The Inspiration
Ralph Steadman, the Gonzo Artist, is one of my personal favorite illustrators/artists. He is probably best known for the illustrations he created for the work of the Gonzo Journalist himself, Hunter S. Thompson. Steadman’s work has such a raw energy to it that makes it impossible to ignore. His seemingly random ink blotches and kinetic lines were the main inspiration for this set of textures. I wanted to try and capture that raw energy and spontaneous creation. Here is a very brief sampling of his work:
See more of his work on his official website.
The Textures
The method for creating these is very simple, and boatloads of fun. I would simply lay a piece of bristol board or watercolor paper on top of some newspaper, completely cover a brush in paint, and then use quick and staggered arm motions above the paper. I would also attack the paper in an angled downward motion and smack the brush head against to paper, which created the streak connected to a bigger splotch. After these were finished (and dried), I scanned them and then digitally combined them with some vintage paper textures to give them a little more attitude.
I hope you all enjoy using these as much as I enjoyed creating them. Do you like this style? Comment below and let me know what you think!
