This is a commission I recently completed for  Averious. Over the years I have been asked to recreate many examples of military hardware and pieces service uniforms. However this is the first time that I was asked to not only recreate a specific uniform, but to also render exactly all the commendations and awards given to certain individual.

The United States Marine Corp, USMC, has one of the most recognizable dress uniforms in the world today. They are worn only by those who have earned the honor to call themselves marines. Unlike most civilian clothing, not just happens on a military uniform. The location of every component of the uniform is carefully noted, documented, and observed. Centuries of tradition and protocol are preserved in the cut of the garments and the accessories that accompany it.

I was particularly happy that I was able to recreate the service ribbons on his chest . Especially since I had an area that was only .5" wide by .125" high to work in. I couldn't recreate every single color swatch but tried to capture the colors that the eye would normally be able to see at that distance.

Another silly thing that I am proud of was my ability to recreate what appear to be two slanted darts on the front, top chest area of the jacket. I have never seen these before on a jacket and even my wife  Smudge who knows far more about garments was surprised by them.

The piece is done on vellum finish Bristol Board, the working surface is 14"x 17" and the actual image is about 8"x14". It is done in my usual mixture of colored pencil, marker pen, technical pen, and gouache.

If you like what you see in my work and would like to have a piece of art from me; then contact me about a commissions.

I hope you like what you see. Please help make more art like this possible by supporting me at Patreon

Edit: I know some folks are going to question the earrings on him. However the client specifically stated that they were to be part of the image, and since the client is paying for the piece that's what I did.