Saturday, May 22, 2010

Fish Meets Girls, DZAN meets PAMO, & SSS...

I sketched these ladies at yet another restaurant, and showed them to Tough Critic No. 1, and Tough Critic No. 2.

Tough Critic number 1 said that I can't possibly post this picture, because the lady on the left looks just terrible. Most bothersome, she said, is the little curve I made on the poor woman's upper lip which she referred to as a Salvador Dali mustache.

She suggested a solution that I used some posts back, here at this post, i.e., the bag over the head. She also said that I had other alternatives as well: (1) I could turn her into a tree - some restaurants do have trees, you know, or (2) I could cut her out of the picture.

Tough Critic number 2, said that the picture looked fine, except for the lady on the left because she doesn't look right and has evil glasses. Most significantly, she looks like a parrotfish. For your convenience, I include the picture of a parrotfish, so that you can compare and decide for yourself.

I like and appreciate my Tough Critics, I learn from my Tough Critics, and sometimes I avoid embarrassing mistakes because of my Tough Critics. But I am posting this picture nonetheless. First, I am kind of proud of this sketch. The woman on the left kept moving her head, and that's the trouble in the field. Her Dali mustache was going to be a nostril! And it's waterproof ink, so what can I do? But I like the drawing overall, and am pleased with the composition. And maybe I'm losing it, but I don't think she's all that bad - prune-like sure, homely, shriveled, crabby yes - but I've seen folks like her. Maybe she's someone I wouldn't want to spend time with, but she's welcome in my sketch.

I also had fun with colors. I used different paints to achieve skin tones with each face. Now I'm forgetting (I should write these things down!), but I think it's something like this. From the right, on the first I used rose madder genuine and new gamboge, for the middle gal I used raw sienna and burnt sienna, and for the hag I used yellow ochre and permanent magenta. To all of them I added the smallest touch of french ultramarine or cobalt blue. It is amazing how like our arteries and veins a touch of blue makes the skin seem real. And finally, I used the cadmium red throughout very lightly as highlights to unify the picture.

Many of you who read this blog know PAMO (otherwise known as Pam Huggins). She does wonderful cartoons and videos, often pairing the videos with the cartoons. She is very creative, but, well..if she were in the 19th century she'd take a knife to all her canvases, so she could move on. In the 21st, she blew up her blog, to my horror, and ever since she's been floating like a ghost from blog to blog, blogless, and I, like many others have felt the absence.

So I am thrilled to learn that PAMO IS BACK! She has a beautiful web page where she has put all of her work including my favorites Champ the Chair, and Yard Shoes, with the famous Walking Video. The website is here.

I've been thinking of doing what follows for a long time, because DZAN, you know, has an extra letter, just like PAMO, and this is the perfect occasion. (And Pamo gave me permission once to do a cartoon - remember Pamo?). Dzan attempts to imitate Pamo's style. So Pamo, remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If you don't like this, blame Dzan, not me. If you like it, you can have it if you want - I'd be pleased to send it to you. And this was loads - and I mean loads - of fun to do. I see why you do them!

DZAN MEETS PAMO.



Finally, it has been so long since I provided a shadow shot for Shadow Shot Sunday. April and May have been crazy. I am hoping to have more time for creativity in the summer months. So here is my contribution for this Sunday:



And that's all for now..



[The photograph of the male Bicolor Parrotfish above (do you believe he's male with that lipstick?!!) is a portion of the photograph by Richard Ling taken at North Horn, Osprey Reef, Australia on August 8, 2005].

33 comments:

  1. Terrific shadow shot for the day! I love busy shadows! Hope you're enjoying a great weekend!

    Sylvia

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  2. A wonderfully entertaining post! And I for one love the atmosphere of your drawing! Intense conversation happening there! And your shadows in the last photo are interesting and detailed!

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  3. My first thought of left-side lady was she was turning suddenly in reaction to something brunette lady had said. I like it and am glad you posted it. I hope you didn't feel too bloodied up by your two toughest critics. They're good to have around to keep us grounded, though, aren't they?

