Illustration Friday: PRIMITIVE

I am behind. I completed this sketch on Monday fully intending to finish the color effort within a day or two, but time has got away from me and it appears I will have no chance to work on it later today. I will post the final when I get to it, but in an effort to make the deadline for this theme I am posting the sketch.

I am obviously an admirer of horses. I've seen a few other IF posters that chose to take the same approach to this theme. My drawing is based on two primitive cave paintings, both from Dordogne, France. The first is sometimes referred to as the "Chinese horses" in the Lascaux Caves (dated around 17,000 B.C), the second is called "Spotted Horse Panel" from the Peche Merle Cave (c. 25,000 B.C). It's stunning to me that these similar very paintings were completed roughly 8,000 years apart. I just finished watching the HBO series, Rome. I am reminded that the hay day of the Roman empire is only 2000 years old - it's a blip in time comparatively.

Illustration Friday: FAIL (2)

Still behind, but catching up! I had this idea while sketching for all the IF themes I'm behind on. While the quote was easy and quick, I actually had plan and draw this. It was fun, I enjoy drawing type - although here I used a selection of fonts as reference/basis. In my sketches (below) you can see kind of how the initial idea developed and how one word leads to the next until you almost 'read' the picture of the whale. I also wanted each word to be spelled differently, but sound the same. I knew there was a third spelling option, but I needed the internet to be reminded of veil. Looking back, I like the proportions of the sketch better. In my head I saw text and icon small on the page, a pin-pint central focus. I never got past that. Now that I've finished the piece and look back at the sketch (which I didn't look at while creating the final layout) I can see it would be stronger filling up more of the layout.
I also thought of turning it into one of those mind-bender questions by changing some of the words - make it a "which one doesn't belong" kind of thing. If I used all words spelled "ale" (other than fail), the answer wouldn't be the image because it's spelled "whale". It would be like saying "failure" doesn't belong. Okay, I'm done thinking 'out loud' for now - on to PRIMITIVE!

Illustration Friday: FAIL (1)

Late again, but I assure anyone that actually follows this blog at all that I AM working on IF concepts, for present and past themes. I'm a bit out of practice at the moment, this is a messy submission. But it is one of my favorite quotes about failing. The learning is always in the failing. While working on this lettering piece, I was doodling some other ideas and I found one I really liked. I'll be working on that and "primitive" next... and try to fill in the gaps later. It's great to active again!

Award: CPSA D.C. 219

A couple weeks ago I submitted two pieces to my local CPSA chapter who were putting together a show of colored pencil works. I did not know they would be awarding anything but much to my surprise and delight, one of my pieces "Queen Quagga" was awarded First Prize. I would like to thank the chapter for organizing the event and Around the Corner Art Framing Gallery for hosting. It was lovely meeting so many members and visitors at the reception last week.