Change of Location

Hi people,

Sorry for lack of posts last month. I've had some computer troubles. But here's some hand-lettering I did not too long ago. It's a quote a read in a fortune cookie and decided to illustrate it!

Sometimes a change of location makes all the difference

News and updates...

I havent posted much this month but not because I have nothing to show, but because it's not ready to be unveiled. I am officially going to be participating in the Sketchbook Project 2012 hosted by the Art House Co-op. For those of you unfamiliar with it, The Sketchbook Project is where a bunch of crazy artists are sent a sketchbook and they fill it with magical artwork. Then they send the finished sketchbooks back and the books are shown on display to the world! It is a sort of traveling sketchbook gallery that goes to different cities. Thank you to YuQUan Tan to convincing me to join. More info can be seen HERE

Here's a picture of me and my empty (for now) sketchbook.

I've also been working on some updates for my website and this blog, as well as adding new pieces to my portfolio (both editorial and children's book). PLUS I am working on a collaborative illustration with Charles George Esperanza. So please be a patient turtle (not to be confused with an awkward turtle) and stay tuned for more exciting art / news on the way!

Be good.

That girl on the subway (drawing)

I'm giving fashion / lifestyle illustration another attempt. Here's the pencil drawing of the figure to be included in my illustration. I'll color it digitally on Photoshop along with the background. I'll be uploading the finished illustration as soon as I finish it. Be excited!

Experiment

Hey folks,

In my previous post I uploaded a random drawing I had found in my sketchbook. This is the original image:

I scanned the pencil drawing and played around with it on Photoshop. This is the end result.

I definitely had fun experimenting with this one. I have a bunch of different color combinations but decided the black and white version looked the best. Art experiments are fun!

Sketchbook Stuff

Here's some random doodles from my sketchbook that I usually don't share but thought I would today. Enjoy.

http://christiancastroart.com/

Get Well Soon Panda

Hi there blog,

This post is dedicated to anyone who has ever been on crutches at any point in their lives (such as myself.) This is a greeting card design I worked on a few weeks ago. I call it Handicap Panda. Enjoy.

You Float My Boat

I've mentioned before that I've dabbled in hand-lettering. I've decided to pursue it further since I'm working on a greeting card portfolio and because I genuinely enjoy doing it.Hand-lettering is a great fusion of illustration and graphic design. I was fortunate enough to meet with Art Director, David La Fleur from American Greetings who was gracious enough to give me a portfolio review (and a great one at that.) He suggested I put more hand-lettering in my portfolio since he had positive reaction to the work I showed him. Here's some of it now.

And since I'm in a giving mood. Here's two other color variations:

Expect more illustrated type soon!

http://christiancastroart.com/

C2 on FML

Hi blog,

A while ago I contributed an illustration for one of my favorite websites, Fmylife.com. I illustrated one of their FML stories. The story was:

Today, my boyfriend and I were laying naked in my bed making out. All of a sudden, we hear "pop goes the weasel" outside my house. My boyfriend stops and excitedly says, "ICE CREAM MAN", flips me over, grabs his clothes, and runs out of my room. FML

Here is the my visual interpretation of the story:



It's not everyday you get to draw an ice cream truck, New York City, and a naked running man all in one illustration! Needless to say I had fun with this one. I got my inspiration for the ice cream blocking the man's "package" from the intro from the old Austin Powers movie

When I was done illustrating the story I was even interviewed by FML too! If you would like to read the interview click HERE

Thanks to Alice Amiel for art directing this all the way from Paris, France! Thank god for email and skype!

Take care everyone!

http://christiancastroart.com/

Mila Kunis Portrait

Snapple Fact # 231" Mila Kunis has 2 different colored eyes.

Snapple Fact # 347: Christian Castro paints fast and meets deadlines.

OK so these aren't actual Snapple facts but they are indeed true. Mila Kunis is one of my favorite actresses and has what is called "heterochromia iridis" which is a fancy way of saying that her eyes are different colors. Pretty cool, right? Here's a pic in case you think I'm a dirty liar: CLICK HERE!! (Actress, Kate Bosworth also has this! Who knew?) Anyway, I've been busy these past few weeks with "art stuff" and have managed to whip out a lot of portfolio pieces lately including this portrait of Mila Kunis. I chose to make most of it black & white so more focus could be put on her colorful eyes.


I love combining vector shapes with photoshop textures. It's a great fusion. I'm also experimenting more with patterns for backgrounds. I see it used a lot in Fashion / Lifestyle illustrations and love how it looks. Here are some details of the illustration:







Even more art on the way! Make sure to follow the blog if you haven't yet! Till next time!

http://christiancastroart.com/

Twitter Illustration

Hello Blog. How's life?
I recently finished an illustration about an article discussing how the 1st ever tweet was sent from the top of Mount Everest! Yes, the tallest mountain in the world officially has cell-phone service as of October of last year. Of course most mountain climbers don't bother whipping out their cell phones after making one of the deadliest hikes in the world... until now! Here is the process and final illustration.