    I laughed out loud at your PAMO cartoon. You captured her style perfectly and I saw the video you're referring to. Sweet!!! I hope Pam likes it as well as I do.

    Overall, an excellent post, my artist friend...

    -Don

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  4. Is that me on the left? Thanks for making me slimmer. The drawing is very good and I appreciate your telling us about skin colors.

    I think Pam will enjoy the cartoon; I did.

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  5. thank goodness PAMO has not dropped off the face of the earth! I enjoyed her blog...and I like her website (though it is disappointing that I can't comment on her website! Maybe she got tired of all the commenting! LOL)
    I love your three people sketch. Agree a 1000% about flesh needing a touch of blue. It is good to know that you have critics. I have critics! One writes me all the time to tell me what is "wrong" with what I posted. I wish I could find a way to unsubscribe him! I keep wondering why he thinks he needs to tell me his opinion on every piece! Oh well..I guess when we put our work "out" here we have to accept all comers. I am glad you left the woman just like she is. Great job.

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  6. A funny post again and a great sketch! I love the three ladies. And why couldn't a lady have a Dali moustache, hey ?or a moustache of coffee once she's finished drinking her cup ????

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  7. Until you mentioned it I didn't notice the Dali moustache, I just thought the lady was a bit wrinkly. I just hope she doesn't see your blog!
    Thanks for the link to PAMO's new site, I was wondering if she was going to start something new.
    Great post a funny cartoon.

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  8. Sigh...also relating to that lady on the left. But really...a parrotfish? At least it is a beautiful fish!! Loved the cartoon and the shadow shot!

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  9. OH... DZAN!!!! I'm sitting here FILLED with tears of JOY!!!! Yes, yes, yes- send me this cartoon- I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!! It will go on my website- and on my latest blog- I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
    For anyone reading this- my new blog URL is http://pamoblog.blogspot.com - my brief moment of insanity is over- but it's true, I slashed everything- I'll try not to do so again.
    NOW- Dan- your latest sketch is awesome! I think it's wonderful that you have those tough critics- but what I think is EVEN better- is that you seem to have a new found confidence in your style. I know that lady on the left. She has strong opinions- a lot of people are turned off by her- but she knows where she stands. She is to be admired after all. I'd like to be more like her.
    Thank you Dan for being such a fabulous artist, friend and all around phenomenal human being.

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  10. I think it is a good sketch capturing the act of friends chatting even if the likeness isn't there. I would be proud to post a sketch like this.

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  11. What a fun post for a Sunday morning! It's nice to have a belly laugh early in the morning, over coffee, while everyone is still asleep...Salvador Dali..hee hee. Nice work, even if lady on the left does like she's about to do a dasterdly deed! (Insert evil laugh...here)

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  12. Nice one Dan....wise words...after drawing a beer bottle last night then over-working it, I did another sketch at 11.30. Wish I'd seen this post before. Hadn't seen the previous post before but am still smiling at the bag. Think your sketch is great!

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  13. I love your sketch and the expressions you captured. What I love even more is that you are out there - sketching in public! Maybe some day I will be as brave as you are :-)

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  14. Yahoo! A Dan post! I love it when you post, you know. You always say something that is so entertaining and post wonderful sketches to go with them. I love the table of girls. Hardly noticed the lady on the left because I was too busy looking at the lady on the right! Wonderful face...love the way you caught her mouth! And the colors are wonderful! (Thanks for including that info!)

    Oh, and love the Pamo cartoon! I think we should all send her our own version. She'll think twice about quitting next time! That's her camera tied to her head, isn't it!? Hilarious!

    Welcome back!

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  15. That was delightful, Dan, thanks for introducing me to Pamo. Loved Champ the Chair, I got it b/c we have a champ, too. I thought of you while sitting at the airport waiting for a flight, it's an excellent place to sketch people but my tools were packed in my suitcase. I will have better planning next time. Your sketches get better all the time.

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  16. Hi, Dan! Props to you for posting what is a fabulous sketch! It's all about the re-stated lines and our appreciation of them!! Besides which, she looks a little bit like my grandmother :-) I think this is an awesome sketch . . . cool line work, and a lovely lady on the right!

