Sprezzatura is the fine art of making a difficult thing look effortless. Although I'm more of an expert in making easy tasks more difficult, I'm finding that illustration is an excercise in sprezzatura.This piece, creatively titled "Whale Sub" was a careful study of putting just enough information to imply that this is a complex piece of machinery. I went through several iterations where I discovered that just one extra pipe or detail made it look labored and over worked. The same with the decking, where I initially tried laying in individual planks to convey the feel of the hull. In the end, it was far more more important to get the gloss from the wetness of the deck and the water dripping down the deck. I'd post up some of the in progress stuff but it's generally a horrible mess of trial and error.
And besides I wouldnt want to ruin the sprezzatura...
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19 comments:
WOW Jim, i finally have to comment. This is great. Since i am a big fan of everything naval in general, this of course gets extra points for topic from me. I love it. Rock on and Vampirez RuleZ
Kertesz needs to build your whaleship next! Sprezzatura in 3D would be an interesting exercise.
I'd love to tell you how great and inspiring this piece is. How it triggers the spark in everyone's imagination so quick that it made a world that wasn't onto a world that all of the sudden is. All that and more I could say... BUT... I won't. Why!? Because the fact that this one piece triggered the sleeping giant Fatrobot into commenting simply speaks volumes of how marvelous this one whale sub truly is. My friend, you have outdone yoursef, well done. More please. Thanks in advanced!
wow. this is simply awesome...Jules Verne would sure love to have this illustrate one of his stories.
I should pay a lot more attention to what you describe, as I tend to overwork every drawing I make. Thanks for reminding me of this.
Awesome ship, btw...
I saw your work on Kongregate, and I was amazed. Its a little hobby of mine to find great talent and try to follow it to greatness, and I am definitely following you. Keep up the good work, I love the imagination you have!
I was thirsty, so I drank your ocean, and I'm hungry so I'm eating your whale.
Your work is sustenance.
Great painting!
Congratz on winning the Kongregate competition.
Now, how about uploading to the blog bigger versions of some of the other paintings you show off at kongregate?
I particularly like *the duel*, reminds me of Russian children's books. I know a lot of people who grew up on such books who would love to put it on their desktop.
Great drawing, man. It looks good as my desktop background. Congratulations on the win.
Thanks for the comments, folks...the support from the Kongregate crowd has been amazing.
Yossi, PM me so I can get in touch with you about 'the duel'
Lovely. Absolutely lovely. Don't stop.
Wow, that was a awesome picture =) Grats on the kongregate award! Keep up the good work. =)(/save as desktop)
Hey friend, love your work
Veramente bello! The best Nautilus ever!
Fantastic! I'd love to see more.
Man! Love this painting. Found it in a google search and had to track down where it came from... nice work!
Jim, this is awesome! I'm a graphic design student working on an ad campaign for class. I found this while google searching "steampunk submarine." I'd love your permission to use your work, and wonder if you have any larger files of it, any concept sketches, or any variations available. Please contact me so I can tell you more! Thanks so much,
Jillian jilliankfry@gmail.com
Just wanted to say I love this piece. I use it as the backdrop for my two D&D campaigns when they are back at base. Thank you for your work!
wow thank you Thesi! By now this is an older piece but I'm glad you're enjoying it!
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