A few days ago, we post a tip on How to Render to Render Many Trees and Shrubs and ask our members to copy and practice the same drawing. CJ Davis is not only a doer, but did a wonderful job (the larger one). Congratulation CJ!

So please don't just sit home and eat popcorn, grab some pens, markers and colored pencils, march to the favorite paper and charge it, this is how you can become a master…

Here I was in San Francisco taking 9 days off from work to take a 7 day graphics class that may not particularly increase my bottom line; ah what was I thinking?  The first morning I found out that I was just exactly where I needed to be as Mike began his opening remarks. He spoke that  we are to be proud of all that our past has brought to us and that with a few  tricks and even better attitude people will "want to join us and touch us", metaphorically,  because our confidence will…

Abdul Hakim Kussim -  Landscape Architect and Illustrator

"I really enjoyed the workshop at West Valley, Mike's tips and techniques were very helpful, and his talent is so impressive.  It was incredible how rapidly he was able to create.  I have learned some things I will keep in my tool bag forever.  And to top it off, he was a lot of fun.  His jokes and positive attitude really set a nice tone." 

Debra M. Deutsch

“It’s a fun workshop. Mike is a great teacher and entertainer!” Nozomi, Interior Design student

“ It says a lot that the WVCIDC would bring this type of workshop to WVCIDC members. Obviously, they care about making portfolios not just good, but great. Good job, WVCIDC.” Olivia, Architecture student

“ The workshop by Mike Lin continues the WVCIDC’s commitment to elevating the level of professional training that students are offered.”…

Becoming Loose - Part 2

The reason I took the workshop

I’ve always enjoyed the arts. I used to take a sketch pad and a box of pastels on family vacations and spend afternoons drawing my surroundings. I never really understood how to draw correctly, but through observation, I was able to recreate the reality of paper.  My…

Becoming Loose / Part I

January 16th, 2010 12:43 PM

Wondering why some people can draw better than others? Besides the obvious reason, a natural incline or talent, the best graphic artists and illustrators put in their dues and work hard to reach the top. Luckily for those, who are not as gifted (like me) but who want to…

Before we get into the steps to make this image, it is important to talk about major decisions (in general) that assisted the outcome. This image was generated as a conceptual background for the AIAS Pan-American games pavilion. The project was in Toronto, and the dynamic skyline of this city combined with the waterfront site location provided a strong focal point for the graphic.…

Yves Rathle is a talented and forward-thinking visualist. A registered architect and based out of San Francisco, Yves has been involved with the design of many projects in major cities throughout the nation and the world.  His studio utilizes both digital and hand-drawing techniques and tools which enable the ability to churn-out concepts…

In this post I’d like to share the steps and methods for the illustrations I do.  My hope is that you might learn something new, see something that might help in your work, or share something that can help me.  One of the greatest things about this profession is that you never stop learning and this is a great forum for everyone to share their ideas and learn from each other to help us all become better at what we do.  So here goes.

All of the color illustration work I do is…

 …

William Slayton first broached the idea of I.M. Pei designing a house for him while the two were mid-flight on a business trip together in 1959. Pei agreed and, after a suitable lot was found in Cleveland Park, Pei spent many hours with the Slaytons to understand what type of house would suit them best. One evening, Pei and Slayton were at a business…