The Elephant, The Butterfly and I

I really struggled with Visual Language this week.

Trying to squeeze an elephant, a butterfly AND myself into one illustration was a huge task, even though it was really just one ink drawing.

I got caught up with trying to create an interesting composition and concept that would be different to everyone else's. I didn't want to go for something obvious.

After several roughs, I went for one with me and a butterfly in the reflection of an elephant's eye. In theory I liked this idea, but trying to execute this in ink was trickier than expected.

I don't usually work with ink and brush so I found it difficult to control the media, especially with such a complex subject.

I didn't like how it turned out and didn't present it on the wall at the end of the day because to me it wasn't FINISHED or of a standard for anyone else to see. I was really disappointed in myself, especially when I saw that other people had just taken the challenge and had a little fun with stretching the boundaries of composition. STOP TAKING THINGS SO SERIOUSLY, STELLA.

Had some personal anxiety issues this week too, resulting in a lovely lil' fainting session at the end of Tuesday. Need to take time to sort myself out, but I know that I can't do that until I've successfully completed this task (according to Jayrules). So I'm compensating by treating myself to chocolate and taking things a little slower, but also letting myself get on with this task I'm so desperate to re-do.

Second Attempt

'Avin some fun. Taking a step back and distorting proportions slightly to allow for all three elements to be visible in one frame.

STEPPING AWAY FROM REALISM and going back to what I enjoy - storytelling. IS THIS A REAL MOMENT? No, so make it up and use some creative freedom. The frame of me reflected in the elephant's eye didn't tell a story (though it could have if I'd painted it better I guess) but this second attempt (me sleeping on an elephant's trunk) has a much clearer and more consistent tone of tranqulity. From the resting butterfly, to a sleeping Jay and an Indian decorated elephant, this illustration is cohesive and doesn't rely on me attempting representational drawing.

Much better. Though anatomically incorrect, (elephant's face/trunk/eye/tusk/ear proportions and my backwards hand, to note just a few of my silly mistakes) this image doesn't make me want to puke when I see it. So much happier and feels good to have the task off my shoulders now that I've finished it. It's up on the wall, a big move for the Jayster.

Proudayou, girl.

I loved Lizzie's SO MUCH (just above mine on the wall - with the girl holding up the elephant). She often makes really representational drawings, but this task has given Lizzie an opportunity to step outside of her usual haunts and try something different. I think it worked really well! Quite graphic without being cartoony and still using her skills in shading and tone. Lizzie's illustration was unexpected, bold and it carried a message about burdens. Nice one, Lizzie!

AGH. IN RETROSPECT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO COOL TO DO AN ILLUSTRATION ABOUT 'AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM'. Idioms are kool.