Day One Hundred Eighty Five

I thought I might get something done with this day. Silly me.

I did spend quite a few hours scouting for locations to shoot the super 8 movie which, although very fun, served to make it very clear to me that I have yet to come up with a decent idea. I find myself with all of the energy and resources to really say something, but am without something to say.

I’m not sure if it’s that, really. I think I have plenty to say...I’m just not entirely sure what I’d like to say first, or how to form it into a coherent message. I’m hoping, as I load the film into the camera, something will really come to me. But, with cartridges hovering around $14 per, I don’t have much room to mess around. I’m hoping, as the frustration builds, the dam will break and I’ll be able to get this out...whatever it is.

I think I’d better stop ranting now and begin to tell you about today’s project. (Maybe I should make another blog...just for the rants...nah...they’ve got to be mixed with things that really matter or no one would listen. Is anyone listening anyway?)

mag-nil-o-quent adj. Speaking or spoken in a lofty and extravagant manner.

I love the way “magniloquent” fits, in its very essence, with its definition. I really wanted a character who embodied the definition of this word, and ended up with the same little person that’s been haunting (for lack of a better word) this blog for the past few days. I’m not sure what it is about him/her, but I can’t seem to shake them.

Maybe they’re just versatile; maybe they’re just not finished with me yet...who knows. I like the way that this one has ended up a little more abstract; a little more...out there.

Oh, well. I’m not sure if I’m stuck in a rut or working my way through something. I guess we’ll see!

Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Sleep in for me.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Eighty Four

Gah! I’ve only got half an hour to hammer out this post...I’d better hurry this one up. I received my first Super 8 camera in the mail today (gasp) and am really looking forward to trying it out!

Now, for today’s project...

I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten this word before, but I couldn’t resist.

ar-gyle n. a pattern knitted with varicolored, diamond-shaped designs.

Because argyle is a pretty noticeable pattern anyway, I wanted to create something really loud, but still interesting at the same time.

I absolutely adore this character. I’ve always wished I was able to pull of the tailored menswear look in such an elegant, laid-back way. Unfortunately, being a teeny girl, it’s almost impossible to find any men’s clothing that is so well-fitting. Oh, well, at least I can (kind of) draw it.

I’d better publish this now, before it hits midnight and someone ends up a pumpkin.

Evening.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Eighty Three

Welp, for the second time today, here we are.

I managed to track down a decent supplier of Super 8 film, and find out how to develop it myself in the darkroom (success!). So, now that the technical part of making this short film is out of the way, I've got to figure out WHAT this film will be about, exactly... details, details..

Now for the real reason you're here..

Today's word (isn't this how this always begins?? I'm going to have to think of a way to start these posts that doesn't involve those two words pretty soon, here.) Anyway, today's word was one that I wasn't quite sure what to do with. It was simple and precise, making it rather difficult to think of some abstract and clever way to use it as inspiration for an illustration. But, being the artistic genius that I am (seriously kidding, here) I found a way..I hope.

I think it would help, at this juncture, for you to be told the word...don't you think?

chin n. The lower part of the face. n. To lift oneself up while grasping an overhead bar until the chin is level with the bar.

I've been experimenting with a new angle (I think I've mentioned this on this blog once/twice before, maybe..) to draw characters from. I haven't quite got a fool-proof method down for drawing characters from below, so it's been an interesting process each time I try to draw from this angle. Today's piece was no exception, and took several (okay, one) false starts to get right. Admittedly, having a pencil (or something eraseable) would've made this a bit easier, but I enjoy living on the edge.

Apologies for the spot of chocolate ice cream on the right side, there...was enjoying that a little too much.

I drew her from a rather "chinny" angle; she came across looking a bit pretentious. I think, though, that she's pretentious while knowing she's pretentious...which makes it more okay...maybe. I'm pretty psyched with the way this one came out-it's cleaner and more complete somehow than a lot of the things I've come up with lately.

Maybe I'm on the right track...who knows..

Until tomorrow, enjoy whatever day of the week this is.

Xx

-r



Day One Hundred Eighty Two

Gah! I've found myself without a computer!! Never fear..this project is still up and running-today's post will be updated below as soon as is humanly possible (whenever I get out of bed tomorrow).

Xx

Alright, well, here we are. I can't really remember yesterday, to be honest. I think I went somewhere...or talked to someone...ah, well. Today is another summer day to be wasted. I'm currently researching Super8 filmmaking in the hopes of creating my first silent, black and white short film this summer. It's hard enough to find the film, much less find a place to process the stuff for less than 15 bucks a cartridge. Ah, the search goes on. For now, though, I guess I'd better complete this over-due post...

