John Lee’s Illustration Blog var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push([‘_setAccount’, ‘UA-18940623-2’]); _gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’]); (function() { var ga = document.createElement(‘script’); ga.type = ‘text/javascript’; ga.async = true; ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘http://www’) + ‘.google-analytics.com/ga.js’; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Tumblr (3.0; @johnleedraws)http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/<p><img alt="image" height="387" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/dbf0749e40256c8f833858cc4e86783c/tumblr_mcqt0aea6z1qcl6lzo5_r1_400.jpg" width="368"/><br/>Nope, I’m getting learned at the <a href="http://theartdepartment.org/additional-programs/the-illustration-academy">Illustration Academy</a> first, and then I’m assigned to the USS Ewesbottom after that. </p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/51023325528http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/51023325528Tue, 21 May 2013 18:02:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/750ef10ce627feafcf59554432d32bec/tumblr_mn4n1t5MOU1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Man, Spectrum is always a blast. Here’s an obligatory swag pic, but my favorite part about it was seeing new work and meeting new illustrators. This time around it was also great to meet up with people who I know through social media, but haven’t necessarily met face to face.<br/><br/>I’m looking forward to being back in KC in a couple of weeks to start the Illustration Academy! I got to meet a lot of the TAD crew this weekend, and I’m beyond excited to go “back to school.” </p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50959006212http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50959006212Mon, 20 May 2013 21:32:00 -0500spectrumsfalkansas cityillustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/6e1c93d0bff4496c062874ad8449eeb7/tumblr_mn0d5vJCOn1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/548817a0374bcafee225fcb6d548ea88/tumblr_mn0d5vJCOn1qcl6lzo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/1061fe5a0807904bf7d9fa83ecadb624/tumblr_mn0d5vJCOn1qcl6lzo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/23c18e9411b4fb98778cd9c1afd66543/tumblr_mn0d5vJCOn1qcl6lzo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/088e9b13409b6e507ff811b035fe431a/tumblr_mn0d5vJCOn1qcl6lzo5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Greg Manchess, Ron and Vanessa Lemen demos.</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50748790008http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50748790008Sat, 18 May 2013 14:08:18 -0500spectrumsfalkansas citylllustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/b2d93a8f042c23799680d154d195bae8/tumblr_mn080rXtkC1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c56e85079c55cb90f952e64d7a1d96b5/tumblr_mn080rXtkC1qcl6lzo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/f699c9de7312805b17369eb717f60bed/tumblr_mn080rXtkC1qcl6lzo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Documenting today at Spectum: Jon Foster oil demo and a balling Darth Vader.</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50740970362http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50740970362Sat, 18 May 2013 12:17:14 -0500spectrumsfalkansas cityillustration<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b0320edb19c4038d1e25a6a786bfc0c9/tumblr_mmze2zX6xz1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Drink and draw at the Alladin, Spectrum Fantastic Art Live in Kansas City.</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50711851314http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50711851314Sat, 18 May 2013 01:30:35 -0500spectrumsfalkansas cityillustrationsketches<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/54287c24930e76fc5f7a7b3a24fc624a/tumblr_mmqrbmzW8z1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Did another sketch swap for <a href="http://www.tenpacesanddraw.com/">Ten Paces and Draw</a> last week! This time the theme was “Bravery” and my sketch was by <a href="http://www.alexathoen.com/">Alexa Thoen</a>. </p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50343089051http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50343089051Mon, 13 May 2013 09:38:10 -0500illustrationartists on tumblrsketchesTen Paces and Drawlionsblerp blerp birdhey kids brush yo teeth<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/761509013a335965a9b0da5f3f336c40/tumblr_mmg7c6CEtU1recasro1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://dominiquepere.tumblr.com/post/49882100520/great-last-critique-3">dominiquepere</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Great last Critique </p> <p><3</p> </blockquote>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50027476085http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50027476085Thu, 09 May 2013 14:05:01 -0500mcamemphisillustrationpedantry<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/bf70a3a20efb2fac1b039be7e7332fe6/tumblr_mi6oq5TYGn1recasro1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://dominiquepere.tumblr.com/post/43037561569/this-is-a-memorial-for-my-rat-eugene-i-had-her">dominiquepere</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>This is a memorial for my rat Eugene. I had her for 4 years.</p> <p>RIP <3</p> </blockquote> <p>Signal Boost Thursday! <a href="http://dominiquepere.tumblr.com/">Dominique Pere</a>’s ode to her rat. </p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50026354953http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/50026354953Thu, 09 May 2013 13:45:58 -0500illustrationartists on tumblrratspetsmemphisdrawing<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ef8eeda00fdfe92d1cf3e066628af879/tumblr_mmegykrdxQ1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Today was my last day teaching at MCA. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all the faculty, staff, and most importantly, wonderful students who put up with my first foray into teaching. <br/><span></span></p> <p><span>I learned so much about art and illustration while on the other side of the classroom. And I learned a ton, experientially, about teaching others and the nature of academia in general.</span></p> <p>I might return back to teaching in the future, but for now I’m looking forward to just being a student and a regular ole illustrator again.