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Official Artist
Jonathan Jay Lee
Illustrator
229,067 views| 334  Posts

RIDER

A few months ago I was asked to put together some samples for a potential proposal for a campaign. Unfortunately, it didn't end up following through, but it was a good challenge to produce work that I am not normally asked to do, and the outcome proved satisfying. I was given a photograph by the creative director and asked to create a hyper-realism based on the excitement and danger of the sport.

The picture I was given:

After some art direction:

I've never done work like this before and it was incredibly challenging - at one point I felt like I couldn't deliver - but hard work and sleepless nights prevailed and it was an excellent learning process! What was cool was that the creative director trusted in my capabilities to do this kind of work, though I have nothing similar in my portfolio to prove so. I think it's this kind of vision that makes a good art director from a bad one.

I heard funny stories from other illustrators before, saying how they didn't get commissioned for a piece because there were no 'dogs' in their portfolio. Despite showing talent and being able to draw, the art director doesn't trust that the illustrator is able to draw a dog. Hahaha. In Dog we trust.

almost 15 years ago 0 likes  11 comments  0 shares
Photo 58618
I think it's true for a lot of jobs in the creative industry. Apparently a classic for directors of photography, if the client doesn't see the type of grade/lighting they want in their commercial, no matter how good you are, they'll probably settle for another guy. In my case I can't think of anything like it, but it's true that I get pushed back in a list of candidates depending on what kind of work I've done. I'm mostly a commercial type, so movie vfx places aren't too interested in me. Well there's two cases where they might, one being if they're not too busy and someone they trust put in a good word about me, the other is more common and it's because they're so damn desperate to make it to deadline they'll hire anybody.
almost 15 years ago
Photo 180048
Aloha Jonathan, Nice result over the original ... radical sport! A brazilian surface designer invites you to his drawings with free comments. Cheers Carlos
almost 15 years ago
Photo 376392
YOU THE MAN JJL
almost 15 years ago
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Good Job!
almost 15 years ago
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hey just wanted to add you-its Pete from the US! take care!
almost 15 years ago

About

My full illustration portfolio is available to view at: www.jonathanjaylee.com

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Languages Spoken
English,Mandarin
Location (City, Country)
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Gender
Male
Member Since
June 11, 2008