First of all: I am not an artist but I am very interested in the stencil technique as I really enjoy all the work of great artists here in this forum and beyond.
Now before I first try to cut a stencil and handle a spraypaint can I am trying to create something that could be worth the effort. As I am very unsure if I am able to create something that could be worth it - and even be possible to get "stenciled": Would you mind taking a look at what I`ve done so far? Every comment could be helpful - even if it is: Aw, crap! Then it is time for the reset (or stop) button if it is "Never, ever, ever do it again!"
So if there`s somebody out there to take a look what came out on my first try to create something. Is it complete crap? Or could be nice but done another way? Or add something (kids bike, paint can, a ladder or something like that)?
Thanks for bashing me! But please don`t laugh: It is my first time doin stuff like this and I really feel like pants down in a crowded railroad station.
Before I give you some constructive criticism, I need to know what your goal is... To create prints/canvases to sell? Or for your own enjoyment?
Carry on.
Disclaimer: I like to pretend to create unique works of art... BUT, really... I am just a derivativist (not a word, oh well)... Hmmm... Whatever you chose to do, do not give up... Keep working at what you enjoy... Few people get to do that.
First of all: I am not an artist but I am very interested in the stencil technique as I really enjoy all the work of great artists here in this forum and beyond.
Now before I first try to cut a stencil and handle a spraypaint can I am trying to create something that could be worth the effort. As I am very unsure if I am able to create something that could be worth it - and even be possible to get "stenciled": Would you mind taking a look at what I`ve done so far? Every comment could be helpful - even if it is: Aw, crap! Then it is time for the reset (or stop) button if it is "Never, ever, ever do it again!"
So if there`s somebody out there to take a look what came out on my first try to create something. Is it complete crap? Or could be nice but done another way? Or add something (kids bike, paint can, a ladder or something like that)?
Thanks for bashing me! But please don`t laugh: It is my first time doin stuff like this and I really feel like pants down in a crowded railroad station.
Many thanks suit
go for it - I think it't got potential. my initial thought would be to think about changing the color of the text, only because red verbage has been done to death
Wow, thank you very much for the many quick and encouraging replies! I hope I won`t forget answering a question.
ninthsonv2: I never thought about it as I don`t think I can create something that could encourage somebody to pay for a copy of it. So: I definitely do it for myself.
@shadynasty: Thank you for the comment and what a pity to hear it is not too far from reality ...
@fred: Hmm, I`ll try how different colours will look like. I thought about having changing colours in the letters but ended up using red as it matched the theme. Originally I had in mind to maybe have colour splats and or a tipped over paint can so you initially think of blood (from the shots) until you realize it is just paint. As I didn`t do it I`ll experiment with the colour.
@all: Thank you very much for the encouragement! So I will try to cut some stencils without ending as a Simpsons character (four fingers ...) And I`ll try to realize some other ideas as well. I hope you don`t mind if I use this thread to ask for your opinion again.
The idea is fine. But how large is the diameter the bullets' crater created? I'd guess no more than 1.5 cms? Meaning that the writing is rather small... Being that most writing is large, I would place a lot more holes on the "t" and partially on the "n" than the impacts you show.
I would also like to know what the writer wrote in the first place... Title?
Don't pay attention to what I am saying... Just thinking out loud.
The idea is fine. But how large is the diameter the bullets' crater created? I'd guess no more than 1.5 cms? Meaning that the writing is rather small... Being that most writing is large, I would place a lot more holes on the "t" and partially on the "n" than the impacts you show.
I would also like to know what the writer wrote in the first place... Title?
Don't pay attention to what I am saying... Just thinking out loud.
Carry on.
Counterpoint:
A child's hand would write in smaller letters. The number and size of bullet marks is well balanced and correct.
The point is that the child's dreams of the future are wiped out, incomplete. What he/she wrote in the first place is irrelevant, IMO.
Carry on, indeed. It's a beautifully tragic image. I find myself coming back just to look at it.
ninthsonv2: Of course I pay attention to every comment - that`s what I´m here for and every post help me to grow.
Regarding your comment, shadynasty already wrote some things I would have answered, too. I`m not sure if the relation of impact size / type is okay but I think a kid couldn`t write too big (short arms and as smaller letters already are very big when you are a child)and in addition there are different calibers of weapons. So these bullet holes in my opinion could be from a hand gun or from a big rifle mounted to a vehicle which would cause much bigger holes.
Not telling what the kid try to write is part of what I was thinking when I did this. This way it (hopefully) is clear it got interrupted by the shots. My thought was that it should be a pity that due to these damned shots you can`t see what this innocent child was hoping to do or become in his future. It became more an "If I will grow up". As shady wrote there is no future or nothing to look forward to. And by interrupting some might think the kid must have been hit while writing - others won`t and will think it just escaped as there is no blood on the wall. Either way I am glad that obviously it is a bit emotional and we discuss about it. So it kind of works I guess.
