Hank The Ferocious
For detail’s sake, a gallery of the individual paintings are at the bottom of this post.
The words came all tumbling out in a few seconds. The illustrations were poked and prodded until they became what they are. That’s always the way it seems to go.
On The Go
Painting feels like creating magic. Painting in the corner of coffee shops, lazy parks, or my sunlit kitchen with good people weaves the memories into those paintings.
This project has been everywhere with me. I got this massive dark chocolate tote recently. It’s gorgeous and kind of like a mobile studio. I threw my watercolor block in my bag and off I went. This was my first actual illustration I painted on the go. I was worried that the paper would get destroyed, but then I realized I’ve been wearing my favorite outfits out for years and something drastic would have to happen for them to get destroyed.
Illustration in Progress
Mistakes
Look. I made many mistakes during this project. I think noticing them is what’s making me a stronger illustrator. I’ve been finding balance between fixing something and deciding the delicacy of transparent watercolors is more important than a something being a little too long. There’s nothing I absolutely hate or anything that takes away from the story.
This drawing book I’m working through says that not fixing a mistake just hurts you and holds you back. I agree. I also was listening to a Creative Pep Talk episode where Andy was talking about not going back to change every single thing you see that could be different. Sometimes you need to learn the lesson and apply it to the next thing. I agree with that too. My mind is a battle of all my opposing thoughts.
I did redo the first illustration. It lacked life. There weren’t any textures and the colors were off. It looked flat. I think that’s one of the dangers of gouache. It can flatten and deaden quickly. Once the paper texture is gone then you might as well restart. I’m also happy to restart anything because I love to paint. What’s the point of painting if you’re not patient with yourself?
My Workspace with the old and new painting
Lettering
I wanted to hand letter this to make it more childlike. I did torn edged watercolor paper and didn’t use a ruler. I’m debating if I should have used a ruler. Probably.
I guess I think it looks rather charming in person, but unprofessional when I scanned it. Scans are just flat photographs, so the colors of the paper were varied with texture and I couldn’t match the background. It looked awkward.
The final framed original will have the lettering. The digital version will go with type.
Painted Lettering
Framed
I decided to mount this on 18x24 paper. It’s the only paper big enough. For storage it will have to go in frame. Alex says it needs to be on the wall. I’m excited to hang my own art up. I have a couple things I hung up, but they weren’t made during a me stage. They were made when I was exploring different kinds of art. I’m excited to have a true illustration of mine hung on the wall.
Cleaning My Head
My entire head was in this project for a hot minute. I tried to move onto my next scheduled thing yesterday, but apparently I can’t paint anymore. Everything looked stupid.
I feel in this specific headspace when I’m working on something. I love the feeling of the headspace for a short time, but it doesn’t feel good to stay there for a long time. I kind of also only eat tins of almonds and go a little too long without washing my hair when I’m there. If I stay too long it feels and looks like a self inflicted depression.
So I’m quitting illustration for a few days. Conveniently, it’s the weekend tomorrow. I’ll be deep cleaning my home and rereading Conversations With Friends.
I’ll be back fresh as a daisy after rest. With fresh ideas and scrap Arches paper to paint on.
Color testing for my picture book dummy is the next stop in my journey.
