Sunday, July 5, 2009

Illustration Friday - Shaky

Badger relationships can be shaky at best, especially when you consider their moody temperament.

If shaky can mean unstable, then both relationships and badger behavior certainly fit under this definition. Relationships can change over time, and badgers can go from mellow to mean in a millionth of a second. At least that's how they act on nature shows. It's amazing that they still exist, since they're always so grumpy with each other.

When I first thought up this idea, I knew I would have problems trying to draw it. One of my artistic weaknesses is making characters interact with each other. By interact, I don't mean just looking at each other, I mean physically interacting. Since I tend to draw single characters or groups of characters that are each doing their own thing, drawing a pair of "loving" badgers was really difficult. I figured if I wanted to get over this artistic hump, I'd just have to work through it, as frustrating as that was. I made 15 sketches before I settled on the final picture. While I'm happy with it right now, I'm sure I'll hate it in two years and find a ton of things wrong with it. At the very least, I gave it an honest try.

In other news, I hope you can tell which badger is the girl. I tried to make her feminine looking without sticking a bow on her head or giving her eyelashes. For full disclosure and honesty, I've been guilty of doing those two things in the past.

15 comments:

  1. I think that badger love is a ridiculous metaphor for shaky.

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  2. Oh Hi, Anonymous!

    I think it's more ridiculous that someone would waste their time noting how ridiculous something is. At least use a real log-in, instead of hiding behind anonymity.

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  3. Wow, interesting concept and well done work!

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  4. I can definitely see who the female badger is, even without the eyelashes. I always give them eyelashes when trying to make them look feminine, so I think you did an excellent job here!
    Thanks for dropping by!

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  5. Nicely done! Very imaginative idea!

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  6. "Anonymous" sounds like a jerk! Why bother to post anything if you're gonna hide...chicken!

    Anyway, I think the badgers look cute! And I can imagine how difficult their relationships could be. They tend to be mean little rascals! Cute illustration and very creative!

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  7. Indigene - Thanks for the kind words!

    Dorit - I'm glad I passed the "feminine badger" test. It's hard to do without the eyelashes and bows, you know?

    Karen - Thank you!

    Tracy - I agree with you on the first part of your post. It's easy to be a jerk if you don't have to be accountable. It would be easier to control if I only allowed people who were signed in to comment, but that would block a bunch of people who don't cause trouble. Anyway, thanks for stopping by, and for the compliments.

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  8. I think the pose is great and relays the interaction and emotions. Very clever...I'm sorry to say I think I can relate to this sometimes. :)

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  9. Your work is very animated! In fact.. it looks like you would have a really great chance working in an animation studio if you are not already! ^_^

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  10. Haha, I love this! It's great! :)

    thanks for stopping by my blog!
    Have a lovely day :)

    IvaY

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  11. This is my second visit here.
    To see more of your creative illustrations.
    To me a story is not complete with a picture and illustration.
    Wow! I really salute you because you actually care so much of the result....and sit down to make 15 sketches. You are are perfectionist!
    The right is a girl and the left is a boy!
    It tells from the pink nose and the beautiful contour of the female body.
    You are really interacting with your audience! Keep it up. I really hope they can resolve the conflicts by taking out their ideas:)

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  12. Kathy - Thank you, and I can relate to this too. I think everyone's probably had a moment like this.

    Squirrel Girl - Thanks for the compliment! I'm not working for an animation studio, but it's on my list of things that I might want to do someday.

    iva - Thank you!

    yoon see - Thanks for all of your kind comments. I guess I am a bit of a perfectionist. I've been trying to work on that, but I slip back into my old habits. :)

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I imagine that the comment box feels lonely when it's empty, so leaving a comment would be a great thing to do. If you leave a nice comment, good things might happen.