From Draft to Final by anahata.c
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
I thought some of you might find it interesting to see a first draft of one of my drawings.
I posted the finished piece last week---here's the first draft.
I gotta say, I kinda like the draft more than the finished one!
But the finished is a good example of what happens when we fill up every space. That cross hatch took me forever! (When I started, the Grand Canyon was a hole.) Masters of this medium do it faster---but it still takes time.
When you're committed to a drawing like this, you're committed! Once you've got those lines down, they're there. You can't 'talk' to them. you can't threaten them: They've bought condos, they've bought land: They're ain't budgin'.
When I was a pro, and under deadlines? Mannnnn, I'd be 30 hours into a drawing, when I suddenly realized: There are too many lines on this drawing! Even after many years, this would happen. And here it was, you had 3 hours before it was due, you haven't slept since Christmas, you look like you crawled out of a cave, and this client is major---I mean major: What do you do? Praying doesn't work: Few people in heaven do cross-hatch. Crying is great, but it doesn't pay the bills. If you erase---well, we're talkin' India ink, here: Erase more than one line, and it leaves your paper the consistency of the Gobi Desert. This is officially known as the "I'm screwed" moment. (I actually considered the Witness Protection Program. Change my name. Get a new identity...) You learn. You learn. See how great digital is? How did artists do without it so long...
Finally, some of you said the final drawing was "cartoonish," even sinister: You know what? You're right! It does have a bit of Bonny and Clyde to it.
Well, I look on my pen-and-ink days with great affection. It was slow, and monastic: But when it worked? It felt great...
Thanks as ever for your visits! I'll be back soon
Mark
-----------------------------------
Comments (13)
bakapo
I like them both because they are so different. the draft is cleaner and whiter and much more simple and the finished drawing is strong and dark and mean. both cool and both well done. I remember doing pen and ink in school; I still have nightmares about it.
flavia49
marvelous work
goodoleboy
Well, Mark, you certainly crossed the Rubicon, after you were well into into the pen-and-ink version of this elegant automobile. No turning back now! You went from a basic blueprint drawing of the car at the top, all the way to its heavily scribed countenance below. A yeoman's job, and resolute determination, with a sterling result, in this massive undertaking, my friend.
LivingPixels
I hear ya Mark been there and done it but when ya get deadlines this serious business I oft wonder when I look back how did I do it of course being 20 years younger you could cope I welcome the digital age instant changes beefed up production with the PC. Any way mark thanx for sharing my friend lovely image!!
MrsRatbag
I loved pen and ink when I was doing it; my favourite piece is one I'd give anything to have back, but I gave it away as a gift 40 years ago...I was into those dot drawings more than crosshatch, although I did some just to prove I could. These days I really like the spare look of things like your rough draft! Less is more, right? But I also love the finished version. Indecisive, aren't I?
RodS
OMG, Mark.... My left hand (I'm a leftie) gets cramps just thinking about all that crosshatching. Holy cow! I love both of these - each has its own personality. The draft is light and airy, and has such a relaxed feel. The finished piece almost looks like a woodcut or lino print. I admire your patience.... :-D And skill with a pen.
There's just something about a draft or concept sketch - I think it's because when you create it, you're doing so with the idea it's just that - a concept. It doesn't have to be perfect, just a few lines to get the idea across, or to clarify it in your own mind's eye. Many of my quick concept sketches I like better than the more 'finished' pieces.
I've tried pen and ink many times - long ago - and when I was successful, I really liked the look. I used to try drawings with technical pens - the lines were so precise, and I liked that. What I didn't like was the fact that the damn things would wait until I was 98.6% of the way through a drawing, then hiccup - leaving a nice black blob right in the middle of the most detailed part of the piece. As you alluded to, that black blob ain't goin' nowhere! This would inevitably spark a session of intense creativity... Creativity in finding out how many unrepeatable euphemisms I could get out of my mouth in one breath.
I do soooooo love Photoshop and my Cintique..... :-P
giulband
The concept to see the working progress of a artwork is very interesting, also if usually am more fascinated from the final result that is very very beautiful for itself !!
Cyve
What a fabulous drawing my friend... Outstandingly done !!!
photosynthesis
It's been decades since I've drawn anything by hand. While I enjoyed the challenge & the satisfaction I felt at a job well done at the time, I really didn't have the temperament to pursue it as a vocation & when I found that I was able to achieve better results in far less time with digital tools, there was no turning back. However, I still very much admire the skill & craftsmanship of artists who continue to work in traditional media. And while your draft is admirable in it's simplicity & spontaneity, I much prefer the finished product which (to me) has a much more satisfying richness & character...
durleybeachbum
Love your story! I have to say I'm inclined to prefer the earlier version too!
Richardphotos
outstanding drawing. If I was not so lazy, I would try drawing again. probably by now I lost any talent I had
auntietk
Huh. The draft looks friendly, and the finished product looks menacing. Go figure! They're both an amazement to me, since I've never done any drawing, and both are excellent. I just keep looking back and forth at one version then the other, and can't say which is "better." I'm fascinated! Thanks for the comparison!
bugsnouveau Online Now!
Fun reading and I love that sinister rascal