Go Pack Go!

I have always wanted to illustrate NFL athletes. So here they are now. And yes of course, it’s gotta be the Green Bay Packers for me (at least the first ones)

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Go Pack Go! Featuring Aaron Rodgers #12, Elgton Jenkins #74, Jaire Alexander #23, Davante Adams #17, Aaron Jones #33, Mason Crosby #2 — illustrated by Erik Pingol

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Michael Jordan

A portrait of the GOAT Michael Jordan by Erik Pingol

An art professor once told me that a portrait is not just some photograph or illustration of someone’s face. It should have the story or the character or memory that describes who the subject is. This, for me, is Michael Jordan. The hard teammate. The ultra-competitive. The proud monarch. The undefeated champion.

Truth be told, I was never a fan of MJ. I never collected his cards when I was young. I didn’t really root that much for his games, in fact I wanted my Lakers to defeat him. But my beloved ’90s era was the decade of his greatness, and it was harder not to be in awe of this certain genius.

This is the last Bulls portrait in my planned collection, and definitely one of my favorites.

Kobe v MJ

Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan by Erik Pingol

After my digital watercolor exploration on the previous Shaq-Kobe piece, I got a little closer to the effect that I wanted with this one. I just need the right brush. But this is a bit close.

I just love drawing basketball shoes 😍

NBA X Slam Dunk

What if Slam Dunk (anime) ballers got drafted in NBA? What teams suit them best? I certainly can’t say which one is the best team for each player but I could give my own fantasy draft, for sure.

In my Instagram account some say Sakuragi should go to the Bulls, Fujima to the Celtics, etc. Yes, of course, Shohoku guys would fit nicely in the Bulls uniform, Shoyo guys should bleed green with the Celtics jersey and Kainan to the gold and purple Lakers—but we have (almost) already seen that. Those NBA teams were clearly the inspiration of author Takehiko Inoue in designing the school varsity uniforms. So I wanted something fresh. Something new to my eye.

I hope I could make my favorite mangaka Mr. Takehiko Inoue proud. Or at least, not disappointed.

Also, you guys can comment down below which team you want the characters to play. Who knows, if I get the extra time, I could do those too. Your (likes and) share would be much appreciated.

I figured Sakuragi would be fantastic under Coach Popovich’s guidance

Miyagi is like my Penny Hardaway’s resurrection

Rukawa could do well in the Madison Square Garden

Mitsui is one of my top guys in the series. So he goes to the Lakers, no question 😂

Houston would love Akagi’s dominance in the paint

Rukawa goes to New York, Sendoh goes to Indiana. Interesting!

I don’t know. I just think this uniform fits “Fukusuke” well

Fujima goes to training under Steve Nash, and dons the Mavs jersey

Miami wanted a “tall” guy with range, Hanagata was just at the right time. Had to improve his eye glasses though, into something more sporty but won’t change his looks.

Two things: I wanted to represent Canada in this collection and I just love that classic Raptors jersey. Just tossed Kiyota in the mix 😂

Maki goes to the Cavs. I was actually surprised the wine and gold looked great on him. So I let him have a pair of LeBrons.

Unfortunately, even in fantasy I didn’t think Kogure could make it in the NBA. Sorry, Megane-kun fans. Okay, I’m not serious. This is just my little joke. How about Kogure discovered his real greatness was in baseball all along? And he made it in the Major League with the Dodgers! Not bad, Megane-kun, not bad.

Kogure with the Dodgers! FTW!

Also, Coach Popovich thought Sakuragi’s red hair gives away his stealth defense/blocks from behind. He suggested a more toned down color. Well really, the Spurs owner thought it violates the SAS colors, so here we go.

Sakuragi in his alternate hair color

Guys, I had a lot of fun doing this. I hope you do, too. Please, do message me what NBA teams would you like to see them in. It would be a nice discussion. Also please share (and like) if it’s not much. My Instagram is erikpingol and my Facebook page is Art of Erik Pingol. See you around.

MJ’s Flight

Michael Jordan’s legendary slam illustrated by Erik Pingol

I couldn’t remember now how much hours I’ve spent drawing the crowd. I love giving details to my artworks, but somehow this particular one made me say I’m going to rest from drawing spectators for a while. Still, I loved it.

The photo reference I used in this illustration was shot by Nathaniel S. Butler. I’ve seen many of his NBA shots, they are as legendary as their subjects. God bless his greatness.

The Shaq-Kobe Era

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in digital painting by Erik Pingol

This is my first attempt in digital painting. Or at least the “digital painting” as we know it. I was actually hoping it would be watercolor-esque but it ended up differently (than what I expected and/or wanted). But I liked it.

This marks the time when I was exploring around digital painting. This marks the time when my favorite era of the NBA was dominated by these two geniuses —Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant! What a time to be a Laker fan.

Thanks and credits to Gettyimages and Andrew D. Bernstein for the wonderful reference photo

Penny #1

Penny Hardaway portrait by Erik Pingol

Penny Hardaway to the hoops by Erik Pingol

Anfernee Hardaway back in his greatness in the ’90s was just pure magic! My lines couldn’t honor him enough.

#erikpingolart #artoferikpingol #artwork #artph #sportsart #sportsartist #nba #nbaart #nbaartwork #orlandomagic #nba90s #anferneehardaway #pennyhardaway #penny #sportsillustrator

The Reign Man

This was the project that started it all. I wanted to draw NBA moments in the traditional art form, this one in colored pencils. Some more illustrations followed this but my work at the office caught up with me. This was from 2018, fast forward to 2020 I have just started continuing the series.

This was the first one, so I want this to be the first post.

#erikpingolart#artoferikpingol#artwork#artph#sportsart#sportsartist#nba#nbaart
#nbaartwork#chicagobulls#nba90s#shawnkemp#coloredpencils#sonics#tradart