detroit
Why Every Commission of Mine Starts at a Detroit Diner
A Detroit illustrator on why he meets every client over coneys and sliders, and how the city's old diners shape the work.
James Whitfield
Detroit Drawn One Sketch at a Time
The JW Blog is a personal blog about Detroit, told through original illustrations and straightforward writing. Each post covers a real place, moment, or piece of the city, from street corners to local events. No sponsored content, no filter, just a sketchbook and a city worth documenting.
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detroit
What I Found Sketching the Detroit People Mover Stops
A Detroit illustrator rides the loop and sketches the hidden mosaics and tile murals tucked inside the People Mover's stations.
James Whitfield
detroit
How Old Detroit Factory Signage Shapes My Lettering
A Detroit illustrator on how the city's fading ghost signs, from Vernors to Faygo, taught me how to draw letters that weather well.
James Whitfield
detroit
Why I Draw the Back Alleys of Detroit, Not Its Skyline
An illustrator explains why the painted back alleys of downtown Detroit, like The Belt, hold more truth than the postcard skyline.
James Whitfield
detroit
What Eastern Market Taught Me About Color and Light
A Detroit illustrator on how the painted produce sheds and murals of Eastern Market rewired the way I mix and trust color.
James Whitfield
art deco design
What the Fisher Building taught me about Art Deco linework
Walking through the Fisher Building's halls, I discovered how geometric patterns and clean lines define Art Deco design. The building's details taught me that great linework balances beauty with pu...
James Whitfield
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