Computer Arts Projects issue 138

I’m sure many of you will have a creative hero whose style, attitude and technique inspired you to get into this business in the first place. As our Big Question this issue demonstrates, even the most successful illustrators can still pick up tips and tricks from talented peers, and that’s what this issue’s all about.

We’ve gathered some of the world’s leading vector, bitmap and hand-drawn illustrators to bring you a technique masterclass that’ll hone your skills ‘til they’re razor sharp. Then put those talents to the test with a special focus on commercial illustration – we’ve grilled the creative professionals behind lucrative advertising, publishing, editorial and packaging projects to bring you the inside track on where the money is, and how you can carve your share of the pie.

There’s lots of inspiring fresh work to soak up too. Keen to look beyond the well-beaten track of the UK, USA and Western Europe, we’ve cast a wide net to bring you stunning illustration from far-flung countries that are often under-represented in the creative press, including South Africa, Romania, India, Kazakhstan and Serbia.

A special treat for all you character fans next month, with everything you need to design, flesh out, animate and make money from your creations – not to mention some truly collectable cover art. Don’t miss it.

IN THE MAG

Project one: Illustration masterclass

Tomer Hanuka interview
Why it pays to blend comic-inspired line drawing with digital colouring for this inspirational New York-based illustrator

60 pro illustration tips
Expert advice from the world’s leading vector, bitmap and hand-drawn artists

Project two: Master new techniques

Technique masterclass
Successful illustrators from the USA, Brazil, Spain, Russia and the UK talk through how they achieve their style

Add depth to your vector work
How to achieve a textured feel for your character creations in Illustrator

Blend textures in Photoshop
Give your digital illustrations a hand-finished appeal with Max Spencer

Master perspective in CS5
We test-run the headline feature in the latest version of Illustrator

Win a copy of Illustrator CS5
Get your hands on one of five copies of Adobe’s flagship vector package

Project three: Far-flung inspirations

Off the beaten track
We dig deep to unearth exciting new work from India, Kazakhstan, Serbia, the Philippines and South Africa

Noma Bar interview
A lesson in using negative space from the master of vector simplicity, who first shaped his style in an Israeli bomb shelter

Project four: Commercial illustration

Where the money is
Break into the lucrative fields of advertising, publishing, editorial and packaging with our inside-track guide

Designer challenge
Creatives from the USA, Indonesia, South Africa and the UK illustrate a book cover to fit four different genres

Ask the experts
Renowned illustrators Jon Burgerman and Jeremyville field your questions about self-promotion and designing your own line of products

Regulars

Behind the scenes
Our panoramic cover artists Kozyndan pick out their favourite parts

Big question
Which illustrator, dead or alive, would you love to teach you fresh techniques?

Showcase
Our monthly round-up of innovative work from around the world