Amber Grandalen

Hello.



I'm a painter with graphic design and illustration experience. My specialties are water-based mediums and technical illustration.



In addition to drawing & painting, I studied graphic design as a student at the School of the Art Institute Chicago.



Currently based in Los Angeles, my practice is concentrated primarily on painting. Though not working as a graphic designer at the moment, I still draw on and reference principles of design in my work. I love the concept of "working within the grid" for some reason, and seek to "set up" grids (structure) for myself when painting as well. It seems that graphic design is actually quite difficult to "unlearn"! Even when painting, I find myself thinking in terms of columns, visual hierarchy, etc. ah! I love it so. I believe that if I do someday find myself working professionally as a graphic designer again I will come to it with a greater understanding of its principles AND a more sophisticated sense of color, which I have also consciously been working to develop.



The watercolor illustrations I have posted on this website (coroflot) were created in Natural History Illustration classes. The instructional handbooks were created for SAIC, working for the wood & metal shops there. It was a great experience, as I got to a) learn about woodworking, manufacturing, and welding techniques (awesome) and b) develop my graphic design and technical illustration skills while doing so.



If you'd like to see more of my work, you can check out my website:



www.ambergrandalen.com



Thank you!

Amber Grandalen