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Medium: Pencil/Coloured Pencil
Size: 640 mm x 940 mm

Larger version here >>>
wtmffinalv2.jpg

This week's IF topic is Choose, this drawing probably has has marginal relevance to that, although the Devo lyrics from Freedom Of Choice keep echoing in my head:

In ancient Rome there was a poem
About a dog who found two bones
He picked at one
He licked the other
He went in circles
He dropped dead

Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom of choice!

I had plenty of choices to make while completing this. What to put in, what to leave out, and making sure I didn't lick the poisoned bone!

It is sometimes very fulfilling and satisfying to see a drawing turn from concept into reality. That's how I feel about Where To My Friend #3, relatively satisfied and content with the end result. Yep, the good bits outweigh the one glaring stuff-up (hmmm ... if possible I might still try and rectify it. UPDATE: a partial rectification has occurred it is now not a glaring boo boo, just a boo boo). There's also a sense of relief that I didn't really fuck anything up - this thing is a largish drawing so the chance of that happening was very real. Indeed the size of the drawing made it difficult for my poor little digital camera to get everything in focus - hence the so so reproduction quality and uneven lighting.

I know the drawing itself doesn't make much sense in isolation but bear in mind that it's drawing #3 of a triptych (a painting that has three side-by-side panels). I also wanted each drawing to potentially stand alone effort so if ever they got split each one could be hung separately and still tell a mini story. When it all comes together I hope it'll be an (lousy?) attempt to stylistically do a Kozyndan meets James Jean thing. The red highlights will also be common to all drawings. On reflection the compositional aspects of this drawing remind me of Edvard Munch's Scream. The bad news in all of this is that Where To My Friend #1 and #2 are more complex with respect to the building architecture.

The whole series was meant to be a commission for a boardroom - they said they wanted a window or window scene as their boardroom has no windows. I guess the feeling of being able to see out of a window is what they wanted. I need to follow up to see if the commission is still a goer, it was a passing hallway discussion after all. I suspect this is way beyond the initial brief and way too surreal for a conservative setting. Ah well, not to worry if the commission doesn't eventuate as the idea for it at least broke a creative drought.

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comments

WOW…the backdrop turned out nice…the foreground figure has nice pop and the way you rendered and place elements gives it a very surreal look…awesome job…(Nice touch with the red as well)

Posted by brine blank on 09.02.08 at 12.13pm

I would love to see the others in the Triptych. I totally see the connection with the Scream. But it is the red in this one that gets me going. I think this piece has a subtle vulgarity. Something most office walls could use more of IMO.

Posted by Gabe on 09.02.08 at 01.06pm

OH MY GOODNESS! This is FANTASTIC Detlef! LOVE the placement red and wow, there’s a squid (they all remind me of you). Agree you have successfully done a style go-between Kozyndan and James Jean, but that’s YOUR style! Very impressed and even if rejected for a conservative setting what an accomplishment!

Posted by Anonymous on 09.02.08 at 07.10pm

Thanks one and all.  It’s nice to get some feedback.  I think the other two in the series will work out OK also.  I just need to ensure that I find the right line of demarcation between the three panels and make allowances for possible framing parameters.  Food for thought.

Posted by detlef on 10.02.08 at 03.34pm

Wow it’s adorable drawn! And the little bit of colour is the cherry on top.

Posted by kinT on 11.02.08 at 04.06am

This really blows my mind!  I am always awed by your superb technique, and combined with the surrealism in this drawing, the effect is powerful.  The bits of red add that extra pow.  Will you show the triptych together?

Posted by carla on 12.02.08 at 11.10pm

Nice use of limited color.

Posted by Meagan B. Call on 13.02.08 at 05.53am

this illustration is so fantastic
love the expression of the man and the red !

wow i’m honored of your comment

have a nice time
gladys

Posted by Gladys BaccalĂ  on 15.02.08 at 01.35am

Beautifully done!  I love the red & the slightly mischievous expression on the foreground figure… as if only he knows the secret of the surreal visitor.

Posted by curious art on 15.02.08 at 01.59am

beautifully drawn and i love the touch of colour that you’ve added to it.

Posted by Ujwala on 20.02.08 at 01.22am

your work is wonderful. i just love the mood in that piece

Posted by johanna on 25.02.08 at 04.13pm

Wow this is fantastic. I can’t wait to see the entire triptych.

Posted by Julie Oakley on 29.04.08 at 06.14am

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