Connor Renwick: Dive into the Drawing Process of the Urban Armor Gear x Jason Maloney Limited Art Series iPhone Cases

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Dive into the Drawing Process of the Urban Armor Gear x Jason Maloney Limited Art Series iPhone Cases

Tech brand Urban Armor Gear are well versed in the durable yet lightweight smartphone and tablet case game as they continually launch new gear designed to protect your most used asset. Just recently, they partnered with renowned artist Jason Maloney who created a limited edition set of iPhone cases (specifically iPhone 8/7/6S, iPhone 8/7/6S Plus, and iPhone X) inspired by the bold, punchy colors seen in 80’s video arcades on the sides of the game consoles. The clear cases are made of armor shells with impact resistant soft cores to keep your device safe and they’re topped off with one of Maloney’s signature characters in your choice of yellow or light blue. Not only are they available for purchase here, Maloney is giving us a look at his drawing process behind this design, in this month’s Deconstruction.

Every time I start an illustration I use a elevated light board that’s attached to a painting easel. I have always used this way of drawing because it’s easier on my back and neck. In this photo, I’m working on creating my latest character, Teddy the Bear Bat which is featured on my limited edition UAG case. I start the simple line sketch on a piece of tracing paper with a #2 mechanical pencil. I try not to solve everything in the sketch in order to leave room for inspiration and what I call ‘happy accidents’ along the way in my process. No computer drawing/design programs are used in my process. Everything from sketch to final drawing in done completely by hand.

Here I’am refining the final drawing which is penned with #1 Pigma GRAPHIC, #08 Pigma MICRON and Markette archival ink marker pens. This particular drawing was one of three drawings needed by the creative team at UAG in order to make short animation of my ‘Teddy the Bear Bat’ illustration. When the animation is finished it will be used as a teaser marketing tool on Instagram to hype up the drop of my iPhone case through UAG.

Me refining my final drawings for the animation of my ‘Teddy the Bear Bat’. The ‘wonkyness’ of my final drawing is completely intentional. It has slowly evolved over 25 years of doing it and is completely mine. Every edge of my line work is takin into account while I’am refining the final illustration. Every nuance is paid attention to and manicured to give it that final Jason Maloney ‘look’.

Here I’m referring to the original ‘Teddy the Bear Bat’ ink drawing to see where and how the bat’s wings would flap in the final animation short…so it looks like he’s really flapping his wings.

Me positioning the final drawing paper over my sketch. I use a thin, archival ink marker paper to prevent any ink bleeding in all my final illustrations.

Even though I’ve drawn all of my characters hundreds of times over the years I still need to look sometimes to see placement of stitching. I always want each of my characters to look consistent and clean in the final illustration.

Me positioning the final ‘Teddy the Bear Bat’ illustration on my light board in preparation of creating the three drawings needed for the animation short for the marketing of my UAG case.

When I overlay drawings I need to keep each layer I create perfectly in place and I do this with drafting tape. Here’s me removing some drawing tape from my final illustration of ‘Teddy the Bear Bat’ illustration.

Here is a photo of me pinning a final illustration of my ‘Teddy the Bear Bat’ I created incorporating him into a logo I’ve used in marketing campaigns. Here he’s partnered up with my signature character and leader of the squad, ‘Tippsy the Elephant’.