This series of X-Men illustrations began as a commission sketch, and developed into a sketch series for the entire team, as designed by Frank Quitely for New X-Men during his run with Grant Morrison. Once I saw the m in a preview, I thought these redeasigns were awesome, and couldn't wait to draw them... and prompltly filed the source material away and never got to it.

I've drawn Jean Grey a few times in High School maybe, but usually in Phoenix mode or similar, so I found drawing her in this uniform as gratifying as it's been to see it in the comics. The horizontally-ribbed turtleneck action has been most flattering for the character, and the neutral color base of the uniform allows her radiant red hair to really punch. Plus, it gives her a more experienced, elder look, which I think is appropriate for the characters as a team, especially in Morrison's run, where they have been shown as administrators and mentors at the school first, and scrappin' mutie adventurers second.