The Illustration of Doug Draper
  • Blog
  • Illustration
  • Sequential Art
  • About the Artist
  • Contact
  • Prints

One. Full. Year.

12/15/2010

1 Comment

 
Picture
Good day all,

Today is an interesting day.
Why, doth one say such things? Well, today marks one full year from the first day I started posting here on the website (seriously, go check it out).  It's been a good year and if anything, enjoyable and entertaining.  Which is something to try and have little of, especially during the busyness that life seems to bring.

So to celebrate this monumental human achievement (please hold your applause) I thought I'd post a few things in regards to something I've been asked about a couple times.  It's also something I myself, and probably most artists, find curiously sitting on the edge of our minds when viewing another's work.  It's something we think about, analyze and wonder.  It makes us scratch our heads and smile.  

The process of creating.

Whoa, right?  People really bite into this topic though and rightfully so.  From the questions of Vermeer's possible use of the camera obscura to the x-rays used for a mere glimpse at the layers beneath Da Vinci's masterpieces.  It intrigues us, surprises us, and helps us learn and grow.

Personally I've always enjoyed this topic but one memory that comes to mind and encapsulates this interest was a trip the National Gallery in Washington, DC.  This was during the high school years and my classmates and I were lucky enough to be personally shown a drawing of Raphael's.  Just sitting there.  Right in front of us.  Not under glass.  Not behind a velvet rope.  But sitting just a few feet from us.  It was memorable not only because it was a Raphael but because it was a small look inside the ideas that came about and eventually lead up to the finale.  We were even given enough time to sketch the drawing itself.  Think I still have that in my old duct taped sketchbook somewhere.


How'd we get the opportunity?  Eh, I've no idea.  Maybe it was normal procedure.  Or Mr. Morris was well connected? A bribe?  Someone lost an arm wrestling contest (I wouldn't have arm wrestled Morris)?  Who knows.

Okay, well that's a lot of talking which I hadn't planned on doing.  So anyway, as I mentioned I've been asked a couple times myself about my own process and I thought it may be interesting to do a little x-raying beneath my own, in comparison to the above, meager attempts.  In particular, the piece shown above called The Witch of Faith Lane.


BUT unfortunately I've eaten away my time with talk and now I've actually gotta get back to the drawing board, literally.  So to be fitting with the occasion of this one year monumental human achievement (continue holding applause) I'm going to do something I've not done before.  And that is...

TO BE CONTINUED...


Thanks all and talk with ya soon!

- Doug

1 Comment
Sara Bellis
12/16/2010 04:12:41 am

I love your description of the visceral experience you can have during an unmediated interaction with art. It's so true. That's why I went into art conservation after an art history degree. Art historians look at pictures of art, but I get to touch the stuff (and X-ray it).
Very interested to read about your process. Keep linking to your facebook status - this is a great diversion from all the work I should be doing now at finals time.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Douglas E. Draper Jr. is an award-winning artist working out of Philadelphia. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute, College of Art and his work has been exhibited throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Annapolis, Baltimore and various other cities and galleries.  His fine art and illustrative work can be seen from such publishers as Moonstone Books, Top Shelf, Desperado, IDW, and many others.
    Picture

    Blog Categories

    All
    Art Shows & Exhibitions
    Awards & Recognitions
    Childrens Books
    Conventions & Signings
    Film & TV
    Illustration
    Interviews
    Painting
    Panels & Workshops
    Process
    Reviews
    Sequential Art


    Blog Archives

    February 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    October 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009


    ​© 2023 Douglas E. Draper Jr.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.