James L Cook Art

Sometimes you get to work on really cool projects, with really good people. Can’t wait to share the rest of this with you. #art #illustration #scifi #fantasy #spaceopera #Bookcover #scad #scadillustration https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpokq5KMMVG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A Princess of Mars (2023) Digital This was a lot of work in a short amount of time. There are still areas that I feel need some love, but for now they will have to do. #art #illustration #johncarter #aprincessofmars #edgarriceburroughs #scad #scadillustration #digitalart https://www.instagram.com/p/CpoJqhkv_Ra/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

EoS, Detail (2023) It’s interesting that as an illustrator you have to wear a lot of hats. Designer, concept artist, draftsman, businessman, and of course finisher. Helping clients manifest their ideas visually is always thrilling. It’s like watching a child open a present. When I hear a client say “That’s exactly how I imagined it!”, my heart swells. #art #illustration #scifi #scad #scadillustration #scadillusociety https://www.instagram.com/p/CpQFKTRplDz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Color comps , comps, comps, It’s at this stage I really start to feel the bigger picture coming together. You’re limited on what you can alter, and you’re restricted to just speak color theory. I really wanted to go for that silver age of science fiction vibe. Keep it simple but strong. #art #illustration #digitalillustration #arthurcclarke #thestar #supernova #spaceship #scad #scadillustration #scadillusociety https://www.instagram.com/p/Co-fdVLvl4L/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Value Comps comps comps. These are narrative illustration value comps for Arthur C. Clarke’s brilliant short story The Star. This stage is always interesting because you want a low investment high return so you can get the best ROI on your illustrative process. #art #illustration #scifi #digitalillustration #scad #scadillustration #scadillusociety #arthurcclarke https://www.instagram.com/p/Co3NKu9vG2Y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Dejah Thoris concepts (2023) These are costume concepts for the titular character of A Princess of Mars, the first book in the Barsoom series written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It’s always a challenge to make things that feel familiar but are trying to not retread what previous brilliant illustrators have done. I wanted to avoid the stereotypical objectified damsel in distress, but also not go too far into the mary-sue trope. #art #illustration #characterdesign #scifi #dejahthoris #barsoom #edgarriceburroughs #johncarterofmars #aprincessofmars #scad #scadillustration #scadillusociety https://www.instagram.com/p/CoxkUAfP3cI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This is the way (2023) Digital Who’s looking forward to season 3 of the Mandalorian? This was fun to work on and a hell of a puzzle to design. Big thanks to the inspiration of Krzysztof Domaradzki! He’s a design genius. #art #illustration #artistsoninstagram #photoshop #starwars #grogu #babyyoda #themandalorian #starwarsfanart #digitalillustration #pedrooascal #kateesackhoff #carlweathers #scad #scadillustration https://www.instagram.com/p/Cov4mVPMuRj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A Princess of Mars character design line-up Digital This is a fun project. Revisiting the source material is odd. How time has removed us from some of the biases and world views has been sobering. It’s also a challenge to to avoid what has come before. There have been amazing artists such as @frazetta_art_museum and @theartofmichaelwhelan who have set the standard for the Barsoom series’ look and feel. Not to mention the film released by Disney. So the effort to tread a unique path while staying close enough to the familiar is always tough. #art #illustration #digitalillustration #digitalart #artistsoninstagram #bespokeart #edgarriceburroughs #johncarter #johncarterofmars #barsoom #dejathoris #tharks #scad #scadillustration https://www.instagram.com/p/Cofk22MvP60/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Workshop Demo 8.5 x 11 Charcoal on toned paper

Orange Bell Pepper (2017) 5 x 7 oil on panel. Taking my new shadow box for a spin with a quick sight-size paint sketch.

Cassian and K2SO

Chirrut Imwe

Trevor

Callie Portrait Sketch

Rey Character Portrait Sketch

Portrait Sketch

Izzy