Tennis Archives - Rodney Pike Art

TENNIS Magazine ~ The Bryan Brothers

Apr 13, 2011

This is the layout for the two page spread and commission I did for TENNIS Magazine / Bauer Media featuring “the Bryan Brothers“. Never heard of them myself. I wasn’t sure if I was going to post this because I really don’t like it, but it’s what they wanted. The story was about how “the Bryan brothers” disliked playing doubles Tennis. They requested a very mild caricature and these guys have no personality anyhow by the look of those blank faces. This is just how it was delivered. Obviously there was other text, title… I don’t know. The job / concept was still in the air when I delivered it so I have no idea how it turned out. In fact, I had to send a layer PSD file so they could arrange it the way they wanted. It’s certainly not something I would put in a portfolio. Well, that business. There are often tight reins on your ability to inject any creativity into the project.

I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

John McEnroe

Feb 28, 2011

Well, I’m finished with the illustration for the Tennis Magazine Commission. I’m just waiting until tomorrow morning when they get into work to get the final approval. Tonight I have John McEnroe for you. I put a lot of detail work into this one, so be sure and view it at full resolution. I worked for a good while painting the hair. Extremely fine detail on the hair down to the tiny hairs on his ears. I even did a little subtle dental work on him. Hope you like it.

I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Sneak Peek at Tennis Magazine Job

Feb 26, 2011

Working away on the Tennis magazine commission all day today. I’m about 60% complete and I’m beat so I’m headed to bed. Just wanted to post a little teaser. I will deliver this job tomorrow, hopefully early enough to start something else. I have a bunch of requests. Anyhow, here it is. Goodnight!

I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

The “Black” Baron

Feb 25, 2011

Tonight I got frustrated with that Tennis magazine job…poor source pics. Anyhow, I decided to finish up “The Black Baron“. The sneak peak I posted yesterday. Obviously Barack Obama was the perfect fit. This was a pretty intense manipulation. I did a good bit of research on The Red Baron to try and assemble a uniform that looked authentic. I used a mess of source images on this one. I totally lost count. I literally spliced pieces of leather together to make his coat and there was a lot of texture reproduction. It’s about 95% complete. I see several little things that need tweaking but I’ll do that later.

I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Project Update and Sneak Peek at a WIP

Feb 24, 2011

I was working away on the Tennis magazine commission tonight and really enjoying it. They had a really good concept and awesome high-resolution images of the subjects and everything needed for the job. I was really excited about it and thrilled that I get to work with such good material. Well, that didn’t last. What did they do? Yep, they changed their minds and are sending me all new source material. Oh well, that business. The halt in work gave me the opportunity to get back to work on a “secret” project that I’ve been working on for a few days now. It’s a pretty intense image. I’m posting a teaser like Dominic Philibert likes to do to his readers. Actually, I just wanted to let you know I am working and have a bunch of stuff to post in the near future. The 5-piece commission I did for FHM magazine – Bauer Media hits news stands next week so watch for it. I will have those 5 images to post once it is out as well as a couple other commissions soon. Well, here’s my sneak peek. See if you can tell what it’s going to be. There are a couple of clues.