#28 - Talon of the Hawk

#28 - Talon of the Hawk (The Front Bottoms)

Some albums hit you in a way that feels almost visceral—Talon of the Hawk by The Front Bottoms is one of those for me. It’s chaotic, raw, deeply personal, and full of that distinct unpolished charm that makes it feel like an open diary set to music. It’s the kind of album that demands to be felt, and I’m challenging myself to capture that feeling visually.

The Project: Song-by-Song Album Illustration

I’ve been challenging myself to illustrate my favorite albums, track by track, blending my love for tattoo-inspired graphics with the gritty, textured feel of retro print design. So far, I’ve tackled Draw Down the Moon by Foxing and Daisy by Brand New, and now, it’s time to dive into Talon of the Hawk.

To kick off the project, I wanted to reimagine the album cover itself, paying homage to the original while putting my own spin on it. The official artwork features a Folding Hunting Knife (I believe often times called a ‘Talon of the Hawk’), a classic and rugged design, which also ties into the album title. But rather than simply recreating the knife, I wanted to push the imagery further:

A hawk’s talon gripping the knife to play on the double meaning of the title Talon of the Hawk.

Bringing the Illustration to Life: Texture, Ink, & Riso Brushes

To capture the rawness of the album, I leaned into a bold, tattoo-inspired composition, combined with gritty riso textures that bring a DIY print aesthetic. I’ve been using Riso brushes and textures from Retro Supply to give the artwork that distinct, slightly imperfect, almost xeroxed feel—like something you’d find on an old gig flyer or a well-loved zine.

The rough ink edges and layered textures reflect the unpolished, emotional intensity of the record itself. There’s something about the way The Front Bottoms blend melancholy with humor, nostalgia with chaos, that I want to bring into each piece for this project.

Excited for What’s to Come

This is Day 28 of my daily drawing challenge, and I couldn’t be more excited to illustrate this album track by track, visually interpreting each song in a way that captures its energy, storytelling, and emotion. If you're a fan of The Front Bottoms or music-inspired artwork, I’d love to hear what your favorite songs from this album are!

You can follow the project here and on Instagram (@drawn_to_noise) for behind-the-scenes process shots, sketches, and upcoming illustrations for each track.

I can’t wait to share more—stay tuned for the next piece!