    The cartoon and shadow shot are wonderful as well!

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  17. love the sketch! also love your image for Shadow shot sundayx lyndax
    http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com

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  18. Hahahaha.. Dan, I couldn't stop laughing at this post. You really cracked me up good with the remarks of your Tough Critics and those references do help to relate better. Disregarding the critics, I think it's a good sketch, it's got Dan's signature all over, and it's specialty is speed and to capture all the movements =)
    Nice shadow shot, and thank you for your compliments on my I-10 drawing. Yeah I work like an engineer too when it comes to art, I am trying hard to refrain myself from using the ruler or measuring tape >.< Which I didn't and I am pretty proud of myself. My wife said thanks too for congratulating her =)

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  19. Your posts are so fun to read! I'm glad you posted the sketch, hag and all! Good for you for being brave. The sketch of the woman on the right is so very well-done that she makes up for the haggy sketch on the left! Great job!

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  20. Your sketch of the three ladies is great, because they feel real and lively, animated - including the lady on the left (she really looks crabby ^^!).
    Love your little cartoon, fun, sweet and cool!
    Going to check up this famous Pamo, now !

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  21. I think your sketch has a lot of liveliness to it. It feels fresh and active. The lady on the right is the one my eye went to immediately and I didn't notice the one on the left. She does look kind of crabby and unpleasant. Maybe she really is...?

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  22. I love the three ladies sketch and hadn't even noticed the details of the lady on the left.

    As always, fun and funny post. You have many talents.

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  23. Dan, I love reading your posts and this really had me laughing with your critics comments. Really, a parrotfish??!! Like the others, my eye first went to the lovely lady on the right. But hey, mustache lady truly has character and we all know someone like her. Her or her squiggly cousins with extra lines pop into all our sketches at some time or the other.

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  24. I'm delighted to discover your blog through Hey Harriet! What wonder-filled drawings! You whet my appetite for more and more, so, of course, I'll be back!

    Shadows in Dry Places

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  25. I like your sketch - she does have an ever so slight moustache, but that happens.... I tend to sketch first in pencil, then add color and put in the ink line only when I'm really sure. The cowardly method....

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  26. Funny and very Daliesque, you can have a mustache too to go with your artist name. You are good with critics, must be very friendly one.

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  27. you visited my blog recently and left the comment, 'scary' on the post where i was trying to wrangle someone out there to take the little lady off my hands! how is that scary, i ask you? it was the last of my installments having to do with my daughters move, in which she and i did everything while my hubby sat at home in the air conditioning, and her four kids griped the whole time! i was so, SO glad to see us finish...i didn't hate my husband for his non-involvement AND, i still have a sense of humor ;)
    by the way, your work is stunning! the old gal is, well, old and obviously she is the matron of the family who you 'have' to take to lunch every once in a while, just to stay in her graces. you know, i would have never realized the depth of colors you used if you hadn't been so detailed about it in your post. great job!

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  28. You are all so wonderful and encouraging! Thank you. Critic? What's a critic?!

    Thank you for all your comments and for those who see this as a natural-looking conversation. That is what I am always after.

    I think Pamo has it right, the hag is wind-worn, experienced, wise, blunt, and full of tough love. She's not crabby at all - just brutally honest.

    Magical Mystical Teacher, I am glad to see you. You have been here before - we exchanged verse. Come back any time. (And my other SSS friends too!)

    Alex, I am blown away that you didn't use a straight edge.

    And Sheri, an ad for a suspicious gal with four lazy children (some teen-aged), and the need to move furniture? Like I said .. scary.

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  29. yooooo hooooooo Dan---what's in your sketchbook now?? Let's see it! (nag nag nag!)

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  30. Great commentary, Dan. Would these critics happen to be children? They are often the most honest and the most cruel. :) I wish I could go around saying exactly what I felt and not feel repercussions. Great sketch, and love the cartoon.

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  31. Celeste, thank you for pushing me on!

    Krista, not children - relatives. That's all they need be to be honest and cruel. :)

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  32. as a good friend of Pamo you nailed her style and humor and I'm thrilled that you're promoting her!!!!

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