Wednesday, August 08, 2007

strike a pose

Yep, he's back. Last time you got his bum, this time his profile. He's slowly revealing himself to you. I wasn't intending to draw him again but he kept striking poses that were just irresistible to an "artist" (eeek!). Actually, it could be interesting to do a 360 degree set of drawings of an object. This again was an exercise in drawing shadows, however, I don't think it's as successful as the last attempt. I tried to draw exactly what I saw, but somehow I'm not sure that it works. I get my fair share of very lovely comments, and compliments, from you guys which I really appreciate. I'd also welcome any critiques - if you do have any advice or opinions. Thanks.

14 comments:

mrana said...

Advice? I'll be coming to YOU for advice! Love the detail and the tail wisps on this one, again ... and the new perspective on it :)

Anonymous said...

Gosh, i would love to find some way to critique this -- all i am left with is awe. I love this angle of the little guy. The nearly destroyed "tail" and again, the shadow -- it's exquisite.

suzanne cabrera said...

Andrea-
I find it very interesting that you put the word "artist" in quotations. I use this label in exactly the same way. People are asking me all the time if I'm an artist...the term makes me so incredibly uncomfortable. Normally I say something like "I try." I don't know why this is, but would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

BTW, I too, have nothing to critique...though I'll try to think of something really harsh to say in the future :)

K said...

It is so cute and adorable, Andrea! I guess the only critique I have is that perhaps the bell would have some kind of lighter reflection in the shadow. But otherwise, it is about as perfect as I can imagine!

Anonymous said...

I could only have drawn it 1/4 as well and certainly wouldn't have attempted a shadow so I don't think I'm really qualified to critique. There does appear to be some sort of curvature in that shadow as if the floor isn't actually flat, but it could be an optical illusion.
I think it's adorable and I love the fact that you appear to have managed (yet again) to give an inanimate object a facial expression.
t would be great one day to see a photo of what you drew -v- the final product of one of them. I always find it fascinating to look at what other artists 'see' and compare them with what I can see.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks everyone.

I still think there's something not quite right about this. Kathleen I would never have thought of that (the bell) but I really like the idea of a little lighter patch of the shadow.

Rhomany, maybe that is what it is, the surface doesn't look flat (even though that is what I was trying to convey). I also hate that bit of shadow under the tail - it's just wrong!! More practice on the shadow front. I wonder; does anybody outline a shadow when they are drawing them? Then fill that in?

Suzanne, such an interesting question. Hmmm. I don't know why I feel so absolutely uncomfortable saying artist. In fact I never use the term. I find illustrator much easier to say and accept. Why is that so diffiuclt?? I have wondered in the past whether it was a British thing - but obviously not. I'll ponder some more and get back to you. A very interesting topic though I'd love to hear what others think about it; perhaps it's one for the EDM forum?

Cheers all.

MILLY said...

It is as always, a super drawing. When you do the same subject again you always compare them. I have just compared it to the first one, and it seems your string is much more detailed on that one. The individual strands of string have more detail,directional lines, making it appear rounder. See if you can see what I mean. But hey, who am I to be giving advice. I think your shadow is great and your use of ink pens amazing.Working from different angles and views always throws up a favourite picture drawing.

B Kluver said...

I love the illustrations! Immediately caught me when opening your blog.

Gillian Mowbray said...

You know I'm a big fan of your work and since there's no such thing as perfection, you can be very happy that all the positive comments about your work are genuine. Sure we could critique little things but actually I never see any problems!
Some time back, I gave myself permission to call myself an artist. That's all you have to do. It was never truer than when applied to you.
Let me see.... Tracy Emin > Andrea Joseph. Hmmm... guess who's the real artist!

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks guys,

Eileen, I agree with you - although I probably wouldn't have noticed those points. I find the first drawing was definately more round - this one seems to get a little more pointy towards the tail. Also I spent a lot longer on the first drawing - which is probably why it is more detailed. Thanks for the input I appreciate it. I still think there's something wrong with that shadow I'm just not sure what!

Thanks BJK and Gillian too (i'm blushing!)

Tracy said...

Been busy last few days but what a treat to come here and see new drawings :)
i'd love to see a 360 set on this little toy. what is amazing about your drawings- well this is a perfect example - you have the hyper accurate part (which of course i adore) - so meticulous -such perfect little lines creating this image out of nothing - then you add these wonderful playful squigglies that add your personality to the drawing. and then theres the shadow. oh!

Tracy said...

oops. forgot to comment on the "artist" thing. i saw your further comments in response to someones comments. Its definitely not a british thing :-)
i have thought about this one a lot - many of the folks i know hesistate and cringe when using that word (the "A" word LOL) to describe themselves. I know i do. perhaps its because the word means something so important to us? and that it carries an almost complimentary definition (we don't think of the word in a bad way now do we. No. we think of it as a word that describes someone who is creative and talented etc - which then of course - to me - means we feel uncomfortable about saying we ourselves are talented and creative. yes? all that good upbringing taught us not to compliment ourselves. it would be bragging. something to think about.

J Matt Miller said...

Knock-out drawings, Andrea! I still think you need to try etching. You are a natural with line.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks Tracy and J Matt,

Tracy, it's such an interesting subject is't it - the artist thing? I love hearing what others think and feel about it. I might just go and post it on the forum. You certainly brought up some stuff that I'd never thought of. I guess by saying 'I am an artist' does imply that you have some sort of talent - and it is difficult to 'big yourself up'!! Perhaps that's it. Hmmm.

J Matt, etching still sounds very scary!

Cheers.