This week's Illustration Friday prompt is "savour". I did this illustration a while back for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco - they used it as their Christmas card (click on it to see it bigger). Santa is savouring a plate of dim sum while the reindeer, working as waiters, serve him. I know. Pretty silly.
I'm resurrecting this style for a new piece I'm working on. I've always loved these reindeer and this pen and ink plus watercolor style. Last night in bed I was reading "Artist to Artist" (23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art), and in it Maurice Sendak says its important to have more than one style, which I thought was refreshing, and goes against everything everyone else usually says (more than one style will confuse art directors, they won't know what to expect when they hire you, etc.). He says "...develop a fine style, a fat style, a fairly slim style, and a really rough style." So I'm not sure how I'd define this 'reindeer style' but its definitely different than everything else I do. And its fun!
I resisted Black Friday like the plague, and will now gradually ease myself into the idea of Christmas. Actually, at this time next week I'll probably have bought the tree and have it all done up. But this weekend I will still savour the Thanksgiving leftovers and this very brief 'in between time' and get some work done.
10 Comments on Illustration Friday - Savour, last added: 11/30/2010
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Interesting fun post, Paula! Great piece too! I like what Sendak says about style. My website is looking a bit confused right now, but I'm going with it. Kinda liberating! Glad Mr. Sendak would approve.
hahaha! this mix of two very different cultures is funny, that is a very western chinese restaurant!
Wonderful, inventive, and captivating!
Cute and original card.
LOVE the cats photo!!
What a fun happy illustration which has a slightly old worldly feel with the colours too. I love Christmas and your image sparks that child within. I can understand why you want to "re-use" your reindeer.
love it, I have to agree with Ginger, this is very creative,
Great work!
fun. I really like you holiday take on this!
Very clever...and beautifully painted too!
Hey Paula! I love the style of these reindeer! Very cool! Great post for this week's theme. Love the card idea! Nice!!