by Nick La

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New Work #1

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Abstract Phoenix

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The Process

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Abstract Outline of the Phoenix Body

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Wing

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Another Wing

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Feathers

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Phoenix Back

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Over-sized Feather

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DNA Helix

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Dandelion

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Leaf and Butterfly Wing Patterns

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Final Sketch

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Pen Tool

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Final Outline Art

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Load Color Swatches

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Adobe - kuler ColourLovers

http://kuler.adobe.com http://colourlovers.com

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Color Comp: Early Stage

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Final Color Comp

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Added the Feathers

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Added Sky Background

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Brush Up in Photoshop

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Particle Effects

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Blur Some Elements

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New Work #2

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Abstract Peacock

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The Process

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Random Drawing

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Idea Popped: Peacock

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Peacock’s Feather

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Peacock’s Back

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Flower Petal Patterns

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Rooster’s Feathers

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Snake Tail

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Fireworks

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Final Sketch

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Color Comp #1

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Inspiration: Bag

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Patchwork Style

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Close-Up

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Color Comp #2

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Illustrator: Final Color Comp

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Photoshop: Early Stage

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Final: Grungy Effects

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Where to find inspiration?

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How to keep yourself fresh?

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Inspiration is everywhere in your daily life

• Everything we see or use has a design (newspapers, TV ads, clothes, accessories, signs...)

• Almost everything in nature has a pattern (flowers, animal skins, rocks, plants...)

• Pay more attention and look closer

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Places I go:• Book Store / Coffee Shop (Starbucks)

• Shopping Center / Mall

• Art Supply Store

• Contemporary Art Gallery

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Gift Bags

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Cards

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Carpet

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Couch

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Scarf

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Shirt

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Hoodie

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Craft Papers

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Notepads

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Painting

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Sculpture

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How to avoid copying?

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Look into the detail

Mix & match

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How to avoid copying?

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1. Look Into The Detail

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Octopus

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Tentacle

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Tentacle (formed by the suckers)

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Abstract Tentacle

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The Sucker

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Various Sucker Forms

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Suckers Within the Sucker

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Horizontal Pattern

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2. Mix & Match

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Final Design Inspiration Sources

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Zoom In

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Pattern Elements

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Conclusion• Pay attention to your environment

• Look into the detail

• Learn and adapt

• Be creative. Don’t Copy!

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