Showing soul...

Here is an illustration I just finished of and for Joseph Wooten,  the Hands of Soul;  keyboardist, writer, arranger, producer, educator, motivational speaker, 3-time Grammy nominated artist and keyboardist for The Steve Miller Band.  A busy guy, to say the least!  Although I was pleased to do the project and excited for the challenge,  I really wasn't sure how I was going to pull it off.  But I love a challenge and after many sketches and lots of research here is the final image.

Joseph Wooten, the Hands of Soul.
Transparent Watercolor

Phase One: Research/Sketching

The big question when I started this project was, 'How do you show soul?'  The problem I had to solve was taking everything you feel with Rhythm and Blues and transform it into an image; the beat, rhythm, and soul as well as Joseph's unique and compassionate personality.  I had to somehow illustrate the soul Joseph's music creates.

I learned long time ago that an image is only as good as the concept behind it.  It took many sketches and a ton of research to arrive at the concept of keyboard coming alive when everything came together.  Here are just a few pages from my sketch book.

The Keyboard flying off the piano
with 'fan' Hands of Soul.

Just Joe....

The Brother's Wooten.

Joe looking into the crowd,
 'His' crowd was a thought as well.

Phase Two:  Composition

Once I knew what to create, it had to be executed with a successful composition. I'm still not ready to paint.

Early Marker Comp.
Not enough movement.

Added keyboard idea from earlier sketch.

Final composition.

Finally, I have the image sketched out and it's time to transfer the image.

Phase Three:  Transfer image to watercolor paper.

I use tracing paper and a makeshift carbon

paper from graphite sticks. 

Phase Four:  Finally, time to paint!

First glazes set the framework.

More detail, pulling images together.

Building more layers, almost done.

I hope that those who see this feel Joe's Hands of Soul and that they are compelled to take time to learn a little more about not only his music but his message, that we all matter.  Learn more at I Matter, You Matter and listen to his song by the same name.