Von Gets Paid to Draw

Von Glitschka AKA "Illustrative Designer"

If you wanted to condense what I do down to the most simplistic terms you could say "Von gets paid to draw." I wouldn't necessarily disagree with that statement but it certainly doesn't tell the whole story.

Sure, I refer to myself as an "Illustrative Designer" and for good reason. My work utilizes both illustration and design. (Duh!) The systematic creative process I use every day draws upon both disciplines in order to solve the creative task at hand. (Pardon the pun)

That said I still run into creative hiccups from time to time and in this post I'll be sharing another one with you.


Creative Directors provided sketch.

This past week I was cleaning up my archives and came across a project I worked on in 2003. As I re-opened the old work files and reviewed my designs and re-read old project notes a lot of thoughts streamed through my mind such as:

"I've refined my process a lot since then."
"Wow! That design option really sucks."
"This was one of my first foreign projects."
"A lot has happened in six years."
"This project doesn't bring back good memories."

About The Project
Since the end of World War II British expatriates have lived in Seoul Korea. To help this community they established the "British Association of Seoul."

A local agency in Seoul had seen my logo design work for another company and hired me to re-design their clients identity. Most often an agency just gives me the needed intel and I start working on an appropriate and unique design solution to meet the projects specific need. But on this job the creative director gave me several sketches, one of them is shown above.

The agency knew what they wanted, they just couldn't pull it off themselves. In other words I was an extension of their arm. Or as some would say "Von gets paid to draw."


My design solution based on one of the provided sketches.

I have to admit when I first saw the above sketch I thought it was going to be way too busy for a logo. Needless to say I was a bit surprised as I progressed with my design and all the elements just fit together and balanced out nicely.

The agency loved this mark and were excited to present the concept to the "British Association of Seoul." I provided several color explorations (Even though they requested the Blue) and waited for the clients feedback.

It's at this time I feel like someone on trial. The jury has been presented the case, and I now sit waiting for the final verdict. Well, apparently the client is the plaintiff in this mind game and I was found guilty of not meeting the clients expectations? The agency (My lawyer in this weak analogy) tried to console me but I still felt guilty as charged because the client didn't like it.


I guess they liked this?

After refreshing my memory regarding this project I got curious and did some researching online. From what I can tell this is the logo the group is now using? With this new evidence coming to light, I feel graphically exonerated.

Even though the logo job didn't get used the agency still paid me. So you see, I guess it is true? "Von gets paid to draw."

Monkey Business

Monkey Business Multi-National Corporate Logo.

One thing is clear "Monkey Business" is on the rise internationally.

The clarion call has gone out, now is the time to wear your mind and warn others that the future may not be all that chimptastic.


Monkey Business Multi-National Power Tee.

This t-shirt will no doubt cause some to ask you "What does that mean?" At which point you can share your inner loathing for all the various "Monkey Business" going on at the moment. Not sure where to start? Here's a good list of topics to choose from.

- Big Auto CEO's
- Big Auto Unions
- Big Bank Golden Parachutes
- Big Oil Fat Cats
- Britney Spears
- Global Warming Speculation
- Hollywood Elite
- Idiotic Movie Sequels
- Microsoftstool
- Military Industrial Complex
- Radical Muslim Terrorists
- Snuggies
- The Nanny State Mindset
- The New IRS
- Third World Nuclear Powers
- Wall Street Investors
- Weasel Washington Politicians

This list is very truncated and will be in constant flux as more and more monkey business comes and goes, so it's easier to just monitor the news and select the most recent magnet for your scorn.


It's time for a new "Clone War."

Wear Your Mind.
View "Monkey Business Multi-National Power Tee" (White)
View "Monkey Business Multi-National Power Tee" (Dark)

PDF Art Download
Print out and hang the "Monkey Business Multi-National Logo" in your office or tape it to the back of a CEO's limo. The possibilities are endless.

Download Monkey Business PDF

Mickey Rat

The original "Mickey Rat" comic book.

Growing up I enjoyed comics. I always seemed to be more drawn to DC variety than Marvel as it turned out. Not sure why? Another variety I was introduced too was underground comics. The artwork of Robert Crumb all though risque and subversive at times always appealed to me. I rarely actually read through them, rather I'd just spend my time looking at his drawing style and the characters he created.

When I first saw the above comic I enjoyed the fact they were doing a parody of a cute innocent character. I initially though it was the work of Robert Crumb but it was actually created by one of the members of his band named Robert Armstrong. The influence from Crumb is obvious.


My take on "Mickey Rat" (Click Image to view larger)

The last week has been pretty calm here at Glitschka Studios. I have a number of projects in progress but at the moment all of them are on hold as I await feedback form my clients. So I decided to create my own take on "Mickey Rat."

I wanted him to be somewhat cute but also disturbing and a little bit demented as well.


Splatter version. (Click image to view larger)

I'm sure I'll offend someone with this illustration but life wouldn't be as interesting if everyone agreed with me now would it? So you may be wondering "Why is he holding a knife?" I guess I liked the juxtaposition of a seemingly cute character with the dangerously sharp, bloodied knife along with the alarming blood splattered background.


Wear the demented little vermin.

Of course I had to design an appropriate subversive t-shirt with this art and you can get more information about the "Mickey Rat" tee here. (It helps to look a little crazy when you wear it too.)

PDF Art Downloads
Download Mickey Rat PDF
Download Mickey Rat Splatter PDF

This artwork is Copyright © Glitschka Studios. You can use these PDF files for personal viewing and to print out and hang in your work area. No other usage is granted.

