Jason's tattoo design (Adobe Photoshop)

Here is the final design for the tattoo. All of the black in this logo design is traditionally white in the original Red Wings logo, but Jason decided he wanted to slightly change the color scheme for the tattoo - due to the fact that white doesn't usually have a long life span on tattoos and the color can easily get lost on lighter skin tones. I still need to decide if I'm going to add suction cups to the bottom of the tentacles, but the image is mostly completed. I don't want to add too much detail, as the image is fairly small and simple - and intricate details would most likely just end up looking out of place.

Jason's tattoo design - final outline (3 1/2" x 5 1/2", ink)

I've been working for a while now on a tattoo design for my boyfriend Jason and it has been fairly slow going. At first I was surprised that it was such a lengthy project - I just felt maybe I was a lot more rusty than I had thought, but now I understand why it's taking this long. I want to make sure I get the design perfect and that it is something that he loves. After all, the image is one that he will be putting on his arm permanently!

He's had the general idea in his head for a long time, with no solid design ideas other than his wanting the logo of the Detroit Red Wings (his favorite hockey team) as the main theme, but not the only image. The parameters he gave me were that the design had to be approx. 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" and had to have the Red Wings logo prominently displayed. We decided on a design featuring my interpretation of the recent octopus "mascot" the team has been using. In the design, the octopus is holding the logo above his head. It has been a fun challenge and so far he loves it! I am working on the final color image now, I hope to have it completed by the end of the week.

I can't believe it has been almost a year since I have posted anything on my blog! I guess it's because it's been a long time since I have been in the position to blog about anything art related. Life just happens, I guess.

Well, either way, I have plenty to blog about now! I am finally in the position to start taking the first steps toward my goal to become a full-time freelance illustrator! I have begun the business parts (business name, website, marketing tools, etc.) and am working hard to get my portfolio to where I feel it should be to start. I'm very excited and can't wait to share the progress here!