Having so much fun at my first Monster-Mania CON 41 – here’s a bunch if convention sketches I drew . Will definitely be back next year! #monstermaniacon #sketches #pentelbrushpen
Client:
Personal
Description:
Parody of famous Nintendo characters as gangsters.
This artwork is available for licensing:
Description:
Russ Bus logo design illustration featuring an evil arsonist setting fire to the neighborhood houses, as arsonists do. The design was for apparel and a vehicle wrap for the russefeiring tradition. If you haven’t heard of it, basically russefeiring involves an entire class of Norwegian students renting a bus (a Russebuss), painting every inch of it with really cool street art, and then partying in it night and day for an entire month during graduation. The different classes wear their designs ever where they go as they clash with rival classes. I’ve done a bunch of these now, and really enjoy it.
Please come out and see me this weekend if you’re in the Maryland area – I’m peddling stuff at the awesome Monster-Mania. My first time doing the show, and it’s insane. So much talent here!Huge horror icons like Robert Englund (Freddy) and Kane Hodder (Jason) will be there! MONSTER-MANIA 41 – SEPT. 28 -30 HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND!DELTA HOTEL MARRIOTT 245 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031#monster-mania #monstermaniacon #horrorcon
I will be giving away these trading cards I made with my artwork at Monster-Mania Con in Hunt Valley, Maryland TODAY through Sunday (Sept. 28-30)! Please come out and see me if you’re in the area! I thought it would be cool to make a new trading card every couple months – I’ll slip them in to every order through my shop from now on. Love how they turned out!#tradingcard #monstermaniacon #labrat #art #originalartwork #mangastudio #clipstudiopaint #illustration #hireanillustrator #freelanceartist #wacomcintiq
Description:
A patriotic American military themed Russ bus logo featuring an eagle and soldiers parachuting with guns.The design was for apparel and a vehicle wrap for the russefeiring tradition. If you haven’t heard of it, basically russefeiring involves an entire class of Norwegian students renting a bus (a Russebuss), painting every inch of it with really cool street art, and then partying in it night and day for an entire month during graduation. The different classes wear their designs ever where they go as they clash with rival classes. I’ve done a bunch of these now, and really enjoy it.
Personal
Description:
The legendary grim reaper with billowing dark hooded cloak complete with his scythe and hourglass surrounded by flaming skulls and candles.
This artwork is available for licensing:
Client:
Personal
Description:
Parody illustration of the crew from classic TV cartoon The Flintstones crammed into Fred’s iconic foot-powered vehicle.
This artwork is available for licensing:
Here is how I designed Gritty, the new Flyers Mascot. The attention this has been getting is humbling, exciting, and sometimes terrifying! I’d like to thank Character Translations Inc. for their hard work bringing my drawing to life, the great Art Directors at the Flyers who made this such an enjoyable process, the man inside the Gritty suit, and of course the fans who have shared their opinions with me (good and bad). I’m humbled to have been a part of this process, and I sincerely believe that Gritty’s going to earn your respect.#philadelphiaflyers @grittynhl #nhl #hockey #mascot #characterdesign #characterdesigner #conceptartist #mascotdesign #characterart
Coloring a meditating alien in Clip Studio Paint for a tapestry – one of my favorite projects with @WazShop#alien #aztecart #poster #gigposter #posterart #posterartist #silkscreenart #artprint#art #originalartwork #mangastudio #clipstudiopaint #illustration #hireanillustrator #freelanceartist #wacomcintiq
This was my design for the official Philadelphia Flyers Mascot, Gritty that the team hired me to illustrate. You can see that the costume company, Character Translations Inc, had to make some modifications to the face to make it work as a costume. It’s been pretty overwhelming to see all the attention the mascot has been getting. I’m really proud to have been a part of this – The Flyers even bought my family tickets to a game in October, so I can meet Gritty in person!#philadelphiaflyers @grittynhl #nhl #hockey#mascot #characterdesign #characterdesigner #conceptartist #mascotdesign #characterart
Client:
Personal
Description:
A metal skinned firefighter with a fire axe coming out of a metal logo. Banner can be customized!
