Recent Blog Posts

Author Archives: Brian Bowes

Motivation for Creatives

Motivation for Creatives

Summary: Top 5 tools to help motivate you as a creative. I share insights on building a life around your creative passions. Additionally, I address common issues like feeling burned and overwhelm. Transcription Recently I had a question online about MOTIVATION, and it’s gotten me to think a lot about the topic. One of theContinue Reading

Creative Curiosities

Creative Curiosities

Experimentation, Side Hustles, and Gouache Painting Summary: In this Vlog Post we discuss the importance of side projects and staying fresh creatively. I create one in a series of six gouache paintings; “Gus.” Embracing creative curiosity, exploring new techniques, and allowing ourselves to fail and grow through iterations. BONUS: Music Video! Transcript: Hey there, welcomeContinue Reading

SPIRITED STEPS: How to Discover Your Visual Voice

SPIRITED STEPS: How to Discover Your Visual Voice

Summary: Join me for a reflective walk through my watercolor technique, thoughts on artistic growth, and a book recommendation that inspires creative expression. Transcript Intro Hey there, on today’s Walk and Talk I want to talk about steps. We take steps all the time, and steps help us reach our destination. In illustration, we takeContinue Reading

The Gift of Time

The Gift of Time

Summary: Sharing my thoughts on the importance of making time for creative pursuits, by way of a relaxing sketchbook drawing. Highlighting the joy of exploring art without pressure. Let’s celebrate The Gift of Time together! Time—it’s one of those things we never seem to have enough of. And as creative individuals, it can be reallyContinue Reading

Fabulous Friendly Freaks

Fabulous Friendly Freaks

Summary: Reflections on an Instagram Character Design Challenge Last year I put together a really fun five day Instagram Character Design Challenge called Fabulous Friendly Freaks. The challenge kicked off on June 15th, and ran through June 19th. This creative sprint was filled with fun, freakiness, and fabulous artwork that brought together a community ofContinue Reading

Bo Diddley UnMasked!

Bo Diddley UnMasked!

Summary: A nice drawing, two big mistakes, and a failed in-class demonstration. It’s a miracle that this painting came to a satisfying conclusion! This illustration started as a simple sketch for an in-class demonstration. I’ve been hammering away at the Chris Payne illustration process for some time now. Mixing in elements from here and thereContinue Reading

Painting of a Young Jedi

Painting of a Young Jedi

Over the past few months, I’ve been pushing myself to continue learning. Most recently I was motivated by the exercises in the class on painting that I teach. During the demo’s and in the studio I tried a few new materials, such as the Strathmore 4ply 500 series vellum board, and gouache. This painting wasContinue Reading

Bo Diddley UnMasked!