Fairhope's "Knights of Ecor Rouge" Mardi Gras Parade

Here, for your enjoyment, are the design roughs and finished drawings for tonight's KOER (Knights of Ecor Rouge) Parade, which will roll through Fairhope. Enjoy!

KOER Float Rough sketch by Brent Amacker

KOER Float Rough sketch by Brent Amacker

KOER Float Rough sketch by Brent Amacker

K.O.E.R. "BATMOBILE" float drawing by Brent Amacker

K.O.E.R. "A-TEAM VAN" float drawing by Brent Amacker

K.O.E.R. "BANDIT" float drawing by Brent Amacker

K.O.E.R. "Back to the Future DELOREAN" float drawing by Brent Amacker

K.O.E.R. "Dukes of Hazzard GENERAL LEE" float drawing by Brent Amacker

K.O.E.R. "GhostbustersMobile" float drawing by Brent Amacker

K.O.E.R. "Knight Rider K.I.T.T." float drawing by Brent Amacker

K.O.E.R. "MYSTERY MACHINE" float drawing by Brent Amacker

2017 Mobile Mystics Parade Float Drawings

The MOBILE MYSTICS paraded this afternoon and, as always, I am posting design roughs and finished drawings. Designed by Yours Truly and built by Carnival Artists.
This year's ball and parade theme was "When I Grow Up".

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up" Rough Float Sketches by Brent Amacker 

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up" Rough Float Sketches by Brent Amacker 

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up" Rough Float Sketches by Brent Amacker 

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up" Rough Float Sketches by Brent Amacker 

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Astronaut" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Cowboy" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Olympic Athlete" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Pirate" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Coast Guard" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Quarterback" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Race Car Driver" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Rock Star" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Fireman" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics "When I Grow Up: Zookeeper" Float drawing by Brent Amacker

Progression of a Poster

 I was commissioned to design this year's Poster for The MOBILE MYSTICS, to correlate with their Tableau Theme of "When I Grow Up". The request was for a 60s-Hippie-Rock Concert-style look.
The MYSTICS wanted some psychedelic warp text and acid-rock color.
After receiving some reference pics (and already knowing the float lineup), I went to work utilizing the requested design elements. Admiral Raphael Semmes was specifically designated as the central focus.
 Below is the initial 'thumbnail rough' used for design approval and to exemplify intent:

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Rough by Brent Amacker

 After some discussion, the design was okayed, and I proceeded. I started with a grid, for symmetry and balance.

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Then, I began to complete composition and start tightening up pencils & inking, incorporating the individual 'Float Themes'....

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

 I utilized several different 'retro' font styles to keep the design spontaneous.

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Progression by Brent Amacker

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster B&W by Brent Amacker

Below, you can see the finished, colored product: 

Mobile Mystics 2017 Poster Color by Brent Amacker

2017 Order of Polka Dots Parade Float Drawings

Below are the finished design drawings for the Order of Polka Dots Mardi Gras Parade, rolling tonight through the streets of downtown Mobile, Alabama. 

The Theme is "Reflections of Goddesses".

Drawn by Yours Truly, built by Steve Mussell's MIRTHCO, Inc.

"AINE" Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"VENUS" Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"ARTEMIS" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"AURORA" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"BRIDGID" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"HATHOR" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"Lady of the Lake" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"MAAT" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"MEDUSA" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"NUTT" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"PELE" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"SESHAT" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"VALKYRIE" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

"SARASWATI" Order of Polka Dots float by Brent Amacker

Order of POLKA DOTS Concept Roughs

The Order of Polka Dots take to the streets tonight, and (as usual) I will be posting float drawings close to Parade Time! Until then, here are the rough design 'thumbnail drawings' used for drawing approval!
 Solicited by Steve Mussell's MIRTHCO, Inc., these are rendered to ensure that the builder and I are on the same page in regard to subject, placement, and included elements.

Float Roughs by Brent Amacker

Float Roughs by Brent Amacker

Float Roughs by Brent Amacker

Float Roughs by Brent Amacker

Float Roughs by Brent Amacker

Polka Dots Queen

This past Carnival Season, I was commissioned to design an image for the Queen of the Order of Polka Dots. Thought I had posted it earlier, but obviously neglected to do so.
Here are both versions...

Color Version of Order of POLKA DOTS "Gypsy Queen" Image by Brent Amacker

B&W Version of Order of POLKA DOTS "Gypsy Queen" Image by Brent Amacker