Tuesday, May 01, 2012

all our yesterdays

 Do you ever have those drawings which, you feel, spoil your sketchbook? I do. I always view my sketchbook as a whole, as opposed to a series of individual drawings, and so when one of the drawings goes wrong it really depresses me (I know, I know, I should get out more). This is what happened with the drawing above. I did say, in a previous post, that there was no way I was going to show it on my blog, but what the hell. Plus, I've heard that sharing the work that didn't work out helps you grow as an artist (not that THIS artist needs to grow anymore; I no longer fit into any of my jeans).

Anyway, I made this drawing at the Imperial War Museum on one of our recent sketchcrawls. Now despite somebody telling me that 'it was the best drawing of a flame thrower that they'd ever seen' (I think (I know, rather) that that somebody was taking the Michael) I just couldn't stand it being in my book.

 So, armed with a Pritt stick, a page I tore out of my Moleskine diary, a rather blurry photo of the wall of suitcases (yes, a wall of old suitcases. How amazing is that?), memories and buckets full of inspiration from the museum I set to work. I'm really pleased with the outcome. But, you know, why stop there? While I had the Pritt stick to hand I thought I'd go the whole hog and make a secret foldy flap thingy that hides yet more suitcases. In colour. And why not?

I can now live with my sketchbook again, and am safe in the knowledge that nobody will ever know about the awful drawing hidden behind a wall of suitcases.

Oh.

14 comments:

melydia said...

It looks lovely. And just think of the conversations the art historians will discover centuries from now when they gently pry up that wall of suitcases to reveal the drawing beneath! :)

Unknown said...

Great sketches! Loved looking at these

Caroline B said...

I can see why you didn't like it - too dark which doesn't show your usual high detail. But console yourself that one day when you are long gone and incredibly famous, they will discover that hidden drawing and it will be worth millions....
I also think you are very brave to show a 'failure' - mine are kept very well hidden!

Vicki Holdwick said...

You never cease to amaze and amuse me. Just what is "taking the Michael". Is it sorta like kissing the Blarney stone?

I love your wall of suitcases and sure wish you lived close to me so I could beg to go along with you on your crawling.

xoxo

Unknown said...

i love your editing before and afters! i have "ruined" so many sketchbook pages and quickly covered them up with heavy layers of Gesso. what is a Prit stick?

Tatiana said...

I completely agree- I no longer use a few of my old sketchbooks because I find some drawings so unattractive. I love how you changed this one, though!

Zia
http://singing-blue.blogspot.ca/

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks, guys.

Haha, love the art historian theory!

Vicki, taking the Michael = taking the Mick = taking the piss. Does that make it any clear?!

Jenny, a Pritt stick is just a glue stick. The kind kids use. I love them.

Zia, just stick stuff over the bad pages. That's what I do. but don't tell anyone.

Thanks everyone x

ersimarina said...

It was a wise decision, your wall of suitcases is just great! Have you ever seen this photograph?
http://pinterest.com/pin/284993482639836703/

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Oh WOW. Ersi, that's the most gorgeous thing I've seen. Swoon.
Thanks for sharing.

whereorwhat said...

Like it!


WhereORwhat.blogspot Design and illustration.

xoxo

ingbranch said...

It's just good to know that even the greats make mistakes too. Thanks for the idea.

Mariana said...

Totally cool. Mistakes obviously motivate one to stretch the limits of creativity ... well, yours do anyway :)

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thank you, lovely people.

Tin Roof Press said...

I have the exact same problem. i used to just tear out pages until my sketch book was barely anything. But my last sketchbook - well i think only one drawing got ruined. I'm quite pleased with it so far (except it's taken over a year to fill it up)