More Inspirations

Looking at more inspirations now. I got myself a lightbox for my illustrations to preserve my sketches and not destroy my watercolor paper with pencils and erasing (hence the second giant bus sketch). Also, tracing on top of the sketches have definitely helped loosen my drawings and inking a great deal which is great! I do not feel so confined to the pencils.

In addition, I've been looking at more inspirations. Including looking at Jules Feiffer, I've looked to great artist William Steig for his great work. I've also looked at the great Matisse and Picasso. Those guys knew how to draw. It's interesting how the modern artists' drawings and ideas melted into the urbane cartoons of the New Yorker in the 30's & 40's to influence William Steig and Al Hirschfeld.

I've included a Picasso lithograph that I had in a book. I don't know why, but I love the simple line work, the fluidity. It's great stuff. I hope to continue in this direction.

Giant in a Bus

I wished that I did not add the background. It looks stupid. Dumb green. That ink drawing was so smart.

Jack White sketch

The latest sketch is something different for me. In my somewhat recent obsession of pushing my drawing into new territory, I came up with this. After looking at Jules Feiffer, Joe Ciardello, and even being inspired by Picasso etchings, I've made a fluid pen and ink drawing. Which is kinda neat I think.

Again, drawing on the computer. Which I still hate. It fits here however. Simple, flat shapes. I think there's a good contrast between the thin drawing and the bold shapes. I could be wrong.

Inspirations

Richard Thompson
Edward Sorel
Jules Feiffer
Steve Brodner
Ralph Steadman

These five artists are bouncing around in my head right now as I try to open my drawing up. Trying to make it more loose. Free. Dancing with life.

The real kicker is I do not know what to say half the time about anything, or if I did know what to say, it'd be as a comic. I realize that I'm very introspective. Concentrating on internal feelings, abstract thoughts, and not noticing anything around me. Like a Platonist. Because of this, I usually wonder what the heck I should draw and how to make it personal and feel that connection to the work. I'm trying to bridge the gap between my comic work and illustration work.

These guys all seem to do it very well. It's on the fringe of what I'd consider conventional comics. They're very unique. Jules Feiffer in particular is definitely interesting. His line is so loose and free being inspired by William Steig. It seems that he's always had more interesting stuff to say in words than in his drawings. His drawings however breathe a joy and a life that cannot be said. Which is great and wonderful.

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