Agree with ninthson but think this is part of what I really like about this. It's got a slightly surreal quality to it, it's like being in a bad dream.
I'd be more than happy to pay for a piece like this, in fact if you do a short run stick me on the list.
Update: As I have to learn how to do all this I decided to do a simple image for first tests. This will be my quick and dirty done test object I`ll cut tomorrow as training.
As I didn`t have the time of my life the last weeks I didn`t manage to start working on my project - and due to these weeks right now I feel like I should start with something else first, with another theme maybe ... I will come back to the wall image in some weeks but due to these weeks right now it is very depressing ...
So once again: Do or dump? This time three ideas. One of them good? Sorry to bother you but I`m still unsure about the stuff I do and don`t have anybody I can ask about it. Just want to avoid spending hours and hours in a piece realizing the idea was complete crap after finishing it. Regarding the censoring thing: I hope the text is correct? I`m no native speaker ...
I think that out of the three, I prefer the middle image. I find Mr Punch incredibly sinister though and always have done, so that may be putting me off that image.
As I didn`t have the time of my life the last weeks I didn`t manage to start working on my project - and due to these weeks right now I feel like I should start with something else first, with another theme maybe ... I will come back to the wall image in some weeks but due to these weeks right now it is very depressing ...
So once again: Do or dump? This time three ideas. One of them good? Sorry to bother you but I`m still unsure about the stuff I do and don`t have anybody I can ask about it. Just want to avoid spending hours and hours in a piece realizing the idea was complete crap after finishing it. Regarding the censoring thing: I hope the text is correct? I`m no native speaker ...
Thanks for every response! suit
can you remind us - are these ideas for prints or stencils, or are these finished works?
@ Dr.Plip: Thanks for your comment. Well, if I had to sit on a strangers forearm, I would be kind of sinister, too. Okay, I am, even without this.
@ Fred R. Achion: Just ideas. I`m trying to find out if the ideas are crap or worth giving one of them a shot. I would try to do stencils.
@shadynasty: Thank you, I saw in your thread that you know how to create strong imagery.
thisisanton: Thank you for the input. I was thinking about that, too. Maybe worth a try but I´m not sure if the "wall" pattern will work with it or if it will look kind of weird with the shot material the image will be painted on.
As I didn`t have the time of my life the last weeks I didn`t manage to start working on my project - and due to these weeks right now I feel like I should start with something else first, with another theme maybe ... I will come back to the wall image in some weeks but due to these weeks right now it is very depressing ...
So once again: Do or dump? This time three ideas. One of them good? Sorry to bother you but I`m still unsure about the stuff I do and don`t have anybody I can ask about it. Just want to avoid spending hours and hours in a piece realizing the idea was complete crap after finishing it. Regarding the censoring thing: I hope the text is correct? I`m no native speaker ...
@ Dr.Plip: Thanks for your comment. Well, if I had to sit on a strangers forearm, I would be kind of sinister, too. Okay, I am, even without this.
@ Fred R. Achion: Just ideas. I`m trying to find out if the ideas are crap or worth giving one of them a shot. I would try to do stencils.
@shadynasty: Thank you, I saw in your thread that you know how to create strong imagery.
thisisanton: Thank you for the input. I was thinking about that, too. Maybe worth a try but I´m not sure if the "wall" pattern will work with it or if it will look kind of weird with the shot material the image will be painted on.
in that case, I'd say go with #1. cutting #3 would probably drive you mad, and I think #2 is too derivative. the puppet could look really neat with the right touch
Not crap, I'd say it's gold. Well done. It needs nothing else, IMO. As an educator in the US, this image really hits home... sadly.
Do.
Sadly is right shady! My wife's been a teacher in the states as well(as was my mom & her mom) for roughly 20 years, so unfortunately I couldn't agree more. And no bashing here. Nice piece that is powerful enough as is! Keep it up.
I would suggest just getting on with cutting some of these out. Once you've started doing some cutting you'll soon discover which images you would prefer to pursue! Just give me a shout if you want any info, I've gone through a few trials and errors
@fred R. Achion: Just to make sure: What so you mean with "derivative"?
@smokey: Thanks for the motivation!
Aza: Wow, thank you. I think I have to try and error myself first. But be warned: I will come back to you when I`m close to smashing something. Which willl be after the first cut I guess. I really love your very detailed work by the way!
@fred R. Achion: Just to make sure: What so you mean with "derivative"?
@smokey: Thanks for the motivation!
Aza: Wow, thank you. I think I have to try and error myself first. But be warned: I will come back to you when I`m close to smashing something. Which willl be after the first cut I guess. I really love your very detailed work by the way!
too similar to ideas we've seen before. not necessarily a bad thing, especially when first starting out, but I think it's important that you look for your own voice and own style. the other two do a better job of that, IMO
I really love your very detailed work by the way!