Monday, January 12, 2015

Wishes and Surprises

http://tomsarmo.com/
Oliver Twist on the road to London; a thumbnail sketch, approx 3" x 4"

I wish that, along with drawing from life and other necessities for artists, doing thumbnail sketches had always been a favorite occupation. But it hasn't been, probably because I am a terribly undisciplined, lazy man.

But I'm doing them. In part because I must (for an upcoming project not related to Charles Dickens); but mostly because they have suddenly become entertaining. A nice surprise.

http://tomsarmo.com/
The Artful Dodger finds Oliver Twist; another thumbnail sketch, approx. 2.5" x 3"

Thumbnails are supposed to be for working out--and I mean Working out--compositional ideas. Wish I could say I did that, but no--just sat on the couch like a schlub and drew these, nearly without being conscious. Suppose it shows, but a very good time was had nonetheless.

Where'd they come from and why? I was looking through a book about Harry Clarke--an illustrator-god--and saw this...

...very weird illustration. (Um, find me an  illustration by Harry Clarke that isn't weird.)
It caught my eye--the yellow and black a surprise--and it's been on my mind all week.

Wish I could tell you why Oliver Twist ended up the subject of my yellow, (er orange--another surprise) thumbnails. Oliver Twist was not on my mind at all, but it is a favorite book (Charles Dickens being an author-god).

http://tomsarmo.com/
Fagin, Sikes, and Nancy; yet another thumbnail, approx. 4" x 5"

Wish I did more life drawing, worked harder at composition, and made millions of thumbnails. And probably would if I was goal-oriented, immortal, or something else that I'll never be. Unless I get surprised someday.

 And last, thanks very much to all of you who read my blog. The follows and comments are great too but mostly I appreciate that you take the time to come by.






6 comments:

  1. I just tried making thumbnails at the end of last year! All those years and not a one had ever crossed my mind before. I hope I can continue it, but I lack discipline. Your thumbs are awesome. Uhh...your thumbnails. Uhh...your thumbnail sketches! Can't say I've ever seen your thumbs, now that I think of it. 😉

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    1. Hi Maggie--We artists can be an undisciplined lot, yet work so hard! Thanks for the compliment. I hope I continue to like drawing them. Sometimes they help, sometimes I feel they stifle me. Oh well. (Sometimes my thumb shows up on Instagram, haha!)

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  2. I've been working small lately, and your thumbnails above are an inspiration to work that way first - the Harry Clarke sent me running for my Beardsley book - a master at using the image plane in this way.

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    1. Thanks AHA--glad this was somewhat worthwhile. And yep, I love Beardsley too!

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  3. Tom , I am a terribly undisciplined, lazy man !!
    Interesting, but I think it apply only to illustrators..... so because I am not one of them , I do not have to make thumbnails . :)
    But seriously, I was always fascinated by compositions in Art Nouveau ... no wonder many artists are influenced also by Harry Clarke....

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    1. Somehow I don't think that is true artisjokken--your work speaks of much discipline!

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