I learned something basic, but very essential to sketches in my drawing class. Contrast is key in creating visual appeal in pieces… and I found that to be true! Even in photography, we’re more drawn to those photographs with higher contrast as well.

For drawing, there are so many different modes of contrasts that we can play with.
- Thick to Thin
- Different pressures (dark / light)
- Chaotic to calm lines
- Visual emphasis (example: the image above, where there are lost and found lines. The body is disappearing..)
- Usages of different lines

Just adding the opposite element of whatever you are drawing really helps it stand out more. Some sketches with solely one type of line seems flat and less appealing.

If you are into the art toy & vinyl figures world, you will know who Kozik is. Maybe you’ve seen his Labbit illustration or is cigarette smoking a cigarette figure.

Frank Kozik, born in 1962 in Madrid Spain moved to the United States when he was a young boy. When starting off, he was known for his concert poster designs in the mid 80’s. Since he was reviving art in concert posters (which was lost for quite some time), he started forming a reputation as an artist. His reputation then grew bigger as he begun to work on posters for bands such as Nirvana and The Beastie Boys. This is just a gist from his high profile work which ranges from the Rolling Stone to Spin magazine.

I came across a booth at the Toronto Fan Expo 2008 at the Artist’s Alley. Picked up a postcard from a booth and decided to check out the website because Darryl’s colorful postcard caught my eye:

Darryl Graham’s Wolfman

He has also designed custom shoe

Check out his website/blog for more works & information about this Toronto illustrator.