Yesterday's piece of the English language was just so, so incredibly perfect for my recent obsession with old-school filmmaking; my tired brain almost couldn't believe it's luck at coming across such a magnificent word.

car-tridge n. A case made of metal, pasteboard, etc., that contains a charge of powder; the primer and shot or projectile for a firearm.

Well, I had kind of a different definition in mind for "cartridge". Having spent the last few (or 8-10) hours scouring the internet in search of sanely priced Super8 film cartridges, I couldn't NOT illustrate something to do with filmmaking. As I have yet to form a clear idea in my head about what exactly I want my film to be about, I didn't have anything particular in mind to illustrate. I decided to take some of my newfound knowledge (which isn't much) about lighting a scene for a movie, and set up a shoot.

I went with a strange and mysterious scene to keep you guessing (translation: I have no idea what I'm doing). For now, I'm too absorbed in this new project to have anything of value to say that isn't on the subject of filmmaking, but I do enjoy the way this one came out.

I hope to have a couple decent, working cameras soon so I can get this bug out of my system.

Apologies for the day-late post.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Eighty One

Well, in retrospect, I think the celebration of yesterday’s low (and the expectation that it would be over in the morning) was a bit premature. Oh well. Today, also, marks the first roller derby practice of the season. I’m happy to say that I’m a better skater than most of the girls there...the girls under 10...okay, half of the girls under 10. I’m pretty sure I’ll feel like an 88 year old man tomorrow morning...but it’ll be worth it. (I’m not sure how yet...but I’ll let you know.)

Well, today’s word began as a total cop-out, but it turned into something more.

la-pel n. the front part of a garment, especially that of a coat, that is turned back, usually a continuation of the collar.

Lately, I’ve been fond of drawing simply the top part of a suit; something about the look of a suit jacket and a bowtie really appeals to me. So, I decided to try to continue the suit to completion; just to see if I could get it in proportion.

I rather enjoy the way this one came out. I left the head/face blank in order to keep it simple and focus attention on the suit itself.

Phew! I believe it’s time to pass OUT now.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Eighty

Today was a down-low day. I woke at noon with heavy lidded eyes and a sneaking feeling that any ounce of inspiration, motivation, direction...anything -tion had been drained from me overnight. I spent most of the day on the floor...rising in regular intervals to put on another record. Because this ties in so perfectly with today’s word, I’ll make the introduction and, when we’ve all gotten to know each other a little bit, I’ll continue.

de-te-ri-o-rate v. To worsen; to depreciate.

I took this perfect opportunity to illustrate (or attempt to illustrate) the feeling of a day like today. A day when life takes a little dive.

Days like today come often, lately. I’m not sure what it is, but I fall into a low mood. It’s not angsty, and it’s not sad, it’s almost an absence of anything. Unable to think or to work; confined to the few square feet of carpet...album after album...spins the day away as the sun gets lower and the coffee gets cold.

Don't ask about the pants. I've developed a soft spot for the chef/pinstripe thing. 

I think, maybe, that I need these times. I think there’s something to be said for the languid days; the days where staring at the ceiling is tasking. Not because I like them-frankly, they’re hell, but because there’s nothing like the rebound that happens the day after. For now, though, I think I’ll throw on another lp and enjoy this low.

Evening.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Seventy Nine

Well, today turned into a bout of reorganization as I made the wise decision to move the printmaking studio from my bedroom (white carpet is not a friend to this artist...or, rather, this artist is not a friend to white carpet) to the basement. It’s come pretty far along, but the day’s work has left both rooms temporarily in shambles.

Change is wondrous, though.

Today’s word was pretty interesting, because it reminded me of yet another thing I’ve been wanting to experiment with for some time. While in France last year, looking forward to the prospect of getting into my very own darkroom upon returning to the states, I began to research darkroom techniques so as to be prepared for work. Quickly running out of new information (the online darkroom community, though large-ish, can get rather redundant after the beginner phase) I started to delve into alternative and long forgotten photographic processes. I spent long hours recording formulas and instructions in a notebook; copying from the tiny screen of my cell phone. I soon learned, though, that parents generally frown upon requests for toxic-sounding chemicals, and, therefore, the possibilities of exploring most of these processes became very limited.

Anyway, the point to this rather pointless story is that today’s word got me thinking of an alternative process that I remember learning of while staying a few miles from Castelnaud in southern France.

al-bu-men n. White of an egg.

The albumen process (in case you can’t guess) is one based around egg whites and salt. Painted onto thick paper, this mixture becomes a light sensitive emulsion. For today’s piece, I wanted to combine a recipe for making albumen prints and a character doing so.

I like the expression in the eyes of this character. Now, I just wish it could be me. Maybe I’ll get my act together one of these days and collect the ingredients on this list...

For now, goodnight and thank you for stopping by.

Xx

-r