These are the sketches I drew out to illustrate the idea of Twitter Scales Mount Everest.

The 2nd sketch was the one chosen. I went on to do a refined drawing of that sketch. Here is the final drawing:


I quickly did some color sketches on Photoshop to see which color palette would go best with the image. I am always very picky when it comes to colors. I think correct color choices are the most effective way to create emotion in an illustration. Here are the color sketches:

Of the above color sketches, the first one was too monochromatic. The 2nd was too dull. The 3rd was too warm for Mount Everest (but still fun to draw!). 4th was not Mount Everest-ish enough (yes I made up a word) but the last one was just right.

Here's the final painted Twitter-stration (Yes, another made up word)

Twitter Scales Mount Everest
Pencil drawing, Photoshop coloring

Speaking of Twitter, why not follow me on Twitter? You can see my profile by clicking HERE

Special thanks to YuQuan Tan for help on this project. The whole assignment was completed in a matter of days. I enjoy quick deadlines. It prevents me from over thinking things.

Everything is going to be OK

Here's a quick illustration with illustrated type I drew in my sketchbook. It's a reminder we could all use from time to time. I know I can right now.

Everything Is Going To Be OK
Pencil, ink on sketchbook

http://christiancastroart.com/

That new NEW website

Hi Blog universe. I've recently redesigned my website. It has a new layout, more recent illustrations and is easier for me to update now! Check it out! http://christiancastroart.com/

I'm currently working on my 3rd and final part of my Cultural Diffusion series. Plus I'll be contacting some of my favorite art directors and finishing up some personal projects over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

Cultural Diffusion Part 2

Here are the next pair of paintings from my series comparing Cali, Colombia to New York City, USA. In Cali there is a giant statue of Jesus on top of a mountain (similar to the one in Brazil). This monument is called "El Cristo Rey" which translates to "Christ the King." You can see a picture HERE if you are unfamiliar. It always reminded me much of New York's Statue of Liberty. Enjoy!

Éstos son el siguiente par de pinturas de mi serie comparando Cali, Colombia con Nueva York, Estados Unidos. En Cali hay una estatua gigante de Jesús encima de una montaña (similar al de Brasil). Este monumento se llama "El Cristo Rey" que se traduce a "Christ the King" en Ingles. Puedes ver una foto AQUI si no está familiarizado. Siempre me recordó a la Estatua de Libertad. Disfrute!

Subway Comic

I usually don't do comic strips but after years of taking the MTA (specifically the A train) I decided on whipping out a quick comic. Feel free to share with your friends! I'm sure many New Yorkers can relate. Enjoy:

Cultural Diffusion

I am currently working on a series of digital paintings comparing New York City, USA (where I was born and raised) to the city of Cali, Colombia (where both my parents were born and raised). These paintings will be done in pairs and will show how I view the two cities' similarities and differences in lifestyles and culture.

These 2 pieces are a mirror image of each other in terms of composition but different in subject matter. I felt the similar compositions would be the best way of showing their similarities while the actions in the paintings would show the differences. Sounds cool right? Of course it does!


For those not familiar with the city of Cali, there are several mountains there. One of the more famous ones being El Cerro de Las Tres Cruces which translates to "The Mountain of the Three Crosses." It's exactly what it sounds like. Three giant crosses on top of a high mountain that can be seen from almost any spot in the city. You can see a picture HERE They reminded me much of the skyscrapers of Manhattan which like the crosses in Cali may also be seen from many parts of the city. Also, bullfighting is a sport that is still practiced in Colombia. A sport I'm not too fond of but still had fun drawing. Ironically one of my favorite landmarks in NYC is the Wall Street bull. I'm glad I found an excuse to draw both things. Enjoy the art and as always comments are welcome!

Photography VS. Illustration

Why not photography AND illustration? I recently collaborated on a project with photographer, Alex Nuñez Caba. He offered his photograph and I contributed my drawing of a figure. Together we created a collaborative fusion of photography and illustration. It was a fun experiment to be a part of and I look forward to doing another one with him or other photographers in the future. You can see more of Alex's work HERE

Photo by Alex Nuñez Caba
Illustration by Christian Castro

Handicap Art

I've been on crutches for a little while now due to my injury. (More info HERE )
This is pretty much how I feel at times.



http://christiancastroart.com

Halo (not the video game)

Hello world! I hope everyone is enjoying 2011 thus far! I've been away from the blog a bit longer than I had wanted but I'm back. Here's a new piece I just "finished" today. It's mixed media. I tried to convey as much emotion as I could. I remember when all my work had some sort of humor behind it. I guess your art changes as you change. I will probably go back and add some stuff to the piece. Constructive suggestions are welcome. More work soon to come so feel free to follow the blog if you haven't already! I'll be doing a lot more experimental art in 2011.

"Halo"
Mixed Media


http://christiancastroart.com/