Carpenter co-runs the design and branding studio, Carpenter Collective with his wife, Jessica Carpenter where they focus on bringing powerful messages to life through branding, packaging, illustration and design. Tad Carpenter is a designer, illustrator, author and educator based in Kansas City, Missouri. As Charlie Parker said, “Don’t be afraid, just play…” I had no reason to be scared and will surely be using it on future projects. I had a lot of fun incorporating the new Cintiq 16 into this piece. It understands pressure, allowing me to press softly when I wanted to shade something, and as I pressed harder, the line became denser and heavier. Something that left me really pleased was how responsive the Cintiq 16 was. I created masks using my vector shapes and painted shadows and various details directly on the Cintiq 16. Again I used some of Kyle Webster’s brushes, customizing them to fit what I was looking for. Once I felt good about the colors, composition and lettering, I imported the illustration back into Photoshop to begin incorporating textures and shadows using the Cintiq 16. The advantages to drawing on the Cintiq opposed to paper is I don’t have to scan a bunch of stuff into the computer and I can easily redraw lines, undo and work in layers.įollowing my concept sketch I began building basic shapes in Adobe Illustrator. I was able to work quickly, exploring composition and scale. With this first illustration using the Cintiq 16, I sketched first in Adobe Photoshop using some of Kyle Webster’s 2b pencil brushes. Most of the time the work we are most proud of is a result of feeling free and being open to play without consequences. ![]() I have always found that I do my best work when I am finding joy in what I do. Like jazz, design rewards those willing to play. You would never lift a finger if you let all the boo birds get to you, you just gotta roll up your sleeves and play. So much of what Charlie Parker spoke about is true in design as well. Charlie Parker seemed most at peace when he was just getting lost in the joy of making something. Parker often spoke about not paying attention to all the critics, encouraging musicians to try and focus on their craft and just play. When I began sketching this piece, I came across a quote from Charlie “Bird” Parker, one of America’s most influential jazz artists (and originally from Kansas City, my hometown). In particular, I wanted to use the Cintiq 16 to sketch concepts directly on the computer. The new Cintiq 16 is portable and very responsive when drawing on it, so I was hopeful to see if I could pick it up and incorporate this process into my daily routine. Like an old man trying to understand Snapchat, I was afraid I would be confused and just walk away shaking my head. To say I was nervous to finally try one might be an understatement. I am slightly embarrassed about this as a professional designer and illustrator. No, seriously, I have never drawn on any kind of tablet before. He really set a tone for me as an illustrator and artist.I should start by sharing that I have never used a tablet to draw with in my life. Even to this day, I run sketches by him all the time because he’s the most amazing draftsman and idea man I’ve ever met. Some sons and fathers work on cars and some do illustrations together, which is what me and my dad did. As a teenager, I rebelled and thought I wanted to be a painter for a while, but then I realized how important illustration and design were to me, especially growing up with my dad. From an early age, I had a good idea and understanding of what illustration and design were and how they were important to us. He started as an illustrator and writer and is now Creative Director for Hallmark International. ![]() My father is an illustrator and has worked for Hallmark Cards for almost 40 years. She dyes her own wool and hooks these beautiful rugs. When I went to a friend’s house who had a parent who was an accountant, I thought, “What the heck? You guys don’t sit around at night making things?” It was so surreal. I grew up making and I never knew any different. I was an only child, or a lonely child as I thought it was. He says:I was really fortunate to grow up in a household with parents who were both artists. Tad Carpenter is a designer, illustrator, author and partner a design and branding studio.
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