Cool Crud Texture Set

"Cool Crud Texture Set" 35 Royalty-Free Textures.

What can I say other then I love taking photos of cruddy surfaces. Nothing is more fun then making your art look like crap with cool distressed real world textures. Why use a lame pull-down menu Photoshop algorithm to simulate an organic touch when you can do it using authentic textures created by the second law of thermal dynamics instead? Real is always better!


Each texture comes with the full-color source photo.

If you don't like the way I created the PSD file or the bitmap tiff file no worries. You can create your own versions using the original source photo. So the possibilities are truly endless for your creative needs.


Texture number "CC_12".

I collected the textures in this set over the last eight months or so while traveling in Oregon and Washington.


Texture number "CC_35".

The best things about textures is they never go out of style unlike other resources such as fonts, stock art or even photography. A texture that looks cool now will still look cool 50 years from now.


All "35" Textures in set.

This set is royalty-free. Just buy it, download it and you can use these textures on any personal or professional illustration or design project you want. the only limitation is please don't distribute them to others who haven't purchased them. I purposely priced these so anyone can afford them so encourage others to visit this site and get their own copy. I thank you in advance for honoring this simple request.

That said I've set Paypal up so you can order more then one copy if you want to pass them along to a friend.

Source File Specifications.
Each Texture Includes the following formats for each of the "35" textures.

- Original Source Photo (Hi-Resolution RGB jpeg, 10x15 inches @ 315 ppi)
- Layered Grayscale PSD File (Hi-Resolution, 10x15 inches @ 315 ppi)
- Bitmap Tiff Image (Hi-Resolution, 10x15 inches @ 300 ppi)

(All PSD Files are CS4 but will still open in CS3 or CS2 without any problems.)

Try it before you buy it!
You can download a sample texture including all the formats listed above and take them for a test drive here.

No-Brainer Ordering and Download.
The entire set is just $6.95. Order using the Paypal button below. Once you click through Paypal, you'll be automatically forwarded to a download page. If you have any questions just post them in the comments below and I'll respond to each accordingly.

You can see another texture set of mine called "Old World" here.

George

Moleskin sketch "George."

Rarely do I plan anything I draw in my moleskin. I just sit down and let it just kind of flow out. Open the flood gates and see what spills out onto the page. Last few years it's been a lot of orbs, snakes, flames, hands and arms appearing from no where and characters like George.

Why the name George? I have no clue? I'll let you tell me.


Scanned in and played with.

I like moleskins but my favorite pen to doodle with is a Paper Mate Flair felt pen and unfortunately for what ever reason the paper stock in a moleskins kind of repels the ink. You can notice the splotchy dark areas in my photo above.

So most often you'll find me doodling on simple white note pads that you can tear off and that is what I tend to prefer to draw on. I like the flexibility of being able to easily scan something in or tack it up for inspiration or put it in a project folder etc.

But if you're looking for a top-notch bound sketch book look no further than the moleskin.

Like I said, I prefer doodling on note pads and in the case of the image at right I doodled it on a project outline I had printed out. I find I doodle best when talking on the phone or listening to someone else talk, don't get me wrong I pay attention to what is being said and doodling helps me to focus better.

When I scanned the doodle in I noticed it picked up some of the copy from the opposite side and I thought those artifacts looked pretty cool so I worked into the final image you see.

Like "George" I have no idea as to the meaning of this but I sure do like it. For what it's worth I titled this random doodle "Unsure Ltd." I think it's appropriate for the economic landscape we find ourselves in at the moment globally.

Remember, never stop drawing!

Illustrator CS4 How-To Guides

"Loyal Order of Wormwood" Adobe How-To Guide.

As some of you may know I designed promotional art for Adobe CS4 Illustrator called "Loyal Order of Wormwood." Along with that project I also put together a "How-To Guide" for them as well which Adobe has now posted on their web site so I have posted the same blurb below which gives you access to same content and a little bit more. But be sure to check out Adobes page to view other cool promotional art created for CS4.


Promotional Art for Adobe CS4 Illustrator "Loyal Order of Wormwood."

Loyal Order of Wormwood
by Von Glitschka, Glitschka Studios

His inspiration for "Loyal Order of Wormwood": "I never know when or where inspiration will come. Most often it's captured initially via a simple doodle. Then at a later point in time I take that doodle and flesh it out into a refined sketch. Once my drawing is exactly the way I like it, I simply scan it in and start building my vector art."

Read the how-to guide
Download the Illustrator CS4 file
Download Missing "Step by Step" Tutorial

Adobe copyright © and usage limitations of this art are clearly stated within download files.

Memory Lock

"Memory Lock" tile pattern.

Over this past years I've created over "120" illustrative patterns. Most of these were for my new book coming out in 2009 called "Drip.Dot.Swirl. 94 incredible patterns for design and illustration."

Needless to say patterns have been on my mind a lot. So a couple nights ago I had a dream about a pattern. Not sure why, can't really remember what the dream was all about but the design locked into my memory so I decided to create it.


"Memory Lock" pattern tiled out.

This pattern like all the others that are part of my new book are seamless and can be tiled easily inside Illustrator. You can take "Memory Lock" on a test drive yourself using the link below.


"Drip.Dot.Swirl. 94 incredible patterns for design and illustration."

For more information about my pattern book visit VonsterBooks.com

FREE Download: "Memory Lock"
- Four Color Themes
- Includes CS2, CS3 and CS4 File Formats
- Royalty Free

Download "Memory Lock" Pattern here.