The image at the top and center of the New York illustration is Times Square, so it was important that I get it right. Since the illustration is supposed to have a 1970′s feel, this is not what you would see in 2010. I used a lot of imagery that is associated with a time when people went to Times Square for peep shows…not family friendly tourist attractions. Instead of perfectly lit advertisements for major corporations, I used more “grittier” lighting that you might have seen in an earlier time period. The text on each sign is significant to the overall theme of the poster. At this time, I’m going to avoid explaining it…I need to keep some mystery.

After completing Time Square, I realized how important color will become for this illustration. I intend to use a lot of murkier colors, but I also realize I need splashes of very vibrant colors. It is my intention, though, to not have the vibrant colors just stick out while everything else just fades into the background. It will be important to strike a delicate balance….

Since this poster is a fantasy, I had to include the World Trade Center. As you can tell, I have only completed one tower, but you can see the style I am trying to achieve. The World Trade Center was known for those long vertical lines, but if you take a closer look, those vertical lines do not continue through the entire tower. There are longer and shorter sections of lines. I am trying to achieve a higher level of detail with this poster, so I resisted the urge to just make those long lines and included those different sections. I know this will make a difference as I continue to work on this illustration…

The New York poster is officially underway. I have tons of ideas for this poster, so it was difficult to decide where to start. In the end, I decided to start with something familiar…a building. Specifically, I completed the Empire State Building. As I did with the Sydney poster, I drew the building first, scanned it in, and then traced it in Illustrator. I continue to find that the best and fastest way to complete each part. It gives it a much more hand drawn feel. Plus, I’m not messing with the curves in Illustrator as much since I’ve already drawn them by hand. From here, I think I am going to work on more buildings and structures. I want that to set the foundation for the rest of the illustration. Also, I have to remember to make each part ‘pop’ and try to give it an older feel. I think I want my color palette to be a little darker and high contrast. Plus, I want to include flashes of bright color where it makes sense (clothing, neon lights, etc.). Very excited where this is heading…