This artwork is available for licensing:
So pumped to announce that the mascot I designed for the Philadelphia Flyers is now a real life thing! I was hired to conceptualize the mascot and create a character illustration from all angles that was turned into this cool costume! I’ll post the illustration soon – LOSING MY MIND RIGHT NOW!!!#philadelphiaflyers @grittynhl #nhl #hockey#mascot #characterdesign #characterdesigner #conceptartist #mascotdesign #characterart
Designing The Philadelphia Flyers Mascot, Gritty
Client:
The Philadelphia Flyers
Project
The Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL hockey team, hired me to design the costume for their new mascot, completely from the ground up. They reached out to me because they had liked some edgy mascot artwork I had done for a television commercial by Chick-Fil-A.
The Flyers gave me a lot of freedom with the design. They had previously commissioned some designs, but nothing had hit the mark yet. They told me that the mascot design had to be “someone you’d want to high-five, but not hug.” He had to be fun enough to attract kids and younger fans, yet had to still be tough enough to earn the respect of the tough and gritty Philadelphia fans.
I began the project by sketching over 20 different possible mascots, including, bats, bulls, groundhogs, dragons, tough guys, yetis, and even a flying squirrel.
Once the client saw the sketches, they picked a big dumpy monster I had drawn as the starting point.
Early Gritty concept sketches
Early on, we still hadn’t decided on a name for the mascot. The Marketing team decided on Gritty, which is a perfect fit.
Final Turn-Around Illustration
After we nailed down the foundation of Gritty, the Art Directors and I experimented with many different variations to tweak Gritty’s look.
Working digitally with a Wacom Cintiq tablet, Clip Studio Paint, and Adobe Photoshop, I swapped different details on Gritty, including:
- 10 Different mouths
- With and without shorts
- Wings (a bunch of different kinds)
- Many different fur colors
- …and even a tail!
Once approved, this front, side, and back view of Gritty was submitted to Character Translations Inc. so they could begin work on the costume.
Additional poses for the mascot
Once the concept phase was over, the Flyers hired me to create a series of 10 different poses showing Gritty in action. The different illustrations were to be used primarily for promotion during the rollout.
The mascot illustrations were also used for merch designs sold at the Flyers’ stadium and online – from t-shirts, hockey pucks, sticks, and keychains.
Gritty introduced to the world!
Periodically throughout the process, the Flyers would send me photos of how the costume was coming together, but I usually only saw pieces. It wasn’t until just a few days before the official release that I saw Gritty for the first time. The costume creation team at Character Translations Inc. did an amazing job bringing my drawing to life.
Some of Gritty’s most unique features, such as the googly eyes, and squeaky hands, were added by the creative team at the Flyers. I was just as surprised as everyone else when they were first revealed!
The initial reaction seemed negative at first, and it was a little overwhelming. But the momentum changed very quickly. Within a couple of days, people were sending me fan art they had created of Gritty, and it was clear he had become more than just the mascot for the Flyers: he was now the mascot of the internet!
Client Testimonial:
Thank you again for all your great work throughout the project! Appreciate the quality work, quick turnarounds and accommodating the many changes we sent your way.
–Ben DiCandilo
Philadelphia Flyers, Marketing Manager
Thank you, Flyers!
I owe a large debt of gratitude to the Flyers for making me a part of something so big (and orange!).
Thank you to the Marketing Team – They had great ideas and clear communication.
Thank you to the costume company for their incredible work!
And thank you to the man inside the Gritty suit, who has really brought this two-dimensional drawing to life!
The full story behind the creation of Gritty:
Interview by Mark Brickey on the popular art and design podcast, Adventures in Design
I go into full detail of the process of how I designed Gritty with the Flyers, and how I dealt with the outpouring of reactions to the mascot I helped create, both negative and positive. Adventures in Design is a really great podcast that has interviewed many of the best artists in the industry, so it was an honor to be included!
