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.
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/Arsonist_WHITEBG-Low-Res.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1800800Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-30 10:37:072018-05-03 11:25:50Arsonist Russ Bus Logo
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
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.
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/Airborne_WHITEBG-Low-Res.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1800800Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-28 10:28:512018-05-03 11:25:50USA Military Patriotic Russ Bus Logo
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
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
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.
Early Gritty Concept SketchesPencil Drawing of Gritty, FrontPencil Drawing of Gritty, Side
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!
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://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/EMS_Star_of_Life_With_Snake-Low-Res-1.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1800800Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-24 09:27:312018-05-03 11:25:51EMS Star of Life with Snake
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.
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/Waz_TreeofLife-Social_714x476_ratio-Low-Res.jpg?fit=600%2C900&ssl=1900600Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-23 10:22:172019-07-30 10:59:38Psychedelic New Age Tree of Life Illustration
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
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/Eagle_With_US_Flag_Wings_Spread-Low-Res-1.jpg?fit=800%2C482&ssl=1482800Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-21 09:25:192018-05-03 11:25:51Eagle with US Flag and Wings Spread
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
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/VikingSinglet_SOCIALportraitratio-Low-Res-e1598625609130.jpg?fit=533%2C668&ssl=1668533Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-20 10:18:062018-05-03 11:25:52Viking Warrior Wrestling Singlet Apparel Design
I created this t-shirt design in conjunction with Traxler Tees to commemorate a tragic police shooting in Westerville where two police officers lost their lives in the line of duty.
Traxler hired me to create a design that illustrated police officers in general as bold and proud, which they later sold to raise significant charitable donations to support the department and their families.
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/Demon_Face_and_Fire_Skulls-watermark.jpg?fit=590%2C800&ssl=1800590Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-18 09:22:392018-05-03 11:25:52Demon Face with Fire Skulls
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/41530355_539952699767477_7901029798477701995_n.jpg?fit=640%2C800&ssl=1800640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-17 21:30:452023-06-13 17:13:13Sportsmen friends: would you wear this?
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/WorldWarZ-Web_Logo_Design-Low-Res.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1800800Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-15 10:09:512018-05-03 11:25:52World War Z Zombie Soldiers Logo Design
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
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.
Check out this great digital painting by Dave Green @macm0nkey using my Clip Studio Paint brushes. Can I ask a HUGE favor? If you are an artist and have created something using my brushes (available at clipstudiopaintbrushes.com), can you please tag me or send the image to me? I want to post some examples of what others can do with my brushes. So awesome to see what others are creating!
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
I found this website interesting, do to it showing the anatomy of the body and different ways definition can be added to your illustration. What other sites are out there that can help improve your drawing skills?
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/41278366_666471257058524_6500069134851737547_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1640640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-09 20:16:432023-06-13 18:49:28Improve illustrations and drawing skills through anatomy of the body.
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!
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.
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!
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/39984437_890522367812727_2684874149304597098_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1640640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-09-05 09:06:452023-06-13 18:55:54Wacom Cintiq Pro DIY MacGyver stand
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!
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.
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.
Here was the Pencil sketch I created on the iPad Pro in Clip Studio Paint of Spawn in a collaboration with the artist @Chogrin . The screen is so bright I can work outside in my backyard – it’s great to take a break from the big screen every once in a while and stare at a little screen instead.
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/39403207_1976572775728481_8089150106890141696_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1640640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-08-31 11:39:012023-06-13 19:32:28iPad Pro Pencil sketch of Spawn made in Clip Studio Paint
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn was such a huge influence on my art style as a kid. So I was really thrilled to be asked by the artist @Chogrin to be a part of a book presented to Todd McFarlane himself to commemorate 25 years of the Hellspawn! This was the first piece of artwork that I created completely on the iPad Pro, every step. I think I could have done better on the Wacom, there are some parts I’m not happy with. But overall, I really enjoyed working on the tablet and being out on my back porch while working.
