Sunday, June 14, 2009

Illustration Friday: Unfold

After my last couple of drawings, which were much more serious and which I liked a lot, this sketch is a bit ridiculous--both in its subject matter and its haphazard execution. It was my late-at-night-before-going-to-sleep drawing. But here's how it came about:

With the topic "unfold", I was envisioning some kind of piece which started with my son as a baby, and showing his life unfolding, with him becoming the young man that he is today. But when I started perusing pictures looking for likely images, it somehow seemed way too complicated, and I couldn't decide on a starting place. But there were too pages of pictures of him playing in a cardboard box, and somehow, with the topic "unfold", I saw that as a kind of unfolding too. He explored ALL the possibilities.

While most of my drawings of either on Strathmore bristol board, or Arches cold-press watercolor paper, this is in my sketchbook. As far as the rest of the image (outside of the baby in the box), what can I say. It kindof just happened. I don't particularly like it, but at midnight after a full day of playing music and talking with people, what can I say? Alas. I'm kindof amused by the whole thing, but am also ready to work again on something more serious.....

15 comments:

  1. Your sketches are outstanding! Glad you stopped by so I could find them :)
    Have a super day and thanks for your nice comments!
    Darla

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  2. Nice texture - as always; like the way figure is placed next to abstract shapes.

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  3. I love the lines surrounded by the abstract, life does unfold that way. I think you've done a great job! :)

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  4. i get this as standing alone but also appreciate you talking about your process and what you were thinking. i don't mind the haphazard either!

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  5. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I appreciate your comments.
    I enjoyed reading over your explanation of your IF sketch this week. Your son as a baby in an unfolding box is a most thoughtful interpreation.
    And I really like your coloured watercolour pencils sketch below. It has a lot of energy and a nice flow.

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  6. I like the expression on the baby's face - contemplating mischief or adventure. One thing I see throughout your work is a consistent liveliness in the face - very engaging.

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  7. Nice....I just finished watching "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." I'm looking at babies with a whole new perspective today.

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  8. but really i think this is perfect for the word "unfold" - any more information would be too obvious - this makes me me WONDER what will happen what will unfold...

    and wow as usual your drawing blows me away!

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  9. I also like the baby face! and the drawing is not ridiculous at all!! great!

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  10. Your line work is fantastic! Its a lovely illustration and very fitting with the topic "unfold". thanks for sharing how your idea came about:-)

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  11. great sketch - i especially like the facial expression! very creative interpretation of "unfold", it would be an interesting idea to explore!

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  12. I really like this one. It is very spontaneous and the child really has a playful exploratory expression on his face. I also really like the use of light and line here. Very nice job!

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  13. Nice concept, and natural expression.
    Your child will hopefully see this when he gets out of the box where yo keep him...
    (just kidding... :-)

    I do "night illustrations" too...and "telephone conversation illustrations" as well (when I'm on the phone for more than 1 minute my hands start doing all the job and the mind is absolutely free)

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  14. I'm really enjoying looking at your work--lovely line quality, expressive figures. I'll check back each week!

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  15. I like your drawing (and drawing style) because it's real without looking too realistic. Also this drawing reminded me of B.F. Skinner's idea to raise a baby in a box :)

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