This weekend I had to paint lots of little men for the latest children's book commission, a story set many years ago.
These men – 12 of them – are in a boat in the middle of a terrible storm. There’s
this other geezer on board whom they’ve been following (he seems a very memorable good guy, he can do all sorts) and when he puts his hand up and commands it the storm subsides and the lake they are on becomes calm.
I have to say - even though I'm not remotely religious, I do enjoy these kind of illustration jobs, and the publishers are lovely to work with.
I have to say - even though I'm not remotely religious, I do enjoy these kind of illustration jobs, and the publishers are lovely to work with.
Well, I was painting away, I'd got my main man done, and needed to make each of his 12 sidekicks slightly
different. Side and middle partings, curly and straight hair, noses
of various sizes and shapes, etc. Each
face is only about 1cm across so very small, not much room for detail at
all and I have to use a very thin brush - the features, whilst simple, are a bit haphazard to be honest. But as I finished the last man’s tiny face,
I couldn’t help thinking he looked familiar. It was as if my drawing hand was under
another’s control, guided by a spectral presence, and without any conscious effort from me this character had emerged. A total surprise!
I can’t show the whole picture for confidentiality reasons,
so here’s just the relevant section significantly enlarged, with the man I’m referring to at the
back.
Is it just me, or does he look a bit like... ?
Add a couple of moles to his face C, it'll be our secret. No-one else will ever notice!
ReplyDeleteConsider it done ;-)
DeleteOh no! With that side-parting, I was thinking more Charles Manson, unfortunately. Although the smiling, benevolent face offsets that, fortunately... :)
ReplyDeleteOops, I see what you mean. Good job he's so small on the actual page I think!
DeleteI seem to have inadvertently painted a (darker skinned) Russell Brand on another spread too - guess who he is!
Lemmy was in the Rocking Vickers after all.
ReplyDeleteOh god(!) yes, I'd forgotten that. All a bit spooky if you ask me...
DeleteWonderful... But I am seething with envy, obviously.
ReplyDeleteThank you - but please don't be envious of my hand being haunted by Lemmy - who knows where it may lead....
DeleteHaving re-read your post I now realise how stupid I was being in my last comment (duly deleted) - I am very, very tired and have no kitchen at present so hope I’m excused!
ReplyDeleteOh Alyson, I didn't see anything 'stupid' in it at all! So please don't worry, it all made sense to me, just I've only got around to doing my replies now and I missed my chance to thank you. I'd forgotten about Lemmy's dad!
DeleteAs for being tired and no kitchen - you have my great sympathy. Just hold onto the thought of how lovely it will be when it's finished - a well-deserved reward for you.
Sorry to hear the milk thief struck again - We have set up a temporary fridge in our garden whilst kitchen-less (a plastic box essentially) as cold enough but so far no thieves.
DeleteAs for being stupid, trust me I was, but not firing on all cylinders at the moment. Being disciplined about not publishing a single word over at my place until feeling less stressed - Posts always turn out maudlin and negative if you don’t sit down in the right frame of mind and I don’t want to inflict that on any of you at the moment.
Chuffed to have seen your illustrations though. Thanks.
We'll be here whenever you're ready again and I know we all understand, so don't stress about that :-)
DeleteI well remember finding ways to cope without a kitchen too! Wishing you lots of luck (and no milk thieves or freaky heatwaves!) Luckily we managed to plug the fridge in in our tiny living room, which was already full to the brim of boxes of everything that had come out of the kitchen so was like an assault course. Our kitchen walls were so wonky and we had to have new windows and back door and get the ceiling and walls replastered etc. while we were at it, the whole thing took 3 weeks - I think we had more takeaways meals in that space of time than I'd ever had in my life before or since! But - definitely worth the pain!
No heatwaves on the cards so that's ok and unlike our old house, no wonky walls here, so that's a blessing. I might have to do a "kitchen songs" post when its all finished - Plenty of them!
DeleteSounds like a great idea for a post, definitely!
DeletePS to Martin and Alyson: the milk thief struck again today!
ReplyDeleteThink you need a doorstep stakeout...
DeleteYou wouldn't believe the things we've been thinking about doing as ways to deter them. Or perhaps you would!
DeleteLovely milkman is going to try delivering on the way back from his normal round rather than on the way out, so it'll come a few hours later. Be interesting to see if that makes any difference...
I am trying to think of something witty and milk related to add, but so far can only come up with groan-worthy comments involving either the Milky Bar Kid or the Milk Tray Man...
Delete...both of whom are lovable in their own way...
DeleteNo need to skim around the groan-worthy comments, I won't turn sour on you.
(Oh dear...)
When it comes to these comments, I'm hoping the cream will rise to the top. The gold top, obviously.
Delete:-) I might have to bottle out here....
DeleteI might float on...
DeleteLiving on Milk and Alcohol?
ReplyDelete* doffs cap *
DeleteMe too, CC!
DeleteHehehe! The good Lord loves to rock! Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rickety Rackety - I'm wondering if I can work the rest of Motorhead into a crowd scene now....
Delete