Merlin's Code

I am finally able to unveil my work on Merlin's Code!

Throughout 2010 I was part of a team of artists around the world working on artwork for www.MerlinsCode.com. The site offers learning modules to discover the timeless legend of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round and the Code of Chivalry.

I joined the team as a production artist, specializing as a colorist. Using the established look and branding of Merlin's Code I was asked to take a line drawing and digitally color it in Photoshop. Using various brushes and techniques I was able to create a watercolor look. Once I established the look of a knight and the setting, they needed to be consistent throughout each setting and module.

Over the next couple weeks I will be sharing some of the work that I contributed. I hope you enjoy it and check out www.MerlinsCode.com to see some of the artwork on the site.


These images are part of the sessions for Sir Lancelot - Knight of Gallantry:

The best part of this series of illustrations is that they are at night. I had a lot of fun using the light sources of the moon and the different fire sources. (Lancelot is on the right)

This is one of my favorites. Sir Lancelot is walking in the shadows. I love the textures of the river and the tree stump in the foreground, and the limited palette.

For the Win!

It was Senior Night for the Oliver Ames boys basketball team and cheerleaders. Each of the 9 seniors had a poster hanging on the entrance end line with words and quotes that were provided by their parents. Fittingly, the boys beat Foxboro and took a share of the Davenport Division Crown. Congratulations and good luck in the state tournament!

The 18" x 24" laminated posters were commissioned by the Oliver Ames Basketball Boosters and the input of the parents. I hand drew the bodies in ink and finished them in Photoshop.


Basketball Senior Boys:

Senior Cheerleaders:

Score!

Senior night for the Oliver Ames girls' Basketball team was last night. It is tradition that gifts and acknowledgment be given to the seniors on their last regular season home game. I was commissioned to do a new spin on a caricature like poster for the two girls. They were printed on 18" x 24" photo paper and laminated so that they could be hung in the gym. Congratulations on your win and good luck in the play offs! GO OA!

Images:
18" x 24"
Ink and Digital
© Laura DeDonato

Round two: Grass

Here's the second round of options for the logo I've been working on. I was asked to draw some grass and I immediately pulled out my ink and nibs. I love working with ink, but I haven't been able to pull out my dipping ink and assortment of nibs in a while. All of the line art for the precise map work I do, www.johnromanillustration.com, is done with very fine, technical drawing pens (ex: .005). I love the freedom and serendipitous strokes that happen with this medium. It also got me thinking about the last couple weeks and how fortunate I've been to be able to pull out so many different mediums that I enjoy, but don't always get to use: Acrylic paint, latex paint, gouache, pastels, charcoal, graphite, colored pencils, ink, and my digital pen.

Some of the submitted logos for the "Grass Round":