SquareVideo SquareVideo Gritty
Interviews and Press about the creation of Gritty:
Gritty took the world by storm, and I was very fortunate to be part of it. It was really humbling to be interviewed by over 20 news outlets, several of them on camera, and to be a guest on my favorite art podcast, Adventures in Design.
https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/12/24/18145323/gritty-explained-mascot-flyers-meme-leftist
• VOX
https://www.businessinsider.com/artist-behind-gritty-on-marketing-gritty-does-not-go-away-2020-11
• BUSINESS INSIDER
Gritty: How Brian Allen Created The Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Legend
• POP ICON
Gritty is the internet mascot for a world that’s broken in 2018
• CNET
The 15 Best Marketing Stunts, Activations and Odd Creations of 2018
• ADWEEK
Gritty’s First Month: The Heroic Ascendance of a ‘Ghastly Empty-Eyed Muppet’
• NY Times
I Learned to Love Gritty the Terrifying Mascot and So Can You
• USA Today
Flyers Introduce New Orange, Fuzzy Mascot Gritty, Relish Reaction
• ESPN
Gritty, the Flyers’ new mascot, is up to all sorts of shenanigans on his 1st night out
• NBC Sports
Meet Gritty: The Flyers’ New Team Mascot
• 6ABC News
LOOK: New Flyers mascot Gritty dances with Jimmy Fallon, gets punched by Ricky Gervais
• CBS Sports
Philadelphia Flyers’ new mascot, ‘Gritty,’ sparks backlash, calls for euthanization
• Fox News
Gritty, Stuff Of Nightmares, Has Been Officially Welcomed To Philadelphia
• NPR
Gritty: why the Philadelphia Flyers’ new acid trip of a mascot must be stopped
• The Guardian
‘Gritty’, the internet’s most beloved mascot, explained
• SB Nation
TRUE GRITTY, OR HOW A MYSTIFYING NEW NHL MASCOT WON THE INTERNET
• AdAge
Are You In or Out on “Gritty,” the Philadelphia Flyers’ New Googly-Eyed Mascot?
• The Ringer
Client:
Personal
Description:
Classic EMS star of life logo with a snake intertwined around it, perfect for the paramedic or emergency medical personnel in your life.
This artwork is available for licensing:
Client:
Waz Shop
Description:
Psychedelic Tapestry and t-shirt design I created for Waz Shop to be sold at music festivals of a massive tree formed from the bodies of elephants, chimpanzees, whales, turtles, and other animals.
I tried to use muted earth-tone colors for this design to give it a more natural Look.
Grifting my art at #popupave in State College PA today – beautiful day for this! Great turnout! #capitalism
Check out this series of graphics I created for these Disc Golf discs produced by Discraft for their Halloween catalog. We took their famous Bee mascot, and drew him in the likeness of famous movie monsters, like Leatherface and Jason from Friday the 13th. This one was based on Michael Myers. We also created a one-color foil version too. Anyone play Disc Golf know of Discraft?#discraft #discgolf #michaelmyers #halloweenart#art #originalartwork #mangastudio #clipstudiopaint #illustration #tshirtdesign #tshirtart #hireanillustrator #freelanceartist #wacomcintiq
Client:
Personal
Description:
A bald eagle is covered in the American USA flag and holds a banner that says “Liberty or Death” in true patriotic spirit.
This artwork is available for licensing:
So happy to release my first set of coasters! Intricite hand-drawn tiki artwork laser-engraved with a real space-laser in wood – 1/4" thick, 4" wide. Now available in my shop! https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/#coaster #tikiart #tikibar #beachart #tikitotem #surfart #tikiartist #beach #laserengraving
Client:
Titan Fitness
Description:
Wrestling singlet I illustrated of a warrior viking clutching a sword and shield in front of a raging ocean.
The design was set up for full color direct-to-garment printing, and designed to cover the entire garment with sweet, sweet viking detail.
Client:
Personal
Description:
The dark demonic face of a demon monster and his many eyes and horns in front of flaming skulls and a burning city.
This artwork is available for licensing:
Client:
Tim Bauer
Description:
Zombie soldiers facing off in this logo design I did for a major paintball tournament in Europe.
I love working on logos like this that are created primarily for the web and full-color printing, because I can just go nuts with shading and colors.
Client:
Personal
Description:
A cyborg robot zombie head with red laser eyes flies through the air in this frisbee design.
This artwork is available for licensing:
This was a really fun illustration I worked on for @TakeABreakClothing recently of a grinning skull fisherman.
Take A Break was one of my very first customers over six years ago, and I’m so greatful for clients that have stuck with me from the beginning.#art #fishingart
mangastudio #clipstudiopaint #illustration #tshirtdesign #tshirtart #skullart #freelanceartist #wacomcintiq
Client:
The Jokers
Description:
Album cover illustration I created for the UK-based rock band The Jokers for their newest album “Voodoo,” illustrating an evil witchdoctor holding voodoo doll likenesses of each member of the band.
