Stylized background art

 Stylized environments open up a world of narrative play that realism can't always reach. For these pieces, I started by breaking down natural elements—trees, grass, clouds, water, into clean, graphic shapes in Illustrator. Then I took them into Photoshop, where I layered in texture using custom stipple brushes I created. The result? A tactile, story-rich backdrop for characters to move through. It's not just a setting,...it’s a vibe. Exploring new techniques like stippling keeps the process fresh and the storytelling deeper.

#Illustration #BackgroundArt #StylizedArt #Photoshop #Illustrator #StippleArt #ConceptArt #VisualStorytelling #IndieArtist #MikeCressyArt

My Portfolio!

 Check out my portfolio of game art that I've done at various top companies.

https://www.artstation.com/mikecressy

MAP!

 I began with an idea to create this map with a very specific style. I started with rough pencil sketches in Photoshop with a pencil brush. After laying out the basic contours of the map I used that as a guide to help with designing the final color art. Then, layer by layer, I built upon that foundation—adding distinct shapes and color until my raw sketch was transformed into a vibrant, detailed artwork.

Saturday morning doodle

 Saturday Morning Doodle over the weekend,... a bit late to post here.

This doodle just came to me off the top of my head after overhearing people Friday night at the wine and art event that I volunteered at.

Web site promo for my graphic novel

 Yesterday I got a spotlight on "Enatai Beach", my graphic novel, on a website called "Graphic Medicine".

I didn't know there was a specific genre of graphic novels that mine fit into. They were very kind to spotlight my GN and showcase some pages.

Please stop by and check it out.

https://www.graphicmedicine.org/spotlight-enatai-beach-by-michael-cressy/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ7MzJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFZc3ZIeW5TcDlscnE0MWV1AR7SXqa6nx-aEzhlLZoeBIcM6xeF8ue7UorMvVXuoSzxzUDm2guMKmEJ4Xp1Ng_aem_zibJz0WyoKXIOXf3VJ2WNA

 This weeks Saturday Morning Doodle is a bit on the personal side that represents a change going forward. A bridge to the future?

I didn't start this doodle with that intension, it just happened to go that way. Perhaps it was subliminal.

Bridges symbolize many things, from overcoming obstacles and reaching new destinations to connecting with the divine and facing our fears and insecurities.

They’re an important part of our lives, both in reality and in our dreams, representing a pathway to new opportunities, growth, and change.

Cheers to moving forward with a different mindset.

NEW Biz Cards