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/39651422_514478975666029_6338948850711003136_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1640640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-08-30 10:46:012023-06-13 19:37:44Commemorating 25 years of the Hellspawn – iPad Pro artwork
Thank you to everyone who has purcased the Psychedelic Tiki Creature!If you are still intrested in getting this 11X17 print please check out my website.
All finished with this Spawn fan art illustration in collaboration with @Chogrin for a book presented to Todd McFarlane celebrating the 25th anniversary of Spawn! Thanks for bringing me on board, I really enjoyed working on this @Chogrin. All drawn on the iPad Pro in Clip Studio Paint.
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/39168697_2172962133027165_523895764259176448_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1640640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-08-27 19:42:442023-06-13 19:40:37Spawn fan art illustration
I found this great resource for learning digital painting, and all the videos are free. I work so much in a line-art driven comic book style, that I’ve been trying to branch out into Digital painting. Any other good classes I should look at?
I am excited to share a speed inking and coloring Video of the Necronomicon I illustrated for an officially licensed Evil Dead 2 line of apparel. I am very happy with how it turned out!
If you are interested in a print you can get one here:
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/16x9-Video-Frame-Thumbnail.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=16751200Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-08-23 12:00:512019-07-31 12:38:30Speed Inking and Coloring of Evil Dead 2 Necronomicon
Here’s a preview of my speed inking and coloring video of the Necronomicon I illustrated for an officially licensed Evil Dead 2 line of apparel @CavityColors. Full video on my YouTube channel. Grab a print at https://www.flylanddesigns.com/shop/
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/39894858_256800684958548_6513064033162100736_n.jpg?fit=640%2C359&ssl=1359640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-08-23 11:20:142023-06-13 19:44:21Necronomicon illustration for an officially licensed Evil Dead 2 line of apparel
The drawing event I started with Jeremy Bratton and Melissa Hombrosky called Drink and Draw was featured in our local paper! You know it’s a fun event when the writer and photographer picked up pencils and paper and started drawing when they were finished. So happy that people are enjoying this and responding so positively to it. Special thanks to the #CentreDailyTimes #drinkanddraw #drinkanddrawsc #artistsunite
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/39232802_481389965668682_3587404659851001856_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1640640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-08-22 20:04:432023-06-13 19:47:56Drink and Draw drawing event – local paper featured
Klaatu!!! …. Barada!!! …. umm … I had a lot of requests for this Evil Dead 2 illustration as a print, so I just put it up in my shop (link in bio). Thank you!! It was an honor to work with @cavitycolors on something so dear to my heart.
https://i0.wp.com/www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/38181366_668771620163163_218427442375688192_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1640640Brian Allenhttps://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/FlyLand-Designs-Web-Logo.pngBrian Allen2018-08-21 11:16:302023-06-14 15:23:38Evil Dead 2 illustration as a print
It’s always so humbling to see total strangers with my artwork tattooed on their flesh! @artist_dennis_lehmann Dennis Lehmann did an incredible job recreating my tiki guy mascot. I also really appreciate when tattoo artists like this ask my permission first – so many do. I’m planning on designing something similar for myself.#tikiart #tikitattoo #tatoo #tiki
Another fun design I created for the leaders of disc golf equipment, Discraft, of a crazed zombie cyborg, because cyborg’s are zombies, too!
We designed a full-color version, as well as a single color foil option. The discs have become collectors editions, and I’m always thrilled when Discraft sends me a box of the discs with my artwork on them. Really cool to see the art come to life!
Just had these pop-up banners made, and I’m so happy with how they turned out. I’m finally going to get away from my desk and start attending conventions – I’ve got a few at the end of the year – a mix of comic conventions, horror conventions, and a cannabis convention in Las Vegas I’ll be attending. Nervous and excited to see how that all goes. Anyone have a reccommendation for conventions near Pennsylvania? #conventionartist #mangastudio #clipstudiopaint #illustration #tshirtdesign #tshirtart #hireanillustrator #freelanceartist #wacomcintiq