</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49809476535http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49809476535Mon, 06 May 2013 18:23:00 -0500illustrationpedantrymcateaching<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/cd0872c6704ec55801d14a62c2281691/tumblr_mmdmn8FrBI1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Did this ode to my cat last week for <a href="http://www.tenpacesanddraw.com/portfolio/swap-guilty-pleasures/">Ten Paces and Draw</a>, based off of <a href="http://dialmformichele.tumblr.com/">Michele Rosenthal</a>’s guilty pleasure of taking lots of cat pics (of which I am also guilty of). </p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49770197757http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49770197757Mon, 06 May 2013 07:28:00 -0500illustrationcatscats of instagramcat picsartists on tumblreps cat is the best catseriously thosketchesjohnleedrawsTen Paces and Draw<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a5a94ab1db030cc819e6da54d9dc9871/tumblr_mm8f3sX7Zb1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/a1e165f539957ac7bd05efa05c71a1b1/tumblr_mm8f3sX7Zb1qcl6lzo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Last year I started to draw the Memphis Grizzlies starters as a D&D party (“G&G”)—and then they promptly lost at home in game 7 against the Clippers. I was so dejected that I didn’t finish. </p> <p>It’s playoff time again, and they’re going for a pivotal game 6 vs. the Clippers, yet again. Going to try and finish these when I can!</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49520762983http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49520762983Fri, 03 May 2013 11:57:00 -0500illustrationartists on tumblrMemphis Grizzliesnbanba playoffsmike conleyzach randolphmemphissketches<p>Illustrators: awkward since forever. </p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49515945745http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49515945745Fri, 03 May 2013 10:23:56 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/499489cffef07f29491a5a21c26d4e30/tumblr_mm2o00jMna1r5qn3no1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://ginopambianchi.tumblr.com/post/49259029975/the-snake-and-the-flower-one-for-luck-one-for">ginopambianchi</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>The snake and the flower.<br/> One for luck.<br/> One for power.</p> <p><br/> One of four illustrations completed as a part of my senior show at Memphis College of Art. Prints soon to come.</p> </blockquote> <p>My seniors pretty much killed it this semester. I’ll be signal boosting their work as they start uploading and fleshing out their portfolios in the next few weeks.</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49260865020http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/49260865020Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:05:54 -0500illustrationprintmakingartists on tumblrpedantry<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/5e3ff64efefe4fbd30913dd9dfd20e0f/tumblr_mltuofAnpt1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/bcf96d851b5c3a608d8c912fc0317d40/tumblr_mltuofAnpt1qcl6lzo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Received a nice surprise in the mail today! <a href="http://www.commarts.com/">Communication Arts</a> mailed me a copy of their Illustration Annual 54, and I got to see <a href="http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/27836107887/this-was-supposed-to-accompany-a-short-story-about">this piece</a> for This Land Press amongst some truly inspiring work. Like seriously, it’s in there with a baseball team worth of my favorite illustrators. Incredibly humbled and honored to have made it in! </p> <p>And to think: that illustration almost didn’t even get printed!</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48872401789http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48872401789Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:09:00 -0500illustrationartists on tumblrCommunication Arts<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/64099701" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Play name that illustrator! </p> <p>Hints: half are from Memphis, other half go to/teach at TAD. And then the other, other half are none of those things.  </p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48835507409http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48835507409Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:11:00 -0500illustrationthis land pressshort fictionimaginary oklahomaoklahoma<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/86c4008e38f130c0ca6c2143dbf9d54b/tumblr_mlrm3ouez61qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Drew this little guy for my friend Kerry’s side project <a href="http://www.onepmwednesday.com/2013/04/24/the-shake-april-10/"><strong>1 PM Wednesday</strong></a>. I accidentally turned her quest for a shake into a Wong Kar Wai film. </p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48776674775http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48776674775Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:09:00 -0500illustrationmemphiswong kar waicheap chinese foodshakesmilkshakesbrings all boys to yardjohnleedrawsartists on tumblrsketches<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/d0ef4bcc17fe65bb7320b49d3c239fe1/tumblr_mlflp5us6J1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>ALL HAIL</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48253802827http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48253802827Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:29:29 -0500catcheap chinesesketchesjohnleedrawsillustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/5f5952bf01b2493b9ac48e1677924b51/tumblr_mlc1arlOfA1qcl6lzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Revisionist childhood.</p>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48103328854http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48103328854Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:16:00 -0500illustrationArtists on Tumblrexplorationgiant robotsfinalswoodstennessee<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/86284118a4bb6bba4b26bd24c6c852e8/tumblr_ml9wygPE7V1s9t9f7o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://collabodraw.tumblr.com/post/48007338509/john-lee-johnleedraws-tumblr-com">collabodraw</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>John Lee / <a href="http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com">johnleedraws.tumblr.com</a></p> </blockquote>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48007418930http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/48007418930Sun, 14 Apr 2013 20:48:00 -0500illustrationArtists on Tumblrwhaleboneswarmemphissketches<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/9866742b0b6140a7ba1ebb1412feaab8/tumblr_mkql6k9Tii1qbvyrlo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://fuckyeahmoleskines.tumblr.com/post/47459174507/mighty-mississippi-11-13-12-john-lee">fuckyeahmoleskines</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Mighty Mississippi / 11.13.12</p> <p>John Lee:</p> <p><a href="http://johnleedraws.com">johnleedraws.com</a></p> <p><a href="http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com">johnleedraws.tumblr.com</a></p> </blockquote>http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/47498913655http://johnleedraws.tumblr.com/post/47498913655Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:38:26 -0500sketchesmemphis