark. The dominoes act like neurons, which when knocked over will be set in motion, forming an idea as each thought connects to the next.

I don’t normally like explaining my illustrations so formally — people have such great imaginations and I feel explaining things often ruins it. In this case, I felt a little rationale would prove interesting. Hope you like it! Any feedback is more than welcome.

~Jes

View work in Process »

From the Sketchbook

Jessica Fortner — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:18:46 +0000

It’s been a while since my last post. I’ve got a couple of things on the go right now, which I can’t wait to share. Here is a little doodle of a character that I’m developing for a personal project.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday!

Jessica Fortner — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:02:32 +0000

I just want to take this time to thank everyone for making this year a great one. I cannot express what your support means to me. I wish everyone a safe and cheer-filled holiday. All the best to you and your families in the new year.