Always enjoy working with these guys – they don’t take themselves too seriously, and it’s exactly the kind of music I grew up with. It’s often very tricky to get so much of the scene into such a tiny space, but I’m happy with the composition we came up with. I love the crow chewing up the Union Jack.
Client:
Personal
Description:
Trippy, psychedelic illustration of a green natural skull with mushrooms and pot plants coming out of it.
This artwork is available for licensing:
I don’t think I ever posted this – working on inks for my favorite zombie design of the whole year. Zombies flying helicopters. Zombies can fly helicopters. But they suck at landing.#zombieart #zombieartist #undead #horrorart #monsterart#art #mangastudio #clipstudiopaint #illustration #tshirtdesign #tshirtart #hireanillustrator #freelanceartist #wacomcintiq
Client:
Spiral Direct
Description:
Apparel design I illustrated for the Gothic apparel brand Spiral Direct with plenty of skulls, roses, and a sweet heavy metal axe guitar.
The design was set up for full-color printing, front and back, and will be available in their catalogs soon.
Client:
Personal
Description:
A marijuana pot leaf, but each branch of the leaf is made up of a different entity, such as a skull, tentacles and wings.
This artwork is available for licensing:
Client:
Personal
Description:
Trippy, psychedelic illustration of a purple natural skull with mushrooms.
This artwork is available for licensing:
This Queen illustration I created for an official Queen pinball machine was for something big that ALMOST happened, but ultimately fell apart. When you’ve been freelancing for as long as I have, you start to accumulate a big pile of ALMOSTs. It’s best not to let those weigh you down – just keep going and making art every day. Focus on the projects you DO get, and don’t let the failures overshadow your successes!
#queenart #queenband #pinballart #pinballartwork #pinball #pinballmachine #playfield #backglass
Client:
Nome Elementary School
Description:
Elementary school mascot redesign I was commissioned to create of a polar bear for this school in Alaska.
We produced a series of sketches in different styles and positions, and then had the students of the school vote and pick the best direction. Really fun group to work with, and they were thrilled with the result. The graphic was set up as a vector to be easily printable in all sorts of situations.
Client:
Personal
Description:
A psychedelic marijuana pot leaf with each leaf a different entity, the main ones being a mischievous skull, flames, and bones.
This artwork is available for licensing:
I came up with a DIY MacGyver stand for my Wacom Cintiq Pro – I cut a piece of PVC pipe at 30 degree angles. Fits perfectly over the little nubs that are attached to the back of the tablet, and its super sturdy. I even stuffed some old socks in there to create a tension seal. Just need to paint them black!
#art #wacomcintiq #illustration #freelanceartist #wacom
Check out this custom-made skateboard deck I get to paint on! Private commission for a customer – it will be painted directly on the board – something Tiki inspired. The board is just beautiful – I almost hate to put my nasty art on it. Can’t wait to start!
#art #originalartwork #skateboarddeck #acrylicpainting #board #tikiart #skateart #hireanillustrator #freelanceartist
Client:
Kris Roestenburg
Description:
My Australian friends at Vape Nation hired me to illustrate this t-shirt design with the Kiwi bird mascot we created for their logo previously.
It’s pretty challenging making a Kiwi bird look tough, but I tried my best. This t-shirt design was set up for limited color silk-screen.
Client:
Personal
Description:
Large patriotic bald eagle with outspread wings holding banner that says “Liberty or Death”. A pristine blue sky with white clouds make up the background.
This artwork is available for licensing:
This was a little summer project that Michael and I worked on – Nerf technology has advanced lightyears since I was a kid! #nerf
Client:
High Times
Description:
Custom Eagle logo I created for a cannabis brand overseas called High Times.
Because of the regulations in their country, we had to find a way to connect the logo with the marijuana industry subtly, which we tried to accomplish with the colors, and the “happy” expression on the eagle’s face.
Product Reviews
Wacom Cintiq Pro 24″ ReviewSeptember 1, 2023 - 12:30 pmProfessional Illustrator Brian Allen reviews the new Wacom Cintiq Pro 24″ (non-touch). I have been using the new Wacom Cintiq Pro 24″ extensively since early April 2018 and I love it! I upgraded from the Wacom Cintiq 24HD, which I used for over 6 years. I had high expectations for this digital drawing tablet and […]
