Lakers

In the most anticipated move of the 2018 NBA offseason, LeBron James signed a four-year, $154 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

After the announcement was made, I took on the challenge of coming up with a celebratory key art design to mark the biggest free agent acquisition the Lakers had in years — maybe ever.

To highlight James being considered the king of the NBA, I chose a lion, who like Lebron is the apex predator of his habitat.

I took a photograph of the fiercest lion I could find and I pushed the contrast and then erased his face and body until the result was simple yet dynamic. I added grit and texture to both the lion and LeBron and then painted lights and shadows until I felt there was a perfect dramatic balance.