Mixed Media Illustration
Artist, Illustrator: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
This is an older piece from my student days at Ringling College of Art and Design. The model was a fellow student named Mark Calametti. He did all the hard work of setting up the photo shoot that this drawing is based on.
I drew it on black paper with colored pencils. That combination lets the colors glow against the dark background in a way white paper cannot match. The subject is a mad doctor or scientist, and we had a great time leaning into the character.
This piece can sit comfortably in an illustration portfolio or a fine art portfolio. I do not worry much about the boundary anymore. Good drawing is good drawing regardless of the category you put it in.
If you need a portrait in a contemporary style for a project involving an eccentric character, a themed event, or a publication, contact me. I enjoy work that asks for personality and a bit of theatrical flair.
PORTRAITS:
PORTFOLIO GALLERIES
- Illustration work: Start with custom illustration and cover design, then view illustrated maps and architectural renderings.
- Fine art: Discover original paintings and drawings, the Custom Halftone Series, and mural projects.
- Design & motion: Check out the graphic design gallery, then move on to motion graphics and animated illustration.
- Maps by sector: I produce illustrated maps for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transit & parking, towns & cities, parks, and wayfinding systems.
- More creative services: Additional offerings include cover illustration, vehicle wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Artistic methods: My work spans vector art, isometric & axonometric views, traditional painting, black & white illustration, GeoData mapping, overhead perspectives, and halftone effects. Recently I have also begun to utilize AI in some cases.
- Preferred software: I rely on Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and InDesign, plus Premiere Pro & After Effects for motion projects.