February 2022 Challenges for Illustrator were hosted by Julia Vaca. Julia’s aesthetic is very modern and muted, while still being playful and clever. Her challenges were less project brief-oriented and more experimental.

CHALLENGE #1 – COLOR PALETTES

Challenge #1 was all about curating the perfect Color Palette. As much as I love bright, colorful things, I have never been secure in my color selection. Typically just download pre-curated palettes from Adobe Color so I went crazy utilizing Julia’s pro tips in this first challenge.

My very first color palette was derived from a stock image that I planned to use in an editorial layout. And here are the results:

I was so satisfied with this layout I uploaded it to my Behance page, which coincidentally, I only started this year. Julia’s method left me so impressed I immediately started utilizing it for ADDITIONAL pieces. I love to start any project with a mood board so deriving color FROM mood boards just felt right. Here is another example of the vibes:

Since this editorial was about “training,” or basically, pet “education” I picked a school bus to derive my palette from. My font choices were also based on typography from another artist. Both of those items at the top made up my mood board and the last graphic is the finalized piece. The last image are some additional graphics that didn’t make it into the final cut.

The dog used in the Typography was an Adobe Stock image #368452062 and the little graduation cap was just an icon I made from some basic shapes. My goal is to continue this new method of color-picking until it becomes habit.

And lastly a typography piece with colors curated from a stock image of succulents and inspired by another artist on Behance Zender !

CHALLENGE #2 & #5

Creating my own abstract shapes never interested me. Why would I do that when we have tons of stock image sites? Julia’s second challenge on “Complex Shapes,” really was an eye opener and nail-in-the-coffin for my previous mindset! Challenge #5 was all about “Creating a Pattern” which segued into turning my abstract shapes from Challenge #2 into Patterns! I got to use both methods in another editorial:

I applied the same color palette, abstract shapes and pattern to pull quote in the same layout.

I am learning so much this year and happily applying my NEW knowledge to every project I can get. I cannot wait for March Creative Challenges. Who knows what skills I will pick up next month?

And as always be sure to contact PENNYDOODLES for freelance graphic design, and illustration projects by e-mailing violetinkdesign@gmail.com.