Octoberpod

     Happy All Hallow's Eve, folks!

     What better post for this month, than to share with you the artwork I had the pleasure of creating for the horror driven retro show OctoberpodVHS. Not only is it twilight zone whimsical in its appearance, but it is nostalgic in its style and use. Each time I see a new post on their youtube channel, I am blown away by the stories and overall creative nature behind this awesome media.

   

   My first step, upon being contacted and having the typical discussion of what they were looking for, was to come up with this generic piece. It's a great basic model to allow both of us to make adjustments on, not only in tone, but in flow as well. After all, It's not easy to create a pumpkin head host with an expression you can immediately interpret. 

     It was also decided right at the start, that the image would be black and white with a Jack Kirby line work influence, and a Edward R. Murrow persona. They wanted the old time radio host projection. The spooky feel of a voice coming at you from unknown airwaves, telling the most gripping (possibly true) tales.

     And that's exactly the kind of piece I wanted to give them.

     Moving from there, I began doing a series of sketches, tweaking the lines and body posture, along with facial expressions, until I had a solid illustration capturing what they were looking for. Some people might get frustrated by an artist constantly keeping in contact, making sure they are designing in the right direction, but I think any individual who understands the process of putting together custom work knows you have to be willing to communicate. An open network of input guarantees I can read your mind visually, even if you feel like you don't know how to express what you want properly.

     Once we had our character in place, the next step for me was to take my drawing into adobe illustrator, and turn it into a logo element that could be easily used on the web. I wasn't sure where they intended to apply it, so I created multiple file versions (transparent background png, matte jpg) to allow them to do with it as they willed.

     The end result is the gentleman to the left, with his cigarette, drink, messy woodgrain desktop, and disheveled look. He's got a smirk on his face, almost sardonic, like he knows something you don't. Which he probably does, if the stories he shares are anything to go by.

     He could be friendly. He could be the phantom who chased Ichabod Crane down into a hollow to face an untimely demise. Either way, if you let him, he can be your new favorite host--someone you can express your darkest secrets to. So stop by Octoberpod on a stormy night. Sit back with your own drink. And let them chill you to the bone with manifestations that creep along the shadows of the otherworldly.