Slightly Desperate "Housewives"

[Egg Bramhill]

Ahhh Spinach! Love them Risto.
Egg

[RTK]

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... I might have to have a look at that part again.

Thanks for stopping by!

[RTK]

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!

Also mostly drawn with a Wacom. I'm really enjoy it - can you tell? Now, if I could figure out some subtle texture to throw in there.

[John Rayner]

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.

[joto]

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

[RTK]

John, thanks! "Kinda cool, in a demented sorta way." Hey, that sounds like a line a contemporary art critic would say!"

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... The new bad guy look - needed a cigarette - and the cigarette needed a burning house. What can I say? I have a silly imagination...

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!

[John Rayner]

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....

[joroho]

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.

[OklaEd]

You just keep getting better Mr. Risto ... SPINACH ... what a hoot

[RTK]

John,

It was not an insult. 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!

Joroho,

It is a neat idea. However, these faces are rather "generic" - 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! I'm not sure that's the right way to depict spinach - but it's meant to be some sort of green vegetable...