Slightly Desperate "Housewives"

Done for a friend.

More "illustration" than "art", but it turned out alright I think.

I like it Risto,
but then, I like all your work!

I only wish I could develope a freedom of line and such a great since of color that you have.
tim

Risto

Really nice work!! I especially like the eyes and blond hair.

Thanks for sharing -Steve

Risto, how long did this one take you to create?
Has a roaring 30's feel. Reminds me of cut paper design, the use of flat block shapes & color. The Society of Illustrators print things of this nature (among other techniques) in their yearly annuals. Check it out!

www.societyillustrators.org

Risto,
You have a real talent.
ron

Tim, Steve and wW - thanks for looking and commenting. Glad you enjoyed it.

wW,

A few thumbnail sketches and scanning ~30 minutes - turning the chosen sketch in to vectors took about an hour I think. Looking at the picture a day after, it needs some minor adjustments.

I normally buy the Communication Arts Illustration Annual (and some other copies on and off). Missed last year's annual though, as it sold out in my stores. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif It's interesting to see what kind of imagery people make a living with. And simply the pleasure of viewing the best of the best, and their work, of course.

I have been thinking and fiddling with different ways of drawing (in vectors) for a while now. I believe I have narrowed it down quite a bit - as goofy as it seems, I'm heading back to square one (where I started). It's also the closest to how I draw on paper.

Some of the other things that I have been doing using more lines, don't reproduce all that well when printed small. Some backgrounds are also to busy, which makes it a bit more difficult for someone to add legible text.

Ron,

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoy the simple little things that I draw. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Hey Risto!

What happened to your squirrel byline?
Did you come to grips with them?
I still look forward to your creativity.

Wayne D

Thanks Wayne! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Not sure what happened with the squirrel byline - got go look for it in the profile. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Here's two more. The last one was mainly drawned with a Wacom, instead of pushing lines with the PenTool.

.

Ahhh Spinach! Love them Risto.
Egg

Thanks, Egg!

That piece in the teeth looks more like a piece of broccoli actually, which might be tricky to get stuck in your teeth, even if you tried... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif I might have to have a look at that part again.

Thanks for stopping by! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

One last one, as I noticed that the lady with the dark hair has the ring on the wrong finger... Can't catch a break! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Also mostly drawn with a Wacom. I'm really enjoy it - can you tell? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Now, if I could figure out some subtle texture to throw in there.

Hi risto,

This one reminds me of the farmer and his wife in front of there homestead from the 20's/30's. Kinda cool, in a demented sorta way.

I really love these ones, especially the lady with spinach between her teeth. Where does your inspiration come from? When is the moment you decide to draw something?

Jolande

John, thanks! "Kinda cool, in a demented sorta way." Hey, that sounds like a line a contemporary art critic would say!" http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

The painting that John was referring to is "American Gothic" - http://www.artic.edu/artaccess/AA_Mo...es/MOD_5.shtml

Jolande,
These ones weren't really inspired by anything in particular. The first one was a general request, on the other ones I was just drawing figures - and spruced them up a little bit. Oh, the guy with the bald head - I accidentally deleted his hair, and simply added a skull shirt... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif The new bad guy look - needed a cigarette - and the cigarette needed a burning house. What can I say? I have a silly imagination... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Otherwise my inspiration comes from scribbles I draw on post-it notes, and scrap paper. I draw literally every day, but I don't keep all of it - I just file it away in my head). Some of these scribbles I re-draw a couple of times - and some of them end up in one of my sketchbooks, which have hundreds upon hundreds (if not thousands - never counted) of them.

Inspiration also comes from looking at other people's art (all kinds.) I don't copy the art - I just load up with a "positive vibe" to try different things. When I draw, things take on a life of their own, as in the last one.

Often I just sketch with the Wacom until something silly happens - then I re-draw it "properly".

Thanks!

Ummm... Your welcome Risto...

I have been called many things in my day, but never an art critic. I do not know if that is a complement or an insult.... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/confused.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Risto,
I don't know how long it takes you to crank out your drawings, but it came to my mind that you may be able to set up shop at a high-foot-traffic place and create these caricatures of customers. Something to think about?

.joroho.

You just keep getting better Mr. Risto ... SPINACH ... what a hoot http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

John,

It was not an insult. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/eek.gif I just thought it was a great line - it actually went down on a scrap piece of paper - filed under ideas for a a future website! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Joroho,

It is a neat idea. However, these faces are rather "generic" http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif - you would have to put some more detail in there to catch a resemblance (at least enough of a resemblance to make the customers happy). Or make something a bit different... Thanks for you idea though - I appreciate it!

Ed,

Thanks! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif I'm not sure that's the right way to depict spinach - but it's meant to be some sort of green vegetable... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Wow... Risto thought I had a good idea... Now I am shocked... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/eek.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

John, not a "good idea" --- "great line..."

There is a difference... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Oh... okay... I had an idea... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

HI RISTO...!
You are really master in your field.
Akhtar