Illustration for The New York Times

Here’s an illustration that I did for The New York Times Sunday Travel section, for an article written by author Dominique Browning about airport lit. I was delighted to find that the author, Dominique Browning, featured this piece along with my illustration “Tiger’s Tale”on her blog.

It was a pleasure working with AD Corinne Myller on this assignment.


AD: Corinne Myller CLIENT: The New York Times | ©2012 Jessica Fortner. All rights reserved

From the Sketchbook

I don’t often just sit and sketch— which is something I’m trying to change. So, here is a drawing that I did recently which I thought I’d share with you. I might actually make this into a final illustration at some point, but for now it remains a sketch of one of many of my random ideas. Hope you like it! ~Jes

From the Sketchbook - Drawing by Jessica Fortner

FormFiftyFive Masthead Illustration

FormFiftyFive Masthead Illustration by Jessica Fortner
FromFiftyFive Header by Jessica Fortner

I did this illustration for my friends at the amazing design site FormFiftyFive. The illustration was designed for the site’s masthead. It is my first attempt at making an animated gif. The animation is very simple, but I think a nice subtle touch.

The idea was to create a masthead based on inspiration. I decided that I’d play with the theme — inspiration being such a mysterious and random thing. I created this character emerging from the dark depths of who-knows-where holding abstract letter forms of three F’s (the site’s acronym). I wanted to work with the design of the site, which is generally quite dark. The dominoes act like neurons, which when knocked over will be set in motion, forming an idea as each thought connects to the next.

I don’t normally like explaining my illustrations so formally — people have such great imaginations and I feel explaining things often ruins it. In this case, I felt a little rationale would prove interesting. Hope you like it! Any feedback is more than welcome.

~Jes

View work in Process » 

From the Sketchbook

It’s been a while since my last post. I’ve got a couple of things on the go right now, which I can’t wait to share. Here is a little doodle of a character that I’m developing for a personal project.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday!

I just want to take this time to thank everyone for making this year a great one. I cannot express what your support means to me. I wish everyone a safe and cheer-filled holiday. All the best to you and your families in the new year.

PLANSPONSOR – War Stories Illustration

PLANSPONSOR – War Stories illustration by Jessica Fortner

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with art director SooJin Buzelli of Asset International again. This time for the magazine PLANSPONSOR. This illustration was for an article titled “Having His Head Examined” about a man who is about to have brain surgery, and calls a day before to see if he has medical coverage.

OPC Register Magazine Illustration

I did this illustration recently for OPC Register – a quarterly magazine for Ontario’s principals and vice-principals. The article I illustrated was about how school’s can enhance their communities confidence in public education.

Digital Arts – Masterclass Tutorial

Here is a peek at the Masterclass tutorial I did recently for Digital Arts Magazine.

“Jessica Fortner’s mosaic- like illustrations look gorgeously elaborate. Here she outlines her unique drawing, scanning and colouring process”



Buy A copy here: http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/magazine/
Apple Newsstand: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/digitalarts-magazine./id488140641?mt=8

Illustrator Jessica Fortner's MasterClass Tutorial for Digital Arts Magazine.

Illustrator Jessica Fortner's MasterClass Tutorial for Digital Arts Magazine.

Illustrator Jessica Fortner's MasterClass Tutorial for Digital Arts Magazine.

PeculiarBliss Magazine – The Tiger’s Tale

This is my submission for the January edition of PeculiarBliss Magazine. Submitted for theme Explosive.

Website: http://peculiarbliss.com/
Details: http://blog.jessicafortner.com/news/peculiarbliss-magazine-the-tigers-tale/

The Tiger's Tale | PeculiarBliss Magazine | © 2011 Jessica Fortner. All rights reserved.
The Tiger’s Tale | PeculiarBliss Magazine | © 2011 Jessica Fortner. All rights reserved.

Ink/Pencil on Smooth Bristol – 12×12″ | © 2011 Jessica Fortner. All rights reserved.
Ink/Pencil on Smooth Bristol – 12×12″ | © 2011 Jessica Fortner. All rights reserved.

Featured in Juxtapoz Magazine!

Illustrator Jessica Fortner in Juxtapoz Magazine

Illustrator Jessica Fortner in Juxtapoz Magazine

I am very fortunate to be featured in the profile section of Juxtapoz Magazine this month. I am both delighted and honoured to have my work featured in a magazine that I have grown up admiring.

This issue has interviews with artists Mark Ryden, Pedro Friedeberg, Geoffrey Chadsey, Read More Books, a personal favourite: Moussa Kone, and more.

I was also featured in the illustration section of Juxtapoz’ site.

Feature: http://origin.juxtapoz.com/Current/in-illustration-the-work-of-jessica-fortner#

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