This blog...

...was initially for pieces done on a computer, but has since become a free-for-all. Here you'll find process work (digital and otherwise), sketch pages and studies, sometimes with commentary.

You can see the rest of my work here.

Remember kids : if you can't make pretty designs, at least make pretty lines!

-Paul

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Sexy Scarecrow / Dat Ass / expectations

The difference between these two pieces is that one was done with a lot of planning, second-guessing and on-and-off production, and the other was done on a whim with very little stopping (one afternoon).





Sexy Scarecrow is the better idea, but I had such high hopes for it. There's nothing particularly groundbreaking about the porno shot, but since that's all it was supposed to be, I'm more pleased with how it came out.

I'm all for breaking down thought processes that result in stronger work, but there's clearly a balance to be struck between premeditation and pure impulse. I seem to work best if I rip through the majority of a piece in within the span of a day or less, otherwise I lose the plot and am unlikely to pick up where I left off. My brain's moved on.

8 comments:

Adam Street said...

Hey, the pumpkin stayed--right on! I also like the contrast of the cat too.

Anonymous said...

I hear you on losing motivation or focus on an image that takes too long. And "too long" can be 10 minutes for me sometimes. On the long projects I need to get away and come back a few times to restart. It helps if you open the image, look at it and yell at the screen "OH YEAH! THAT ALL YOU GOT!!? I'M GONNA KICK YER ASS!!!!" And then start working again.

Kick Ass stuff as always man!

D

Tang Lee said...

Your quicker pieces might also be better because you've taken what you've learned from those longer pieces and can apply them faster. Maybe the slow, thought out drawings are a necessary write off, like some life drawing studies that may not look great, but drawing it may have clarified something in your mind.

That said, I do like the scarecrow pic.

Csmif said...

Process and planning has its place, but sometimes a knee-jerk straight from the gut thought or concept is just right. And process only gets in the way by muddling it. At least thats what i think.

But i like both so what do i know lol.

twincannon said...

The scarecrow seems to be begging to be in an environment. I like the scarecrow piece anyway, but it just seems like it's missing something with her being on a swing but a plain color backdrop.

Great work as always, in any case!

Billy George said...

I love that cat!

For me its the subject matter Im familiar with that goes quickly. New things (clothes im unfamiliar with, props, expressions I havent done before) always take more planning and suffering. thats why Frazetta could be such an impulsive fast painter- he always painted the same composition, same girl, props etc. I think most successful artists find a set of subject matter that they master and just paint that over and over with minor variations. Its too hard otherwise.

Shane White said...

Still, some nice work no matter how you cut it.

One thing that helps me is since it's digital and editing is easier...hold off on finishing the idea until the end. Kind of like a pornstar.

Do something unexpected with the moneyshot...so-to-speak. :)

=s=

Bob said...

Amen. Badass rendering on the lovely lady.